Depending on where you look, the Bible teaches that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked (see Deuteronomy) and also that God blesses both the just and unjust (Matt. 5:45). Scripture says that life is fundamentally fair, because you reap what you sow (Gal. 6:7-9), and also that bad things sometimes happen to good people for no valid reason (see Job).
If you honestly engage with the Bible, it’s impossible to miss the raging debates among its many authors and books.
Some of the Biblical authors seem to be aware of each other and responding directly. Paul emphasizes salvation by grace, for example, but James emphasizes good works. Christian theologians have spilled much ink reconciling these teachings, but could it be that Paul and James disagreed? And the people who canonized the New Testament wanted to preserve their debate for future generations, rather than give us neat and tidy answers? Maybe they weren’t sure either?
Acknowledging and embracing the diversity of scripture can be a huge step toward a healthier relationship toward it.
Many people who deconstruct their faith do so because of the contradictions in the Bible they can’t explain away or ignore anymore. The doctrine of inerrancy turns faith into a house of cards. If you believe in Jesus because the Bible is inerrant, then the different versions of creation in Genesis 2 and Genesis 3 pose a major challenge to your faith before you even get to page 4.
Others deconstruct because of how others weaponized scripture against them. Many Christians, and ex-Christians, carry shame because of how some used the Bible to dehumanize them. LGBTQ+ Christians, and girls and boys subjected to purity culture come to mind. Even straight, cisgender Christians may shudder at the sight of the Bible used to terrify them of an imminent Rapture.
Reconstructing faith may require stepping away from the Bible for a time. You may want to stop reading the Bible and instead read about the Bible. Tons of fantastic podcasts, websites, and books share fascinating Biblical scholarship.
Which teaches 1) the Bible is not inerrant, 2) the Bible contains diverse traditions and perspectives, and 3) these are good things!
When you let go of inerrancy, then you become free to recognize, examine, and even celebrate the diversity contained within the Bible’s pages. You get to participate in the Biblical tradition of asking more questions than you answer, exploring endless perspectives and angles, and deriving wisdom for your life and faith.
You get to approach the Biblical authors on their own terms instead of imposing your modern worldview onto them. You get to the freedom to take responsibility for what scripture means for your faith and how you practice it.