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Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Without Sinking Your Faith
How to analyze and reevaluate your Christian beliefs and experiences in the church while keeping the core of your faith intact.
The number of Christians leaving the church today is significant. Many feel there is no place for them within the faith—they no longer feel at home in their church community or tradition. For various reasons, they are unsettled by the version of Christianity they've inherited.
Stripping away the nonessential aspects of Christianity, Sean McDowell and John Marriott will help you navigate the jarring questions and cultural challenges that lead many to walk away from the faith. You'll come to recognize that there are other ways Christians throughout history have understood what faithfulness to Jesus looks like.
Each chapter provides practical advice on how to disassemble, rethink, and reassemble beliefs that are truly Christian and culturally and personally relevant. You'll learn how you can continue to seek an authentic faith
Establishing Jesus and his teachings as the foundation.Utilizing the creeds as boundary markers of what is essential.Seeing the entire Bible as a truthful revelation from God.Seeing Christianity as a historic and global tradition that encompasses diverse communities and viewpoints.
The authors of this book can personally identify with the process of disillusionment that many young believers go through. They wrote Set Adrift as people who had to navigate their own way back through the fog of deconstruction. They wrote it to offer their own personal suggestions for what to do when you're not sure what to believe anymore.
The number of Christians leaving the church today is significant. Many feel there is no place for them within the faith—they no longer feel at home in their church community or tradition. For various reasons, they are unsettled by the version of Christianity they've inherited.
Stripping away the nonessential aspects of Christianity, Sean McDowell and John Marriott will help you navigate the jarring questions and cultural challenges that lead many to walk away from the faith. You'll come to recognize that there are other ways Christians throughout history have understood what faithfulness to Jesus looks like.
Each chapter provides practical advice on how to disassemble, rethink, and reassemble beliefs that are truly Christian and culturally and personally relevant. You'll learn how you can continue to seek an authentic faith
Establishing Jesus and his teachings as the foundation.Utilizing the creeds as boundary markers of what is essential.Seeing the entire Bible as a truthful revelation from God.Seeing Christianity as a historic and global tradition that encompasses diverse communities and viewpoints.
The authors of this book can personally identify with the process of disillusionment that many young believers go through. They wrote Set Adrift as people who had to navigate their own way back through the fog of deconstruction. They wrote it to offer their own personal suggestions for what to do when you're not sure what to believe anymore.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2023
45 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Sean McDowell
143 books177 followersDr. Sean McDowell is a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. He connects with audiences in a tangible way through humor and stories while imparting hard evidence and logical support for viewing all areas of life through a Biblical worldview. Sean is an Assistant Professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Biola University.
Sean still teaches one high school Bible class, which helps give him exceptional insight into the prevailing culture so he can impart his observations poignantly to fellow educators, pastors, and parents alike.
Read more about Sean on his website.
Connect with Sean on Facebook.
Sean still teaches one high school Bible class, which helps give him exceptional insight into the prevailing culture so he can impart his observations poignantly to fellow educators, pastors, and parents alike.
Read more about Sean on his website.
Connect with Sean on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 19, 2024
I so wanted to give this book a higher rating. There is so much good information here for someone who is walking with others in their de/reconstruction. For that I would say 4-5 stars. However, this book is geared for those in serious deconstruction.
I would give this book to someone who is mildly deconstructing and wants to paddle to the section of the "shore" that leans towards conservative (small e) evangelicalism.
(Reading with others in mind)
For those who are in a deeper process, I found the tone (mostly in the second half of the book) similar to what has pushed people to deconstruct in the first place. It seemed was more disparagement of "liberal Christianity" and a pass/defense given to "evangelicalism". In my experience, that is a pretty quick turn off for those deconstructing from (Big E) Evangelical church. I do appreciate they make a disclaimer on the front end of the book where they land on the spectrum.
The book did swing between an amazing pastoral tone and sometimes an almost "gotchya" tone that seemed to portray superiority. It made the read more difficult in navigating how to take in the book.
I totally respect the desire of the authors to make deconstructing easier. I just wish they would have ditched evangelicalism almost entirely and focused on on the creeds. Baby and the bathwater could have been done more simply in the "humility" section toward the end.
Good book for post reconstruction or mild deconstruction, but not so much for the harder cases in my opinion.
I would give this book to someone who is mildly deconstructing and wants to paddle to the section of the "shore" that leans towards conservative (small e) evangelicalism.
(Reading with others in mind)
For those who are in a deeper process, I found the tone (mostly in the second half of the book) similar to what has pushed people to deconstruct in the first place. It seemed was more disparagement of "liberal Christianity" and a pass/defense given to "evangelicalism". In my experience, that is a pretty quick turn off for those deconstructing from (Big E) Evangelical church. I do appreciate they make a disclaimer on the front end of the book where they land on the spectrum.
The book did swing between an amazing pastoral tone and sometimes an almost "gotchya" tone that seemed to portray superiority. It made the read more difficult in navigating how to take in the book.
I totally respect the desire of the authors to make deconstructing easier. I just wish they would have ditched evangelicalism almost entirely and focused on on the creeds. Baby and the bathwater could have been done more simply in the "humility" section toward the end.
Good book for post reconstruction or mild deconstruction, but not so much for the harder cases in my opinion.
September 19, 2024
An honest and simple guide to deconstruction as a process of redefining rather than removing what you believe. However, I didn’t find it particularly relevant to my deeper questions as to the intrinsic legitimacy of traditional orthodoxy and presumed biblical truths.
February 20, 2024
Read and discussed with my middle son. I am certainly not the intended audience for this book but it was a very informative read. I do work with high school students at our church and Bible Study Fellowship and it is a great template to use while discussing student questions. My two main takeaways:
1. Take time to listen. Those whom you are talking to want to be understood and understand. Get to the heart of the issues before giving advice, and
2. Have honest transparent conversations. Get to the core of the issues. Students have questions. Let them know you have questions also. My faith and faith community certainly have changed from my conversion in 1979. Be open and honest about why you changed, why how the faith and faith community you were brought up in is not the only way to go. Be certain and faithful to the core tenants of the faith but willing to discuss and accept other believers who might hold to differing views on secondary and tertiary topics.
The church is losing its youth in droves. This book is a very helpful guide for student and whoever is helping them. Get involved with those questioning.
1. Take time to listen. Those whom you are talking to want to be understood and understand. Get to the heart of the issues before giving advice, and
2. Have honest transparent conversations. Get to the core of the issues. Students have questions. Let them know you have questions also. My faith and faith community certainly have changed from my conversion in 1979. Be open and honest about why you changed, why how the faith and faith community you were brought up in is not the only way to go. Be certain and faithful to the core tenants of the faith but willing to discuss and accept other believers who might hold to differing views on secondary and tertiary topics.
The church is losing its youth in droves. This book is a very helpful guide for student and whoever is helping them. Get involved with those questioning.
August 23, 2023
This is a great book for anybody who is currently wrestling with their faith. The book addressed deconstruction- the process- not the end result. They provide some great illustrations that connect very well to the process of working through (deconstructing) one’s faith.
This book is a great read and a great resource to anyone who is struggling in their walk with Christ or for anyone who may know someone who is struggling.
