Avoid Emotional Reactions, Warns Joshua Harris
Speaking to Skye Jethani on the “Holy Post” podcast, former pastor Joshua Harris said faith decisions require a “more nuanced approach.” People need to examine each issue “in light of its own merits and do some hard thinking,” he said, “and not just have this emotional reaction because [the topic is] identified…as belonging to one party or one side.”
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Harris also mentioned the pervasive “fear of getting things right,” which he experienced “all the time” as a pastor. After deconstructing, Harris said, he realized he had similar fears about whether he was taking the correct stand. “That was a wakeup call that I wasn’t quite sure what to do with,” he admitted.
Harris’s upbringing and privilege likely factored in, he added. For example, he said he embraced early opportunities to write and lead, when instead he “needed to linger in places of learning, of wrestling, of considering other viewpoints and perspectives.”
Harris also wanted to be “a good team player” and “go along with things,” he said. As a result, he “became a spokesman for [conservative Christian] values instead of someone who was curious and asking questions.”
When asked how he would advise people who are considering deconstruction, Harris said they should take time to think. “Slow down in the formation of your faith, and even slow down in the de-formation of your faith,” he said.
