Deconstructive Theology and the Emergent Church

The planners of the 2007 Emergent Theological Conversation asked me to write a response to the following question in order to help participants starting thinking ahead about the encounter:

"Why is the Emerging Church drawn to Deconstructive Theology?"

I'm not sure how soon or exactly where they are going to post my response, but here it is so we can go ahead and get started on our own conversation! 

______________________________

"Why is the Emerging Church drawn to Deconstructive Theology?"

I see at least three emphases within “deconstruction” – understood broadly in the sense proposed by Caputo – that would naturally be attractive to Emergent Types (hereafter ET).

First, deconstruction not only accepts but embraces the category of difference. In part this is attractive to ET because they (we) are embedded within a late modern generation that is open to difference in ways that (so it appears to us) our evangelical “parent” churches were not. Many of these traditional churches focused on sameness: we must all behave according to the same rules, sing the same songs, look at the world the same way, and affirm precisely the same propositions. The deconstructive embrace of the significance of differentiation (differance, deference, etc.) gives ET a language for what they have already experienced: liberation from a constricting obsession with sameness.

Second, deconstructive epistemology (or hermeneutics) calls for humility within the search for knowledge. Now, my point is not that all deconstructive philosophers are humble and (say) analytic philosophers are not. My point is that the “method” of deconstruction is self-reflective in a way that promotes an ongoing interrogation of the way in which one is holding on to one’s knowledge. It challenges arrogant claims to have grasped final, neutral, universal truth. Many ET were raised in churches within the American evangelical sub-culture, wherein theological reflection was anything but humble. In fact, it wasn’t even reflection; it was declaration. Insofar as Derrida (and others) share epistemic qualities such as humility with the Christian apophatic tradition, the former can inspire ET to retrieve the latter. As we continue longing to know and be known by God, deconstruction can alleviate some of our modernist anxiety by helping us accept our finitude; we are not God, but this is OK and we can all take a deep breath and humbly follow in the way of Jesus without pretending like we know everything. After all, even he didn’t know everything! ;)

Finally, deconstruction is surprising. We do not know ahead of time exactly what will emerge when we begin the process of interrogating our beliefs and the practices that shape our interpretations. Constantinian churches don’t like being surprised. They like being in control, and so their engagements with the “other” and the “unknown” tend to look more like colonization than open exploration. ET are willing to give up the need to predict the outcome of every encounter with absolute certainty. In fact, they kind of get a kick out of the shocking discoveries that emerge during the journey itself. Allowing for deconstructive moments within philosophy and theology is one way to open oneself to such surprises, and even to delight in them as they facilitate real transformation.

I’m sure there are many other more concrete reasons that deconstruction is appealing to ET, but it seems to me that these three general characteristics of the approach are a significant part of the mutual attraction. But, hey, maybe you think differently. I could be wrong. Surprise me.

_________________________________

Comments, reflections, accusations of heresy...?

Comments

[Ari]

I figured that - but in your usage above it seems like you're using it in a broader context. If "they" are constantinian, then how would the EC see their relationship to the state in comparison?

[LeRon]

Aha. Now I think I get your question better, Ari... please let me know.

Well, I always resist speaking for ETs, but I'll say that I was using the term in a provocative way... to suggest that many ETs are troubled by the way in which many evangelical churches seem to have accommodated to culture... privileging upper middle class conservative politics in the name of religion. "Jesus likes you to have low taxes." "God is on America's side in war." Etc.

Of course, this is an overstatement meant to provoke... perhaps another characteristic of some ETs!? Me anyway. ;)

LeRon

[Ari]

ok I see what you're saying now. I thought that was probably it but I wanted to make sure I understood. Yes, I think your "generality" is probably quite accurate on the whole...and yes, me too anyway ;) Thank you for taking the time to explain.