Christian rapper Lecrae’s 10th album is titled Reconstruction. And that word, of course, almost automatically reminds us of a similar one: deconstruction.
In recent years, many high-profile Christians have deconstructed their faith. Which is a polite academic euphemism in most cases for people who’ve walked away from the faith completely. Maybe the notion of deconstructing their previous beliefs somehow feels kinder and gentler than simply labeling themselves unbelievers.
When I first heard that Reconstruction was the name of Lecrae’s latest effort, I confess that I thought, Uh oh. Because, well, it sounds like something a person might do after they’d “deconstructed” their former faith.
Thankfully, Lecrae’s understanding of both words doesn’t quite jibe with contemporary parlance. He’s also well aware these words might make some Christian fans nervous, so he recently clarified what he means in an interview with CCM Magazine:
“There’s just a lot of misconceptions and the rumor mill goes crazy like, ‘What does Lecrae mean when he says ‘deconstruction’ on my last project? And really what I’m talking about is spiritual renewal. I’m talking about getting rid of some things that didn’t make sense. Some things that we have married into our faith that were never supposed to be married. Our Christian faith is not supposed to be married to our political system, regardless of what side of the aisle that you’re on. And so some of us need to deconstruct or tear that down outside of our faith foundations. Our Christian faith is not built on how many church members you have and how big your church is. … And then even just our walk. Right. We can’t just try to check boxes. Did you do your quiet time? Did you go to Sunday service? Man, this is not what this is about. So it’s just tearing some of those walls down and reconstructing on the firm foundation, which we never want to leave, which is Jesus.”
And Lecrae’s laser-like focus on Jesus is impossible to miss on his latest effort’s expansive 19-song track list.
The album’s title track confronts pharisaical hypocrisy in the church: “So we tore it down/Not ‘cause we hate the truth/But ‘cause we love it too much/ … We’re clearing space to rebuild/A faith that can breathe, a gospel that liberates/A Jesus who still overturns tables.”
On “Brick for Brick,” we hear, “Buildin’ the body up, that’s what we doin’/ … I’m buildin’ faith up from summer to winter.” “LIFE” alludes to Galatians 2:20, “Today we bury the old self/The one driven by pain and performance/That version has died/ … In his place stands a new creation, alive in Christ and walking in faith.”
“Headphones” finds Lecrae and guest contributors Killer Mike and T.I. imagining deceased relatives listening to their raps proudly in heaven. “There for You” poignantly reminds us how God delivers us from shame: “In the storm, in the rain/I just call on Your name/ … When I’m lost and I stray/You dissolve all the shame.” “H2O” contrasts the things the world turns to for meaning and relief with the God’s redemptive presence in our lives: “They got tarot cards, they got pills, they got potion/All I need is prayer, and I’m golden.” Elsewhere, that track further critiques the empty hedonism of the celebrity world.
“Holidaze” unpacks the realization that giving in to temptation never satisfies but only brings a price to pay later: “Feel like I deserve to have Miami vices/But every fleeting pleasure come with sacrifices/This is not a liberty, it’s license/Every holiday got hidden prices, yikes.”
“Pray for Me” is a plea for others’ intercession: “When I’m broken, down and out/I hope you pray for me.” Later, the song moves toward a hopeful resolution: “I remember I struggled/With calling Your name/Feeling so dirty and covered in shame/You brought me in/And You broke every chain, yes You did/Made me new again.”
One line in “Die for the Party” could sound a bit shocking if you’re not familiar with the verse it’s alluding to. Lecrae raps, “My good deeds are like some period blood stains on a dirty rag.” That line is actually a fairly accurate paraphrase of a more literal translation of Isaiah 64:6: “We have all become like the unclean; all our righteous deeds are like a menstrual rag” (CEB). This verse is generally translated more politely, such as the ESV’s rendering: “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”
Listeners will hear some references to behaviors that Lecrae indulged in when he wasn’t walking with Christ, such as drinking. Those lyrics don’t glorify his choices, and they usually have a confessional vibe. But they could be taken out of context by a casual listener who’s not paying attention to the bigger story.
For example, “My Story” talks about a season in which Lecrae was deeply disillusioned with the Church: “I was broken and busted/I was dented and rusted/I hated Christians for a while/Thought the Church was disgusting/But that pain becomes license for liquor and lusting/ … Holy Spirit, patiently waiting/Nothing forsaken/Started stirring my faith.”
I suspect that most Christians who live their faith out long enough probably have at least a moment (or perhaps a longer season) when they question it. Lecrae seems to have endured his own time of “deconstruction,” which has been followed by a Christ-focused season of renewal and refocus on the other side.
Reconstruction takes a snapshot of what that season now looks like for him. Yes, there have been times when he didn’t care for the Church, times when he perhaps even succumbed to temptations for a moment. But ultimately, instead of rejecting the faith or walking away from it, Lecrae’s beliefs have been renewed and refined.
As always, Lecrae delivers an unvarnished portrait of his ongoing walk with God—and shares some vulnerable confessions about how he’s stumbled along the way. But he never excuses those failings nor glorifies them. Instead, he has come through to the other side with eyes once again focused clearly on Jesus.
After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.
