Deconstruction

[Cow Poke]

This term seems to be popping up more and more lately, usually (in my experience) with regards to Christian Music Artists who have left the faith.

I have watched several podcasts on this, and they usually feature a once well known Christian Artist who, after reflecting on the religion he/she knew growing up, decided they didn't believe that anymore.

On the contrary, I have seen several accounts where somebody "deconstructs" their faith "in a good way" -- like looking at what they were taught growing up, comparing it with Scripture, and tossing out some of the "tradition" and "religion" aspects, but becoming stronger in the faith.

It appears that the difference (and I'm still examining this) is....
The "bad" deconstruction seems to be more about looking at the Bible and deciding there are parts that are troublesome, so those must be discarded - kind of using one's own "moral compass" to determine what's "true".
The "good" deconstruction seems to be more about looking at "what I grew up with", comparing it to what the Bible actually says, and ending up being stronger in the faith.

Just some initial observations.

[rogue06]

This term seems to be popping up more and more lately, usually (in my experience) with regards to Christian Music Artists who have left the faith.

I have watched several podcasts on this, and they usually feature a once well known Christian Artist who, after reflecting on the religion he/she knew growing up, decided they didn't believe that anymore.

On the contrary, I have seen several accounts where somebody "deconstructs" their faith "in a good way" -- like looking at what they were taught growing up, comparing it with Scripture, and tossing out some of the "tradition" and "religion" aspects, but becoming stronger in the faith.

It appears that the difference (and I'm still examining this) is....
The "bad" deconstruction seems to be more about looking at the Bible and deciding there are parts that are troublesome, so those must be discarded - kind of using one's own "moral compass" to determine what's "true".
The "good" deconstruction seems to be more about looking at "what I grew up with", comparing it to what the Bible actually says, and ending up being stronger in the faith.

Just some initial observations.

The bad deconstruction looks like Cafeteria Christianity on steroids.

[Cow Poke]

The bad deconstruction looks like Cafeteria Christianity on steroids.

EGGzackly how I described it last night to our group! Those words exactly!

[Cow Poke]

With regards to the Christian Artists who "deconstructed" (sounds less bad than apostatized), several comments.

One of them who almost deconstructed realized that, when she was singing in her home Church, she had a Pastor and congregation to whom she was accountable.
When she "went on the road", her only "accountability" was to other performers who really didn't have any accountability either, so she began a downward spiral.
Fortunately, in her case, she woke up and realized what was happening, and came back to her faith.

In several other examples, the "Christian Artist" was somebody who could "perform well", but not quite good enough for the secular audience, but was "good enough" for the Christian Music circuit.
The "performer" wasn't necessarily a solid Christian, but the Christian audiences provided the audience they needed.

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

In several other examples, the "Christian Artist" was somebody who could "perform well", but not quite good enough for the secular audience, but was "good enough" for the Christian Music circuit.
The "performer" wasn't necessarily a solid Christian, but the Christian audiences provided the audience they needed.

An unfortunate turn of phrase implying that Christian audiences are less discerning than secular audiences, which given the quality of some religious choirs is rather unkind.

[Cow Poke]

An unfortunate turn of phrase implying that Christian audiences are less discerning than secular audiences,

I don't think it's that so much as it is that most churches - with the exception of megachurches - can't afford the "big names".

which given the quality of some religious choirs is rather unkind.

Fewer and fewer churches in America have choirs - most seem to be turning to "praise bands" and "worship pastors" and groups.

[whag]

This term seems to be popping up more and more lately, usually (in my experience) with regards to Christian Music Artists who have left the faith.

I have watched several podcasts on this, and they usually feature a once well known Christian Artist who, after reflecting on the religion he/she knew growing up, decided they didn't believe that anymore.

On the contrary, I have seen several accounts where somebody "deconstructs" their faith "in a good way" -- like looking at what they were taught growing up, comparing it with Scripture, and tossing out some of the "tradition" and "religion" aspects, but becoming stronger in the faith.

