163: Karl Forehand and the Experience of Deconstruction

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

Related episodes:

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