Monday, January 28, 2008

Deconstructing Orthodoxy?

A friend of mine recently created a blog that he entitled "Deconstructing Orthodoxy." The definitions provided for each term in the title are as follows:
Deconstruct (de·con·struct): 1. to take apart or examine in order to reveal the basis or composition, often with the intention of exposing biases, flaws, or inconsistencies.
Orthodoxy (or·tho·doxy): 1. a belief or orientation agreeing with conventional standards.
I have spent a fair amount of time with Derrida, Raschke, Brueggemann, and Ward "deconstructing." Not much time or energy is necessary to initially recoginize the biases, flaws, and inconsistencies of the systems and standard of church. Only in one's own recognition of the brokenness and messiness of church is the ideal community actually discovered. I don't agree with the "conventional standards" of American "church." However, I would propose that orthodoxy is not what needs deconstructed when considering that orthodoxy in its truest, most unadulterated state is the standard set by Jesus. Unfortunately, the way of Jesus is not the standard so to deconstruct orthodoxy may, in fact, be appropriate and necessary.
Visit www.deconstructingorthodoxy.blogspot.com. The author is constructing a life in the way of Jesus.

2 comments:

Tyler DeLong said...

Thank you very much Travis...that is exactly what needs to happen. I am working on a blog entry entitled "Searching for True Orthodoxy". It is a loaded topic to unpack. Actually a lot more loaded that I had first thought. I look forward to more discussion...
Grace and Peace

Anonymous said...

I think you're angry

-Bill-

Matthew 5:38-48, NASB

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone want to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only you brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."