Out of the Embers: Faith After the Great Deconstruction
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- Author：Bradley Jersak
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Summary
Deconstruction: Trendy brand name for falling away from belief in God？ Or a process essential to authentic faith？
Liberation or trauma？ Prison break or exile？
It’s complicated。 Just like you。
Christian history records a Great Reformation and a Great Awakening。 But today’s “Great Deconstruction” will surely leave an equally profound impact。
In Out of the Embers， Bradley Jersak explores the necessity， perils， and possibilities of the Great Deconstruction—how it has the potential to either sabotage our communion with God or infuse it with the breath of life， the light and life of Christ himself。
In this collection of vulnerable memoirs， philosophical memos， and candid provocations， Jersak resists both the hand-wringing urge to corral stray sheep and the exultant desire to play the happy-clappy Ex-vangelical cheerleader。 He employs the wisdom and expertise of the great deconstructionists—Christianity’s ancient influences （Moses， Plato， Paul， and the Patristics）， “beloved frenemies” （from Voltaire to Nietzsche）， and the masters of deconstruction （Dostoevsky， Kierkegaard， and Weil）—to double down and deconstruct deconstruction itself。
Where is faith after deconstruction？ The author’s heart is to engage and empathize with the bereft and disoriented， stoking the brittle ashes for live embers。 In this quest for the resilient gospel of the martyrs， the marginal， and those outside the threshold。。。inexplicably， in this liminal space， life stirs。 A Light shines through the ashes。 We find， often for the first time， that living connection Jersak calls “presence in communion。”
There is a sea change occurring across the Western church and civilization。 Whether we’re watching a radical course correction or a complete collapse remains to be seen， and how it pans out will likely depend on how we see what’s happening， who we are becoming， how we live in response—and， most important， where we find Christ situated in this storm。
Liberation or trauma？ Prison break or exile？
It’s complicated。 Just like you。
Christian history records a Great Reformation and a Great Awakening。 But today’s “Great Deconstruction” will surely leave an equally profound impact。
In Out of the Embers， Bradley Jersak explores the necessity， perils， and possibilities of the Great Deconstruction—how it has the potential to either sabotage our communion with God or infuse it with the breath of life， the light and life of Christ himself。
In this collection of vulnerable memoirs， philosophical memos， and candid provocations， Jersak resists both the hand-wringing urge to corral stray sheep and the exultant desire to play the happy-clappy Ex-vangelical cheerleader。 He employs the wisdom and expertise of the great deconstructionists—Christianity’s ancient influences （Moses， Plato， Paul， and the Patristics）， “beloved frenemies” （from Voltaire to Nietzsche）， and the masters of deconstruction （Dostoevsky， Kierkegaard， and Weil）—to double down and deconstruct deconstruction itself。
Where is faith after deconstruction？ The author’s heart is to engage and empathize with the bereft and disoriented， stoking the brittle ashes for live embers。 In this quest for the resilient gospel of the martyrs， the marginal， and those outside the threshold。。。inexplicably， in this liminal space， life stirs。 A Light shines through the ashes。 We find， often for the first time， that living connection Jersak calls “presence in communion。”
There is a sea change occurring across the Western church and civilization。 Whether we’re watching a radical course correction or a complete collapse remains to be seen， and how it pans out will likely depend on how we see what’s happening， who we are becoming， how we live in response—and， most important， where we find Christ situated in this storm。
Reviews
Sarah Laudadio
，
All of Brad's books are excellent， but this one brings everything together。 If I were teaching a University class on Deconstruction， I would use this as the spine textbook for the entire course。 It explains our history， where we've been; where we are now， and lays a vision for where it leads。 It gives those of us that have given up everything to chase after where Jesus is truly leading a history， a roadmap， and hope。 In the circles I moved in before， we often talked about our DNA， what made us u All of Brad's books are excellent， but this one brings everything together。 If I were teaching a University class on Deconstruction， I would use this as the spine textbook for the entire course。 It explains our history， where we've been; where we are now， and lays a vision for where it leads。 It gives those of us that have given up everything to chase after where Jesus is truly leading a history， a roadmap， and hope。 In the circles I moved in before， we often talked about our DNA， what made us unique and connected。 Brad， has laid out our DNA pattern， and in the process given us a framework to keep building upon。 。。。more
Charlie
，
