Some time ago … my cousin asked me if there was anything in my faith that if he were able to prove wrong would break my faith. I took the question seriously and from that point I had a strong understanding of my own core faith. That doesn’t mean that I did not accept traditions outside of that core (of which most christian traditions reside), but that I was open to another way. That was the start of my journey to deconstruct my faith … after which I found myself in the Catholic Church after I reconstructed it. That is a long winded way to say that I can identify with what the author is saying here to some extent … I don’t agree with everything he says and would frequently say it differently (not surprising since he confesses a pentecostal viewpoint); however, he does make an excellent point.

The book is a quick read and mostly on point with minimal repetition. Part one deals with what deconstruction is and why it is good for the faith. This is important because the term deconstruction is not a common term in my faith tradition (restoration or catholic); although it is apparently more common in evangelical traditions where diversity within the pews is not well tolerated. That is not to say that people in other traditions doesn’t experience a crisis in faith … studies show that all the mainline churches are declining the in the US, but that we are using different vocabulary to talk about the same thing. Part One makes sure we are all on the same page. Part two introducing a way to use deconstruction constructively :-) this is also important. When you “blow up” your faith, something needs to fill the gap; here is a healthy approach to do that where the end result is a spirituality that is stronger and better that what you had before. Too many times I have seen people just give up entirely and walk away completely.

Introduction: Saving Deconstruction
Part One: Why Deconstruct
1. Deconstruction Is Part of Our Spiritual Heritage
2. More Questions Than Answers
3. Deconstruction vs Deconversion
4. Deconstruction Is About Authority
5. WWJD? (What Would Jesus Deconstruction?)

Part Two: How to Deconstruct - The FUSE Method
6. F - Find the Specifics
7. U - Understand Where It Came From
8. S - Share the Impact
9. E - Engage with the Remains

Conclusion: A Christianity for Our Kids

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#DeconstructFaithDiscoverJesus #NetGalley

3.5 - I don't really know that this book was what I expected going into it, but it has a lot of points to think about regardless. Preston Ulmer recently spoke at my church and I was really encouraged by what he shared. I have a lot of respect for the places Ulmer is going and the conversations he's having and inviting others - Christians and nonChristians alike - to have. I picked up his first book, The Doubter's Club (which I will read soon), and snagged this one on NetGalley the following week.

I think this might be a good starting place for Christians who are just dipping their toes into what deconstruction means (for others or for themselves) or who need to have a healthier view of wrestling with God/western Christianity/Jesus and the exvangelical, and for those struggling to communicate in a way that both honors Christ and the individual walking through a season of deconstruction. I think it's also a challenge to take a good look at what the bedrock of our own faith really is - Jesus or religious tradition. By design, if you are an evangelical Christian, parts of this book will make you feel uncomfortable.

Ultimately, I think I was looking for something a little more but I'm still glad I picked it up and will definitely move on to The Doubter's Club soon!

Since my sister left the faith, I have been searching for books about deconstruction and deconversion.
This is exactly what I was looking for. This is great starting point for those looking into deconstruction and deconversion.
This book easily breaks down the difference between deconstruction and deconversion and the reasons why a person might choose to deconstruct or deconvert.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to review. This is my first book of Preston Ulmer's that I have read- the topic and title of this book is what initially drew me in. Ulmer presents the idea of deconstruction as old faith itself-as something that is found in the bible as well as a practice that wasn't shied away from. Ulmer lays out a way to deconstruct which doesn't necessarily have the end result that one is now faithless. I understand his point but take issue with this as this may be the logical decision for someone even if he ultimately disagrees or is saddened by it. I also take issue with how the word skeptic/skepticism is use-as almost an insult. Despite these two things I believe he is sincere when he shares his own journey as well as acknowledging the real harm Christianity/religion has caused.

I recieved this from netgalley
Unfortunately I lost interest in this book half way through as it is not a Catholic book

This book was imformative and thought provoking. I like the way he wove current events and stories into his explanation of deconstructing faith and also that he expressed that historical figures such as Martin Luther King, as well as Jesus, searched to find the true meaning of relationship with God instead of just following what is socially believed to be "a typical faith belief and expression".

3.5 stars: Thanks NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think the same way about this book that I do about The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Wray Gregore or even possibly God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines in that it has the propensity to be earth-shattering for the open-minded American Evangelical who’s ready to /listen/ and be told “hey, maybe you don’t have it all figured out”.
But it’s not for everyone and I can see it being used to continue to hurt people by their own biases in the book’s message (that I happen to agree with, but I also know what kind of Christians live around me in the Bible Belt). I think the “hold onto Jesus at all costs” mentality and that reconstruction must follow deconstruction—even though I agree and have felt this way about my own processing—is not going to come across as loving to those who have already gone through deconstructing certain problematic aspects of their churches and childhood traumas and aren’t ready to touch any aspect of the Church again yet. Yah Jesus is usually the starting place, but don’t force Him onto them. I’d recommend this book to certain people I went to Bible college with who are in ministry and have humble hearts, but NOT friends or acquaintances who A). Who are past the line of equating the Bible with G-d and pay lip service to being open to being wrong but really would never concede on any doubt or belief or B). Have been abused by the church and have been on a deconstruction process for a while.
This HAS to be mentioned: The overall metaphor of Tunkasila Sakpe Paha (the six grandfathers mountain range, made by Creator, destroyed to make mt Rushmore) that pervades the book, glosses over just how problematic that colonizing action was (and still is as it’s making bank and how it’s taught in schools). There was a pithy platitude from the author but because the way to make mt Rushmore was the entire metaphor for deconstruction (e.g. lighting the FUSE being the acronym and the WHOLE mountain metaphor for problematic church), I have to deduct 1.5 stars. I wish he could come up with some other way to use FUSE and not compare it to destroying sacred creation or make creation the metaphor for the problem!!!!!!!!

This was a book I deeply needed. I have been in a unnamed deconstruction era with my faith for many years and it's only gotten worse with the rise of the ugly side of American Christianity.

The line that most deeply affected me is "If Jesus didn't emphasize it, don't hold it tightly". Basically, our role is not to be judge and jury, not to hold others or ourselves to perfection, but to be love in action.

I'm not saying this cured my crisis of faith, but I appreciate the reframing and the calling out of the harm religion has done to many.