Published by IVP on January 14, 2025
Genres: Non-Fiction, Christian Life
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However you define it, deconstruction is impossible to deny.
"I'm deconstructing my faith." As any pastor can tell you, hearing these words is simply a regular feature of ministry these days. How we respond to those who are deconstructing will reveal the kind of church—and the kinds of Christians—we really are.
Ian Harber knows the fear and grief of deconstruction firsthand. In Walking Through Deconstruction, he tells the story of his own process of deconstruction and reconstruction over more than ten years and explores what is actually happening, both culturally and spiritually, when someone deconstructs their faith.
Deconstruction doesn't happen in a vacuum; it is catalyzed by a comfortable society, cultural Christianity, compromised churches, and the compounding anxieties of life. But the Christian faith has better to offer. Harber lays out a vision for the kind of faith environment that can foster genuine reconstruction through healthy relationships, robust doctrine, healthy institutions, a better theology of suffering, and the peace of God.
Walking Through Deconstruction
• tells the author's real life story of deconstruction and reconstruction
• provides a clear definition of deconstruction
• acknowledges the urgency of deconstruction while prioritizing patience and trust over fear
• describes common contributing factors and phases of deconstruction, and
• casts a vision for healthy communities that help people hold onto faith.We desperately need healthy models of ministry to those who are deconstructing. Whether you're a pastor, parent, or friend of someone on this path, Walking Through Deconstruction offers hope for a renewed faith—stronger than it was before.
Deconstruction has been a controversial topic for a while now, and lots of people have written memoirs about their deconstruction journeys, or have written books about the dangers of deconstruction. This book takes a completely different approach. Ian Harber focuses on how Christians can be supportive companions to people who are going through faith crises. He defines key terms, describes significant markers on most deconstruction journeys, and explores some of the common factors influencing people to deconstruct.
He also writes about the process of reconstruction, exploring key aspects of what it involves for someone to grow in and deepen their faith after periods of challenging their faith and unraveling their beliefs. Harber highlights the importance of friends and family in this process, and he encourages readers to become a “non-anxious presence” in the lives of doubting and deconstructing loved ones. This book repeatedly underscores this theme, explaining how important it is for people experiencing a faith crisis to be able to talk to loved ones who don’t act threatened by their questions or shifting beliefs.
Harber deconstructed his faith in the past, but later returned to biblical, orthodox Christian beliefs. His personal experiences give this book a calmer, more balanced tone than most. He understands what it feel like to go through deconstruction, and he understands what it feels like to look on in concern when other people are walking away from Jesus or abandoning key biblical doctrines. Because this author deeply understands both sides of the issue, the book is very balanced, and does not feel combative or defensive.
This book is very helpful overall, but I noticed that it got repetitive at times. Also, I would have appreciated it if the author had better addressed more complicated deconstruction situations. This book mostly focuses on people who are deconstructing distorted beliefs and bad experiences, and are jettisoning core Christian beliefs in the process. Those situations are extremely common, but they are also simpler and easier to respond to, if what someone most dislikes about Christianity was never in line with Scripture to begin with. Other situations are more challenging, where someone truly does understand the faith they are walking away from, and doesn’t want any part of it anymore. If the author had further addressed those types of situations, this book could be even more helpful to even more people.
Walking Through Deconstruction: How to Be a Companion in a Crisis of Faith is a thoughtful guide for Christians who are concerned about deconstruction, and who want to better understand and support loved ones who are questioning their faith. This book is very informative, clear, and helpful, and the author’s personal experiences give this book greater depth and credibility. I would recommend this to Christians who want to better understand the issue, support others, and reflect more deeply on their own faith journeys.