Another Gospel? Alisa Childers Talks Deconstructing Faith and Progressive Christianity

Bobby Harrington interviews Alisa Childers about her book "Another Gospel: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity." This book is essential reading for disciples making disciples who are like Jesus. Alisa started off her faith life as that strong youth group Christian who was involved in everything. In her young adult years she went through a season of doubt that was initiated by her pastor. Since that time she has had to work through those doubts and re-establish her faith through apologetics to put her faith back together. Alisa explains what the common reasons are for deconstructing faith. Typically people are deconstructing evangelical Christianity. They may have gone through abuse or legalism or were kept in the dark on other worldviews. They may have never experienced authentic Christianity. There is rebellion against God taking place in some circles that is birthed out of moral relativism. Deconstruction appears to be a new religion that has its own set of evangelists. Alisa explains what this looks like and why this is happening. There is a strong push to influence others to go down the same destructive path. This comes from a rejection of the Judeo-Christian worldview. People think they are making a move that will get more people to Christ but often the opposite is the real result. They think they are becoming more connected with Jesus but in reality they are becoming less connected. We are trying to resolve problems with ineffective models and methods. Churches are not discipling people in a way like what Jesus did and that may be the root of much of the deconstruction that is going on. If we followed the methods of Jesus we would be growing people deeper where deconstruction wouldn’t be an issue. We need to invest in discipling relationships. Alisa describes what to deconstruct and what not to…what to focus on. She defines deconstruction in a way that is not something that is good. She draws a distinction between doubt and deconstruction. There are things we need to doubt like legalism so that we can find the truth and that requires rejection of some of what we were taught. It is essential we know what is essential doctrine whereas progressive Christianity tends to put every issue on the same level and so they often throw out everything. Bobby shares a chart that conceptualizes making distinctions between what is important, essential and personal. Alisa expounds on this. Penal substitutionary atonement is a key point of contention for those who are deconstructing faith. She says this goes back to their view of anthropology and the garden. They don’t believe sin separates people from God from the beginning. And that undermines atonement on the whole. The separation is self-imposed rather than God imposed and that makes atonement (as traditionally understood) as less needed. Once you don’t need atonement for sin you lose your foundations. Alisa gives her approach to discipling her kids in the midst of a world that lost its way. She points out the overwhelming skepticism that is so prevalent today. Alisa updates on what she has seen in the year since she wrote the book and just how fast things are moving. You can buy her book here - https://www.amazon.com/Another-Gospel... Chapters: 00:00 – Introducing Alisa & Her Book 03:25 – Alisa’s Story 07:57 – What is Going on With the Leaders? 11:12 – Evangelistic Deconstructive Zeal 16:58 – “Onramps” that Are Exit Ramps 20:32 – Methodological Problem In Churches 32:36 – Defining the Essentials 43:18 – Why atonement gets questioned 48:12 – Discipling Our Children 52:18 – Recent Developments #alisachilders #progressivechristianity #deconstruction If you enjoyed this content you need to check out: The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-dis... Our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr