We sometimes find that our lived experiences don’t align with what we’ve been taught in the church. The faith we’ve constructed might seem shaky as doubts creep in and questions arise from our experiences. And once you’ve seen a brick that doesn’t fit, you can’t unsee it. What now?
Faith, for many of us, becomes a wrestling match. Why does this struggle happen? It’s often because the faith we’ve built was constructed on faulty foundations—bad theology, an unhealthy image of God, or beliefs and traditions that were controlling or even abusive. Much of our faith may have been immature, and instead of fostering growth, it stayed stagnant.
Here’s the truth: mature Christians “do” ask tough questions. We “do” doubt, we “do” wrestle with what we’ve been taught, and this is a necessary part of faith. The very act of questioning is a sign that faith is alive and needs to be nurtured toward maturity.
I’ve heard it said, when confronted with these challenges, we have three choices:
1. Return to damaging opinions, traditions, or belief systems. This is the easiest path, but it doesn’t lead to growth. Instead, it reverts to unhealthy patterns.
2. Walk away from God and the Church entirely. This choice may feel freeing at first, but it often leaves us disconnected from the deeper truths we still seek.
3. Search for a better construction of faith. This third path calls us to reconstruct our faith on a stronger, healthier foundation, rethinking what we know about God and life.
Deconstructing to Reconstruction
Deconstructing faith is not about destroying it; it’s not an invitation to deconversion. Instead, it’s about renovating the aspects of our faith that were faulty, so we can rebuild with a stronger foundation. The goal is to establish a faith that continues to grow—faith that is resilient and deeply rooted in truth.
We could go on and on about these foundational beliefs, but I invite you to listen to the sermon from this week (08/18/24) for more in-depth teachings.
Faith, for many of us, becomes a wrestling match. Why does this struggle happen? It’s often because the faith we’ve built was constructed on faulty foundations—bad theology, an unhealthy image of God, or beliefs and traditions that were controlling or even abusive. Much of our faith may have been immature, and instead of fostering growth, it stayed stagnant.
Here’s the truth: mature Christians “do” ask tough questions. We “do” doubt, we “do” wrestle with what we’ve been taught, and this is a necessary part of faith. The very act of questioning is a sign that faith is alive and needs to be nurtured toward maturity.
I’ve heard it said, when confronted with these challenges, we have three choices:
1. Return to damaging opinions, traditions, or belief systems. This is the easiest path, but it doesn’t lead to growth. Instead, it reverts to unhealthy patterns.
2. Walk away from God and the Church entirely. This choice may feel freeing at first, but it often leaves us disconnected from the deeper truths we still seek.
3. Search for a better construction of faith. This third path calls us to reconstruct our faith on a stronger, healthier foundation, rethinking what we know about God and life.
Deconstructing to Reconstruction
Deconstructing faith is not about destroying it; it’s not an invitation to deconversion. Instead, it’s about renovating the aspects of our faith that were faulty, so we can rebuild with a stronger foundation. The goal is to establish a faith that continues to grow—faith that is resilient and deeply rooted in truth.
What Does Reconstruction Look Like? Reconstruction is about building a healthier, more mature faith—one that moves beyond simply accepting what others have told us about God. It’s about seeking a personal experience with the one true God. This isn’t the God someone else experienced or a distant deity we’ve heard of; this is a God we come to know intimately through our own walk of faith.
As we continue this series, we’ll explore part one of reconstruction by bring clarity to orthodox beliefs. I have challenged many of you to examine old paradigms and consider new ones. But we need to be cautious—throwing out the old for the new isn’t always the answer. The real question is: *What is true? What is foundational?
What is worthy of being added to our faith or what is worthy to replace some of the blocks that don’t seem to be holding up? And how do we know what is right? These are great questions, and today and next week, we’ll explore the basics and the essentials of a vibrant, healthy faith. Spoiler alert: we’re not God, and mystery will always be a part of our journey.
As we begin to explore the foundational elements of our faith, it’s important to remember that Christianity is more than just rules. Yes, rules and doctrines are essential to Christianity, but at its core, Christianity is a relationship with a loving and holy God. Doctrine provides a framework, but it’s the relationship that breathes life into that framework.
For those of you who are rule-followers, don’t worry! There’s nothing wrong with having structure in your faith. In fact, essential beliefs and truths help us build a strong foundation. But we have to remember that Christianity is more than just following rules—it’s about living in relationship with a God who loves us.
The Core of Christian Doctrine
Our core beliefs and theology are essential to a strong faith. Without seeking truth, Christianity loses its grounding and risks becoming nihilism—a rejection of all moral and religious principles, leading to the belief that life is meaningless.
