In this episode, John takes on a question that’s been floating around the public conversation for years — often asked with fear, frustration, or misunderstanding: Is deconstruction a bad thing?

After years of listening to the debate unfold online and in church spaces, it felt like time to finally respond. This conversation is part of our current series tackling some of the most frequently requested topics from listeners — and few have come up as often as this one.

John explores what “deconstruction” actually means, why so many people are drawn to it, and how it’s often mischaracterized by those who haven’t walked through it. From faith crises to intellectual honesty, this episode invites listeners to see deconstruction not as the end of faith, but as a deeply human and often necessary process of growth.

• Why the term “deconstruction” has become controversial
• How faith communities have responded — and why many get it wrong
• The philosophical roots of deconstruction (Derrida, Foucault, and beyond)
• Why deconstruction doesn’t equal destruction
• The emotional and spiritual side of rethinking belief
• Rebuilding after the unraveling — what comes next
• Listener questions: “Can you come back from deconstruction?”

• Deconstruction isn’t rebellion — it’s reflection.
• Asking hard questions doesn’t destroy faith; it refines it.
• Healthy faith can withstand curiosity, doubt, and nuance.
• The goal isn’t to tear down belief, but to let go of what’s untrue so that something more honest can take root.

• Books & Articles
• Faith After Doubt — Brian D. McLaren (Amazon)
• The Sin of Certainty — Peter Enns (Amazon)
• The Great Spiritual Migration — Brian D. McLaren (Amazon)
• Out of Sorts — Sarah Bessey (Amazon)
• Theology in the Raw — “Is Deconstruction a Bad Thing?” podcast episode (theologyintheraw.com)
• Essays & Think Pieces
• “Deconstruction Is Not the Enemy” — Sojourners Magazine
• “When Faith Falls Apart: Why Deconstruction Can Be Holy” — Relevant Magazine
• “The Difference Between Deconstruction and Destruction” — Religion News Service
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• thedeconstructionists.com

Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Episode Summary

You’ve probably heard it before: “The Bible clearly condemns homosexuality.” But is that actually true?

In this episode, we put that claim under a microscope. We dig into the six main passages most often cited against same-sex relationships, examine them in their original language and cultural context, and confront the translation choices and theological assumptions that have shaped centuries of Christian thought.

We also respond to common accusations from fundamentalist circles—that affirming interpretations “don’t take the Bible seriously” or are just “twisting Scripture to fit modern culture”—and show how serious scholarship actually tells a different story.

Key Topics Covered

• Why the word “homosexual” did not appear in English Bibles until the 20th century

• How ancient cultures, including those in the biblical world, understood sexuality and relationships

• The difference between exploitative, non-consensual sexual acts in the ancient world and modern, loving, consensual same-sex relationships

• Detailed breakdown of:

• Genesis 19 (Sodom and Gomorrah)

• Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13 (Holiness Code)

• Romans 1:26–27

• 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10

• Why context matters: ancient hospitality codes, temple prostitution, and cultural purity laws

• How fewer than a dozen verses address same-sex acts—compared to thousands on love, justice, and caring for the marginalized

• Why serious biblical scholarship supports an affirming view

Primary Sources & Scholarship

Research for this episode draws from respected biblical scholars, linguists, and historians, including:

General Context & Language Studies

• Matthew Vines – God and the Gay Christian

• David P. Gushee – Changing Our Mind

• James V. Brownson – Bible, Gender, Sexuality

• William Loader – The New Testament on Sexuality

Translation & Language Issues

• Ed Oxford – research on the history of the word homosexual in Bible translations

• Dale B. Martin – Sex and the Single Savior

Old Testament Context

• John J. Collins – Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (on Holiness Code)

• Martti Nissinen – Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical Perspective

• Dan McClellan - the Bible Says So: What we get Right (and wrong) About Scripture's Most Controversial Issues

New Testament Context

• N.T. Wright – various works on Paul (discussing cultural setting)

• Robin Scroggs – The New Testament and Homosexuality

• Ken Stone – Practicing Safer Texts: Food, Sex and Bible in Queer Perspective

Special music on this episode provided by Forrest Clay and Que Jones

In Part Two of our interview with Sarah Hurwitz, we dive deeper into the big questions raised in Here All Along. Drawing on her experiences in both politics and faith, Sarah reflects on the role of ritual, the meaning of community, and how spiritual practices can ground us in an unsteady world.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Jewish rituals and practices can bring balance to modern life.
• The challenge and beauty of faith communities today.
• Lessons from her time working with President Obama’s speechwriting team and Michelle Obama.
• How wisdom traditions can help us wrestle with meaning, identity, and purpose.

Sarah Hurwitz served as a senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama and as chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama from 2010 to 2017. Since leaving the White House, she has become a leading voice in exploring spirituality and Jewish identity for a new generation.

• 📖 Book: Here All Along (Amazon)
• website: https://www.sarahhurwitz.net/
• 🌐 Author Page: Penguin Random House – Sarah Hurwitz

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