Karl Forehand and the Experience of Deconstruction
Jan 31, 2024
Karl Forehand is an author, former pastor, and podcaster. Today, Karl shares the story of his deconstruction, an idea that has been bantered around a bit lately. But what is it? Deconstruction is simply the process of letting go of false beliefs about God, the world, and yourself and discovering the reality of all three. As Karl shares in his story, it can be painful and you can lose friends when you ask questions. But the process is also liberating and Karl found new practices, places of inspiration, and even wrote a book called Apparent Faith. This part of the journey can feel lonely and if you’re there, listen to Karl’s story and know you are not alone.
Stories Karl shared:
- His current season of deconstruction
- Writing a book and his current work and situation
- Growing up in Oklahoma in a relatively spiritual home
- Struggling to fit in with his personality and feeling underestimated
- Feeling called to ministry and planting a church
- Realizing he could no longer fake his faith
- Learning from his children through conversation
- Finding contemplative practices to help him
- Learning centering prayer
- Learning about the shadow parts of himself
- What this season of dark night has taken out of him
- Why he wrote his book Apparent Faith
- The tea shop encounter that convinced him to be on the journey
Great quotes from Karl:
I think people underestimate me.
It makes people uneasy when you start to grow.
When I deconstructed as far as I did, Jesus was still compelling to me, the way of Christ was compelling to me. That was the part I couldn’t give up.
Resources we mentioned:
- Karl’s website
- Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart
by Karl Forehand
- Heart Connexon
- Richard Foster’s books Celebration of Discipline and Prayer
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