“In today’s skeptical culture, it’s not a matter of if doubts come, but when they come.”*

That’s a statement by Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett in their new book, “The Deconstruction of Christianity.” Wow, that title seems pretty ominous. What’s it all about?

There’s a trend today called “deconstruction.” It’s particularly prevalent online; therefore, young people are more susceptible, especially if they don’t yet have a solid grounding and are given free reign online. But what is it? It is “a postmodern process of rethinking your faith without regarding Scripture as a standard.”**

Everyone deals with questions, doubts or crises. When this happens, people sometimes re-think things they had once taken for granted. Fair enough. It’s happened to me too. 

But in the popular trend of “deconstruction,” individuals are encouraged to re-shape their thinking without using Scripture as a standard. There are even professional “coaches” and websites to walk you through this process. Some people radically modify their beliefs (and in so doing depart from biblical Christianity), and others simply become atheists.

Demas comes to mind. He had been one of Paul’s helpers, but eventually deserted him. In fact, he deserted the faith altogether. Why? 2 Timothy 4:10 puts it plainly: “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me…” He was more committed to the pleasures of the world and its fleeting values than to God. This has been a challenge from the earliest days—and continues today.

I was recently privileged to interview Tim about the book. I asked him more in-depth questions, about why hardship makes some people stronger in their faith but others weaker, about how untruthful ideas harm people, about what’s happening today which may be accelerate these trends, and about how to walk alongside someone who is going down a bad path. If you like, you can link to our discussion below. 

But the focus of today’s devotional is simply a reminder to always use Scripture as your guide. When people go off the rails they have usually abandoned Scripture—or, at least, they have abandoned using it in a responsible way. 

“In today’s skeptical culture, it’s not a matter of if doubts come, but when they come.”*

Be prepared—if not for yourself, then for those you care about.

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Notes and extra content:

—NEW PODCAST INTERVIEW: “Deconstructing Christianity? – a talk with Tim Barnett.” Click here, or listen to The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan via your favourite podcasting platform (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)

–*Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett, The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, And How To Respond (Carol Stream: Tyndale Elevate, 2023), 222. 
–**Ibid, 26.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.