The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It's Destructive, and How to Respond

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It's finally here--the clear, gracious, definitive book on deconstruction. 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 of the Christian rock band Skillet, author of Awake and Alive to Truth, and host of the Cooper Stuff Podcast

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With sharp minds for the issue but soft hearts for those beguiled by it, Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett skillfully clarify the chaos in their timely and readable The Deconstruction of Christianity. They are uniquely gifted to decipher the terminology, simplify the philosophical concepts, and give solid advice on how to respond to the trend. If you have loved ones caught in the deconstruction web woven by "exvangelical" YouTubers and TikTokers, let Childers and Barnett guide you out of the confusing tangle.--Gregory Koukl, president of Stand to Reason; author of Street Smarts, Tactics, and The Story of Reality

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The greatest barrier to people even "hearing" what Christians say today is their view of truth. Christianity is no longer treated as an objective truth claim but only as an expression of personal emotion and experience-- my truth versus your truth. This is called the fact/ value split, and it is now permeating the church as well, where it is a major factor in the movement to "deconstruct" historic Christianity. This book will help you recover the conviction that biblical truth is true to all of reality.--Nancy Pearcey, professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University, author of several books including Total Truth and Finding Truth

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Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett have patiently combed through myriad books, articles, tweets, and YouTube videos to get to the issues at the heart of the "deconstruction of Christianity," which is one of the most significant challenges to Christianity in America today. They take deconstructionists' critiques head-on, seriously address their attacks on Christianity, and then provide strong arguments in favor of the faith given once for all to the saints (Jude 1:3).--Douglas Groothuis, PhD, professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary; author of Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed.

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Well written and theologically sound, this book sheds much-needed light on the phenomenon called deconstruction. It is an excellent resource for the church in an age of misapprehension, confusion, and doubt regarding the truths of biblical Christianity. This is a must-read for church leaders and everyday Christians alike. I highly recommend it.--Becket Cook, author of A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption and host of The Becket Cook Show podcast

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Every generation must defend the gospel anew. And like every generation, we must have a showdown with the wolves of our time. That's why Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett's book, The Deconstruction of Christianity, is a must-read. Childers and Barnett write with clarity, urgency, and courage. I love many things about this book, but one is that the authors speak plainly and clearly about the problem and the people causing it--there's no pandering on these pages. I thank God for Childers and Barnett, and pray that the Lord will use this book mightily. This book is the wake-up call that the true church needs.--Rosaria Butterfield, author of The Gospel Comes with a House Key

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This book not only helps us understand what deconstruction is or isn't, but more importantly it helps us understand how to be caring, loving, and thoughtful regarding people who are caught in the confusing cultural winds of our day.--Dan Kimball, author of How (Not) to Read the Bible, vice president and professor at Western Seminary

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The past decade has seen a rise of deconversion stories with "exvangelicals" even creating communities for deconstruction. Yet behind every story is a devastated parent or loved one. How did this happen? What is deconstruction? Where can I find help? Look no further. In The Deconstruction of Christianity, Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett give an immensely important explanation of the how, what, and who of deconstruction. With clarity and compassion, they adeptly explain this tragic phenomenon that finds its genesis in a rejection of God's truth and a blind embrace of human experience. But there is hope. If your loved one has deconstructed, this is a must-read.--Dr. Christopher Yuan, speaker, author of Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, and producer of The Holy Sexuality Project video series for parents and their teens

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As deconstructionism continues to be on the rise, more and more professing Christians are leaving the faith. This new book from my good friends Tim Barnett and Alisa Childers so eloquently explains everything you need to know about why people deconstruct their faith, and more importantly, how we can come alongside to help them build an even stronger faith. If you or someone you know is considering leaving Christianity, this book is a must-read. I trust it will be a valuable resource to aid the body of Christ for many years to come.--Allen Parr, author of Misled: 7 Lies That Distort the Gospel (and How You Can Discern the Truth) and founder of The BEAT YouTube channel

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As a professor who works with hundreds of students a year at a Christian university, I have a front-row seat to the phenomenon of deconstruction. Some students are seeking honest answers to honest questions, wrestling through whether the faith of their upbringing can pass intellectual muster and offer them a more meaningful, loving, and just way to live. (Spoiler: It can!) But some find themselves drawn to the #exvangelical progressive Christianity so often pushed by online celebrities and social media algorithms. Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett have done us all a tremendous service. For its careful nuance, probing cultural analysis, biblical depth, and hope-filled defense of the historic faith, The Deconstruction of Christianity will be a top resource I recommend to anyone experiencing the trend (as old as Genesis 3) of lost faith.--Thaddeus Williams, professor of theology at Biola University and author of Don't Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the 10 Commandments of Self-Worship

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In the guise of self-care and critical thinking, "deconstruction" is spreading like wildfire, burning whatever it touches and destroying the faith of many. This book's analysis of the issues, both logically and emotionally, will pour water on that fire. I can't overstate how important this book is for the great faith crisis of our time. Before you deconstruct, read this book.--Mike Winger, teacher of BibleThinker online ministry

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This book is so needed. In a conversation that is often full of broad brush statements and confusion, Alisa and Tim have accomplished what they set out to do--address deconstruction in a way that is reasonable, accurate, and filled with grace. I highly recommend this book.--Jinger Duggar Vuolo, New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear

Publisher Marketing:

A groundbreaking book on the true nature of faith deconstruction

Alisa and Tim help the reader to deconstruct the deconstructionists and thus to respond to them, both with arguments and with love and sensitivity. This is a timely book! -- Carl Trueman, author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self

A movement called 'deconstruction' is sweeping through our churches and it is affecting our loved ones. It has disrupted, dismantled, and destroyed the faith of so many, and this book can help you not only understand what's happening but also stand your ground and respond with clarity and confidence.

• Maybe you have a loved one who is deconstructing their faith, and you are struggling to know how to respond;
• Maybe you are trying to understand the radical spiritual makeover your friend or family member is going through;
• Maybe your relationship with a loved one has been strained or even cut off because of your "toxic" Christian beliefs and you don't know what to do;
• Maybe you're experiencing doubt yourself and facing hard questions about truth, God, the Bible, theology and the gospel.

Some who leave the faith feel wounded by the church. Others feel repressed by some of the moral imperatives found in Scripture. For some, it leads to a custom-made spirituality. For others, deconstructing their faith leads them away from the truth into agnosticism, atheism, the occult, or humanism.

In this seminal book, Alisa Childers, author of Another Gospel?, and Tim Barnett, creator of Red Pen Logic, will help you understand what deconstruction is, where it comes from, why it is compelling to some, and how it disorients the lives of so many. You will be able to think through the main issues around faith deconstruction and explore wise and loving ways to respond from a biblical worldview.