Sean and John did a great job writing and conveying a topic that is challenging to address!
This book is a great read and a great resource to anyone who is struggling in their walk with Christ or for anyone who may know someone who is struggling.
Sean and John did a great job writing and conveying a topic that is challenging to address!
September 14, 2023
Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Without Sinking Your Faith, by Drs. Sean McDowell and John Marriott, is a provocative book, soft on judgment, but firm on essentials. The book calls into question why so many “young Christians are leaving the faith” (p. xii).
The purpose for writing the book is clearly stated: “This is a book for those trying to determine the ‘way’ of Jesus, not if Jesus is ‘the Way.’” (p. 12)
For so many young believers, it is both (1) the natural maturation and, (2) emotional pulling-away from their parents’ family practices in the faith--combined with observing and experiencing personal circumstances--that provide a central motivation for examining their own walk. The question yet to be answered is if a person can walk away from the faith and still walk with Him? The authors throughout the book imply that the answer to this question is in the affirmative.
The authors are quick to make certain “deconstructing Christians aren’t necessarily skeptics,” rather they are “often seekers” (p. xiii). There is another idea to consider. That is, if a person can deconstruct something, does that not mean he or she has self-constructed something in the first place? If so, they might be coming to terms with authenticity which may result from removing the “fences,” as the authors suggest to become a “free range Christian” (pp. 44-46). After all, is not the opposite a constrained Christian?
The key idea to deconstruction, then is that “truth has consequences,” and that “deconstruction can spur us to embrace true beliefs and shed false ones so we can live a more truthful faith.” (p. 19)
In chapter 2, there is an extensive narrative on Bart Campolo, the son of famed professor Tony Campolo, of Eastern University. The son’s deconstruction is addressed without also considering the impact of his father’s leftward turn theologically and politically, including support for progressive ideas that fall outside of the evangelical fence, if you will. Since children seek to find their own ways in the faith, I would like to know the extent that families play a role in children walking away from the faith.
The authors bring in the idea of politics and Christian nationalism in chapter 8, but leave alone the idea of liberal and progressive parents on the opposite side of the political spectrum. Is it possible that both liberals and conservatives are the cause of discontent of young believers, because “they feel the church has sacrificed its soul for political power?” (p. 114)
Throughout this helpful book, the authors are careful not to come across as judgmental. They walk the fine line—and I think best line—in allowing the reader to make choices, without compromising the fundamental truths of the faith. If compromise does result, they are quick to warn of the dangers of such outcomes. For example, choosing to elevate Jesus above Scripture, so that relying on the fact that Jesus said this and not that, in order to justify a behavior or belief, is clearly not within what the authors call authentic faith. (pp. 69-73)
McDowell and Marriott masterfully delineate the progressive Christian view and illustrate this delineation by examples of people feeling truth over knowing truth, also known as “the head v. the heart” (p. 78). Many who walk away from the faith are led to do so by circumstances and a stamping of outcomes they deem in alignment with what is felt as right. Those of the younger set are influenced greatly by extremes, posited by convincing personalities, which is where an online presence can inject circumstantial confusion. Would decoupling from social media aid is one’s confidence over doubt in the faith?
Deconstructing by circumstance misses the point of taking every thought captive the Christ (2 Cor. 10:5), which is a matter of self-humility and God’s sovereignty (pp. 60, 120). Rather, there is usurpation of thought as affect. It is dangerous to “feel” what is right and what is wrong. The authors address this in chapter 10, when they warn the reader to “Beware of rejecting faith for shallow reasons” (p. 137). An example of this is Roman Catholic Emeritus Professor Dr. Paul Vitz who was, according to him, “a Presbyterian atheist,” who later converted to Roman Catholicism. Such a conversion affects both dogma and doctrine. A logical question then is where does such a deconstruction leave a person, in comparison to evangelical Christianity, as the authors wonderfully define in chapter 8 (pp. 109-110)?
“Set Adrift” is full of anecdotes and pertinent illustrations that reach into the psyches of GenZ (Zoomers). The Reflection Questions are pointed and provocative. This book is a worthy read for members of all generations. But I wonder if its value is truly something the authors did not intend. That is, reaching the hearts and minds of parents and grandparents who have come through their own crises of faith, only to appear to “have it all together.” Whatever is constructed by Christians that detracts from truth, may be realized in the contrasts between babies and bathwater, fences and guardrails, and the sufficiency of Scripture. All of these are clearly presented in the pages of this excellent book.
I give this book the highest of recommendations as (1) a starting point toward understanding what is causing the great walk-away from the faith and, (2) offering authentic ways to address it.
The purpose for writing the book is clearly stated: “This is a book for those trying to determine the ‘way’ of Jesus, not if Jesus is ‘the Way.’” (p. 12)
For so many young believers, it is both (1) the natural maturation and, (2) emotional pulling-away from their parents’ family practices in the faith--combined with observing and experiencing personal circumstances--that provide a central motivation for examining their own walk. The question yet to be answered is if a person can walk away from the faith and still walk with Him? The authors throughout the book imply that the answer to this question is in the affirmative.
The authors are quick to make certain “deconstructing Christians aren’t necessarily skeptics,” rather they are “often seekers” (p. xiii). There is another idea to consider. That is, if a person can deconstruct something, does that not mean he or she has self-constructed something in the first place? If so, they might be coming to terms with authenticity which may result from removing the “fences,” as the authors suggest to become a “free range Christian” (pp. 44-46). After all, is not the opposite a constrained Christian?
The key idea to deconstruction, then is that “truth has consequences,” and that “deconstruction can spur us to embrace true beliefs and shed false ones so we can live a more truthful faith.” (p. 19)
In chapter 2, there is an extensive narrative on Bart Campolo, the son of famed professor Tony Campolo, of Eastern University. The son’s deconstruction is addressed without also considering the impact of his father’s leftward turn theologically and politically, including support for progressive ideas that fall outside of the evangelical fence, if you will. Since children seek to find their own ways in the faith, I would like to know the extent that families play a role in children walking away from the faith.
The authors bring in the idea of politics and Christian nationalism in chapter 8, but leave alone the idea of liberal and progressive parents on the opposite side of the political spectrum. Is it possible that both liberals and conservatives are the cause of discontent of young believers, because “they feel the church has sacrificed its soul for political power?” (p. 114)
Throughout this helpful book, the authors are careful not to come across as judgmental. They walk the fine line—and I think best line—in allowing the reader to make choices, without compromising the fundamental truths of the faith. If compromise does result, they are quick to warn of the dangers of such outcomes. For example, choosing to elevate Jesus above Scripture, so that relying on the fact that Jesus said this and not that, in order to justify a behavior or belief, is clearly not within what the authors call authentic faith. (pp. 69-73)
McDowell and Marriott masterfully delineate the progressive Christian view and illustrate this delineation by examples of people feeling truth over knowing truth, also known as “the head v. the heart” (p. 78). Many who walk away from the faith are led to do so by circumstances and a stamping of outcomes they deem in alignment with what is felt as right. Those of the younger set are influenced greatly by extremes, posited by convincing personalities, which is where an online presence can inject circumstantial confusion. Would decoupling from social media aid is one’s confidence over doubt in the faith?
