A Return to the Supernaturalistic
“To the extent that reason is the standard, faith loses, To the extent that reason develops, science develops, To the extent that science develops, supernaturalistic religious answers to be accepted on faith will be replaced with naturalistic scientific explanations that are rationally compelling.” [1]
Supernaturalistic religious responses in faith are the buzz. In conversations with church leaders, podcasts, and books, it is the supernatural, mysterious acts of God, that will be a primary catalyst for a generation of young Christ followers labeled as “leavers” to become “returners”. I love this because God doesn’t fit in our boxes. . . His ways are higher than mine and I am okay with that (most of the time). Petrusek stated, “Authentic faith is not infrarational (contrary to reason) but rather suprarational, transcending the rational, and not comprehended by reason alone.” [2] The ways of God are not necessarily rational, fitting within our modes of reason. His works are wonderful!!
I love college-age students. There is so much going on in their lives. Generally, fresh high school grads through their 20s are in a stage of life where they are making BIG decisions, such as: What is my purpose in life? Do I want to get married? How will I earn a living? Do I attend college or trade school? Should I take a gap year? Where do I go from here? Who am I? Occasionally, I have the opportunity to meet with them for coffee. I respect their courage to ask questions about life, faith, and relationships. Often our moments together generate laughter as they get a kick out of showing me how to do various tasks with technology.
As I work with young adults, both in the context of serving together on ministry teams, providing vocational coaching, and supporting beginning teachers, glimpses of a similar narrative emerge when engaging in conversations about faith. The stories highlight areas of doubt (which is not all bad), disillusionment, deconstruction, discouragement, and others share stories of hope and renewed faith. Within their narratives, one can glean indications of hurt feelings, a reference to trauma, a reluctance to be vulnerable, a deficit in trust, and a sense of isolation.
A.J. Swoboda, in his book After Doubt, defines deconstruction as “. . . the dismantling of anything that has been constructed.” [3] The deconstruction of faith is a paradox where an individual rethinks or examines their belief system. Similar to a process of dissection, deconstruction can result in either rejection or reconstruction of such beliefs. Sometimes the Christian will deconstruct all the way to atheism. While some find themselves rejecting faith, others experience reconstruction with renewed trust in God and greater humility as followers of Jesus. As I read about postmodern strategy from our text this week, I was disturbed to think that a person would enlist deconstruction as a weapon to skewer old-fashioned beliefs through relativistic arguments and annihilation of common sense. [4]
In the Old Testament, we read about Job. Through a series of hardships, including the tragic loss of his entire estate, Job was recorded to be a blameless, righteous man who honored God. Reading through the twists and turns in Job’s faith can point an individual to the most basic tenet of faith, a simple reliance upon God in both attitude and action. Within Job’s journey one reads about Job’s ability to trust, yield and hope. Old Testament scholar and theologian Walter Brueggemann in his work, Finally Comes the Poet, shares reflections on Job’s triumph through deconstruction, “Faith if it is to survive knowingly and honestly, must live in an unjust world. . . Job learns that while the world may not be to his liking, the world will hold at its center because it is God’s world. The world does not rest in Job’s virtue. In the end Job is released for yielding and submission, for trust and praise, and finally he is released for freedom to live.” [5] Job’s actions and reactions through the cycles of faith model for followers of Jesus that even the most blameless and upright human, as identified in scripture, experienced times of construction, deconstruction and reconstruction.
This week I read the book Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault by Author and Professor Stephen R. C. Hicks. The author delves into the origins, development, and implications of postmodernism seeking to uncover the philosophical roots and implications of postmodern thought. It provides readers with insights into the intellectual history and controversies surrounding this movement. Hicks places postmodernism in its historical context, tracing its roots back to the Enlightenment period and the philosophical ideas of figures such as Immanuel Kant and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
The philosophies of life proposed by Descartes, Rousseau, and the Romantics have influenced current cultural ideologies. Cultural relativism is one such ideology that is expressed in contemporary phrases such as “you do you” or “your truth is your truth.” Cultural relativism is the idea that all beliefs, customs, and ethics are relative to the individual within the person’s social context. While this is one example, cultural ideologies have seeped their way into the church, affecting the cycles of faith formation in Christians. Contemporary voices, like Stephen Hicks, have identified how these influences have affected thought and current philosophical frameworks.
All of this feels like a downward spiral and can be very discouraging, but I found appreciated the reminder from Jenny Dooley, a wise cohort companion, “Hope isn’t found in any political party or socio-economic system. It is found in Jesus.” [6]
How might a person journey through deconstruction and emerge on the other side, more holy, and wholly integrated through the power of the Spirit? Deconstruction is not the end, but might just be the return to the supernaturalistic.
[1] Stephen R. C. Hicks, Explaining Postmodernism: Skeptical and Socialism from Rousseau to
Foucault, Expanded Edition, (Redland Bay, QLD: Conner Curt Publishing, 2011), 26.
[2] Matthew R. Petrusek, Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the
Political Culture (Park Ridge, IL: Word on Fire Institute, 2023).
[3] A.J. Swoboda. After Doubt. (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2021), 7.
[4] Stephen R. C. Hicks, Explaining Postmodernism: Skeptical and Socialism from Rousseau to
Foucault, Expanded Edition, (Redland Bay, QLD: Conner Curt Publishing, 2011), 188.
[5] Walter Bruegemann. Finally Comes the Poet : Daring Speech for Proclamation
(Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1989), 62.
[6] Jenny Dooley. Postmodernism: The Cancellation of Hope, accessed March 7, 2024,
https://blogs.georgefox.edu/dlgp/postmodernism-the-cancellation-of-hope/.
About the Author
Cathy Glei
Cathy Glei brings more than 25 years of experience in teaching, leading and coaching. She currently is an Instructional Coach and loves to support individuals in discovering who God has made them to be, both professionally and personally. She has led a variety of professional development opportunities, trainings and workshops both in the fields of education and ministry. Cathy desires to support individuals in discovering the Creator's design and image within. Cathy and her husband, Steve, live in Michigan with their seven year old Springer, Otis. They have three adult daughters and two son-in-laws. Together, they enjoy the company of friends (both old and new) in their home, as well as cycling, camping, backpacking and hiking. They can be found hiking and enjoying the outdoors with Otis right alongside them.2 responses to “A Return to the Supernaturalistic”
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Hi Cathy,
I appreciate your comments on how deconstruction can lead to reconstruction. That is a good word/reframe to use with a few of my clients and directees who are going through a deconstruction process and want to come out of the experience with their faith in tact, but more meaningful and useful to them. I also love your heart for young people and the question you posed at the end of your post, “How might a person journey through deconstruction and emerge on the other side, more holy, and wholly integrated through the power of the Spirit?” I have been pondering that question. If it was me going through a deconstructing process, I think I would want safe people and spaces in which to name what I was feeling and thinking without risk of being judged or pushed. Reflection is good for the soul and if something isn’t working or isn’t sitting well, it seems we would do ourselves a disservice to not be curious and bring our doubts to God and others who can stand along with us during an spiritually unsettling time. How would you answer your question? I also wonder how the skepticism of postmodernism might being calling this generation to think and reflect more deeply. I enjoyed your post! And, thank you for the encouragement regarding mine!
What sort of supernatural have you experienced? Can you say a bit more on why you feel this is the way to bring young people back to the church? I’m curious.