Book Review
I love the concept of an evolving faith. This is true to my experience. Sarah shares her own deconstruction / evolving faith journey with deep honestly and relatability. The wisdom she draws on is instinctive and her instincts are good. Lean into God’s love for yourself and others. Give yourself a chance to grieve. Repent and practice the sacraments you appreciate. Listen to good teachers. Peace making is not simply keeping the peace.
This book is really for those who continue to have a faith in Jesus and haven’t fully deconverted. There is room to question who Jesus is to us now, but Sarah has certainly not thrown Jesus out with deconstruction. This books affirms deconstructing “isms” like racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism etc. It is important to find places to be active in our faith and not just to spout what we are against, but also what we stand for now. This book affirms that some of us desire to find new church homes and other communities, even forming new ones ourselves.
Sarah talks about journeying and exploring and taking time. Deconstruction is not a quick fix. Evolution is gradual. Be gentle and nurture yourself. Give yourself permission to be happy and free, to move on, and let go of beliefs and relationships that no longer serve your purpose in the world. Forgive, repent, confess, and follow the path to truth as best you can.
This is a deeply spiritual guidebook with a solid focus on God being loving, gracious and compassionate. I wish I’d had this book years ago, but I’m grateful it exists now for people who are just starting out in a more malleable faith.