Great article Kristen. As a retired pastor of 40 years my faith has gone through many renovations from my original indoctrination when I first trusted in Christ as an unchurched 24 year old man who was living a messy self destructive lifestyle. It continues to change today as I now call myself a follower of Christ and His ways rather than evangelical co-opted by the Trump cult. Keep on writing in the life changing ways that you do. You are greatly appreciated.
As a Winnipegger, this article really resonated! Just wished the tour made a stop here. As a Mennonite, looking back, I was never sure we really fit under the term Evangelical. In fact, I remember being taught as a teen, to constantly be evaluating & re-evaluating our church practices & beliefs for myself to ensure they were in line with scripture. Now in my 50s, I can see what a gift that was.
Thank you sharing this. And thank you overall for your resilience
especially in a time when people (e.g. me) sometimes feel just weary. Your Substack is an outlet in a way to let others know they are not alone ! Have a wonderful day!
Another example: Sheila Gregoire is Canadian also. I don’t know if others would consider her to be in the “deconstruction” space exactly but I think she is, maybe just speaking to a different aspect than others are.
Thanks much, Kristen! And for all readers: *Christian Courier* is a dear little Canadian rag with an alarmingly wide and deep ecumenical roster of contributors. We--I'm board chair, hence the shameless royal plural--are a proudly humble Canadian Reformed publication celebrating our 80th anniversary this year. Anyone may get a three-month FREE print subscription by going to christiancourier.ca or always read online. We are almost sure that the freebie will tempt you sore and well actually to PAY for a subscription or to contribute to our meagre budget as an online reader and help keep us afloat another 80 years. You'll like it, eh!
Thank you! And let me add for anyone eager to *do something*, subscribing to a paper like this does more than you realize. Those on the front lines need your support!
Reading today’s newsletter, Exodus 33:7 came to mind. Moses used to take the tent and pitch it some distance from the camp. Anyone wanted to consult YHWH would go to this “outside the camp” tent. Why? You can see a thing better by standing some distance away. By being away from the center of power for two reasons, Canadian women can see better.
From the center of power, it’s harder to remember how much we depend on each other. For that reason, I left the Catholic Church half a century ago. If I knew then what I know now, I’d have stayed and tried to change it from the inside.
The founding principle of Christianity and every wisdom practice is the moral imperative to treat others the way we would what to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot. Unfortunately, morality is so inconvenient and being powerful is so much easier without it. But then what used to be a faith tradition is built on a foundation of sand.
"Those who left evangelicalism for more liturgical traditions were how little they knew about these and other aspects of Christianity. ‘They had little sense of church history,’ [Schuurman] said, noting they were surprised to learn ‘there was so much else out there, so many riches they knew nothing about’ in terms of the liturgy, symbols, and prayers.” This is so on point.
For as long as I was in my Christian community, I learned so little. I've realized that is because I didn't learn; I was told. Indoctrination and learning are two very different things I've come to discover. As a 44-year-old adult, breaking the cycle for myself is difficult because we were conditioned from toddlerhood on up to believe exactly as we were told. Being told is my "comfort" zone. We never had a chance for discovery. Thankfully, I'm not raising my girls like that. Thankfully, little by little, I'm on a path to discovery. And I am so thankful that through all this, Jesus is with me.
Would this “Canadian”deconstruction movement benefit from the “Four Stages of Faith:” Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity, Harmony, as discussed by Brian D. McLaren in his book FAITH AFTER DOUBT: WHY YOUR BELIEFS STOPPED WORKING AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT? It has provided clarity to some and confusion for others.
Fascinating! As a Canadian experiencing a slow and steady deconstruction and deprogramming from evangelical radical teachings - which are showing up strong in commentary on the Israel Gaza war - I appreciate your focus and sharing this with us. I had no idea. It’s very odd that the book is not showing up when I search the websites of 3 local bookstores, but I will go in person to ask staff to search. I don’t order anything from Jeff Bezos due to his propping up the tyrant.
This is another part of the evangelical world, not the deconstructing, but I also think that Canada has had a big impact on the charismatic world.
For example, consider:
So much of the Latter Rain movement came out of a small group in Saskatchewan. A bunch of women were involved. Indeed, it was a woman's prophecy in 1948 that really kicks if off.
The Toronto Blessing has had a huge impact and many of the leaders of that were women.
Great article Kristen. As a retired pastor of 40 years my faith has gone through many renovations from my original indoctrination when I first trusted in Christ as an unchurched 24 year old man who was living a messy self destructive lifestyle. It continues to change today as I now call myself a follower of Christ and His ways rather than evangelical co-opted by the Trump cult. Keep on writing in the life changing ways that you do. You are greatly appreciated.
Thank you. Reading spiritual biographies, I don’t know if any person’s living faith remains static and unchanging.