Deconstructing by circumstance misses the point of taking every thought captive the Christ (2 Cor. 10:5), which is a matter of self-humility and God’s sovereignty (pp. 60, 120). Rather, there is usurpation of thought as affect. It is dangerous to “feel” what is right and what is wrong. The authors address this in chapter 10, when they warn the reader to “Beware of rejecting faith for shallow reasons” (p. 137). An example of this is Roman Catholic Emeritus Professor Dr. Paul Vitz who was, according to him, “a Presbyterian atheist,” who later converted to Roman Catholicism. Such a conversion affects both dogma and doctrine. A logical question then is where does such a deconstruction leave a person, in comparison to evangelical Christianity, as the authors wonderfully define in chapter 8 (pp. 109-110)?
“Set Adrift” is full of anecdotes and pertinent illustrations that reach into the psyches of GenZ (Zoomers). The Reflection Questions are pointed and provocative. This book is a worthy read for members of all generations. But I wonder if its value is truly something the authors did not intend. That is, reaching the hearts and minds of parents and grandparents who have come through their own crises of faith, only to appear to “have it all together.” Whatever is constructed by Christians that detracts from truth, may be realized in the contrasts between babies and bathwater, fences and guardrails, and the sufficiency of Scripture. All of these are clearly presented in the pages of this excellent book.
I give this book the highest of recommendations as (1) a starting point toward understanding what is causing the great walk-away from the faith and, (2) offering authentic ways to address it.
December 17, 2023
This is a book about evangelical Christian deconstruction. If considered in extremely broad terms, deconstruction is basically a species of doubt. Thus, this book is a contribution to the growing Christian literature on how to deal with questions and doubt as one tries to walk with Jesus. For those not familiar with that literature, it must be said that the best of this genre is not about how to deny or suppress doubt but rather about how to address it honestly, directly and with intellectual integrity. Properly done, this process may result in growing a trust in God that is more resilient and grounded than what one previously had. However, it is also a process that may require abandonment of concepts, ideas or beliefs that simply do not hold up under test.
The reality is that today most Christians will live in a world that will challenge their faith in multiple ways. This situation is not unlike what is frequently experienced by missionaries who when going to a foreign culture are forced to sort out what is really core to their faith vs. what is cultural convention or otherwise peripheral. A Christian who finds themselves challenged to re-evaluate their faith can find themselves beginning a process that many have labeled “deconstruction”
If one seeks a definition of “deconstruction" more precise than that given above, they will soon find a wide diversity of options. The authors McDowell and Marriott choose to define deconstruction as “a process of analysis that Christians who want to follow Jesus engage in because they ‘doubt the faith they’ve received is the fully defined good that God intends and are seeking to sift out the dross and keep what is most precious.’ ” As the book shows, this is a very helpful, positive, and useful definition. It is a definition that I very much would hope could dominate this genre. However, I fear that this may be a minority definition. For many evangelical Christians, deconstruction is more about drifting into leftist progressivism or about beginning an abandonment of the Christian faith altogether. For a great many others, both Christian and non-Christian, deconstruction is rooted in the ideas of Jacques Derrida who attempted to show that all knowledge claims are based on wrong assumptions and incoherent concepts and therefore all truth claims must be deconstructed. What Derrida failed to realize is that if he was correct, then his own knowledge claims must also be based on wrong assumptions and incoherent concepts. Derrida quickly self-destructs into incoherence.
Given the McDowell-Marriott definition of deconstruction, the question then becomes how best to implement such a project. The authors rightly argue that there must be rules to the game of deconstruction and that deconstruction can only proceed until core bedrock is exposed upon which something more secure can be built. Deconstruction that fails to follow proper guidelines or identify true bedrock will only result in hopeless rubble. It will not enable a necessary and durable reconstruction that should follow deconstruction. But what are those rules and what is that bedrock? The authors argue that finding bedrock begins with the question “who is Jesus”? One’s answer to that question begins a cascade of answers to other critical questions. However, the pursuit of the identity of Jesus can lead to a long list of other questions about the existence of God, basic Biblical claims, and Jesus’s resurrection. Unfortunately, the book frankly and honestly admits it will not give answers to such questions. All that is given is a suggestion to read a book written by the father of one of the authors. This is a major failing of this book. Given the explosion of Christian apologetics in recent decades, the authors could have done a far better job than to just reference only one book. The authors ignore a vast and extremely helpful world of apologetics literature for the person dealing with doubt, deconstruction, and the search for bedrock.
The issue of the “rules of the game” occupies much of the book. A range of issues and suggestions are discussed. These include the need to be self-aware of one’s real reasons for deconstruction. They may not be intellectual. Furthermore, the authors advise doing one’s best to avoid going through this process alone. Finding a helpful, knowledgeable, and sagely mentor to guide one through this process, if possible, is extremely valuable. Unfortunately, north American evangelical churches, as they are often structured today, do not make it easy to find such people. The advice given by the authors is consistently wise and seasoned both by serious scholarship and extensive personal experience “in the trenches.”
In summary, despite a few failings, this is an extremely good book to give anyone seeking to confront a need to reexamine their faith with honesty and integrity. A person dealing with such issues will do well to heed the advice given.
The reality is that today most Christians will live in a world that will challenge their faith in multiple ways. This situation is not unlike what is frequently experienced by missionaries who when going to a foreign culture are forced to sort out what is really core to their faith vs. what is cultural convention or otherwise peripheral. A Christian who finds themselves challenged to re-evaluate their faith can find themselves beginning a process that many have labeled “deconstruction”
If one seeks a definition of “deconstruction" more precise than that given above, they will soon find a wide diversity of options. The authors McDowell and Marriott choose to define deconstruction as “a process of analysis that Christians who want to follow Jesus engage in because they ‘doubt the faith they’ve received is the fully defined good that God intends and are seeking to sift out the dross and keep what is most precious.’ ” As the book shows, this is a very helpful, positive, and useful definition. It is a definition that I very much would hope could dominate this genre. However, I fear that this may be a minority definition. For many evangelical Christians, deconstruction is more about drifting into leftist progressivism or about beginning an abandonment of the Christian faith altogether. For a great many others, both Christian and non-Christian, deconstruction is rooted in the ideas of Jacques Derrida who attempted to show that all knowledge claims are based on wrong assumptions and incoherent concepts and therefore all truth claims must be deconstructed. What Derrida failed to realize is that if he was correct, then his own knowledge claims must also be based on wrong assumptions and incoherent concepts. Derrida quickly self-destructs into incoherence.
Given the McDowell-Marriott definition of deconstruction, the question then becomes how best to implement such a project. The authors rightly argue that there must be rules to the game of deconstruction and that deconstruction can only proceed until core bedrock is exposed upon which something more secure can be built. Deconstruction that fails to follow proper guidelines or identify true bedrock will only result in hopeless rubble. It will not enable a necessary and durable reconstruction that should follow deconstruction. But what are those rules and what is that bedrock? The authors argue that finding bedrock begins with the question “who is Jesus”? One’s answer to that question begins a cascade of answers to other critical questions. However, the pursuit of the identity of Jesus can lead to a long list of other questions about the existence of God, basic Biblical claims, and Jesus’s resurrection. Unfortunately, the book frankly and honestly admits it will not give answers to such questions. All that is given is a suggestion to read a book written by the father of one of the authors. This is a major failing of this book. Given the explosion of Christian apologetics in recent decades, the authors could have done a far better job than to just reference only one book. The authors ignore a vast and extremely helpful world of apologetics literature for the person dealing with doubt, deconstruction, and the search for bedrock.
