P2 Faith Deconstruction And Reconstructing Faith: What Distinguishes True Faith From Counterfeit Faith?

Introduction:

    In the last post I began a series that will discuss faith deconstruction and how one can reconstruct their faith when they experience a faith crisis. We introduced what faith deconstruction is and noted its view of truth. In this post we will continue on from where we left off in the last post, mentioning Biblical examples of one-time professors of Christianity that walked away from their faith. We will then dive into what distinguishes counterfeit faith profession from genuine faith possession (that is, someone who has been truly born again in saving faith). 

Examples of former professors of Christian faith.

      It may surprise some how often we find examples of people in the Bible who once claimed to follow the Lord but then deny Him [Cain, Genesis 4; sons of Belial or unbelief Deut 13:13, 2 Cor. 6:14-15; 1st generation of Israelites after the Exodus, Exod. 32; Heb 3-4; Korah, Num 16, Jude 1:11; King Amaziah 2 Kgs 14; Judas, Mt 27:3-5; Hymenaeus and Alexander, 1 Tim 1:19-20; Phygellus and Hermogenes, 2 Tim 1:15; Demas 2 Tim. 4:10]. Paul in our text reminds Timothy of how this pattern will only get worse over time. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 - 

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”  

    Sadly, Paul knew this all too well, naming a former ministry colleague “Demas” who was a major ministry partner (Colossians 4:14). Demas’ defection was relatively recent from the writing of Colossians to 2 Timothy (roughly three or four years). Paul notes of Demas in 2 Timothy 4:10 “for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica”. 

    Jesus warned His disciples before His crucifixion of the last days in Matthew 24:10 -

“At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.” 

    That Greek word translated “fall away” is whence we have our English term “apostasy”. Such will characterize more and more this age as we approach Christ’s second coming.

What distinguishes true faith from counterfeit faith?

     Historically, theologians have noted 3 components of saving faith:

1. First, contents of faith (notitia) (1 Cor. 15:4-5). 

2. Agreement with the contents (theologians call this “ascensus”) (James 2:19). 

3. Then lastly, Trust (fiducia) in Christ, along with the contents and agreement.

    We can summarize these in the following diagram:

 

    True saving faith, with trust in Christ as its heart, will entail love for Him and joy in Him (2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Pet 1:8). Years ago I heard one theologian note: “Profession of faith does not always equate to possession of faith”. 

    True saving faith must always include agreement with the contents or doctrines of the Christian faith along with trust; yet it is never less than that. True saving faith is gifted by God with trust, love, and rejoicing in Jesus Christ until life’s final breath and into eternity (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:8; Jude 1:24-25).

     When trials come or when sudden successes appear, the true possessor of faith becomes distinguished from false professor of faith (as was the case with Paul’s former worker Demas).

     Those who pursue the path of deconstruction as self-professed “exvangelicals” will say they were sincere, had a “religious experience”, and said the prayer of confession. Yet, Heb 6:1-8 reminds us that despite such experiences, such persons had not been truly born again (see 1 Jn 2:19). Their sincerity is not in question, instead, was there ever a heart change? Our Baptist Faith & message 2000 summarizes it this way: 

“Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” [Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Article 5].

More next time....