Job was a Gnostic in sheep’s clothing. He rejected transactional theology, told his religious friends to shove their piety platitudes, and demanded a real encounter with the Divine. When God finally answered, it wasn’t with doctrine—it was with a whirlwind of Mystery. That’s not orthodoxy. That’s initiation. Even the satan plays Demiurge here, testing the soul’s allegiance to something deeper than blessing. Job doesn’t get answers. He gets awakened. And Elihu? Just a theological patch note God promptly ignores. So yeah—Job deconstructed before it was cool.
Started a 41 day reading plan through Job today. Got through the first 7 chapters and needed to take a break, but oh is it good so far. The remaining days will take me through each individual chapter. Excited to see where this goes!
Good stuff! Somewhere along the line in my deconstruction, the fiction writer in me noticed for the first time how Job was a carefully crafted story and that it didn’t have to be historical to be beneficial. That was a huge step forward for me in seeing the Bible in a different light.
My earliest cracks in literalism were similar. I wrote about in my first post here but even as a kid in Sunday school I remember being like, "The tower of babel story is clearly myth, y'all." lol
This is wonderful!! Thank you. It always amazes when people only view the Bible as a book of rules rather than a story to engage in, as story of people wrestling with the mystery of God. Just like we do today. Anyway, this was a wonderful piece and much appreciated.
I just finished a reading plan on Job. I wish I'd read this first. So glad Elihu was probably added later. He's annoying. Job has always struck me as one of the most honest characters ( and I choose that term deliberately) in the Bible. I've also always really kind of loved God's response to him... Where were you when I built the whole freaking universe? These are the kind of questions I struggle with and I love knowing deconstruction is woven throughout the Bible.
Language matters. Words mean things. If you are indeed still a Christian, then that word is a bad one to use. Deconstruction, in its modern usage, usually means the following when referring to Christianity: the process of questioning, doubting, and ultimately rejecting all or key aspects of the Christian faith.
Job didn't reject his faith or abandon key aspects of it. He decided that he trusted God enough to continue to trust in Him--even in the difficult times when he couldn't understand *why* things were happening.
Does your "different kind of Christian" involve:
- Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Resurrected Savior
- Genuine repentance for sin
- Confession of Christ as Risen Lord
- Receiving God’s grace, not earning it
- Confirmation by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
If it does, you're the same kind of Christian that the Apostles were and that I am. We are brothers in Christ with some different, but non-essential, beliefs.
If it doesn't, then the term "Christian" is probably a bad one to use.
Equating asking “why?” with deconstruction is a remarkable leap.
And by “remarkable,” I mean ludicrous.
Job never lost his faith—he asked why.
In response, God essentially said: Can you trust Me, even if you never learn why?
God doesn’t promise us all the answers. He doesn’t promise us an easy life. Jesus’ apostles showed us what it can truly look like to follow and trust Him.
Humbly, I think you have one view of what we mean when we talk about deconstruction. For me, going through my questions and doubts helped me find what I truly believe. I ended up being a different kind of Christian instead of trying my hardest to be the kind I was taught to be.
Job was a Gnostic in sheep’s clothing. He rejected transactional theology, told his religious friends to shove their piety platitudes, and demanded a real encounter with the Divine. When God finally answered, it wasn’t with doctrine—it was with a whirlwind of Mystery. That’s not orthodoxy. That’s initiation. Even the satan plays Demiurge here, testing the soul’s allegiance to something deeper than blessing. Job doesn’t get answers. He gets awakened. And Elihu? Just a theological patch note God promptly ignores. So yeah—Job deconstructed before it was cool.
Virgin Monk Boy approves this sacred heresy.
🙏🏼
'Jesus was a Jewish mystic, not an evangelical Christian.' Dude! THIS!!!!! Also, I need to read through Job again.
:)
Started a 41 day reading plan through Job today. Got through the first 7 chapters and needed to take a break, but oh is it good so far. The remaining days will take me through each individual chapter. Excited to see where this goes!
Well let us know how it goes. :)
I will! 😊
Good stuff! Somewhere along the line in my deconstruction, the fiction writer in me noticed for the first time how Job was a carefully crafted story and that it didn’t have to be historical to be beneficial. That was a huge step forward for me in seeing the Bible in a different light.
My earliest cracks in literalism were similar. I wrote about in my first post here but even as a kid in Sunday school I remember being like, "The tower of babel story is clearly myth, y'all." lol
Good insight! Job's experience is an allegory for everyone who goes through religious deconstruction. This link explains a lot: https://www.thewaywesee.com/religiondetoxnetwork/mystery/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns/death-resurrection-life
This is wonderful!! Thank you. It always amazes when people only view the Bible as a book of rules rather than a story to engage in, as story of people wrestling with the mystery of God. Just like we do today. Anyway, this was a wonderful piece and much appreciated.
Thank you!
I love what we find when we look in the nooks and crannies of a story. Particularly the ones we think we know or were taught to know... 🤔
me too!
One more comment and I am done. Job's miserable counselors are false prophets. This link will explain: https://www.thewaywesee.com/religiondetoxnetwork/mystery/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns/people/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets
The other topic that grabbed me in your post is temptation. Christianity interprets it all wrong. See this link: https://www.thewaywesee.com/religiondetoxnetwork/mystery/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice/#temptationsofjesus
There is much here worthy of comment. I will begin with Elihu who is a model of a true prophet. See this link for understanding of true prophets: https://www.thewaywesee.com/religiondetoxnetwork/mystery/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns/people/true-prophets
I just finished a reading plan on Job. I wish I'd read this first. So glad Elihu was probably added later. He's annoying. Job has always struck me as one of the most honest characters ( and I choose that term deliberately) in the Bible. I've also always really kind of loved God's response to him... Where were you when I built the whole freaking universe? These are the kind of questions I struggle with and I love knowing deconstruction is woven throughout the Bible.
Language matters. Words mean things. If you are indeed still a Christian, then that word is a bad one to use. Deconstruction, in its modern usage, usually means the following when referring to Christianity: the process of questioning, doubting, and ultimately rejecting all or key aspects of the Christian faith.
Job didn't reject his faith or abandon key aspects of it. He decided that he trusted God enough to continue to trust in Him--even in the difficult times when he couldn't understand *why* things were happening.
Does your "different kind of Christian" involve:
- Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Resurrected Savior
- Genuine repentance for sin
- Confession of Christ as Risen Lord
- Receiving God’s grace, not earning it
- Confirmation by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
If it does, you're the same kind of Christian that the Apostles were and that I am. We are brothers in Christ with some different, but non-essential, beliefs.
If it doesn't, then the term "Christian" is probably a bad one to use.
Equating asking “why?” with deconstruction is a remarkable leap.
And by “remarkable,” I mean ludicrous.
Job never lost his faith—he asked why.
In response, God essentially said: Can you trust Me, even if you never learn why?
God doesn’t promise us all the answers. He doesn’t promise us an easy life. Jesus’ apostles showed us what it can truly look like to follow and trust Him.
What God does promise is redemption.
We just have to accept it—accept Him.
Humbly, I think you have one view of what we mean when we talk about deconstruction. For me, going through my questions and doubts helped me find what I truly believe. I ended up being a different kind of Christian instead of trying my hardest to be the kind I was taught to be.
Doubts are difficult to deal with but they are healthy and good. See this link: https://www.thewaywesee.com/religiondetoxnetwork/mystery/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns/2