First, let me say that Deconstructing in the Progressive Movement is not only harmful but sinful. It takes a Christian and tears the very fabric of their faith into a shredded remnant of truth and leaves a pack of lies. So, in this article, I’ll define deconstructing and look at the six pillars of the Progressive Movement’s poisonous concept of deconstructing. Then I’ll share some final thoughts.
Deconstructing in the Progressive Movement Defined
The progressive movement is a pseudo-Christian cult based on the post-liberal movement. In other words, they are “Christians” that are ultra-liberal, but question almost everything and have a propensity to rethink all doctrines, documents, and religious practices. The CARM ministry defines Deconstruction as “removing the stale, modernistic, absolutism that has permeated interpretation of scripture, God, and truth.” Absolutism meaning the belief in absolute principles in philosophical, ethical, or theological matters. The Progressive Movement, also known as the Emergent Church, does not believe in absolutes, such as the only way to the Father is through the Son. There ultra-liberal stance and their refusal to accept the absolutes within Biblical scripture lead them to question the very core beliefs of Christianity. They, in turn, share these apostate doctrines with others, purposefully dismantling true Christianity.
The Bible in the Progressive Movement or Emergent Church
They claim that the Bible is full of errors, inconsistencies, and contradictions. Because of this, the first thing they try to deconstruct is the Bible. They usually do this by listening to or reading information produced by this Progressive Movement and fail to do their own research. As Christians that actually study the Bible and diligently seek the answers to supposed inconsistencies, we can know that there are no inconsistencies or contradictions. Many of these “contradictions” are addressed and cleared up in the book, The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. It’s an excellent resource for those that find supposed contradictions or errors. My research has shown that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of the Almighty God.
Eternal Torment or Hell in the Progressive Movement
The Progressive Movement questions the concept of Hell. They feel that the idea of Hell is exclusively a New Testament doctrine and is, therefore, a contradiction of the Old Testament. This supposed contradiction is by no means true. The Old Testament uses the term Hell 31 times and Sheol, which, according to context, can mean Hell or the grave. You find in Daniel 12:2, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” This verse is about the time when everyone will be judged, and those not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire – a place of everlasting contempt or eternal torment. Hell exists, and this truth should not be questioned because the evidence is overwhelming that it must exist.
Matthew 3:7, Matthew 3:12, Matthew 5:29-30, Matthew 18:9-12, Matthew 13:38-42, Matthew 13:49-50, Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43-47, Luke 12:5, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Jude 7, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 20:13-15, and Revelation 21:8.
Punitive Substitutionary Atonement in the Progressive Movement
The Progressives feel that God used His Son to be nothing more than a receptacle of His wrath. Jesus’ punishment was to appease a tyrannical God, which makes God a monster that would unjustly punish His Son. But nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus willingly died for us to take on all our sins, and the most important thing you need to remember is that Jesus is God the Son. So, God Himself became flesh to willingly die for our sins so that through Him, we can have eternal life and an eternal relationship with God. Therefore, the truth is that God is profoundly generous and loving and cares about every person. Entering Heaven only has one stipulation – you must accept the free gift of salvation through your acceptance of Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Suffering in the World in the Progressive Movement
This concept of suffering is one of the progressive movement’s biggest hurdles. They ponder, “if God is a loving God, why is there suffering in the world.” They consider, “why is little Jose starving?” “Why is Jing being persecuted because of her Christianity?” “Why is David ridiculed because he’s ultra-conservative and believes the Bible is the only source of absolute truth.” They don’t understand that they must remember the character of God. He is the self-existent creator of everything, almighty, and exists throughout every moment of time and space simultaneously. He knows the end from the beginning. Therefore, His plan is perfect! If we question His plan, we undermine the entire concept of God and disrespectfully reject His Sovereignty. The character of God is that of a loving father that sometimes must chastise, teach, encourage, correct, etc., to raise His children properly.
The End Times in the Progressive Movement
The Progressives reject prophecy because they feel that there have been too many predictions that have failed, so they consider all End Time prophecy to be hype without substance. This erroneous thought process stems from the date setting false prophets that have predicted the Rapture or other predictions. But again, they fail to do their research! These date setters are false teachers that are in direct opposition to scripture. Jesus said in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” So, we cannot know the date of the Lord’s return. This fact is obvious in scripture. My research has shown that all the prophecies, thus far, have been 100% accurate. So, the ones to come will also come true with complete accuracy.
The Church Deconstructing in the Progressive Movement
The Church is considered heretical to the Progressives. They, through faulty research, have determined that the Church was inspired by pagan worship practices and modeled after a system of hierarchy and control. This thought process is completely ridiculous. It again fails to understand that the Biblical Church is not a place or system but instead is a body of believers that consists of every true Christian that has or will ever exist. The Church they reference is the organized communal churches that practice various doctrines and sacraments. They feel these were inconsistent with the original organization of the churches. Again, their faulty research fails to trust that the Bible is true and accurate. Churches must have some hierarchy to accomplish the tasks necessary to maintain, nurture, and grow their congregation.
Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3:8–13; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18.
Final Thoughts Concerning Deconstructing in the Progressive Movement
This demonic practice of deconstructing your own faith to come to your own conclusions about your faith, the Church, and your own personal characterization of Jesus and God is spiritual suicide! Even a reasonably strong Christian can happen upon a Progressive Movement church and be indoctrinated into this destructive deconstruction practice. You think you’re visiting a Christian church, but instead, you walk into a pseudo-Christian cult. If any church asks you to question the Bible, God’s precious Holy Word, leave that Church immediately! If you hear the doctrine of Deconstruction in a church, leave that Church immediately! If you are asked to question your faith, doctrines, or sacraments, leave that Church immediately! Historic, orthodox Christianity will never fail you; the Bible will never fail you; our Triune God will never fail you.
2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Diligently protect yourself from deception and apostasy (rejection of sound doctrine), by studying and knowing Biblical scripture.
I love all of you and have a blessed day!
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