Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church: A Book Review

This brief, readable and to-the-point book answers the questions that those who are wrestling with “deconstruction” most often cite. Before You Lose Your Faith may, however, prove far more helpful to those who are engaging with those who are wrestling with their faith. In ten short chapters on how the Bible and the Church respond or have responded to the issues in this book, the believing reader takes away far more than talking points to combat the untruths that draw someone away from the faith. Rather, this book provides the truths about Christianity which combat secular untruths about the faith. Including chapters on everything from LGBTQ+ questions (Sex: Telling a Better Story) to the issues brought up through Googling answers to your struggles with Christianity (Internet: Deconstructing Faith Online) and from science as worldview (Science: Why Scientism Can’t Explain Morality or Reality) to the idea some have that biblical Christianity is only for the uneducated (Anti-Intellectualism: We Must Ask Hard Questions), along with chapters on racism in the church, tough questions about Hell and still other stumbling block issues, this book makes for relevant reading.  

As I read, there were times I was challenged to look at an issue from a different perspective from one I hold. At other points, I felt spurred on to engage with winsomeness and love those who hold contrary viewpoints from my own. Particularly encouraging to my own soul were the authors’ reminders to dig deeply into the 2000-year history of the Church and to take my own doubts back to a God who, by His Holy Spirit, is ready and able to answer my questions through His Word.

Since living in this world as a Christian comes with challenges and hardships, the contributors (each chapter is written by a different author) address some of the unspoken doubts and fears, as well as the lies of the surrounding culture, we all must deal with if we’re to live honestly and fruitfully in this fallen world. Whether you turn to this book as a ready resource, as preparation for honest conversation with deconstructing friends or simply to shore up your own faith, you won’t be disappointed.

Author

Chris Hamilton is the Counseling & Mercy Ministry Coordinator at PCC and mother to two adult sons. She and her husband, Phil, have been married for 30 years.