“We do not think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking.” —Richard Rohr.
Jesus didn’t just teach new things; He taught us to rethink old things.
Six times in Matthew 5, He says, “You have heard that it was said…but I say to you.”
(See Matthew 5:21–26, 5:27–30, 5:31–32, 5:33–37, 5:38–42, and 5:43–48)
These weren’t random cultural proverbs; they were rooted in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). To be clear, no, Jesus wasn’t against Scripture; He was, however, against misinterpretation, which often leads to misuse.
To anchor His teaching, Jesus first offers these foundational statements:
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17-20 NIV
Then he proceeds to deconstruct (their interpretations) to reconstruct God’s original intent.
Let’s go ahead and address the elephant in the room since we’re here. 😬
Deconstruction and reconstruction are hot-button terms right now, and depending on where you’ve heard them, they may carry some baggage. So, for the sake of clarity and charity, here’s what I mean when I use them in this context:
Deconstruction is the critical process by which individuals interrogate inherited theological frameworks, cultural assumptions, and ecclesial traditions to discern their fidelity to the person, teachings, and mission of Jesus Christ. It entails a hermeneutical re-evaluation, often prompted by spiritual dissonance, historical insight, or cultural critique. Properly understood, it is not an end in itself, but a means of purification, stripping away syncretisms, distortions, and ideologies that have accrued around the faith.
Reconstruction is the constructive theological task that follows deconstruction, rebuilding one’s faith with intentionality, rooted in a Christocentric reading of Scripture, informed by historic orthodoxy, and practiced within a faithful community. It prioritizes integration over fragmentation, humility over certainty, and spiritual formation over dogmatic rigidity.
That should bring some relief to our modern minds because, although the challenges we face regarding the misuse of Scripture may feel nefarious, they’re not new. Humans have long twisted sacred words to fit personal or political agendas, even in Jesus’ day.
But the remedy He offered then still holds today. It’s the essence of spiritual growth: not just learning, but also unlearning.
Surprisingly, cognitive science also supports this.
Neuroplasticity research shows that growth isn’t just about adding new information; it’s about making room for it. The brain must prune old neural pathways to create space for new ones. In other words, transformation demands subtraction as much as addition.
Paul frames it this way as he challenges believers in Rome to resist the cultural influences that distort God’s intent:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Of course, this gets personal. Because behind every bad belief is often a beloved teacher.
I’m not here to villainize them; they’re human. They passed on what they knew, shaped by the time and culture in which they lived.
So we can reject the teaching without demonizing the teacher.
We can honor their sincerity even as we outgrow their conclusions.
Unlearning, then, becomes both an act of humility and holiness. It’s how we make room for Jesus to correct, clarify, and deepen our understanding.
The question is, will we let Him?
Reflection Questions
The way of Jesus is accessible to us when we put His words into practice.
So this week, let’s work these words by asking:
What’s one assumption about God (or faith) Jesus is asking you to rethink?
What’s one assumption about others Jesus is asking you to rethink?
What’s one assumption about yourself Jesus is asking you to rethink?