Before You Lose Your Mind: Deconstructing Bad Theology in the Church

by Keith Giles (Editor)

So, you're deconstructing your faith? It can be painful. It can be scary. But the good news is that you're not alone , and you don't have to lose your mind in the process. It doesn't matter whether you are questioning hell, penal substitution, or the end times; or you're troubled by how politics has invaded the pulpit; or you're uncomfortable with the way Christians treat people in the LGBTQ+ community; or you're just not convinced that the Bible is really inerrant, infallible, or inspired. There are many reasons to find yourself deconstructing Christianity. Before You Lose Your Mind features contributions from Brandon Andress, Michelle Collins, Derrick Day, Brandon Dragan, Matthew J. Distefano, Jason Elam, Maria Francesca French, Keith Giles, Mark Karris, Matthew J. Korpman, Josh Roggie, Rev. Dr. Katy Valentine, and Skeeter Wilson. This book was created to give you hope for your journey from faith to doubt and back again. To a place where embracing mystery is what true faith is all about. Because the opposite of faith isn't doubt. It's certainty .

Genres: Religion, Self Help, Nonfiction, Theology, Faith

246 pages, Paperback

Published April 26, 2021

About the author

Keith Giles is the author of 5 books including his latest, "This Is My Body:Ekklesia as God Intended" which explores God's design for His Church according to the scriptures. The free e-book version has been downloaded by over 3,000 people.

He is the former Director of Sales and Distribution for Vineyard Music Group and formerly Marketing Coordinator for Soul Survivor USA. He has been writing articles on the Christian subculture, the house church movement, spiritual formation, compassion ministry and the Kingdom of God for over 20 years now.

His articles have appeared in over a dozen print and online magazines over the last 20 years, including Relevant, 7 Ball, Channel Advisor, Fuse, CCM, Worship Musician Magazine, WorshipMusic.com and theOoze.com.

Keith and his wife Wendy and their two sons are part of a house church community called “The Mission” in Orange, California. They planted this church in their home in 2006 in order to share 100 percent of the offering to help the poor in their community.

Feel free to visit him online at http://www.KeithGiles.com.

Reviews

[Jon Turney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must have for everyone that is on this journey of deconstruction. The authors of this book have obviously been through or are in the process of going through their own version of deconstruction. This isn’t an outsider’s opinion of deconstruction like some other book I won’t mention. These are heartfelt stories of these authors journey through the valleys and mountain tops of this journey. Pick up a copy of this book for yourself, and maybe someone else that you know is going through deconstruction as well.

[William G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very uneven essays. Some are valuable and thought provoking, others are amateurism and don't really deserve to be in the book. At least one chapter I thought was laughable - like a long rant on FB.

[Erik Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This compilation is probing and thought-provoking in parts. I have to be honest that I found other parts a bit fluffy and off-topic thematically, and the entire volume was poorly edited for grammar and typos. The book was put together very quickly as a response to a competing book, and the haste is evident — and forgivable. The material is engaging on the whole. I took a couple pages of notes and a couple book recommendations to follow up with.

Mark Karris’s section on the uncontrolling love of God I thought was the standout. I find it a much more satisfying answer to why bad things happen, though the explanation for why miracles still happen didn’t hold together well for me. Mark drew heavily from Thomas Oord’s work, and I want to read his books to hear more.

[Theodore Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

The initial appeal was I wanted some answers. I got them.

I discovered areas that I’d followed for many years only to discover change was needed. A highlight was the chapter on prayer. This is a book that I just may read again to gain more clarity and insight. There are some points that I struggle with but that’s to be expected when a subject like this is addressed.

[LizzyReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright, let’s dive into “Before You Lose Your Mind.” This book is a collection of essays that tackle various aspects of faith, doubt, and the messy journey of deconstruction and reconstruction. Keith Giles really aims to engage with people who are wrestling with their beliefs, and it’s clear he’s been there himself.

Now, it really pains me to give this book less than a 4 out of 5 because, honestly, some of the essays hit it out of the park! There are definitely sections where Keith lays down some solid, Bible-backed arguments that resonate deeply. His explanations are clear and relatable, making you feel like you’re having a heart-to-heart with a friend who really gets it.

But, here’s the catch: not all of the essays are created equal. Some of them felt pretty weak, lacking solid theological grounding and instead leaning into what felt like a lot of ranting. It’s like flipping through a mixed bag of treats—some are deliciously satisfying, while others leave you scratching your head.

A heads up: for a few chapters, you’ll want to have your Bible handy for reference; they’re packed with scriptural insights. But then there are others where you might just want to skip entirely. It’s a bit of a mixed bag in that sense.

On the flip side, I really liked the chapters that dealt with suffering and doubt. They’re poignant and relatable, providing a comforting perspective for anyone grappling with those heavy feelings.

Overall, I’d say this book is somewhat insufficient but still somewhat helpful for those navigating the deconstruction/reconstruction journey. It’s not perfect, but if you’re in that space, there’s definitely something here for you. Just be prepared for a rollercoaster of essay quality!

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars...

....because I empathize with all those who are in the process of working out their salvation. A couple chapters are more helpful than the rest.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

As other reviewers have pointed out, this is less of a book and more of a collection of short writings. Some of them I really enjoyed and some not as much. I don't feel like they were edited together cohesively, and in general, I don't think much careful editing took place, as there are obvious errors and many places where things could have been said more clearly.