The issue of the “rules of the game” occupies much of the book. A range of issues and suggestions are discussed. These include the need to be self-aware of one’s real reasons for deconstruction. They may not be intellectual. Furthermore, the authors advise doing one’s best to avoid going through this process alone. Finding a helpful, knowledgeable, and sagely mentor to guide one through this process, if possible, is extremely valuable. Unfortunately, north American evangelical churches, as they are often structured today, do not make it easy to find such people. The advice given by the authors is consistently wise and seasoned both by serious scholarship and extensive personal experience “in the trenches.”
In summary, despite a few failings, this is an extremely good book to give anyone seeking to confront a need to reexamine their faith with honesty and integrity. A person dealing with such issues will do well to heed the advice given.
September 30, 2023
Though this book wasn’t what I had originally thought it would be, I found it worthwhile and easy to read. Though this book is not necessarily written for everyone, I do think it would be good for anyone. It was written mainly with high school and college students in mind who are beginning to wrestle with ideas and perspectives that do not match up with the details of their current Christian lens of the world. Though it would be good for those who are angry or outright rebelling against their parents’ faith, I don’t necessarily see them picking up this book. I think it would be most useful for high school students who haven’t yet reached the point of deconstruction as a guide to walk them through the process. As the stated intent of the book closely aligns with what it accomplishes, however narrow that goal may be, I think it succeeds.
Another detail I took note of were the questions at the end of the chapters. Usually I am pretty critical of discussion questions throughout books because I feel like many times they seem thrown together last-minute or they don’t totally make sense. The questions included in this book felt like they could actually start a discussion with high school or college students without making the conversation feel forced.
The main ideas I took away were these - obviously they are all related and I think they give a decent summary of the book overall:
First, when getting ready to demo your worldview, make sure you count the cost first. If you are demolishing what has been passed down to you for any reason other than seeking truth, it is entirely possible that you end up in an even darker place than you began.
Second, beware of yourself. It is always worthwhile to attempt to understand your own motives for action but if you truly believe your eternal destiny is at stake, it is even more important to analyze yourself first. To deconstruct over selfish reasons probably won’t get you closer to the truth but further away.
Third, we must make sure we seek truth for truth’s sake. This means that on any issue, we should do our utmost to thoroughly understand different positions and seek out the truth even if/when that truth doesn’t align with our personal desires.
Lastly, deconstructing is a good thing as long as you end up stronger for it. As a church we should encourage questioning and provide guides for students along the way not forcing opinions but rather providing a path or paths forward in a safe environment. We must model what it looks like to love others with differing opinions while holding to core values.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for anyone that falls into the intended audience but also to parents and church leaders that want to help guide their children in truth seeking for themselves. Deconstruction is going to be a part of life for young people - we as a church need to get ahead here and better supply a safe environment for this process to take place. This book is a good starting point for this to begin.
Noteworthy quotes:
p.xxi
“What’s the difference between a faith deconstruction that results in authentic Christianity and one that ends in heresy or deconversion? Two crucial factors make the difference: the guide we have and the guardrails we identify.”
pp. 32-35
“...deconstructing your faith requires a foundational theological commitment that’s exempt from analysis, which is to say that deconstruction can’t even start without a belief that’s immune from suspicion.”
“As Christ he is Lord, and as Lord he is God. As such, Jesus sets the rules for human beings. He calls the shots, and he says that those who love him will obey him.”
“Unless our posture toward Jesus is correct, we won’t be willing to let him define what it means to be a Christian.”
“Jesus’s identity as the divine Son of God and our response to him as Lord is the place where the dismantling aspect of deconstruction must end and from which the rebuilding begins.”
“...it’s not the sincerity of your faith that saves you, but the object you place your faith in.”
p. 38
“...leaving the faith is nobler than thinking we can redefine Christianity on our terms.”
p. 105
“...following Jesus is about submitting to his lordship, not about creating a self-styled religion according to our values.”
“The purpose of deconstruction is not to express your individualism, it’s to get to know your values and why you believe what you believe so you can shed faulty theological views and align yourself more truthfully with Jesus.”
p. 124
“Intellectual humility…means being more concerned about knowing the truth than being right.”
Another detail I took note of were the questions at the end of the chapters. Usually I am pretty critical of discussion questions throughout books because I feel like many times they seem thrown together last-minute or they don’t totally make sense. The questions included in this book felt like they could actually start a discussion with high school or college students without making the conversation feel forced.
The main ideas I took away were these - obviously they are all related and I think they give a decent summary of the book overall:
First, when getting ready to demo your worldview, make sure you count the cost first. If you are demolishing what has been passed down to you for any reason other than seeking truth, it is entirely possible that you end up in an even darker place than you began.
Second, beware of yourself. It is always worthwhile to attempt to understand your own motives for action but if you truly believe your eternal destiny is at stake, it is even more important to analyze yourself first. To deconstruct over selfish reasons probably won’t get you closer to the truth but further away.
Third, we must make sure we seek truth for truth’s sake. This means that on any issue, we should do our utmost to thoroughly understand different positions and seek out the truth even if/when that truth doesn’t align with our personal desires.
Lastly, deconstructing is a good thing as long as you end up stronger for it. As a church we should encourage questioning and provide guides for students along the way not forcing opinions but rather providing a path or paths forward in a safe environment. We must model what it looks like to love others with differing opinions while holding to core values.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for anyone that falls into the intended audience but also to parents and church leaders that want to help guide their children in truth seeking for themselves. Deconstruction is going to be a part of life for young people - we as a church need to get ahead here and better supply a safe environment for this process to take place. This book is a good starting point for this to begin.
Noteworthy quotes:
p.xxi
“What’s the difference between a faith deconstruction that results in authentic Christianity and one that ends in heresy or deconversion? Two crucial factors make the difference: the guide we have and the guardrails we identify.”
pp. 32-35
“...deconstructing your faith requires a foundational theological commitment that’s exempt from analysis, which is to say that deconstruction can’t even start without a belief that’s immune from suspicion.”
“As Christ he is Lord, and as Lord he is God. As such, Jesus sets the rules for human beings. He calls the shots, and he says that those who love him will obey him.”
“Unless our posture toward Jesus is correct, we won’t be willing to let him define what it means to be a Christian.”
“Jesus’s identity as the divine Son of God and our response to him as Lord is the place where the dismantling aspect of deconstruction must end and from which the rebuilding begins.”
“...it’s not the sincerity of your faith that saves you, but the object you place your faith in.”
p. 38
“...leaving the faith is nobler than thinking we can redefine Christianity on our terms.”
p. 105
“...following Jesus is about submitting to his lordship, not about creating a self-styled religion according to our values.”