I humbly agree. I think that changing is the presence of a vibrant, living faith. Static is disconcerting.
As a Winnipegger, this article really resonated! Just wished the tour made a stop here. As a Mennonite, looking back, I was never sure we really fit under the term Evangelical. In fact, I remember being taught as a teen, to constantly be evaluating & re-evaluating our church practices & beliefs for myself to ensure they were in line with scripture. Now in my 50s, I can see what a gift that was.
Thank you sharing this. And thank you overall for your resilience
especially in a time when people (e.g. me) sometimes feel just weary. Your Substack is an outlet in a way to let others know they are not alone ! Have a wonderful day!
Thank you. The weariness is real.
Wondering about similar experiences in the UK, Australia, etc. Right-wing tentacles out in those places, too; what's countering them?
Another example: Sheila Gregoire is Canadian also. I don’t know if others would consider her to be in the “deconstruction” space exactly but I think she is, maybe just speaking to a different aspect than others are.
I thought about her and wondered exactly that. She’s certainly been deconstructing purity culture.
Thanks much, Kristen! And for all readers: *Christian Courier* is a dear little Canadian rag with an alarmingly wide and deep ecumenical roster of contributors. We--I'm board chair, hence the shameless royal plural--are a proudly humble Canadian Reformed publication celebrating our 80th anniversary this year. Anyone may get a three-month FREE print subscription by going to christiancourier.ca or always read online. We are almost sure that the freebie will tempt you sore and well actually to PAY for a subscription or to contribute to our meagre budget as an online reader and help keep us afloat another 80 years. You'll like it, eh!
Thank you! And let me add for anyone eager to *do something*, subscribing to a paper like this does more than you realize. Those on the front lines need your support!
This podcast sounds great. Hopefully resident clinic will be light and I'll get to listen some this afternoon!
Don't forget Carolyn Arends, prolific songwriter, and now at Renovaré...
I know I’m forgetting others, too!
Renovare is an oasis in the desert.
Thanks for this Kristin.
Great review of this book! I happen to be reading it currently, here in Ottawa :)
Reading today’s newsletter, Exodus 33:7 came to mind. Moses used to take the tent and pitch it some distance from the camp. Anyone wanted to consult YHWH would go to this “outside the camp” tent. Why? You can see a thing better by standing some distance away. By being away from the center of power for two reasons, Canadian women can see better.
From the center of power, it’s harder to remember how much we depend on each other. For that reason, I left the Catholic Church half a century ago. If I knew then what I know now, I’d have stayed and tried to change it from the inside.
The founding principle of Christianity and every wisdom practice is the moral imperative to treat others the way we would what to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot. Unfortunately, morality is so inconvenient and being powerful is so much easier without it. But then what used to be a faith tradition is built on a foundation of sand.
"Those who left evangelicalism for more liturgical traditions were how little they knew about these and other aspects of Christianity. ‘They had little sense of church history,’ [Schuurman] said, noting they were surprised to learn ‘there was so much else out there, so many riches they knew nothing about’ in terms of the liturgy, symbols, and prayers.” This is so on point.
For as long as I was in my Christian community, I learned so little. I've realized that is because I didn't learn; I was told. Indoctrination and learning are two very different things I've come to discover. As a 44-year-old adult, breaking the cycle for myself is difficult because we were conditioned from toddlerhood on up to believe exactly as we were told. Being told is my "comfort" zone. We never had a chance for discovery. Thankfully, I'm not raising my girls like that. Thankfully, little by little, I'm on a path to discovery. And I am so thankful that through all this, Jesus is with me.
Would this “Canadian”deconstruction movement benefit from the “Four Stages of Faith:” Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity, Harmony, as discussed by Brian D. McLaren in his book FAITH AFTER DOUBT: WHY YOUR BELIEFS STOPPED WORKING AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT? It has provided clarity to some and confusion for others.
Fascinating! As a Canadian experiencing a slow and steady deconstruction and deprogramming from evangelical radical teachings - which are showing up strong in commentary on the Israel Gaza war - I appreciate your focus and sharing this with us. I had no idea. It’s very odd that the book is not showing up when I search the websites of 3 local bookstores, but I will go in person to ask staff to search. I don’t order anything from Jeff Bezos due to his propping up the tyrant.
Thanks Kristin….
This is another part of the evangelical world, not the deconstructing, but I also think that Canada has had a big impact on the charismatic world.
For example, consider:
So much of the Latter Rain movement came out of a small group in Saskatchewan. A bunch of women were involved. Indeed, it was a woman's prophecy in 1948 that really kicks if off.
The Toronto Blessing has had a huge impact and many of the leaders of that were women.
Appreciate this! I’ll have to read the book this summer - deconstruction is fascinating and important, especially when it isn’t loud!