As a Christ follower and a pastor， I’ve gone through several serious transitions in my faith， discarding faulty and harmful beliefs and practices along the way。 I’m part of the multitudes who’ve seen sharp increases in political， social， and religious rancor over the past several years and have again questioned the faith I hold onto and the Body I belong to。 For me， this go-round has been the most painful and perplexing yet。 Enter Brad Jersak， a trusted and empathetic voice providing a comprehen As a Christ follower and a pastor， I’ve gone through several serious transitions in my faith， discarding faulty and harmful beliefs and practices along the way。 I’m part of the multitudes who’ve seen sharp increases in political， social， and religious rancor over the past several years and have again questioned the faith I hold onto and the Body I belong to。 For me， this go-round has been the most painful and perplexing yet。 Enter Brad Jersak， a trusted and empathetic voice providing a comprehensive look at the complex topic of deconstruction and its various outcomes。 Brad’s words exhort and edify， challenge and comfort。 He's known what it's like to suffer in the darkness， and what it's like to find Christ on the cross there。Brad digs deep and mines the words of faithful followers of Jesus from centuries and millennia ago， but far from constructing an echo chamber， he also exposes the reader to the critics of Christianity （Voltaire and Nietzsche among them） to reveal their valid concerns of belief systems that have strayed from the way of Jesus。 But he doesn't stop there。 He rounds out the book with grand and historic testimonies of those who've found Jesus after all was thought to be lost。 As I read through this beautiful and encouraging work， my mind kept going back to the story of the boys on the Thailand soccer team who were trapped in the caves when heavy rain and floods blocked their return route。 A crisis of faith can feel like that…you can’t stay in the confined and smothering space but there often seems like no way to get to a better place。 When you decide to leave the stale and insufficient air of the caves， there is the breath of life to be breathed again。 Brad serves as a rescue diver who not only knows the caves and the dark， scary， and dangerous waters to be navigated， but who knows where， and from Whom， to find new and abundant life。 。。。more
Derek Penner
，
I have appreciated this book so much。。。 it has rung true to so much of my own personal experience， and that of others near and dear to me。 By now， I'm sure we've probably all heard the term "deconstruction" thrown around。。。 for some it's been a cry of liberation; for others it's felt more like getting caught in a terrifying storm。 There is a desperate need for wisdom that is simultaneously awake to the present， anchored in the past， and hopeful for the future。Brad Jersak delivers all this to us I have appreciated this book so much。。。 it has rung true to so much of my own personal experience， and that of others near and dear to me。 By now， I'm sure we've probably all heard the term "deconstruction" thrown around。。。 for some it's been a cry of liberation; for others it's felt more like getting caught in a terrifying storm。 There is a desperate need for wisdom that is simultaneously awake to the present， anchored in the past， and hopeful for the future。Brad Jersak delivers all this to us and more to us in "Out of the Embers，" with a tone that is in turn unflinchingly honest and vulnerable， pastoral and compassionate， moderate and wise。 One of the most valuable contributions of this book， however， is its unique dialogue with prophets and sages of the past， including Voltaire， Nietzsche， Dostoevsky， Kierkegaard， and others。 In a cultural landscape where we are often ignorant of those great thinkers who have gone before us while at the same time having our own thinking fundamentally shaped by them in ways we remain unaware of。Brad is a knowledgeable traveling companion， pointing out the guiding lights in the fog and the hand and footholds in the slippery rock。 This book conveys realism without veering off into cynicism or fatalism。I will certainly be going back to re-read parts of this book for years to come。Note: I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author。 。。。more
Florian Berndt
，
I received an advanced reader copy of this book。 In his new book “Out of the Embers: Faith after the Great Deconstruction，” Bradley Jersak addresses the probably most divisive issue facing the body of Christ today。 With his usual down-to-earth wisdom， born out of real life experience and deep theological reflection， he cuts right through the simplifications and easy pat answers of either turning the deconstruction phenomenon into a new marketing trend or demonizing it as the “great falling away” I received an advanced reader copy of this book。 In his new book “Out of the Embers: Faith after the Great Deconstruction，” Bradley Jersak addresses the probably most divisive issue facing the body of Christ today。 With his usual down-to-earth wisdom， born out of real life experience and deep theological reflection， he cuts right through the simplifications and easy pat answers of either turning the deconstruction phenomenon into a new marketing trend or demonizing it as the “great falling away” so many of us have been warned of all our lives in our various faith communities。 Sharing his own traumatic deconstruction journey， followed by the insights of the voices that helped him keep his sanity and find deeper faith in the midst of it all， the book strongly reflects his pastoral heart， which is as always first of all to listen - listen to those whose toxic experience of faith communities have left them disillusioned and angry， to those whose lives have collapsed under the weight of losing their north star and map of meaning， to opposing voices， and the sages that have gone before us。 As any dramatic changes that occurred during the course of history suggest， the stories we’ve been telling ourselves until now are repeatedly being challenged as faith and culture continuously meet head on。 Yet， as the title of the book subtly reminds us， “the Light shines in the darkness， and the darkness has not overcome it，” and what some observers might interpret as the utter destruction of the Christian faith， might in fact be the labor pains that Paul of Tarsus prophesied of， and the collapse of our failing ideologies might well represent the tumbling of our idols – even those we’ve dressed up in Christian garb。 Avoiding triumphalist notions of a “deus ex machina” saving the day， Brad instead calls the reader with deep mystical intuition to a living connection with the Crucified One in the midst of authentic and tangibly loving communion amidst such raging culture wars。 