I really appreciate McDonald's concept that deconstruction is not a one size fits all but is rather a spectrum of loyal, doubting, disillusioned, deconstructing, and deconstructed. With McDonald, I think many who have left the church are disillusioned. He points out that many have become disillusioned with the toxic American evangelical subculture, seeing something rotten in it. He notes the difference between American evangelicals and evangelicals in the rest of the world. His book is aimed at the disillusioned, giving them hope, not to return to their previous experience but to find a new experience in true Christian faith.

He shares many of his own experiences and the experiences of others, often giving verbatim dialogues. His stories provide good evidence for being disillusioned. He includes some humor and some tongue in cheek observations.

I can't decide if this book is for disillusioned young people or those who minister to them. Much of McDonald's writing style is aimed at younger readers, say college age. But some of the material, like historical sections, I think they might find boring. The long section about the effect of the Civil War on the church is a case in point. Even so, this would be a good book for discussion over a cup of coffee with those disillusioned with the current state of evangelicalism in America.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This book is exactly what I needed! McDonald's "The Light in Our Eyes" helps readers rediscover Jesus's message of love and freedom in today's complicated world. The author shares his own struggles with faith honestly, which made me feel less alone in my questions. Instead of giving preachy answers, he helps strip away the baggage that often comes with religion to show the heart of Jesus's teachings. I especially appreciated how he welcomes doubts and speaks to those who've been hurt by religious experiences. The writing is thoughtful but easy to follow, mixing personal stories with deeper insights. If you're feeling disconnected from your faith or just want a fresh perspective on Christianity that actually makes sense in today's world, this book offers a friendly, judgment-free guide back to what really matters.

Decent overview of disillusionment and deconstruction in the church, but nothing new or groundbreaking

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)