Many self-identified Christians have themselves or have friends and family who are leaving their Christian faith and are turning to a belief system that yields to person, al opinion and the Godless cultural whim over truth. This “Christian Deconstructionism” movement is taking the world by storm. It is sweeping through families and churches with the intent to break down faith in Jesus Christ and the Bible.
Deconstruction is a movement that is disrupting, dismantling, and destroying the faith of many believers who are defenseless to overcome Satan’s attack because they do not have a solid foundation of the Christian faith. Over the last several years, Satan has subtly persuaded Christians to abandon the biblical tenets of truths of the Bible and instead yield to the Godless culture, which embraces a faith that makes everyone feel good. This movement is of Satan, who cleverly sneaks his way into our hearts and minds from fallen church pulpits and through godless social media, podcasts, television, and internet sites. Most people slipping away from their God’s truth are generally unaware of what is happening to them. It is the way Satan works.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
“He is the “deceiver of the whole world” (Revelation 12:9).
Satan is winning the battle over the minds and hearts of many Christians because Christians do not prioritize studying the Bible and learning how to defend the tenets of our faith as being important. In fear of being called “judgmental,” we keep quiet. The goal for all Christians should be to align our beliefs with the word of God and what is accurate rather than what others might believe.
Francis Schaeffer writes about the concept of separating opinions from truth. He illustrates this concept with a two-story building: Science and reason are in the lower story. The upper story is of non-cognitive experience, which focuses on personal meaning. This is where people say, “That may be true for you, but it’s not true for me.”
Does religion belong in the lower story or the upper story? In other words, is religion a matter of fact about reality, or is it a matter of private, personal belief? Contemporary culture has relegated religion, including morality, to the upper story, which takes it from what is true and what is false altogether.
Christianity is not simply about finding a way of life that works for us or fits our personal tastes. Being a Christian can be extremely hard and lonely. It is important to remember that we are not on this earth to be happy but rather to experience God’s joy as we live out our faith in a very dark world,
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Warner Wallace, an author and apologetic expert, says: “I’m not a Christian because it works for me. I had a life before Christianity that seemed to be working just fine, and my life as a Christian hasn’t always been easy. I’m a Christian because it is true. I am a Christian because I want live in a way that reflects the truth. I’m a Christian because my high regard for the truth leaves me no alternative.”
Because biblical Christianity’s foundation is absolute truth, it does not belong in the upper story; It is truth. We should ask those identifying as Christians: “Do you know what it means to be Christian? To be a Christian, you must believe that Jesus died on a cross and 3 days later rose again to pay for the penalty of your sins. Being raised in a Christian home or repeating some prayer that you really didn’t understand does not make you a Christian. Belief results in obeying God and loving and serving others.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Most people who walk away from their faith have questions about life, suffering, and death that have gone unanswered in their churches. Others lose faith because misbehaving Christians cause them to stumble. Most pastors and youth workers do not teach the scripture in a way that is relevant to the lives of the listener or answer questions that we all have about the Christian faith.
Questioning and doubting the Christian faith does not have to level a death blow to someone’s faith. The hope of rebuilding faith in Christ comes through the work of the Holy Spirit in Christians who have a solid understanding of the Christian faith through studying the Bible and apologetics. They are the ones who are equipped to answer tough questions that, unless answered, will lead to disengagement of their faith. We all need to be the person who can answer such questions with gentleness and respect. Sadly, Christian schools, colleges, youth pastors, and churches have not learned how to build a solid biblical apologetic worldview for themselves and for those who desperately need such training.
The good news is that we can become a part of turning the tide of wandering faiths. There is hope. We must approach the solution with Christian boldness and not avoid people entertaining the idea of leaving their faith. Instead, we must hear their side of the story, be prepared to talk with them and answer their questions about God, the Bible, and why a good God allows suffering. Everyone has a personal story about their struggles with believing in a loving and holy God when their families are falling apart, and the world is doing likewise.
Their fears are real; God is real. He wants to be with and guide us amid our doubts and fears. Are you willing to go alongside these people who want to know the truth, including your family members, read scripture, and pray together?
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
[It is for such a time as this that the Anchorsaway ministry exists. We want to be part of the solution by answering questions we all have that have traditionally gone unanswered over time. If you have never learned how to defend and live out your Christian faith you can start today by learning how to defend your faith and get your questions answered! Go to anchorsaway.org and click on the Unanswered: Smoke, Mirrors, and God and order the packet that comes with free shipping.]