Deconstruction, Derrida, and Emerging Theology

Let me preface this by saying I'm not an expert in postmodern philosophy, Deconstruction, or Derrida. Whether I'm Emergent, well, who knows. I did try reading Mark C. Taylor and was totally confused. That being said, I found this post from LeRon Shults interesting. He writes that Emergents are attracted to Deconstruction for at least three reasons:

1. "Deconstruction not only accepts but embraces the category of difference."

• He writes that most Emergents come from evangelical backgrounds that value sameness of belief, hymnody, and practice. If you look at megachurches and their progeny, you see that this is true -- without a prescribed book of order or prayer.

2. "Deconstructive epistemology (or hermeneutics) calls for humility within the search for knowledge."

• In an earlier post I talked about Mark Toulouse's God in Public and his discussion of priestly faith and public church -- this is that same thing -- that lack of humility, that willingness to accept that one doesn't have all the answers. Emergents have come out of that "have the answers" and recognize that maybe that's not exactly true.

3. "Deconstruction is Surprising."

• Indeed, the journey of faith is full of surprises, something that makes many Christians nervous. But apparently Emergents are enjoying the journey and are ready release control over the journey to God!

Interesting piece from LeRon Shults at "the church and postmodern culture: a conversation."