Deconstructivism and Genesis 3:1: Has God Really Said?

The serpent’s question in Genesis 3:1, “Has God really said?” strikes at the heart of humanity’s relationship with God’s Word. This seemingly innocent inquiry is the first recorded instance of deconstruction—a deliberate attempt to undermine God’s truth by sowing seeds of doubt. The question poses an age-old challenge: Is the Bible true? In the modern context, this challenge manifests as Christian syncretism, the blending of biblical truth with contradictory worldviews. Many Christians today struggle with integrating popular opinions and secular beliefs with the teachings of Scripture, leading to confusion, compromise, and, ultimately, spiritual stagnation.

The Rise of Scientism: Modern-Day Deconstructivism

At the center of this deconstruction is the rise of scientism—a religion posing as a religion, that elevates science not merely as a method of inquiry but as the ultimate source of truth. Scientism claims that only what can be empirically verified is real, and what cannot be measured or tested is irrelevant or false. While science, in its proper domain, is a tool for exploring the natural world, scientism transforms science into a quasi-religion, dictating what we should believe about the origins of life, the nature of existence, and even our purpose on Earth.

More importantly, whoever does not believe and conform is labelled, alienated and excluded from the self-proclaimed “scientific world”

Scienticism presents an unverified dogma as gospel-truth that tells people what to believe but often asserts that such knowledge is beyond the common person’s understanding or capacity to verify. Thus, scientists become the village shamans—pseudo-high priests—who stand between humanity and arbitrate truth in peer reviewed circles to make sure that everyone tows the narrative or be penalised.

Those who lack access and haven’t been initiated into this so-called esoteric “scienticism” or advanced equipment are told they must trust the word of these experts without questioning or risk being cancelled.

This trend is alarming, as it mirrors the serpent’s tactics in Genesis 3. The strategy is not to reject God outright but to cast doubt, gradually deconstructing faith. “Has God really said?” transforms into “Is the Bible really true?” Today, believers are bombarded with questions like: “Is creation real?” “Is the Bible scientifically accurate?” “If there a God, a devil, an after life?” or “Should we reinterpret the Bible to fit modern scientific theories?”

Richard Lewontin, a prominent evolutionary biologist and geneticist, is well-known for a revealing statement in his 1997 review of Carl Sagan’s The Demon-Haunted World. In this review, Lewontin acknowledges the philosophical bias within the scientific community toward materialistic explanations, regardless of the evidence. He states:

“We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door.”

This statement reveals a fundamental philosophical commitment among many scientists to naturalism or materialism—an approach that excludes any supernatural explanations or causes from scientific inquiry, no matter how compelling the evidence might seem. In the same breath however they are able to satisfactorily define one of the most basic components of the material world, “time.” If that is the case, then how can you speak of what lies beyond the containing limits of said “time”?

Lewontin is openly admitting that science, as it is practiced in many circles, operates under the assumption that only material causes exist, and explanations outside of this framework are not even considered.

This worldview is widely prevalent, as seen in the views of Professor Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion. In an interview with Ben Stein, Dawkins admitted,

“I have no idea how [creation] started, nor does anyone [else].”

He also acknowledges that intelligent design is a possibility, as long as the designer is something like aliens—just not God.

Lewontin’s and Dawkin’s words illustrate a bias that exists not because of empirical evidence, but because of a philosophical stance. In this view, even if certain naturalistic explanations appear counterintuitive or lacking in explanatory power, they are preferred over any notion of divine involvement.

Their acknowledgment that science’s adherence to materialism is “absolute” shows how some in the scientific community deliberately exclude the possibility of supernatural causation, often not based on evidence but on an underlying worldview that refuses to “allow a Divine Foot in the door.”

This statement exposes a deep bias: the rejection of God is not based on scientific discovery but on a preconceived agenda. Evolution, despite its scientific challenges, is upheld as a worldview not because it is the only rational explanation but because it provides a way to sidestep the biblical account of creation.

Since scientism rejects any consideration of the non-material or metaphysical, it ceases to be genuine science as traditionally understood. True science is an open-ended inquiry aimed at understanding the full scope of reality, whether material or immaterial. By limiting itself to purely material explanations, scientism becomes a dogmatic ideology rather than a method of discovery. It excludes entire realms of existence—such as consciousness, spirituality, or phenomena that don’t fit within the confines of materialism—thereby restricting its ability to provide a comprehensive understanding of the world.

In doing so, scientism undermines the very essence of scientific inquiry, which should remain open to all forms of evidence and potential truths, regardless of their material or non-material nature. Thus, scientism, in its rigid adherence to materialism, departs from the true spirit of science, which is rooted in curiosity, exploration, and an openness to mystery.

Syncretism and Voluntary Ignorance: The Bible Warns Against It

Scripture addresses the phenomenon of voluntary ignorance, where individuals choose to ignore or reject divine truth, often in favor of worldly wisdom or cultural trends. 2 Peter 3:5 speaks of those who “deliberately forget” that God created the world.

The Bible warns repeatedly that such a mindset leads to deception and spiritual blindness. The apostle Paul echoes this in Romans 1:18-23, where he describes humanity’s tendency to suppress the truth in unrighteousness, exchanging the glory of God for idols.

Paul even addresses this in 1 Timothy 6:20-21, warning Timothy to avoid

“Profane and vain babblings and oppositions of science falsely so called.”

Here, Paul isn’t warning against legitimate scientific inquiry, but rather against a form of “knowledge” that deliberately contradicts the truth of God and undermines the faith of believers.

