“A movement called ‘deconstruction’ is sweeping through our churches, and it is affecting our loved ones—disrupting, dismantling and destroying the faith of many.”
This statement is from the cover statement of my latest read, “The Deconstruction of Christianity,” by Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett. The questioning of one’s faith is creating crisis in many churches and families as young and even not-so-young adults leave their faith roots, egged on by “ex-vangelicals” on TikTok and YouTube. In order to learn why this is happening, the authors have graciously engaged in conversation with those doing, or who have done, the questioning. The answers are extremely enlightening.
Here are a few comments from other reviewers and readers:
· “If you’ve been confused about what deconstruction is and why it’s happening, or if you want to help people who are questioning their faith, then get this book.” (John L. Cooper, front man for the Christian rock band Skillet)
· “[Childers and Barnett] are uniquely gifted to decipher the terminology, simplify the philosophical concepts, and give solid advice on how to respond . . . ” (Gregory Koukl, president of Stand to Reason)
· “Christianity is no longer treated as an objective truth claim but only as an expression of personal emotion and experience . . . This book will help you recover the conviction that biblical truth is true to all of reality.” (Nancy Pearcey, professor at Houston Christian University)
Reading this book has helped me feel better about my own faith journey. It actually uses the Apostle Paul’s example of the Bereans to encourage examining what has been taught in various church contexts or by certain high-profile teachers; I’ve done that very thing and lost a few friends in the process. The book has also opened my eyes, though, to the ways current culture has developed questions different than my own and, in some cases, more dangerous. And as I’ve shared the book with friends, I’m seeing it help them start to rebuild communication with their adult children and their friends, who sometimes say they are “deconstructing” but are totally unsure what they intend to rebuild instead.
“This book is the wake-up call that the true church needs” (author Rosaria Butterfield). If you know someone in the questioning process, or if you’re in it yourself, you’ll find an understanding friend in this book. “The Deconstruction of Christianity”is available through major book retailers and at the authors’ individual websites.
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