Essential Christian beliefs for those deconstructing their faith

If you’re walking through faith deconstruction, wrestling with your beliefs, or trying to take ownership of your faith (while feeling disenfranchised by the institutional church) you’re not alone.

There’s a lot happening in the American church right now, and many people are asking: “What if I want to hold onto Jesus but I’m not sure about organized religion?”

This question leads to an even more fundamental one: What do you actually need to believe to call yourself a Christian from a doctrinal standpoint? What do you need to “keep your faith in Jesus” and lose your religion.

The Foundation: Understanding Christian Doctrine

In my previous posts, we’ve talked about deconstruction—the process of questioning and understanding your faith.

We’ve established that this isn’t a bad thing (even Martin Luther was deconstructing when he wrote his 95 Theses). We’ve also discussed why understanding theology matters. (See episode #11)

But if you’re not ready to dive deep into complex theological concepts like the doctrine of sin or detailed explanations of the Trinity, there’s a starting point I call “home base.”

That starting point is the Apostles’ Creed.

What is the Apostles’ Creed?

The Apostles’ Creed is a statement of essential Christian beliefs that begins:

“We believe in God the Father, creator of heaven and earth, his only son Jesus Christ…”

If you’ve grown up in a Catholic church or attended certain denominations, you’ve likely heard this recited during services. But do you understand why it exists and what it means for your faith?

The Historical Context: Why the Apostles’ Creed Matters

To understand the importance of the Apostles’ Creed, we need a brief history lesson.

Christianity Under Persecution

For the longest time, being a Christian meant having a target on your back. Christians were:

• Enemies of the state
• Enemies of the government
• Hated by society
• Considered a nuisance
• Subject to murder and persecution

Being a Christian was literally life-threatening.

The Constantine Era

Eventually, a new ruler named Constantine came to power. Constantine decided to allow Christians to exist without trying to murder them. (Whether Constantine himself became a genuine Christian is debatable, but that’s not our focus here.)

for more information on this, here are some fun videos for reference

• The History of the church in a nutshell – https://youtu.be/RQjS6NGvlQ0?feature=shared;

• History of the Church with John Greene – https://youtu.be/TG55ErfdaeY?feature=shared;

The First Christian Conventions

Constantine’s protection created a safe space for Christians to gather publicly for the first time. This opportunity allowed Christian leaders to come together and ask crucial questions:

• What does it mean to be a Christian?
• How do we live out being a Christian?
• Can we agree on basic terms and conditions?

Think of it like vegans getting together to define what it means to be vegan, or Americans creating the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights—establishing systems that define identity and beliefs.

The Creation of the Apostles’ Creed

A group of bishops came together and created what we now call the Apostles’ Creed. While it changed over time (with additions and subtractions), it generally remained consistent in its core elements.

This creed represents what you need to believe to be a Christian.

Your Faith Building Inspection

Here’s how I want you to think about the Apostles’ Creed: It’s like a building inspection for your faith.

When you buy a house, you get an inspection that tells you:

• What needs to be fixed
• What could be potential problems
• What’s required for the house to be structurally sound

The Apostles’ Creed is your faith’s building inspection. Note: The “we believe in the Catholic Church” does not mean THE Catholic Church with popes and stuff. The word “Catholic” comes from the Greek word “Katholicas,” which means: “Universal, Global, Worldwide, The whole church”

It refers to the global, universal body of believers—all Christians around the world who believe in God, not a specific denominational struct

How to Use This Tool

1. Google the Apostles’ Creed (or the Nicene Creed)
2. Read through everything carefully
3. Ask yourself: Do I agree with everything on this list?
4. Identify areas where you have questions or disagreements
5. Work from there in your theological understanding

The Non-Negotiables of Christian Faith

I need to be honest with you: The beliefs in the Apostles’ Creed are non-negotiable. These are the absolute tenets of Christian faith.

What This Means (And What It Doesn’t)

This doesn’t mean:

• You’ll go to hell if you struggle with these beliefs
• You can’t ask questions about them
• You have to understand them perfectly right away

This does mean:

• These beliefs represent sound Christian doctrine
• They create a safe theological foundation
• They help you avoid spreading false theology
• They provide structure for authentic Christian community

Think of it this way: You want your faith to be a building that’s structurally sound—one where you can safely live and where others can safely visit.

Why These Beliefs Matter for Your Deconstruction

Understanding these core beliefs helps you:

1. Distinguish between essentials and preferences
2. Identify what’s truly biblical vs. human tradition
3. Build a solid foundation for your reconstructed faith
4. Engage in meaningful theological discussions
5. Avoid harmful theological errors

What to Do If You Struggle with These Beliefs

If you read through the Apostles’ Creed and find yourself struggling with certain points, that’s okay. Here’s what to do:

It’s Okay to Ask Questions

• Question everything on the list
• Seek understanding rather than blind acceptance
• Study each point in depth
• Talk to trusted mentors or theologians
• Take your time with the process

Focus on Understanding, Not Perfection

Remember, faith is a journey. You don’t need to have perfect understanding or complete certainty about every point immediately. The goal is growth and authentic belief, not religious performance.

Moving Forward in Your Faith Journey

The Apostles’ Creed isn’t meant to be a test you pass or fail. It’s meant to be a foundation you build upon. As you continue your deconstruction and reconstruction process, let these essential beliefs guide you toward a faith that’s both authentic and biblically sound.

Your Next Steps

1. Read the full Apostles’ Creed (link provided below)
2. Identify areas of agreement and struggle
3. Research the historical context of challenging points
4. Seek community with others on similar journeys
5. Be patient with yourself and the process

Final Thoughts

Deconstruction doesn’t have to be complicated or scary. Having a clear understanding of essential Christian beliefs gives you a roadmap for your journey. You can question, explore, and grow while staying grounded in the foundational truths that have guided Christians for centuries.

Remember: You’re not trying to complicate your faith—you’re trying to make it structurally sound. The Apostles’ Creed helps you do exactly that.

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Resources:

• The Apostles’ Creed – Full Text
• The Nicene Creed – Full Text
• Previous post: You Are a Theologian
• Understanding Deconstruction

What questions do you have about the Apostles’ Creed? Which beliefs resonate with you, and which ones challenge you? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or message me privately if you prefer a more personal conversation.

If you know someone struggling with their faith journey, share this post with them. We’re all figuring this out together, and it doesn’t have to be complicated.