“The purpose of deconstruction is not to express your individualism, it’s to get to know your values and why you believe what you believe so you can shed faulty theological views and align yourself more truthfully with Jesus.”
p. 124
“Intellectual humility…means being more concerned about knowing the truth than being right.”
October 26, 2024
Many Christians today are finding themselves at a crossroads, unsure of how to navigate a faith handed down to them that no longer lines up with their lived experiences, moral intuition, or sense of authenticity. Set Adrift tackles this disillusionment head-on, offering an honest, thoughtful exploration for those wrestling with doubts or wondering how to reorient their faith.
One of the strengths of this book is its transparency. The authors make it clear from the outset that there’s no single path to understanding or embodying the Christian faith and that Christians throughout history have varied in how they interpret faithfulness to Jesus. Their own personal struggles with doubt and Christianity are shared openly, which feels refreshing and relatable rather than prescriptive.
Particularly helpful is how the book examines the ways worldviews and paradigms shape our beliefs and actions, and how unsettling it can feel when these longstanding frameworks are gradually reshaped by new experiences, information, and personal growth. The authors address how disorienting that process can be, acknowledging that at the heart of the Christian faith is a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
For young adults and others grappling with questions of faith, this book offers a lot to reflect on. However, its tone is sometimes quite direct, so if you’re thinking of sharing it with a young person in your life, it might be wise to read it first. Make sure they’re ready for some of the book’s candid reflections and challenges.
There are a few places where the book could have gone deeper, particularly when discussing specific doctrines. At times, I wished the authors had shown how Christianity, throughout history, has been a response to much of humanity’s suffering. But they touch on essential themes, especially in the final chapter, where they talk openly about the often-overlooked, non-intellectual reasons people might feel distant from faith.
The book ends with some thought-provoking reflection questions, encouraging readers to think independently, which is refreshing. One quote that really stood out to me was: “We now live in what can be described as the age of authenticity. In this age, the first and maybe only obligation you have is to be authentically yourself.” It’s a fitting reflection for a world increasingly concerned with personal truth, yet unsure how to balance it with faith.
"Set Adrift" is an insightful guide for anyone navigating doubt, with a few reservations, and overall, it’s a welcome addition for those seeking a sincere conversation about maintaining their faith in Jesus.
One of the strengths of this book is its transparency. The authors make it clear from the outset that there’s no single path to understanding or embodying the Christian faith and that Christians throughout history have varied in how they interpret faithfulness to Jesus. Their own personal struggles with doubt and Christianity are shared openly, which feels refreshing and relatable rather than prescriptive.
Particularly helpful is how the book examines the ways worldviews and paradigms shape our beliefs and actions, and how unsettling it can feel when these longstanding frameworks are gradually reshaped by new experiences, information, and personal growth. The authors address how disorienting that process can be, acknowledging that at the heart of the Christian faith is a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
For young adults and others grappling with questions of faith, this book offers a lot to reflect on. However, its tone is sometimes quite direct, so if you’re thinking of sharing it with a young person in your life, it might be wise to read it first. Make sure they’re ready for some of the book’s candid reflections and challenges.
There are a few places where the book could have gone deeper, particularly when discussing specific doctrines. At times, I wished the authors had shown how Christianity, throughout history, has been a response to much of humanity’s suffering. But they touch on essential themes, especially in the final chapter, where they talk openly about the often-overlooked, non-intellectual reasons people might feel distant from faith.
The book ends with some thought-provoking reflection questions, encouraging readers to think independently, which is refreshing. One quote that really stood out to me was: “We now live in what can be described as the age of authenticity. In this age, the first and maybe only obligation you have is to be authentically yourself.” It’s a fitting reflection for a world increasingly concerned with personal truth, yet unsure how to balance it with faith.
"Set Adrift" is an insightful guide for anyone navigating doubt, with a few reservations, and overall, it’s a welcome addition for those seeking a sincere conversation about maintaining their faith in Jesus.
October 19, 2023
Help for those with Questions
Sean McDowell and John Marriott use an analogy of a paddle boarder stuck in a fog bank unable to determine the direction of the shoreline to young Christians who are questioning the faith they grew up with. Often these believers paddle away from the safety of the shore to deconstruct and determine the validity of the beliefs their parents have espoused. But if they are not careful, they can become hopelessly lost in a sea of ideas that can't be relied upon. Their search for truth often brings more questions than answers. Sean and John encourage those searching for their own truth and their own faith to resist jettisoning everything they have believed and continuing their search within the fences of historic creeds that true Christians have affirmed since the time of Jesus.
The authors discuss two views of scripture. The first, being the historic view that relies on the Bible as the authoritative standard for faith and conduct is put forth. The second is called the progressive view. This view questions the supernatural aspects of scripture and the exclusivity of Christianity. While they acknowledge the claims of both camps to be authentically Christian, they warn that there are irreconcilable differences between these two views. Even accounting for nuanced iterations of these two extremes, our view of scripture can be firmly assigned to one or the other.
The remainder of the book cautions seekers on the subjective ideas of culture, identity, and values. I would highly recommend this book for anyone that is questioning the truth. Is reality as you have always known it or are you deceived by your environment: your upbringing, your society, and even your own deceitful heart? By following the advice the authors give, you can cut the fog of uncertainty and arrive back safely on shore. It may be down the beach aways from the point you began but it will be back on solid ground and away from the tempest-tossed waves of doubt.
Sean McDowell and John Marriott use an analogy of a paddle boarder stuck in a fog bank unable to determine the direction of the shoreline to young Christians who are questioning the faith they grew up with. Often these believers paddle away from the safety of the shore to deconstruct and determine the validity of the beliefs their parents have espoused. But if they are not careful, they can become hopelessly lost in a sea of ideas that can't be relied upon. Their search for truth often brings more questions than answers. Sean and John encourage those searching for their own truth and their own faith to resist jettisoning everything they have believed and continuing their search within the fences of historic creeds that true Christians have affirmed since the time of Jesus.
The authors discuss two views of scripture. The first, being the historic view that relies on the Bible as the authoritative standard for faith and conduct is put forth. The second is called the progressive view. This view questions the supernatural aspects of scripture and the exclusivity of Christianity. While they acknowledge the claims of both camps to be authentically Christian, they warn that there are irreconcilable differences between these two views. Even accounting for nuanced iterations of these two extremes, our view of scripture can be firmly assigned to one or the other.
The remainder of the book cautions seekers on the subjective ideas of culture, identity, and values. I would highly recommend this book for anyone that is questioning the truth. Is reality as you have always known it or are you deceived by your environment: your upbringing, your society, and even your own deceitful heart? By following the advice the authors give, you can cut the fog of uncertainty and arrive back safely on shore. It may be down the beach aways from the point you began but it will be back on solid ground and away from the tempest-tossed waves of doubt.
September 12, 2023
Although I received a copy of this book in return for a review, I write my honest reactions. I read this book thoughtfully. There were times when I was concerned about the direction of the book, but, as I continued to read, I realized that the form of the expression of the overarching ideas was a positive. The concepts, presented in this way, gave new meaning to deconstruction for me. Until I read this book, I considered deconstruction and de-conversion to be the same. I appreciate the distinction between those terms. I now realize that deconstruction precedes de-conversion. The information and insights provided have enabled me to be more hopeful, and I trust, more helpful, when I meet and interact with those who are questioning long-held beliefs.
