When Seeking Jesus Drives You Out of the Church: Interview with Scot McKnight & Tommy Preson Phillips
Feb 1, 2025
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Scot McKnight, a New Testament scholar and author, joins newcomer Tommy Preson Phillips, a pastor, to discuss their book 'Invisible Jesus.' They dive into faith deconstruction, positioning it as a necessary exploration rather than a failure. Highlighting issues like power abuse and rigid beliefs, they advocate for a faith that feels genuine. Their conversation tackles how many Christians are seeking a deeper connection to Jesus outside traditional institutions, raising crucial questions about the future of the church and the need for inclusivity and meaningful faith conversations.
Deconstruction is often misunderstood; many are not abandoning faith but seeking a deeper, more authentic connection with Jesus beyond church structures.
Dissatisfaction arises from how Jesus is represented in church practices rather than dissatisfaction with Jesus himself, prompting individuals to find genuine experiences of his teachings.
Church leaders are challenged to decentralize authority, promote community dialogue, and focus on relationships over rigid doctrines to support spiritual growth.
Deep dives
Understanding Deconstruction
Deconstruction is often misunderstood as simply leaving the church, but many individuals engaging in this process are not abandoning their faith. Instead, they seek a deeper connection with Jesus that they feel is lacking in their current church environments. Statistics indicate that the majority of those going through deconstruction do not desire to leave the church entirely; rather, they are searching for authenticity and a genuine encounter with Christ. This perspective challenges the notion that deconstruction is a negative phenomenon, instead framing it as a necessary exploration for many believers.
Jesus vs. Church Practices
A significant insight shared in the episode is that many people express dissatisfaction not with Jesus himself but with how he is represented within church practices. Individuals often feel they cannot find Christ within the structures or ideologies of the churches they attend, particularly evangelical ones. The argument presents that the actions and teachings of Jesus can sometimes be markedly different from what is enacted in the church community, leading to a disconnect. This disillusionment prompts individuals to leave traditional settings in search of a more authentic experience of Jesus's teachings.
A Prophetic Voice in Deconstruction
The speakers posit that voices emerging from the deconstruction movement can be seen as prophetic, calling attention to the shortcomings of contemporary church practices. They argue that these voices highlight issues within evangelicalism that need to be addressed by church leaders. The deconstruction process opens up dialogue about what genuine faith looks like, focusing on the importance of love, compassion, and authenticity over dogmatic adherence to doctrine. This perspective encourages church communities to listen to deconstructors rather than dismiss them, as they might hold insights crucial for church revitalization.
The Role of Church Leadership
Church leaders are challenged to reassess their understanding of power dynamics within their congregations. There’s a call for decentralized authority structures that promote community engagement and dialogue rather than a top-down approach where a single pastor directs the narrative. The discussion emphasizes the importance of fostering an environment where questions and uncertainties are welcomed, encouraging a more profound exploration of faith among members. Leaders are urged to prioritize relationships over rigid doctrinal enforcement to genuinely support the spiritual growth of their congregation.
Navigating the Political Landscape
The intersection of politics and faith is dissected, revealing how current political movements can impact evangelical church dynamics. The episode discusses the trend of conservative churches aligning with political ideologies, often prioritizing power retention over openness and inclusivity. This alignment can alienate those within the church who desire a faith rooted in the teachings of Jesus rather than political agendas. A call to action for church leaders is to focus on reconciliation and inclusivity, ensuring that they're fostering spaces where love and understanding take precedence over divisiveness and control.
Faith deconstruction has become a defining trend in American Christianity, and disagreement persists about what’s driving it. In this episode, we talk with Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips about their book Invisible Jesus, which considers why so many Christians are critically re-examining their faith. Rather than treating deconstruction as a problem to be solved, they argue that it's a response to real issues—abuse of power, rigid fundamentalism, and a version of Christianity that often looks nothing like Jesus.
Drawing on research from Pew, Gallup, and other studies, McKnight and Phillips unpack what people are actually saying when they step away from the faith communities they grew up in. Some leave Christianity altogether, but most are trying to rebuild something more honest and life-giving. What does it mean to lose faith in the institution but still be drawn to Jesus? And how should the church respond to that tension?
This conversation is for anyone who has wrestled with doubt, walked alongside someone in deconstruction, or wondered what’s next for the church in light of these shifts. Join us as we dig into what’s happening, why it matters, and what a more faithful future might look like.
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