faith deconstruction

Sarah Bessey's latest book is Field Notes for the Wilderness. And telling you that it is my favorite book I’ve ever read is no exaggeration. I love this book. It’s full of grace and love and welcome. I could go on and on. You need to get it. Like right now and then pull up a chair in front of the fire with a warm cup and go deep into the beauty and wonder of Sarah’s writing.

In this episode, Sarah Bessey discuss her journey of evolving faith and new book "Field Notes for the Wilderness." Bessey shares her experience of faith deconstruction as disorienting but empowering, finding support through community. She emphasizes that God's love is present even in our doubts.

She  explores practices for cultivating wonder in daily life through embodiment, Scripture and relationships. They discuss reclaiming repentance as a mind shift rather than shame, and peacemaking as justice work over status quo. Sarah reflects on navigating differing faith journeys in marriage through choosing each other.

Ultimately, Sarah encourages listeners in the wilderness to embrace their identity and find community, even if it means leaving old spaces. She recommends embracing the invitations of the Spirit and knowing you're not alone. This conversation provides wisdom and hope for those navigating spiritual transformation and an evolving faith.

Sarah Bessey is the author or editor of five books, including the New York Times bestseller A Rhythm of Prayer. She also leads Evolving Faith, a conference and online community for people who are reimagining their faith with hope. Bessey lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with her husband and their four children.

Sarah's Book:
Field Notes for the Wilderness

Sarah's Recommendations:
Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley
Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day by Kate Bowler

Connect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.us

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J Kirk Richards is a husband and father of four children and a contemporary artist whose career spans over two decades and his work covers themes of religion, spirituality, equality, and love.  Kirk shares very vulnerable perspectives through his own experiences with his wife, family and career on a variety of topics, including: cognitive dissonance in aspects of faith and culture, letting go of control and sharing power in a marriage, and the importance of faith deconstruction and making sure we do not deconstruct to the point where we don't have any faith left. 

To learn more about J Kirk Richards and view is work, head to the links below:
Website:
www.jkirkrichards.com
Instagram:
@jkirkrichards

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Many young people raised within the restrictive discipline of a strict, Christian evangelical childhood are pulling away from that narrow and dogmatic framework as adults and finding comfort and guidance in a podcasting community of fellow travelers who are walking a similar path.  

Among these bold podcasters are two former church leaders who are now critical voices in a campaign against Christian Nationalism and for a free and fair pluralistic democracy.

Scholar, author, coach and co-host of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi joins us along with musician, author and host of Chapel Probation, Scott Okamoto.

In Brad’s new book, Preparing for War, he offers brilliant insights into our history and legacy of colonialism, racism and white supremacy and how our untreated wounds continue to fester and infect our political landscape. Bigotry and prejudice are even more insidiously dangerous when they come holding a cross, wrapped in a flag.

Brad’s podcast with Dan Miller is Straight White American Jesus in which the two university professors examine and discuss the intersection of the religious right  and politics in America.

Scott’s focus is on Evangelical colleges. He taught for 16 years at Azusa Pacific University and become increasingly disillusioned by the subpar academic standards in support of white supremacy. His book, Asian American Apostate recounts his struggle to break free of a value system that encourages White Christian cultural power and to, instead, embrace his own Japanese heritage.

Scott’s podcast, Chapel Probation features conversations with fellow evangelical college graduates with horrifying stories to share about life on the inside and their escapes from racist, sexist and unforgiving indoctrination.

We talk in-depth about the problematic curricula at Fundamentalist Christian colleges, homeschooling and private religious education. We explore the meaning of  deconstruction and decolonization as the terms apply to those departing from Christian backgrounds, the Seven Mountains mandate, the new Apostolic Reformation, the ascension of Mike Johnson, purity culture, why the right loves Trump and Putin & much more.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Holdovers and Rustin.

Path Points of Interest:

Brad Onishi

Straight White American Jesus

Straight White American Jesus on Facebook

Straight White American Jesus on Twitter

Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism - And What Comes Next by Brad Onishi

Scott Okamoto

Asian American Apostate by Scott Okamoto

Chapel Probation Podcast

Scott Okamoto on Instagram

Scott Okamoto on Twitter/X

The Holdovers

Rustin - Netflix

Mama's Boy - Dustin Lance Black Documentary

The phrase "deconstructing one's faith" has been floating around recently. The term refers to Christians who rethink their faith and change previously held beliefs, sometimes walking away from the Christian faith all together. 

In this episode, we discuss how to engage with Christians who are slowly walking away or who decide to walk away from the faith. Join us as we discuss this topic together. 

We've got a special treat for you today. We're diving deep into the murky waters of faith, spirituality, and the church with none other than Nat Turney, the author of the provocative book "Seeds of De(con)struction." Trust us, this is one episode you don't want to miss.

The Book That's Shaking the Foundations

"Seeds of De(con)struction" is not your typical faith book. It's a raw, unfiltered look at the complexities of spirituality, the church, and the human experience. Nat Turney takes us on a journey that's as unsettling as it is enlightening. He challenges us to question the status quo, to deconstruct our long-held beliefs, and to embrace the transformative power of faith.