I have wondered how many people that I know could seem to abandon their faith. What attitudes could lead to so many "prodigals" within the evangelical community? The examination of societal pressures coupled with psychological forces helped me to more fully understand many young adults that I know. Some have returned to shore, while others are still struggling.
This book provides a great resource for those who are willing to more fully explore their seeming discomfort with traditional Christianity. I appreciate that the authors clearly state their adherence to historic Christian dogma. Nevertheless, they address many questions that seekers may have using real-world examples from current culture. The authors encourage readers to examine the lens through which they explore the concept of truth. Will seekers return to shore or try to adapt their version of truth and call it factual truth?
I recommend this book to those who are questioning and to those who love the questioner. It will help to promote an attitude of compassion toward the seeker as opportunities arise for interactions.
I have wondered how many people that I know could seem to abandon their faith. What attitudes could lead to so many "prodigals" within the evangelical community? The examination of societal pressures coupled with psychological forces helped me to more fully understand many young adults that I know. Some have returned to shore, while others are still struggling.
This book provides a great resource for those who are willing to more fully explore their seeming discomfort with traditional Christianity. I appreciate that the authors clearly state their adherence to historic Christian dogma. Nevertheless, they address many questions that seekers may have using real-world examples from current culture. The authors encourage readers to examine the lens through which they explore the concept of truth. Will seekers return to shore or try to adapt their version of truth and call it factual truth?
I recommend this book to those who are questioning and to those who love the questioner. It will help to promote an attitude of compassion toward the seeker as opportunities arise for interactions.
October 4, 2024
The authors explained a complicated subject simply and methodically. They laid out a process one can follow if they are going through deconstruction. This is a book that can be helpful to that person as well as someone interested in understanding what many people are experiencing in Christianity today.
Notable quotation: "We want to leave you with a final word of encouragement. When you’re lost in the fog in the middle of a deconstruction, it may not feel like it, but there is hope. There’s a great deal of diversity within the church of Jesus Christ, and that’s good news because it means there’s a community of faith where you can feel at home."
For me, this is the main quotation to summarize the book. The Christian faith is very diverse. Earlier in the book, the authors quote a study showing there are 200 million versions of Christianity. Many Christians believe that the doctrine they believe is the only true doctrine and that anyone who believes otherwise is not a true Christian. While it may be true that their doctrine is the correct doctrine, it doesn’t mean the group disagreeing are not Christians. The authors did a great job of explaining the difference between dogma and doctrine. Dogma is the set of core Christian beliefs that are required to be a Christian while doctrine is the set of periphery beliefs that are not fundamental to Christianity and Christians can disagree over. By understanding this difference, we as Christians can have more meaningful conversations with people who disagree with us. We can develop better relationships and help ensure that someone doesn’t completely leave Christianity because of a disagreement over a doctrine that is misunderstood to be dogma.
Notable quotation: "We want to leave you with a final word of encouragement. When you’re lost in the fog in the middle of a deconstruction, it may not feel like it, but there is hope. There’s a great deal of diversity within the church of Jesus Christ, and that’s good news because it means there’s a community of faith where you can feel at home."
For me, this is the main quotation to summarize the book. The Christian faith is very diverse. Earlier in the book, the authors quote a study showing there are 200 million versions of Christianity. Many Christians believe that the doctrine they believe is the only true doctrine and that anyone who believes otherwise is not a true Christian. While it may be true that their doctrine is the correct doctrine, it doesn’t mean the group disagreeing are not Christians. The authors did a great job of explaining the difference between dogma and doctrine. Dogma is the set of core Christian beliefs that are required to be a Christian while doctrine is the set of periphery beliefs that are not fundamental to Christianity and Christians can disagree over. By understanding this difference, we as Christians can have more meaningful conversations with people who disagree with us. We can develop better relationships and help ensure that someone doesn’t completely leave Christianity because of a disagreement over a doctrine that is misunderstood to be dogma.
October 24, 2024
Deconstruction doesn't have to end in shambles...
Questions of faith and crises of belief are not new. But as the term “deconstruction” has become a buzzword in modern faith culture, it has also sadly often been misconstrued as dangerous and impossible to come back from. It wasn’t until I began reading Set Adrift that I truly recognized I had walked through a season of faith deconstruction—although at the time I referred to it as reconstruction. My faith was already lying in shambles when I decided as a young adult it was worth the time and effort of examination and possible rehabilitation. It would have been helpful all those years ago to have a book like this. A book that could walk through me through the practical process of wanting to deconstruct without losing one’s faith.
There’s been a great deal written about the emotions and feelings surrounding deconstruction, but not necessarily the process itself. How do you rebuild your Christian faith on a solid foundation? Deconstruction doesn't have to end in shambles... it can result in something stronger than what you started with. I found this line from Set Adrift so helpful, “If you’re willing to accept the boundary conditions the church has provided throughout the centuries, you can both deconstruct what you believe and retain a robust, Christian faith.”
For me it was those “boundary conditions” that were far outside my feelings and emotions that provided a foundation on which to reconstruct my Christian faith. The recognition that those boundary conditions weren’t meant to hem me in, but to set me free in Christ made all the difference. I'm grateful for authors like McDowell and Marriott who address these difficult topics and give Christians hope for rebuilding their faith.
Questions of faith and crises of belief are not new. But as the term “deconstruction” has become a buzzword in modern faith culture, it has also sadly often been misconstrued as dangerous and impossible to come back from. It wasn’t until I began reading Set Adrift that I truly recognized I had walked through a season of faith deconstruction—although at the time I referred to it as reconstruction. My faith was already lying in shambles when I decided as a young adult it was worth the time and effort of examination and possible rehabilitation. It would have been helpful all those years ago to have a book like this. A book that could walk through me through the practical process of wanting to deconstruct without losing one’s faith.
There’s been a great deal written about the emotions and feelings surrounding deconstruction, but not necessarily the process itself. How do you rebuild your Christian faith on a solid foundation? Deconstruction doesn't have to end in shambles... it can result in something stronger than what you started with. I found this line from Set Adrift so helpful, “If you’re willing to accept the boundary conditions the church has provided throughout the centuries, you can both deconstruct what you believe and retain a robust, Christian faith.”
For me it was those “boundary conditions” that were far outside my feelings and emotions that provided a foundation on which to reconstruct my Christian faith. The recognition that those boundary conditions weren’t meant to hem me in, but to set me free in Christ made all the difference. I'm grateful for authors like McDowell and Marriott who address these difficult topics and give Christians hope for rebuilding their faith.
October 21, 2024
If you are beginning to question your Christian faith and are considering joining the “deconstruction” movement – or if you know someone who is – please read this book! Even if you are not deconstructing but you want to know more about the growing phenomenon of young people questioning and then leaving their faith, this book is a must read! In this book, Sean McDowell and John Marriott show us that “deconstruction” (questioning, re-analyzing and reassembling your faith) can actually be a good thing. Deconstruction does not have to lead to deconversion. At the same time, deconstruction is a dangerous game and, if not done well, can certainly lead to deconversion. McDowell and Marriott tell us how to deconstruct well.
