Constructive Deconstruction

I just watched a video that my son sent me of some old buildings being demolished to make way for new construction. It's wild how those structures that took months or years to build can come crashing down in just seconds! They had to use explosives to bring them down, but out of that destruction, a beautiful new building will rise.

Muslim children learning the Quran

A former missionary to Muslims came up with a term for the process that converts from Islam go through, which is all about demolishing old ways of thinking. They must rethink their Islamic beliefs and behaviors to align with the Scriptures. He calls it Constructive Deconstruction, or “unlearning while learning.” This process isn’t just for converts from Islam; it’s for all believers who need God to transform their minds, hearts, and practices to reflect Christ. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul talks about renewing the mind, which is the Holy Spirit’s work through God’s Word, so that the believer can discern the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. Paul contrasts being conformed to the world with being transformed to the likeness of Christ. In Ephesians 5:26, he mentions the washing of water with the Word, showing that God must demolish the old to build the new in us through His Spirit. In Philippians 2:5, we’re told to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus, which is all about humility and submission to the Father—focusing on His desires instead of our own.

The Bible is the authoritative rule for belief and conduct.

For converts from Islam, David Arzouni highlights five key areas of constructive deconstruction: (1) the relevance and credibility of the Bible, (2) the questionable nature of the Quran, (3) debunking the veneration of Muhammad, (4) understanding salvation to avoid legalism, and (5) recognizing the deity of Jesus Christ and the Cross.[i] As new believers in Jesus from a Muslim background experience this transformation, they will see that the Allah of the Quran isn’t the same as the God of the Bible!

Stain glass window with central dove, representing the Holy Spirit

The teaching on “constructive deconstruction” should also clear up misconceptions about Christianity, such as spiritual warfare, baptism in the Holy Spirit, family life, and relationships, and emphasize submission to a loving heavenly Father rather than just a religion. All believers need the Holy Spirit to destroy old patterns so that they can more clearly reflect the image of Christ.

As you pray for converts from Islam, ask the Holy Spirit to do this work of constructive deconstruction in their lives. Also, pray that this lifelong process happens in your life, too, as you stay in God’s Word and submit to the lordship of Christ.

[i] David Arzouni. (2022) From the Crescent to the Cross: Shepherding Muslim Background Believers, 94.