Our core beliefs and theology are essential to a strong faith. Without seeking truth, Christianity loses its grounding and risks becoming nihilism—a rejection of all moral and religious principles, leading to the belief that life is meaningless.
John 3 offers us a guide on how to establish foundational beliefs, particularly in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. This dialogue guides us toward what building blocks are necessary for a healthy, orthodox faith that leaves room for both questioning and growth. It’s a faith that lives in love with others, even those who differ from us, without compromising on foundational truths.
As we begin the process of reconstructing our faith, it's helpful to consider two types of "bricks" that shape our beliefs: foundational bricks and designer bricks. Both are necessary but serve different purposes.
FOUNDATIONAL BRICKS
These are non-negotiable in Christian doctrine. For us as Wesleyan Methodists, these foundational beliefs are reflected in the 25 Articles of Faith, as well as in historic Christian creeds like the Apostle’s Creed, Nicene Creed, and Chalcedonian Creed. These creeds emphasize core truths such as the resurrection of Jesus, His divinity, the Triune God, free will, and original sin—doctrines that are shared universally across the Methodist world. These are the bedrock of our faith, providing stability and unity.
These are non-negotiable in Christian doctrine. For us as Wesleyan Methodists, these foundational beliefs are reflected in the 25 Articles of Faith, as well as in historic Christian creeds like the Apostle’s Creed, Nicene Creed, and Chalcedonian Creed. These creeds emphasize core truths such as the resurrection of Jesus, His divinity, the Triune God, free will, and original sin—doctrines that are shared universally across the Methodist world. These are the bedrock of our faith, providing stability and unity.
At John Wesley Methodist Church (JWMC), we unapologetically stand on these foundational bricks while welcoming all, recognizing that we are all “sinning saints" on a journey of grace.
DESIGNER BRICKS
These bricks reflect our social stances and communal practices, which are important but not foundational. Although we might have been taught by others or lived in a church culture that treated them as foundational. Designer Bricks act as covenantal guidelines that help us live out our faith in our particular community, allowing for gracious debate and differences of opinion. For instance, some may have differing preferences in church culture, much like how people have varying opinions on home décor—whether to use shiplap or sheet rock. Though not foundational, these designer bricks help to shape our communal identity.
These bricks reflect our social stances and communal practices, which are important but not foundational. Although we might have been taught by others or lived in a church culture that treated them as foundational. Designer Bricks act as covenantal guidelines that help us live out our faith in our particular community, allowing for gracious debate and differences of opinion. For instance, some may have differing preferences in church culture, much like how people have varying opinions on home décor—whether to use shiplap or sheet rock. Though not foundational, these designer bricks help to shape our communal identity.
Let’s dive into the Foundational Bricks (beliefs) which give us five key elements needed for building a strong foundation of faith using the imagery of stone building construction:
1. Grace – the foundation footings
2. Faith – the cornerstone
3. Scripture – the blueprints
4. Discipleship – the slab or floor
5. Sacraments – the pillars or columns
GRACE - The Foundation Footings (John 3:16-17)
Grace is the footing that holds everything in place. It’s the most crucial part of the foundation, bearing the entire structure’s weight. In our faith, grace is God’s unearned and undeserved gift of salvation. WARNING: Do not build your faith on any other foundation, if you do you will struggle to see the fullness of God’s love and gospel.
2. Faith – the cornerstone
3. Scripture – the blueprints
4. Discipleship – the slab or floor
5. Sacraments – the pillars or columns
GRACE - The Foundation Footings (John 3:16-17)
Grace is the footing that holds everything in place. It’s the most crucial part of the foundation, bearing the entire structure’s weight. In our faith, grace is God’s unearned and undeserved gift of salvation. WARNING: Do not build your faith on any other foundation, if you do you will struggle to see the fullness of God’s love and gospel.
Jesus’s conversation with Nicodemus shows that God gave His Son out of love for the world—not to judge it, but to save it. Grace should underpin every aspect of our spiritual journey, and when absent, even the best rules and traditions lose their power to transform us.
WESLEYAN CONCEPT OF GRACE
At the heart of our Wesleyan theology is a robust understanding of grace. Wesleyan Methodists believe everyone is in need of grace, because of our sinful nature (Article VII) and God’s grace meets us at every stage of our spiritual journey, and this is expressed through three distinct types of grace:
At the heart of our Wesleyan theology is a robust understanding of grace. Wesleyan Methodists believe everyone is in need of grace, because of our sinful nature (Article VII) and God’s grace meets us at every stage of our spiritual journey, and this is expressed through three distinct types of grace:
1. Prevenient Grace (Article VIII)
Prevenient grace is the grace that comes before we are even aware of it. It’s God’s work in our lives before we make any conscious decision to follow Him. Prevenient grace grants us “free will”, offering us the ability to choose God or to reject Him. It’s God’s invitation to salvation, extended to everyone, even when we’re unaware of His presence.