If you are on a "deconstruction/reconstruction journey", this book may provide some stepping stones into a head and heart space where you are able to identify some theology that is more harmful than helpful. In other words, it can help you stop missing the point and start finding it. The chapters don't go deep enough alone, so you'll have to do the work to explore these ideas with other resources also. But it is a good starting point.

I thought chapter 14 by Mark Gregory Karris was the most helpful.

[Jeff Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came out just in time, as I was about to lose my mind!!!
I had begun 'deconstructing' several years ago- when this term was not even being used, and I had nobody to talk to about my faith-struggles. This user-friendly book is a must-have for anyone going through the deconstruction process. It offers input from diverse and multiple authors who provide invaluable insights that will help the reader continue in their journey towards freedom and love. And, the fact that they are offering it at a price that anyone can afford shows that this work is all about heart, and not profit or fad.

[Nathanael Sheffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a wide range of topics, and consequently I feel like it does a good job of meeting a variety of people where they are on their deconstruction/reconstruction journey.

As others have mentioned, some of the entries are longer and more “scholarly” than others, and I think that’s probably ideal. I will be checking out some of the referenced works and recommended resources as I continue to study, but this book is a good jumping off point for those who are less familiar with the topics discussed.

[Tim Chaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really interesting book about deconstruction. It is written from a progressive Christian point of view as a response to a similar book published by the Gospel Coalition. Whereas the TGC book seeks to keep people from deconstructing, this book encourages deconstruction and exiting conservative Christianity for a more progressive version. I was unconvinced by the perspectives, but found them helpful to know and understand a little bit better.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Asking questions is part of what it means to have faith. The opposite of faith is not doubt, it’s certainty. So, the fact that you’re questioning what you’ve been told isn’t evidence of your lack of faith, it’s evidence that you take your faith seriously enough to examine it and to follow the truth wherever it leads you.”

[Jonathan Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book for any Christian who hasn't been allowed to question.

This should be a book every Christian reads! Even if you don't agree with the positions put forth, it will be helpful for you!
You might just find that you do agree and that there are options out there that allow for faith in God that is open and free to be explored!

[Pearl Loewen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stars for very poor editing and proofreading; three stars for what felt like a haphazard assortment of essays. Four stars for the creation of a very affordable ebook that expresses a wide expression on thought on the deconstructive/reconstructive journey; four stars for the last two chapters that end the book on an inspirational, hopeful note.

[Bruce Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I downloaded this book for two reasons: it purported to speak about deconstruction and it was cheap. A couple of the essays are readable and slightly interesting. However, as I continued to read my rating got lower. It was two stars going into the conclusion. Usually the conclusion chapter will be interesting, but this one caused the rating to drop. My word to describe this book….pablum.

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few quality essays in this collection, but the gist of most are “It’s ok to doubt. Deconstruction is a good thing.” I’m sure there are many out there who need these affirmations, but I’m at the point where I’m comfortable with all that. Would like to see more works such as this where the focus is on reconstructing and what that might look like.

[Ed Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great sample of diverse writing about the topics of deconstruction and reconstruction. I really learned a lot about the struggles I had faced decades ago when I left the church and even more about my journey back into the church. It's a great sampler if you want different voices on different aspects of struggling with Christianity.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of essays and chapters from other books about different aspects of deconstruction/reconstruction in relation to faith and life.
There is a range of perspectives and views expressed. Made various notes for following up.

[Iris Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating a 4 simply because of editing mistakes but the wealth of knowledge within the pages was lovely.

[Shawn]

DNF, I listened for hours and I'm still not sure where it was going.

[Ann Tremain Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

great food for thought

Eye opening revelations that can expand one’s view of God in beautiful ways. I appreciate the diversity in thought. Thanks.

[Eady Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. I appreciated the depth and thoughtfulness of the different contributors in each chapter. I learned some things I hadn’t heard about Jesus and theology even from the very first chapter (namely that demon possession could be symbolic of Roman oppression and colonialism, so when Jesus cast out demons he is taking a stand against oppressive forces similar to white supremacy etc.).

The authors tackle aspects and topics of deconstruction. They don’t outright reject the Bible, but reject literalism / Biblicism and prefer the “lens of Christ.” So, new ways for interpreting Scripture are put forward in this book to support readers on their deconstruction-reconstruction journey.

One chapter is about rejecting how Evangelicals typically have evangelized and done mission work in a very superior, colonialist manner.

Another chapter shares a devastating story of extreme loss, grief, and forgiveness.

There is a chapter dedicated to sex—my favorite deconstruction topic. The author delves into gender identity, expression and sexual orientation—the kind of education we all need when we deconstruct purity culture and traditional “Christian”sexual ethics.

Another favorite chapter of mine—chapter fourteen—delves into God not being in control of all that happens on earth and therefore suffering and pain are not something God causes or “allows.” God is all love and God works together with us and through us to promote that love.

I would recommend this book to people who are deconstructing and questioning their faith, particularly more traditional interpretations of Scripture.

[M.K. McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

God can never be totally understood by human beings.

I agree that it's time to seriously reevaluate our religious beliefs. That's going to take some time, but it has to occur. In my Near Death Experience, I came to know that God is pure Love and would never judge or condemn anyone. That blew up most of my religious beliefs.