The danger of syncretism is real, especially when Christians mix biblical teachings with secular beliefs about creation, morality, and purpose. When believers begin to question the foundational truths of Scripture in light of worldly philosophies, their faith becomes diluted, compromised and powerless.

This is exactly what happened in the Garden of Eden: Eve entertained the serpent’s deconstruction of God’s Word, and the result was catastrophic. We must remember that it’s not the snake itself that poses the greatest threat, but what lies within its mouth—the venom. It’s the hidden danger that transforms a seemingly passive creature into something lethal.

Similarly, it is often the words we lend our ears out to that poisons our souls. Just as venom can silently cause destruction, so too malicious lies posing are capable of inflicting deep, unseen wounds. What resides within can be far more dangerous than what appears on the surface.

The breakdown of our society is the result of decades of systematic poisoning. In contrast stands the pure undefiled word of God.

“My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.” (Proverbs 4:20-22)

Our only defence against the schemes of the devil is the Word of God. When the Word is deconstructed, it strips away this protection, and history has repeatedly shown that this leads to destruction and suffering.

Today, many Christians fall into the same trap, blending the Bible’s teachings with humanistic or atheistic ideas.

Modern Commentators on Scientism and Deconstructivism

Several commentators have noted the dangers of elevating human knowledge, which is by default limited, above divine revelation.

Commentator Matthew Henry notes that the serpent’s question in Genesis 3:1 was an attempt to draw Eve into a discussion that questioned God’s authority. He writes,

“The devil, as a subtle serpent, does his utmost to draw us into a parley about God’s Word. If he can get us to question whether it is true or not, he has gained his point.”

In a similar vein, modern scholar Francis Schaeffer warned that the rise of scientism and secular humanism poses an existential threat to Christianity. The author of this piece would like to extend that threat to all of humanity. Schaeffer argued that Western civilization had drifted from its Christian roots because it had embraced the idea that truth is relative and personal rather than absolute and revealed. He urged Christians to return to a firm belief in the authority of Scripture, stating,

“The Bible is not merely a spiritual book, it is the book of truth in all areas of life.”

Deconstruction Leads to Destruction

Deconstructing the authority of Scripture inevitably leads to the destruction of faith. The moment we begin to question whether the Bible is true, we open the door to doubt, compromise, and eventual unbelief.

The serpent’s question in Genesis 3 was a gateway to disobedience, and the same tactic is at work today. Syncretism—mixing God’s truth with secular opinions—is nothing more than a sophisticated version of that original lie to which the only appropriate response is, “It is written…”

When Jesus faced Satan in the wilderness, His response to every temptation was rooted in the phrase,

“It is written” (Matthew 4:1-11).

By grounding His defence in Scripture, Jesus not only demonstrated but personally confirmed that the Word of God is the ultimate authority and shield against the devil’s lies. Each time Satan twisted truth or presented false promises, Jesus countered with the truth of God’s Word, showing us that our strength against deception lies in the unchanging, written Word.

This encounter highlights the critical importance of knowing and standing firm on Scripture, as even the Son of God used it as His defence. When the Word is deconstructed or undermined, we risk losing this vital protection.

Jesus frequently quoted or referenced many key books, especially from the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), the Psalms, and the Prophets.

The books Jesus quoted most often include:

• Deuteronomy: Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy multiple times, especially during His temptation in the wilderness (e.g., Matthew 4:4, 4:7, 4:10).
• Psalms: Jesus quoted the Psalms often, including on the cross when He cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46).
• Isaiah: Jesus frequently referenced the prophet Isaiah, particularly in relation to His messianic mission (e.g., Isaiah 61:1-2 in Luke 4:18-19).
• Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers: Jesus referenced various laws and commandments from these books in teachings on the law and love (e.g., Matthew 22:37-40).

Jesus often referred to the entire body of Scripture, saying things like, “It is written” or “the Law and the Prophets” to encompass the full scope of the Old Testament.

He specifically also referred to Genesis when addressing important teachings on marriage and the nature of humanity and thus ratifying the document’s truth, authenticity and reliability. For example:

In Matthew 19:4-5 and Mark 10:6-8, Jesus refers to Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:24 when discussing marriage and divorce. He says:

“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?”

This reference affirms the foundational truths about creation, marriage, and human relationships as described in Genesis. It shows that Jesus held the events of Genesis to be authoritative and foundational for His teachings.

As Christians, we must resist the temptation to blend biblical truth with the prevailing cultural narratives. Colossians 2:8 warns us,

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

The Call to Stand Firm in Faith

The Bible calls us to stand firm in the face of deconstructivist ideologies. Jude 1:3 urges us to,

“Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”

This means we must reject any attempt to undermine the authority of Scripture and embrace the truth that God’s Word is absolute, reliable, and unchanging.

Psalm 119:160 declares,

“The entirety of Your word is truth.”

While human philosophies and scientific theories may change, God’s Word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). The Bible invites us to know God personally, to understand His creation, and to trust that He has revealed all we need for life and godliness through His Word (2 Peter 1:3).

Conclusion

In a world increasingly dominated by scientism and secularism, Christians must hold fast to the truth of God’s Word. The question, “Has God really said?” is as relevant today as it was in the Garden of Eden. The answer remains a resounding “Yes!” God’s Word is true, and it is our foundation. We must guard against the subtle deconstruction of our faith and reject any attempt to mix the truth of Scripture with the philosophies of this age.

In doing so, we heed the warnings of both Scripture and wise commentators, from Matthew Henry to Francis Schaeffer, ensuring that we remain rooted in the timeless, unshakable truth of God’s Word. The Bible is not merely a source of spiritual insight—it is the ultimate truth by which we are to live, think, and believe.