18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” (1 John 2:18–19 ESV)
For the next several days we are taking a sabbatical from our study of the Gospel of Matthew. Instead, we are revisiting the topic Deconstructing Christianity. We initially taught this subject in 2023. Perhaps you have heard this term, or others like it. What is Deconstructing Christianity or Deconstructing Faith?
Faith deconstruction, also known as deconstructing faith, evangelical deconstruction, the deconstruction movement, or simply deconstruction, is a Christian phenomenon where people unpack, rethink and reexamine their belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and their involvement in organized religion or the evangelical church.
For some, it is rejecting justification by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. For others, this may lead to dropping one’s faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord all together or it may result in an even stronger faith in Christ. The deconstruction movement is broadly defined but generally involves a reexamination, and often a rejection, of the doctrines of biblical Christianity.
“Deconstruction is the process of systemically dissecting and often rejecting the beliefs you grew up with. Sometimes, the Christian will deconstruct all the way to atheism. Some remain there, but others experience a reconstruction. But the type of faith they end up with embracing almost never resembles the Christianity they formerly knew,” states author Ivan Mesa, book editor at The Gospel Coalition.
Prominent former Christians who underwent deconstruction include author Joshua Harris (who briefly offered a course on deconstruction), Abraham Piper, and worship leader/composer Marty Sampson.
I recently became aware of statements Marty Sampson expressed regarding Christianity in general, and worship music in particular. Mr. Sampson, Hillsong worship leader and song writer, confessed the real reason behind the lack of depth in his songs.
“I just don’t have any real faith in this Jesus bloke, but I can write a good love song with the best of them and that’s been the secret to my success,” explained Sampson.
When asked why he has turned away from the faith, he responded: “Nobody talks about hard stuff – and by no-one I mean those in my middle-class Western Christian bubble and obviously I’m ignoring all those passages in the Bible which do or the last 1,500 years of theological thought.”
In his now deleted Instagram post he revealed more. Sampson states: “I mean how many preachers fall? Many. Whereas in the Bible people like Moses, David and Peter never fell. How many miracles happen in our comfortable version of Christianity? Not many. But no-one talks about the miracles that happen daily for those under persecution and on the front line.
“I mean what kind of God requires that we actually go out and tell people about Jesus so that they are rescued from Hell? They should just all go to heaven without repentance that would create such a perfect place.“
“Christianity is just one version of God – all the other religions where God doesn’t sacrifice himself for mankind and people have to earn their way to heaven by their own works have something to say too.“
“I know I keep contradicting myself but I’ll ignore that and point out how the Bible is full of contradictions. I want genuine truth without Jesus. Unfollow me if you want, I’ve never been about living my life for others, as Jesus will testify.”
However, Sampson is optimistic about his future, “Currently there is no-one writing songs for the ex-evangelical group. This is a great opportunity for me to tap this market and write some angsty songs so I can continue to live in my ‘real’ bubble.”
I want to examine Mr. Sampson’s criticisms of biblical truth. Are his conclusions true, or just worn-out clichés? If he is accurate in some of his observations regarding ministry, then the church needs to repent of its sin and reevaluate its mission, vision and values. If he is wrong, and he is,, a respectful reply is warranted (I Peter 3:13-17). His statements require a truthful response. I prayerfully intend to provide such a response.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 