It appears that the difference (and I'm still examining this) is....
The "bad" deconstruction seems to be more about looking at the Bible and deciding there are parts that are troublesome, so those must be discarded - kind of using one's own "moral compass" to determine what's "true".
The "good" deconstruction seems to be more about looking at "what I grew up with", comparing it to what the Bible actually says, and ending up being stronger in the faith.

Just some initial observations.

Great topic, CP! Glad to see you post here.

I’m sure you won’t be surprised that I don’t see it as so binary. A person can grow up with an accurate Orthodox Christian understanding of things that seems a bit dicey, compare it with what the Bible actually says and the dicey feeling doesn’t go away upon inspection. Your view assumes the deeper analysis necessarily results in fortified faith when it can easily go the other way and exaggerate cognitive dissonance issues.

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

I don't think it's that so much as it is that most churches - with the exception of megachurches - can't afford the "big names".



Fewer and fewer churches in America have choirs - most seem to be turning to "praise bands" and "worship pastors" and groups.

I was thinking more the Tabernacle choir, King's College Cambridge, UK, or the Munich Cathedral choir. The above you cite sound ghastly.

[Cow Poke]

I was thinking more the Tabernacle choir, King's College Cambridge, UK, or the Munich Cathedral choir. The above you cite sound ghastly.

In my opinion, "Church Music" in so many Churches in America is downright sad.

[Cow Poke]

Great topic, CP! Glad to see you post here.

I’m sure you won’t be surprised that I don’t see it as so binary.

Nor do I - this is pretty new to me.

A person can grow up with an accurate Orthodox Christian

OK, clarification needed... when we capitalize Orthodox, we're referring specifically to a segment of Christianity.
When spelled with a small "o", it refers to "orthodox" as opposed to "unorthodox".
Were you intending the former?

understanding of things that seems a bit dicey, compare it with what the Bible actually says and the dicey feeling doesn’t go away upon inspection. Your view assumes the deeper analysis necessarily results in fortified faith when it can easily go the other way and exaggerate cognitive dissonance issues.

OK, ya lost me, because the "deconstruction" that I mentioned was first about those who were abandoning their faith after their "deconstruction" analysis.
My very first sentence is about "Christian Music Artists who have left the faith".

[whag]

Nor do I - this is pretty new to me.



OK, clarification needed... when we capitalize Orthodox, we're referring specifically to a segment of Christianity.
When spelled with a small "o", it refers to "orthodox" as opposed to "unorthodox".
Were you intending the former?



OK, ya lost me, because the "deconstruction" that I mentioned was first about those who were abandoning their faith after their "deconstruction" analysis.
My very first sentence is about "Christian Music Artists who have left the faith".

I meant orthodox as in not off-the-reservation Christianity.

I see you meant very specific deconstruction by famous Christian musicians. I’m not familiar with their stories, so I’ll bow out (until I get sucked back in via the inevitable derail).

[Cow Poke]

I meant orthodox as in not off-the-reservation Christianity.

I see you meant very specific deconstruction by famous Christian musicians.

Well, that's where it first caught my attention, then I started digging into it.

I’m not familiar with their stories, so I’ll bow out (until I get sucked back in via the inevitable derail).

You're welcome to stay.

[The Melody Maker]

I am highly opposed to the term "deconstruction". Any good object-oriented programmer knows that the opposite of a constructor (to create an object in RAM) is a destructor (releasing it back to the operating system). Therefore, the term ought to be "destruction."

But in all seriousness, it is sad to see professing believers turn away, rejecting the Christ they once claimed to love, and then make futile attempts to excuse their doing so.

[Cow Poke]

I am highly opposed to the term "deconstruction". Any good object-oriented programmer knows that the opposite of a constructor (to create an object in RAM) is a destructor (releasing it back to the operating system). Therefore, the term ought to be "destruction."

But in all seriousness, it is sad to see professing believers turn away, rejecting the Christ they once claimed to love, and then make futile attempts to excuse their doing so.

I think there's an added element that they made, in some cases, BIG BUCKS off of their music careers in Christian music, then, in some cases, they just move into secular music and still make money.

[mossrose]

In my opinion, "Church Music" in so many Churches in America is downright sad.

Should hear the choir at Grace Community sometime. And the congregational music is wonderful, as it is in my local church.