If you feel lost at sea and in a fog of confusion about what to believe, McDowell and Marriott can help steer you back to shore, recognizing that you may not land exactly where you were prior to your journey. If your ultimate desire is to remain faithful to Jesus and his teachings, you can certainly refine and reform your faith, and you can do it well along with guidance from this book.
The book is easy to read, complete with easy-to-understand examples and illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. The book is less than 150 pages, so it won’t take long to read. I can’t urge you enough to pick up a copy of this book. I volunteer in the youth ministry at my church and specifically work with high school Seniors. I am going to purchase a copy of this book for every student in my class! It’s that good – and that important!
If you feel lost at sea and in a fog of confusion about what to believe, McDowell and Marriott can help steer you back to shore, recognizing that you may not land exactly where you were prior to your journey. If your ultimate desire is to remain faithful to Jesus and his teachings, you can certainly refine and reform your faith, and you can do it well along with guidance from this book.
The book is easy to read, complete with easy-to-understand examples and illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. The book is less than 150 pages, so it won’t take long to read. I can’t urge you enough to pick up a copy of this book. I volunteer in the youth ministry at my church and specifically work with high school Seniors. I am going to purchase a copy of this book for every student in my class! It’s that good – and that important!
September 20, 2025
A commendable effort to set orthodox parameters for people who are questioning their beliefs and in danger of pulling the whole house down. I appreciate the authors' attempts at reflexivity toward the end of the introduction chapter. And some of the practical advice is quite helpful (eg don't do it alone, tackle one question at a time, know the motivation behind your question, practice intellectual humility).
However - the authors do set quite narrow parameters for what orthodox Christianity is, after repeatedly stating that there are many places along the shoreline to safely land. This is evidenced in the examples they give of the big questions that often prompt the deconstruction process, in which their biases come through (sex and gender, hell, sovereignty, etc). For all their talk about the importance of hermenuitics and avoiding fallacy, they veer toward the convenient and extremely effective method of questioning the credibility of and cutting the legs out from under serious scholars, i.e.
"If you don't believe what the church has always believed about these issues, then you don't believe in the authority of Scripture, so you can't truly accept Jesus as Lord."
People like Michael Bird, Edward Fudge, and Leighton Flowers set beautiful examples of how to tackle these big questions and land outside of what evangelicals usually believe, while resolutely upholding the authority of Scripture. I hoped that this book would give more tools for doing the same.
However - the authors do set quite narrow parameters for what orthodox Christianity is, after repeatedly stating that there are many places along the shoreline to safely land. This is evidenced in the examples they give of the big questions that often prompt the deconstruction process, in which their biases come through (sex and gender, hell, sovereignty, etc). For all their talk about the importance of hermenuitics and avoiding fallacy, they veer toward the convenient and extremely effective method of questioning the credibility of and cutting the legs out from under serious scholars, i.e.
"If you don't believe what the church has always believed about these issues, then you don't believe in the authority of Scripture, so you can't truly accept Jesus as Lord."
People like Michael Bird, Edward Fudge, and Leighton Flowers set beautiful examples of how to tackle these big questions and land outside of what evangelicals usually believe, while resolutely upholding the authority of Scripture. I hoped that this book would give more tools for doing the same.
October 19, 2024
Are you concerned that someone you love is questioning their Christian faith? Do you want to guide them as they wrestle with basic questions like "Why does God allow evil" and "I don't want to be one of those intolerant Christians who judge others harshly."
If you are in that situation or considering leaving the Christian faith yourself Sean McDowell and John Marriott's book is well worth reading. McDowell, a popular Christian Apologist with a much-viewed YouTube channel, has written several books aimed at helping Christians, particularly young Christians, struggling with social and faith issues that dominate our culture. He teams with Marriott, an author and theologian, providing helpful guidance for working through the process of understanding why someone may be "deconstructing" their faith. Both McDowell and Marriott acknowledge the benefits of an individual challenging their faith perspective.
This book is an easy read, with chapters that address the most critical elements of faith, examples of persons who've deconstructed their faith, including some, like Bart Campolo, who have abandoned Christianity.
If you or someone you love is struggling with remaining within the Christian faith, this book is a well-written and researched aid in providing guidance in how to thoughtfully deconstruct your Christian faith
If you are in that situation or considering leaving the Christian faith yourself Sean McDowell and John Marriott's book is well worth reading. McDowell, a popular Christian Apologist with a much-viewed YouTube channel, has written several books aimed at helping Christians, particularly young Christians, struggling with social and faith issues that dominate our culture. He teams with Marriott, an author and theologian, providing helpful guidance for working through the process of understanding why someone may be "deconstructing" their faith. Both McDowell and Marriott acknowledge the benefits of an individual challenging their faith perspective.
This book is an easy read, with chapters that address the most critical elements of faith, examples of persons who've deconstructed their faith, including some, like Bart Campolo, who have abandoned Christianity.
If you or someone you love is struggling with remaining within the Christian faith, this book is a well-written and researched aid in providing guidance in how to thoughtfully deconstruct your Christian faith
October 25, 2024
Set Adrift is a much-needed guide to this seemingly popular “movement” of faith deconstruction. As you read this book, you feel like you are being helped along by loving older brothers who just want to support and protect you. I strongly believe the evangelical church needs this book today because not only does it provide tools for faithful deconstruction, but it also provides hope for those of us who are watching our loved ones go through this sometimes painful process.
I really loved the authors’ emphasis on Jesus being the theological bedrock on which a faithful deconstruction (and reconstruction) should be built on. The authors emphasize the fact that though there are theological boundaries that do exist, Christianity has wide expressions of what is considered historical orthodoxy. This is so helpful because deconstruction does not need to lead to a homogenized faith, but can be lived out in various ways and by many different looking, but still Biblically faithful communities.
Overall, this book is incredibly encouraging and hope-giving. I strongly believe that this book should be handed out in all evangelical churches so that we can be equipped to love those struggling through the process of deconstruction well.
I really loved the authors’ emphasis on Jesus being the theological bedrock on which a faithful deconstruction (and reconstruction) should be built on. The authors emphasize the fact that though there are theological boundaries that do exist, Christianity has wide expressions of what is considered historical orthodoxy. This is so helpful because deconstruction does not need to lead to a homogenized faith, but can be lived out in various ways and by many different looking, but still Biblically faithful communities.
Overall, this book is incredibly encouraging and hope-giving. I strongly believe that this book should be handed out in all evangelical churches so that we can be equipped to love those struggling through the process of deconstruction well.
October 23, 2024
Set Adrift is a book that explains a safe process someone can use if they are thinking they need to deconstruct their faith. After finishing the book there were three key ideas that stuck with me. The first is that there needs to be parameters placed on deconstruction. You can just go into something as serious as deconstruction with no rules and expect to come out with any true progress being made. This will likely lead a person to flat out walk away from their faith with no understanding of why they are walking away.
Second, deconstruction is not something you go through alone. Make sure you have someone, such as a mentor, who can be there for you during the process. You can’t expect to answer your own questions that arise during the process, so have someone who can help.
