It has been said that the title of a recent book “My Christian Apology” is a play on words.  The sub-title is “Apologetics Explained and Applied.”  If it was a play on words then the author might lay claim to Jacques Derrida’s postmodern deconstructionism.  Since I am the author of  “My Christian Apology” I apologize for my apology and denounce literary deconstructionism. 

A few words about deconstructionism will suffice.  The alleged father of deconstructionism, Jacques Derrida, explains (or does not explain) this concept.  “The ‘power’ that language is capable of, the power that there is, as language or as writing, is that a singular mark should also be repeatable, iterable, as mark.  It then begins to differ from itself sufficiently to become exemplary and thus involve a certain generality” (Acts of Literature).  A very sophisticated suggestion from what appears to be the mind of a master sophist.   The Free Dictionary turns the philosophical language into the vulgar language.  “To a deconstructionist, meaning includes what is left out of the text or ignored or silenced by it.  Because deconstruction is an attack on the very existence of theories and conceptual systems, its exposition by Derrida and others purposely resists logical definitions and explanations, opting instead for linear presentations based on extensive wordplay and puns.”  The result of this theory ends up in the literature class with a devastating effect.  The subtle teaching is that the words of the speaker or writer have no absolute truth or meaning until it is deconstructed by the hearer or reader and reconstructed according to his or her world view.

“My Christian Apology” has no hidden meaning, doesn’t need to be deconstructed, and it is certainly not necessary to reconstruct the meaning by discovering the meta-narratives that hide the intent of the author.  The only word that would cause a Christian to flinch is “apology.”  The word apology comes from the Greek word transliterated “apologia.”  The  biblical meaning of apologia means to “give a defense.”  When Paul appeared before Felix in Acts 24 Paul said “I cheerfully make my defense.”   An apology has taken a new meaning.  Webster says it may mean “a written or spoken expression of one’s regret, remorse or sorrow.”  It has replaced the biblical way of reconciling relationships that is “forgive me.” 

Nominalism in medieval philosophy or postmodern deconstructionism in the 20th/21st century simply disregards the notion that there is objective truth in the Christian world and life view. I will continue to offer my Christian apology to defend my Christian world and life belief, D.V.