In this Faith and Friction conversation, Mac and The Rev discuss “deconstruction” in Christian faith as a personal,

ongoing process of critically examining and dismantling inherited beliefs, doctrines, and practices in order to

rethink, reimagine, and potentially rebuild them more authentically. They note how the term can trigger knee-jerk

reactions about tearing things down and exploring alternative framings such as reimagine, refresh, rethink, adjust,

and remember—comparing the process to taking apart and rebuilding a watch, shaking an Etch A Sketch, and

repurposing parts for new use. They emphasize that deconstruction affects every part of life because worldview

and faith influence work, family, play, and relationships, and they contrast “shipwrecking” faith with adjusting sails

to a new wind toward new shores. The episode highlights the challenges of the liminal “in-between” space—using

doorway and trapeze metaphors—where growth requires letting go, trusting the divine, and moving with clarity

rather than demanding certainty. They address common pushback rooted in fear, the loneliness, grief, and isolation

that can come with leaving the comfort of a tribe, and the importance of community and finding others carrying

light. They connect deconstruction to biblical and spiritual examples (including Jesus’ loneliness, wrestling, and

building upon the law), inner work (integrating the “dragon” rather than making parts of self the enemy), and a

personal story involving depression, cleansing, shaving one’s head, and encountering Joseph Campbell. They

encourage contemplative or meditative practice, questioning one’s answers, discernment, and prayer for the “next

right step,” and close by previewing potential future topics such as the social gospel, Christian nationalism, NGOs

and new laws, karma, and the evolution of biblical truth.

00:00 Welcome to Faith & Friction (and why laughter matters)

00:25 The Jesus image backlash: criticism vs. going deeper

01:33 What “deconstruction” really means (watchmaker analogy)

03:31 A working definition + the courage to leave the tribe

05:31 Is there a better word? Reimagine, refresh, rethink

08:14 Etch A Sketch & “remembering”: rebuilding with the pieces

10:33 Deconstruction affects everything: worldview, work, family

12:18 Shipwreck or course-correct? Adjusting sails with the wind

13:09 Pushback, fear, and the liminal space (trapeze trust)

17:21 From certainty to clarity: taking the next step toward growth

18:57 When the Call to Grow Gets Uncomfortable

19:24 Deconstruction as a Path to Remembering Who We Are

20:04 The Lonely Middle: Grief, Pushback, and Holding Onto the Light

21:13 Finding Your Forest: Law of Attraction, Community, and Kindred Voices

23:08 Friction & Approval: Choosing God Over Comfort and People-Pleasing

24:06 Jesus as a Model for Deconstruction and Rebuilding

25:31 The Cast of Characters Within: Peter, Thomas, Judas & the Inner Journey

26:20 Don’t Slay the Dragon—Integrate It: Shadow Work and Releasing the Kraken

27:33 A Personal Breaking Point: Depression, Cleansing, and Joseph Campbell

29:22 Try It for Yourself: Practice, Discernment, and Letting Old Answers Go

33:35 Wrap-Up: Evolutionary Faith, Community, Prayer—and What’s Next