The Scandalous Church

One of the most gripping parts of the book is Nat's critique of church leadership. He doesn't hold back, folks. From church scandals to the misuse of power, Nat exposes the underbelly of religious institutions. But don't get it twisted; this isn't a takedown. It's an invitation to dialogue, to question, and to reform. It's about recognizing that the church, like any other institution, is flawed but also capable of growth and transformation.

The Drips of Wisdom

Nat uses the metaphor of "drips" to symbolize the gradual accumulation of wisdom and enlightenment. It's a beautiful concept that resonates deeply. Enlightenment isn't a one-time event; it's a lifelong journey. It's about the small, consistent insights that accumulate over time, leading us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the Divine.

The Fear Factor

Another compelling aspect of the book is its exploration of violence and fear as tools for control within religious institutions. It's a critical view that many of us can relate to, especially those who have felt marginalized or oppressed by the church. Nat encourages us to challenge these fear-based tactics and to seek a faith that is rooted in love, compassion, and inclusivity.

The Power of Deconstruction

The book also delves into the concept of deconstruction, a term that's become somewhat of a buzzword in faith circles. But Nat gives it new life. He suggests that deconstruction isn't about tearing down; it's about breaking open. It's about dismantling the walls that confine us so that we can experience a more authentic, personal spirituality.

The Interview

In today's episode, we'll be sitting down with Nat to discuss all of this and more. We'll talk about his inspiration for writing the book, the challenges he faced along the way, and what he hopes readers will take away from it. Plus, we'll get into some of the more controversial topics he tackles, like the church's approach to violence and control. It's going to be a candid, thought-provoking conversation that you won't want to miss.



So grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let's get snarky. This is one conversation that's sure to challenge, inspire, and maybe even ruffle a few feathers. But hey, that's what Snarky Faith is all about, right?

Tune in, and let's get this conversation started.

We'll talk about all that and plenty more snark!

Show notes

Featured Crackpots, Grifters, and Prophets: JD Greer, Hank Kunneman, Jack Hibbs, and Robin Bullock. 

Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible:

Right Wing Watch

Christian Nightmares

Friendly Atheist

Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world.

www.SnarkyFaith.com
 

Check out the other fantastic Quoircast partners: The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast, Apostates Anonymous, The Messy Spirituality Podcast, Ideas Digest, The New Evangelicals, This is Not Church, and Wild Olive.

In this part 2 of our mutual episode with Stephen Murphy, we discuss finding healing, growth and community after a Mormon faith crisis. We also discuss how to have civil dialogue between members/believers and former members/non believers and even critics vs apologists. 

We also discuss how to navigate and promote healthy mixed faith relationships.

Pastor Mike talks about holding space for doubt and being a safe, loving person-of-worth.

From The Gathering Place of Palm Beach Gardens, Sunday, April 16th, 2023

On February 25, 2023, I had the opportunity to make a presentation that I titled, Life After Deconstruction.

A brief episode regarding what have been the 5 most helpful things for us in our mixed-faith marriage during the last nearly 7 years since I lost my belief in Mormonism.

From what I have seen, I think a faith crisis tends to reveal/expose the underlying marriage that was already there prior to a faith crisis, and sometimes, it ends up being most helpful to end the marriage.  

What my wife and I have done doesn’t always lead to sustaining in a post-faith crisis marriage.  

Nonetheless, I thought I'd share what has been helpful for us.

Join Kajsa and me for a conversation about the journey of deconstruction, how it impacted relationships with orthodox believing family, how it impacted the ways we experience scriptures and spirituality, and also, a discussion about Kajsa’s essay, Complicated Families: Pushing Orthodoxy as a Seminarian’s Daughter.

Kajsa’s essay was recently published in Chris Kimball’s book, Living on the Inside of the Edge.

Living on the Inside of the Edge, by Christian Kimball
https://www.amazon.com/Living-Inside-Edge-Survival-Guide/dp/194821878X/

Kajsa’s Blog: DIALOGUE AND THE EXPERIENCE: Fresh, Real, and Relatable Spiritual and Theological Ponderings
https://berlinkaufusi.wixsite.com/website

Episode 49: Breaking Down Patriarchy and the Future of the LDS Church - with Kajsa Berlin-Kaufusi
https://breaking-down-patriarchy.captivate.fm/episode/breaking-down-patriarchy-and-the-future-of-the-lds-church-with-kajsa-berlin-kaufusi

Rameumptom Ruminations Podcast, Episodes 018 and 019
https://rameumptomruminations.org/2021/09/rameumptom-ruminations-018-from-byu-faculty-to-apostate-with-kajsa-berlin-kaufusi/
https://rameumptomruminations.org/2021/09/rameumptom-ruminations-019-from-byu-faculty-to-apostate-with-kajsa-berlin-kaufusi-part-2/

At Last She Said It Podcast, Episodes 054 and 084
https://atlastshesaidit.libsyn.com/episode-054-being-like-mother-eve
https://atlastshesaidit.org/episode-084-do-i-literally-have-to-believe-that-a-conversation-with-kajsa-berlin-kaufusi/