Rebuilding Faith from a Crumbled Foundation
Grammy-winning rapper Lecrae has released Reconstruction, his tenth studio album, and perhaps his most personal to date. The 19-track project reflects a spiritual and emotional rebuilding following years of internal and institutional disillusionment. While “deconstruction” has become a controversial term in Evangelical circles, Lecrae embraces it as a necessary tearing down of toxic beliefs and experiences, including self-righteousness and church trauma. The foundation, he insists, remains Christ.
A Blend of Sacred and Secular Voices
Reconstruction features collaborations with both Christian voices, such as Jackie Hill Perry and Propaganda, and mainstream artists like T.I., Killer Mike, and Jon Bellion. This duality is intentional. Lecrae aims to bridge worlds, fostering conversations around grief, parenting, and hope that transcend religious lines. “It’s not us against the world,” he says. “We should want their healing and transformation.”
Personal Grief and Public Vulnerability
The track “Headphones” addresses the death of Lecrae’s cousin from a fentanyl overdose. The pain, Lecrae says, was crushing and deeply personal. Yet he shares it through music to connect with listeners facing similar losses. He distinguishes between transparency and vulnerability, noting that he only shares what he has processed through therapy.
Critiquing Legalism and Political Co-Opting of Faith
Lecrae challenges interpretations of Scripture that equate church attendance with righteousness and critiques how politics have hijacked Christian values. He warns against equating American nationalism with biblical Christianity, urging believers to prioritize God’s Kingdom over partisan loyalty.
Supporters Praise Honesty; Detractors Question Theology
Supporters view Reconstruction as a much-needed voice for those disillusioned with church culture yet still clinging to faith. Detractors, particularly from conservative Evangelical circles, argue Lecrae is drifting from orthodoxy by embracing ambiguity and aligning with secular figures. Still, Lecrae remains unapologetic, calling his work “very other-centered,” and backing it with social outreach, including school drives and support for the homeless.
Source:
Lecrae on deconstruction, healing, his boldest album yet: ‘I’m a rebel again’
Photo by Miriana Doroban?u on Unsplash
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