Have you ever felt disillusioned?

In this episode of MercyCast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Nick McDonald, the author of The Light in Our Eyes: Rediscovering the Love, Beauty, and Freedom of Jesus in an Age of Disillusionment. Our conversation was a raw and honest exploration of vulnerability, adversity, disillusionment, and rebuilding faith.

Nick opened up about his journey—what it looked like to question long-held beliefs, wrestle with evangelicalism, and confront the trauma that often lingers in religious spaces. I deeply resonated with Nick's reflections on what it means to rediscover the Gospel, not just as a theological concept but as a source of grace, compassion, restoration, and renewal.

This episode is a reminder that it's okay to ask questions. It's okay to lament. And it's okay to start again.

If you've ever felt disillusioned by the Church, or if you're searching for a faith that embraces both the head and the heart, the spiritual and the physical, I believe this episode will meet you where you are.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• Vulnerability is a scary but necessary part of faith.
• Many people are deconstructing their faith to find what is real.
• Deconstruction can lead to confusion, but it can also foster growth.
• The Gospel often presented is anemic and lacks depth.
• We need to address the whole person in our faith journey.
• Jesus cares about both our souls and our bodies.
• Historical context is crucial in understanding evangelicalism.
• The Social Gospel has implications for how we live out our faith.
• Restoration and renewal are central to the Christian experience.
• Disillusionment can be a part of growth in faith.

Read Nick’s book, The Light in Our Eyes.

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