Steve, Rich, and Sarah kick off this episode by once again giving a big shoutout to the Media Team for their incredible work on the new studio. If you’re listening and haven’t checked out the podcast on YouTube yet—go take a look! This week, the conversation picks up where last week’s left off, diving deeper into the topic of deconstruction. Rich raises a compelling point: many people who say they’ve deconstructed haven’t actually walked away from Christianity itself. Instead, they may be stepping away from a particular system or set of beliefs shaped by a specific church or leader—beliefs that may not align with the heart of the gospel. At the core, it’s about learning how to examine Scripture for yourself and trusting it as authority. The Christian life, after all, is often a battle for the mind. Steve shifts the discussion toward dealing with doubts and questions, emphasizing that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having them. In fact, the hope is that those doubts would lead us closer to Jesus and into the truth found in God’s Word. Sarah adds that faith plays a crucial role in this journey. When certainty isn’t always possible, trust in Jesus becomes essential. Does belief require absolute certainty? Steve encourages listeners to bring their questions into community, reminding us that we were never meant to wrestle with our faith alone. Rich presses into the idea that spiritual growth and maturity can often help us process our doubts. Sometimes, the real challenge isn’t the question itself, but a mindset that needs transformation. The episode wraps up with a heartfelt reminder: love the people in your life who may be walking through deconstruction. Stay present, offer support, and be a consistent source of grace and truth.

Books Steve recommends:

The Deconstruction of Christianity by Alisa Childers & Tim Barnett

Set Adrift by Sean McDowell & John Marriott

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Interested in studying Greek with Rich? Email [email protected]. 

Sign up for the Resident Strangers email list 

Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.