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drbobcornwall's review against another edition
2.0
For many people who grow up in church, they experience a time of deconstruction and doubt. That is, they begin to question the received tradition. It often happens during college. The question is, will there be reconstruction. What the author seeks to do is offer a path beyond deconstruction to reconstruction.
So, why my rather low rating? While the author wants to offer a path between conservative evangelicalism and mainline/progressive Protestantism. What he offers might not be Trumpified Christian nationalism, but it's still conservative evangelicalism without the nationalism. it's biblical inerrancy, traditional sexuality (though more open on women), Jesus the only way to salvation.
Now, on a personal level, the author was recently hired to teach at my alma mater, which presents some concerns to me -- especially since traditionally the college/university has tried to walk a fine line between mainline and non-mainline Protestants within the larger Stone-Campbell Movement. The author is not from our tradition, which is fine, but I'm not sure he understands the ethos of the school at least as it was understood in the past. So, I wasn't thrilled with the disparaging message about mainline Protestantism.
So, why my rather low rating? While the author wants to offer a path between conservative evangelicalism and mainline/progressive Protestantism. What he offers might not be Trumpified Christian nationalism, but it's still conservative evangelicalism without the nationalism. it's biblical inerrancy, traditional sexuality (though more open on women), Jesus the only way to salvation.
Now, on a personal level, the author was recently hired to teach at my alma mater, which presents some concerns to me -- especially since traditionally the college/university has tried to walk a fine line between mainline and non-mainline Protestants within the larger Stone-Campbell Movement. The author is not from our tradition, which is fine, but I'm not sure he understands the ethos of the school at least as it was understood in the past. So, I wasn't thrilled with the disparaging message about mainline Protestantism.
vanitar's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fantastic book, looking at the ways in which deconstruction takes place, and recognizing that it can be a space in which we can encounter and go deeper with God. Many tools are offered for how to navigate doubt and deconstruction. I found it to be thought provoking and grounding as I reflect on my own journey through various doubts and recognize that these are places where my faith can be strengthened.
behasl's review against another edition
3.0
Eh. I wanted this to be a great book, and some parts were helpful/informative. Unfortunately, the author’s overall attitude towards deconstruction and the reasons someone might question their faith was condescending and lacked understanding of the nuances of this process. There was also little about the practical HOW of deconstruction/reconstruction, which was disappointing due to the tagline of the book.
taylorhohulin's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful book on doubt. It's not just about how to doubt in a spiritually healthy way, or about how to treat those who doubt. It covers things that contribute to doubt, some of the cultural assumptions that play into it, and yes, it talks about how your doubts can lead you closer to God. It's firm where it needs to be firm and tender where it needs to be tender. Really great book.
nicholaspoe_'s review against another edition
5.0
Incredibly relevant, wonderfully convicting, and beautifully written. I can't think of anyone I wouldn't recommend this to.
Sure, there are generalizations, but I think that helps the book. The generalizations - examining and explaining examples of why a lot of people or some people or many people deconstruct on a real level - helps anchor this book in the practical instead of the vague world of ideas and concepts only. It makes it actually actionable. If you find yourself bristling against a certain generalization, like I did a couple of times, maybe that is when you need to pay the most attention to what he is saying.
Sure, there are generalizations, but I think that helps the book. The generalizations - examining and explaining examples of why a lot of people or some people or many people deconstruct on a real level - helps anchor this book in the practical instead of the vague world of ideas and concepts only. It makes it actually actionable. If you find yourself bristling against a certain generalization, like I did a couple of times, maybe that is when you need to pay the most attention to what he is saying.
bethanyhasenberg's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
petersont4's review against another edition
5.0
This book was well written and well thought through. The author has a passion for reconstructing faith after it has been deconstructed. He gave me a lot to think about as well as helping to explain things I have questioned in the past. This book is very relevant with COVID 19 when he discusses the consequences of online church and the church not meeting together regularly.