If you read my last post ‘Finding Peace When Questioning Your Beliefs’ you read where I’m at in my deconstruction journey. If you didn’t then let me catch you up.
I’ve found peace in not having all the answers and enjoying the mysteries of life. I don’t feel the weight of trying to figure out all the points and perspectives of theology so I’m not devouring books like I use to.
I’m still deconstructing and read a book from time to time, but I’ve defiantly slowed down.
If you’re at the beginning stages of your deconstructing journey you probably feel a little overwhelmed at the moment. I remember I was. Heck, I was searching high and low for books, podcasts, videos, and really anything I could get my hands onto.
It was 6 months into my deconstruction before I even learned the term deconstruction, so for months it felt like I was surfing the web blindfolded.
Thankfully Tik Tok’s algorithm picked up on it and started filling my FYP with videos from progressive Christians, anti-Trump Christians, and others who were on their own deconstruction journey.
It took a while before I started finding different authors and books but once I did it was a game changer. Hearing all these different perspectives and knowing that I wasn’t the only one with a butt load of questions was just what I needed.
Here are the books I’ve read so far.
All of these books are listed in my Amazon Store Front under the list “Books I Read During My Deconstruction” Click Here to access my Amazon Store!
Pure by: Linda Kay Klein
This was the first book I read when I started deconstructing. It’s one of those books where you’ll have light bulb moment after light bulb moment. It’s all about how purity culture harmed an entire generation, their sexuality, sex life, relationships, and identity. My husband read this one too and it gave us room to have open and honest conversations about the shame and guilt we experience because of our indoctrination. This book helped us decided how we wanted to approach sex and sexuality with our girls in the future.
Searching for Sunday by: Rachel Held Evans
Inspired by: Rachel Held Evans
These books helped me shift my focus of the Bible (Inspired) and allow myself to see the beauty that church had brought into my life even though it harmed me (Searching for Sunday). Rachel Held Evans is one of the pioneers of deconstruction and I love her writings. Unfortunately she passed away in 2019 at only 37. In 2022 Matthew Paul Turner came out with a children’s book called “What is God Like?” which was a children’s book written by Rachel before her death and Matthew finished it. Buy it! Just buy all of Matthew’s books they are beyond amazing!
Shameless by: Nadia Bolz-Weber
This is another book about purity culture. It’s beautiful story that helps you feel seen, heard, and validated.
Jesus Feminist by: Sarah Bessey
This is about women preaching or holding leadership positions in church and Sarah’s journey finding God’s view of female leadership in ministry.
Untamed by: Glennon Doyle
This book was one of those ones I will read again and again. I will say that at first it was hard to get into because of how she writes, but I stuck with it and it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with her story and be inspired by every chapter.
Torn by: Justin Lee
This book is Justin’s journey through Christianity and coming to terms with being gay and wrestling with the Bible’s stance on homosexuality. I recommend this book to EVERYONE!
Heretic! by: Matthew J DiStefano
Heretic! covers different points of theology and shares a more universalist perspective. Great read and very rich with information.
Jesus & John Wayne by: Kristin Kobes du Mez
WOW! If I had to pick 1 book that I recommend every person, evangelical or not, to read, it would be this one. Jesus & John Wayne is well researched and breaks down how Christianity has gotten to where it’s at today, putting politics over Jesus.
You Are Your Own by: Jamie Lee Finch
This is a quick read but beautifully written. Jamie tells her story growing up in religion, leaving, and then reconnecting to her body and self. If I’m remembering correctly Jamie isn’t religious at all anymore.
Love Wins by: Rob Bell
What is the Bible by: Rob Bell
Rob Bell is a progressive pastor who brings a fresh perspective to Christianity in so many ways. I have loved everything I’ve read by him so far.
Still Reading…
White Too Long by: Robert P Jones
This is a history of the role of White Supremacy in American Christianity. So far it’s very eye opening and a must read for every Christian.
Come As You Are by: Emily Nagoski PhD
This book brings a fresh perspective to sex and the science behind it. Talk about healing for those of us that grew up in purity culture and feel overwhelming shame when it comes to sex.
On My ‘To Read’ List
All of these book have been recommended to me and have made it on to my ‘To Read List.’ You can access all these book on my Amazon Store Front under the list My ‘To Read’ List. Click Here to access it!
The Great Sex Rescue by: Sheila Wray Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, & Joanna Sawatsky
Haven’t started but I’ve hear so much good things about this book. It’s about the lies that Christian women where taught and how it affected their sex life. This book is based off their research surveying 22,000 Christian women.
An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by: Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Do I need to say more? Our history classes are full of white washed history and it’s time we hear history from an indigenous perspective.
The Sin of Certainty by: Peter Enns
Saving Jesus from the Church by: Robin R. Meyers
Hood Feminism by: Mikki Kendall
“Today’s feminist movement has a glaring blind spot, and paradoxically, it is women. Mainstream feminists rarely talk about meeting basic needs as a feminist issue, argues Mikki Kendall, but food insecurity, access to quality education, safe neighborhoods, a living wage, and medical care are all feminist issues. All too often, however, the focus is not on basic survival for the many, but on increasing privilege for the few. That feminists refuse to prioritize these issues has only exacerbated the age-old problem of both internecine discord and women who rebuff at carrying the title. Moreover, prominent White feminists broadly suffer from their own myopia with regard to how things like race, class, sexual orientation, and ability intersect with gender. How can we stand in solidarity as a movement, Kendall asks, when there is the distinct likelihood that some women are oppressing others?”
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by: Austin Channing
God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by: Christopher Hitchens
Just so you are aware, this is written by an atheist. I’m at a point in my deconstruction I want to read this but in the beginning it would scared me.
The End of Faith by: Sam Harris
How to Be Here by: Rob Bell
I hope you find these books helpful. If you have a book that brought you comfort or growth during your deconstruction comment below and share it with us all!
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