Lastly, there are many different Christian groups that may fit what you believe. Instead of just walking away, you may find other Christian who have similar beliefs as you. As long as your core beliefs about God are sound, there is room within the Christian faith to be Democrat or Republican, differ on social issues, views on war or peace for a few examples.
Second, deconstruction is not something you go through alone. Make sure you have someone, such as a mentor, who can be there for you during the process. You can’t expect to answer your own questions that arise during the process, so have someone who can help.
Lastly, there are many different Christian groups that may fit what you believe. Instead of just walking away, you may find other Christian who have similar beliefs as you. As long as your core beliefs about God are sound, there is room within the Christian faith to be Democrat or Republican, differ on social issues, views on war or peace for a few examples.
October 23, 2024
This is such a clear guide on the deconstruction that is occurring in many Christian and ex-Christian's lives. The book defines deconstruction as "a process of analysis that Christians who want to follow Jesus engage in because they "doubt the faith they've received is the fully refined good that God intends, and are seeking to sift out the dross and keep what is most precious" (7)."
I think this is more positive (and more helpful) view than others that are out there today. It sees that deconstruction occurs in many Christians lives. We typically don't have the exact faith of our parents. It changes and evolves to some degree. The goal is not to stop deconstruction but to stop deconversion.
Sean and John show the problems that many young people have with the church including hypocrisy and lack of compassion and develop a way forward. This includes acknowledging clear mistakes and also showing the incomplete view of Jesus and the church that started the deconstruction process to begin with. There is room to grow on both sides!
Overall, a short and very timely book.
I think this is more positive (and more helpful) view than others that are out there today. It sees that deconstruction occurs in many Christians lives. We typically don't have the exact faith of our parents. It changes and evolves to some degree. The goal is not to stop deconstruction but to stop deconversion.
Sean and John show the problems that many young people have with the church including hypocrisy and lack of compassion and develop a way forward. This includes acknowledging clear mistakes and also showing the incomplete view of Jesus and the church that started the deconstruction process to begin with. There is room to grow on both sides!
Overall, a short and very timely book.
October 24, 2024
McDowell and Marriott offer their collective expertise as educators and cultural thought leaders. A timely guide for parents, students and faith leaders. They emphasize that core beliefs are that reference points or the filters by which we make sense of reality. They are historic, evidence-based, and found in the word of God. They are the ingredients of a Christian worldview.
Often the term deconstruction is framed in a negative sense both inside and outside the church. The authors frame the term deconstruction in a positive way in this book. They describe a process of analysis that Christians want to follow Jesus engage in because they "doubt the faith they have received is the fully refined good that God intends and are seeking to sift out the dross and keep what is most precious.”
In summary, Set Adrift offers a step-by-step approach for thoughtful Christians and for those on a faith journey who are reexamining their beliefs yet have a heart to follow Jesus. Highly recommended!
Often the term deconstruction is framed in a negative sense both inside and outside the church. The authors frame the term deconstruction in a positive way in this book. They describe a process of analysis that Christians want to follow Jesus engage in because they "doubt the faith they have received is the fully refined good that God intends and are seeking to sift out the dross and keep what is most precious.”
In summary, Set Adrift offers a step-by-step approach for thoughtful Christians and for those on a faith journey who are reexamining their beliefs yet have a heart to follow Jesus. Highly recommended!
October 28, 2024
This book addresses those who are deconstructing from the Christian faith. It is great for those who are doubting their fidelity to Christianity. If you are, there’s no condemnation here! You won’t get any of that from this book. You will be challenged to deconstruct, analyze, and reconstruct a faith that is solely yours and not that of your parents or church’s. For those who feel like they are out at sea being tossed about in rough waters, this book will help you to hold onto Someone that will guide them back to shore. Honestly, I thought one way of deconstruction before reading this, I had an air of arrogance. However, while I was reading this book, I came to sympathize with those who are deconstructing from their faith. Just because someone is deconstructing doesn’t mean they are an apostate. It could quite well mean, they have the courage to face their doubts head on and take a leap of faith for the sake of living a more authentic life.
This book is great for those who are deconstructing and/or those who know someone who is.
This book is great for those who are deconstructing and/or those who know someone who is.
October 18, 2024
I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would! I think it is valuable to every Christian for so many reasons. Even if you don’t have someone in your life right now that is going through deconstruction or questioning their faith, it gives great insights into why we seem to be so divided in our culture today. The explanation of our values driving what we believe and why certain generations could “think” so differently on so many topics was super helpful. Parents could benefit from this as well – just in understanding our kids today - I really appreciate that. For those that might be questioning – what a great book to start with and set the boundaries for you as you explore what is actually true. I highly recommend it!
October 15, 2023
An excellent read. Helpful stories and analogies to undergird the conversation many are having in a world that looks very different in wrestling through want it means to be a follower of Jesus. Sean and John offer many thoughtful considerations about our current culture and the questions that are being asked by those in the Church. In particular they're underscoring the values we hold can and do shape how we see and respond to Scripture. Although this reader isn't deconstructing there were many good things shared to reinforce embracing historical Christian orthodoxy and its Biblical worldview.
October 16, 2023
Overall I liked the book very much. It provided more info and ways for me to consider how I might encourage and counsel someone who is deconstructing their faith. My only caution would be how the authors several times talk about how diverse the Christian faith is, and how you can often find alternative biblical interpretations that might better fit your beliefs. I believe I know what they were trying to communicate, but we need to be very careful here. But this is definitely a resource I will refer to often in ministry.
October 24, 2024
Prior to reading this book, I did not know the full scope of Christian deconstruction or really what it meant. Although I know folks that have deconstructed their faith, I would not have used that term because it is not common in my circles. I also wouldn't have had the empathy to truly grasp what they were going through or have a graceful conversation about it. This book gave me these qualities and I am so grateful for that. If you or someone you know has deep objections or questions about Biblical Christianity, read this book and keep asking questions. And know that you are not alone! Eric
September 15, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Simple and accessible it helps dispel some of the negative press that deconstruction receives in the church. I appreciated the move away from Derrida's nonsensical version of deconstruction as well as differentiating between deconstruction and deconversion. The guardrails provided will help those who are looking for an honest faith to go through this process in a healthy way and hopefully to a stronger faith.
May 9, 2024
Truly a good resource for anyone questioning Christian dogmas but wanting to hold on to a belief in Jesus. McDowell offers clear guidelines, explanations and warnings for anyone looking to deconstruct their faith, yet not wanting to completely walk away. I like that he clearly defines the process and what is important from what isn't. His last and most important (in my opinion) recommendation is to not do this process alone.
September 18, 2024
By all means, question the parts of you faith that have been handed down to you and don’t have a biblical basis. But keep your core beliefs about Jesus, the heart of the Christian faith firmly planted. These authors show ably how to go about this in a solid, constructive manner.
October 13, 2023
Easy read, charitable, can tell the authors care. Would be a good book to give to a loved one.
I also really appreciated hearing how Marriott’s “deconstruction” began.
I also really appreciated hearing how Marriott’s “deconstruction” began.
October 2, 2024
This offer solid wisdom for people questioning their faith.
March 19, 2025
Lots of repeated points in the beginning, or avoiding fully answering questions brought up by the author. Although the later chapters are very good
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