2. Justifying Grace (Article IX)
Justifying grace is the grace that aligns us with God. When we respond to God’s prevenient grace with faith, we are justified—made right with God—“by faith alone, not by our works”. Justifying grace is the moment of salvation, when we are forgiven of our sins and brought into right relationship with God. It’s God’s gift to us, allowing us to stand justified in His presence.
3. Sanctifying Grace (Articles X & XII)
Sanctifying grace is the on-going work of God in our lives after justification. It is the grace that transforms us and produces the “fruits of faith”. Even though we continue to sin, sanctifying grace keeps working in us, helping us to grow in holiness and Christ-likeness. This grace is vital for our spiritual development, as it continuously draws us closer to God, enabling us to reflect His love and character in our daily lives.
Prevenient grace is the grace that comes before we are even aware of it. It’s God’s work in our lives before we make any conscious decision to follow Him. Prevenient grace grants us “free will”, offering us the ability to choose God or to reject Him. It’s God’s invitation to salvation, extended to everyone, even when we’re unaware of His presence.
2. Justifying Grace (Article IX)
Justifying grace is the grace that aligns us with God. When we respond to God’s prevenient grace with faith, we are justified—made right with God—“by faith alone, not by our works”. Justifying grace is the moment of salvation, when we are forgiven of our sins and brought into right relationship with God. It’s God’s gift to us, allowing us to stand justified in His presence.
3. Sanctifying Grace (Articles X & XII)
Sanctifying grace is the on-going work of God in our lives after justification. It is the grace that transforms us and produces the “fruits of faith”. Even though we continue to sin, sanctifying grace keeps working in us, helping us to grow in holiness and Christ-likeness. This grace is vital for our spiritual development, as it continuously draws us closer to God, enabling us to reflect His love and character in our daily lives.
Each type of grace plays a crucial role in our spiritual journey, reminding us that salvation is not a one-time event but a continual process of transformation that begins with God's grace and unfolds throughout our lives.
FAITH — The Cornerstone (John 3:5-7)
If grace is the footing, faith is the cornerstone that aligns everything else. It’s our response to God’s grace, a love returned to the Love that first loved us. Jesus taught Nicodemus that faith is not about legalistic obedience but about being spiritually reborn. Faith is the love we give back to God, and it shapes how we see the world, interact with God, and live out our theology.
If grace is the footing, faith is the cornerstone that aligns everything else. It’s our response to God’s grace, a love returned to the Love that first loved us. Jesus taught Nicodemus that faith is not about legalistic obedience but about being spiritually reborn. Faith is the love we give back to God, and it shapes how we see the world, interact with God, and live out our theology.
We could go on and on about these foundational beliefs, but I invite you to listen to the sermon from this week (08/18/24) for more in-depth teachings.
CONNECT GROUP QUESTIONS:
1. Have you ever experienced a time when your lived experience didn’t align with the faith or teachings you grew up with? How did you handle the questions and doubts that arose from that?
2. What does it mean to deconstruct and reconstruct faith in a healthy way? In your own journey, have you encountered beliefs or traditions that needed to be "demolished" in order to rebuild a stronger foundation?
3. In what ways have bad theology or harmful religious traditions shaped your view of God? How has a more accurate understanding of grace changed the way you see God and your faith?
4. What is the difference between “foundational beliefs” (like orthodox doctrine and creeds) and "designer bricks" (like community-specific interpretations of the Biblical practices)?
5. How does our faith community strike a balance between holding onto core doctrines and allowing for diversity in social stances and practices?
6. How do the first two elements of building a foundation of faith (grace and faith) apply to your spiritual life? Let’s explore further together.
7. Which of these two elements do you feel needs more attention or growth in your current walk with God?
2. What does it mean to deconstruct and reconstruct faith in a healthy way? In your own journey, have you encountered beliefs or traditions that needed to be "demolished" in order to rebuild a stronger foundation?
3. In what ways have bad theology or harmful religious traditions shaped your view of God? How has a more accurate understanding of grace changed the way you see God and your faith?
4. What is the difference between “foundational beliefs” (like orthodox doctrine and creeds) and "designer bricks" (like community-specific interpretations of the Biblical practices)?
5. How does our faith community strike a balance between holding onto core doctrines and allowing for diversity in social stances and practices?
6. How do the first two elements of building a foundation of faith (grace and faith) apply to your spiritual life? Let’s explore further together.
7. Which of these two elements do you feel needs more attention or growth in your current walk with God?
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