Through this he reminds his audience that a seed first has to fall into the ground and die before it can bring forth new life， there being plenty that needs to die right now。 But just as Jesus’ disciple Peter had to lose his overtly self-confident idealism to find himself being held by the One he betrayed， so what has been labeled “deconstruction” cannot be an end in itself。 In fact， stopping there will never transcend the mindset that led to the original enchantment and consequential disillusionment in the first place。 Thus， while Brad writes with great compassion to and for those who would rather abandon faith all together， and honors their journey， he does speak at times truth that might not be easy to take in at first。 Here， his conviction that Jesus still has something to say to this generation clearly shines through， as he demonstrates that we don’t need to reinvent the wheel， but that we simply need to let our roots grow deeper into the ancient ground of love。 Hence， it is never truth devoid of love with which he cuts straight to the core of the issue。 For as the book suggests， it is this love we are ultimately all craving for – if we know it or not， understand it or not， and even believe it or not。 。。。more
Brian Thiessen
，
Deconstruction is part of modern vocabulary and in Christian circles it usually takes on a simplified meaning describing why one no longer carries on in their faith tradition。 Brad addresses the topic with his own honest stories and with his in depth scholarship， helping us see that the current deconstruction movement， while definitely a real experience， is something that has been going on throughout history， from Moses through Jesus and on to Nietzsche。 I find it a wise approach to acknowledge Deconstruction is part of modern vocabulary and in Christian circles it usually takes on a simplified meaning describing why one no longer carries on in their faith tradition。 Brad addresses the topic with his own honest stories and with his in depth scholarship， helping us see that the current deconstruction movement， while definitely a real experience， is something that has been going on throughout history， from Moses through Jesus and on to Nietzsche。 I find it a wise approach to acknowledge how something positive for some can be painful for others， and I also appreciated how Brad uses the words of Jesus and the challenge of Kierkegaard to both embrace the change and find foundations to hold to。 I really enjoyed reading this book， found it engaging and honest。 The humility comes through。 。。。more
Jay Timm
，
This book is a thorough study on everything pertaining to the term “deconstruction”。 The author has a wonderful way of explaining what deconstruction is and how it’s been practiced throughout history。 The surprising thing to me was that this modern movement of deconstruction is not new！ Even Jesus deconstructed the faulty religious ideas of his day。 That puts those of us who have deconstructed， or are in process， in good company。 Thanks Brad for helping us to understand deconstruction wherever w This book is a thorough study on everything pertaining to the term “deconstruction”。 The author has a wonderful way of explaining what deconstruction is and how it’s been practiced throughout history。 The surprising thing to me was that this modern movement of deconstruction is not new！ Even Jesus deconstructed the faulty religious ideas of his day。 That puts those of us who have deconstructed， or are in process， in good company。 Thanks Brad for helping us to understand deconstruction wherever we are in our journey。 。。。more
David Hewitt
，
I was given a preview copy of this book to read。 I find Brad Jersak’s mix of vulnerability， brutal honesty and compassion to be compelling。 Although my own journey through deconstruction has not been as acute or painful as his own， or of many of the people he cites， nevertheless the book was of tremendous help in understanding what is going on when a spiritual journey takes a sharp turn， or even appears to have a catastrophic crash。 Brad emanates integrity and kindness when relating personal sto I was given a preview copy of this book to read。 I find Brad Jersak’s mix of vulnerability， brutal honesty and compassion to be compelling。 Although my own journey through deconstruction has not been as acute or painful as his own， or of many of the people he cites， nevertheless the book was of tremendous help in understanding what is going on when a spiritual journey takes a sharp turn， or even appears to have a catastrophic crash。 Brad emanates integrity and kindness when relating personal stories， and he comes across as non-judgemental and a safe confidant。 He has a humorous turn of phrase and， in the midst of a serious passage， he is able to diffuse over-reaction and extremist viewpoints; I often imagine he has a ‘twinkle in his eye’！ Most of all， he never loses hope。 This book will be of great help to many。 。。。more
Renate Gritter
，
I gratefully partook of an advanced copy from the author。 There are so many things to love about this book: 1） A whole lot of crunchy theology [read her nice and slow]2） Getting to know Bradley's excellent historical and present intellectual and spiritual conversation partners [trust me， you want to be friends with his friends]3） A meander through many expressions and ways of describing this thing we call "deconstruction。" I am a little giddy about all of the new language I have gleaned from thi I gratefully partook of an advanced copy from the author。 There are so many things to love about this book: 1） A whole lot of crunchy theology [read her nice and slow]2） Getting to know Bradley's excellent historical and present intellectual and spiritual conversation partners [trust me， you want to be friends with his friends]3） A meander through many expressions and ways of describing this thing we call "deconstruction。" I am a little giddy about all of the new language I have gleaned from this book。[and most importantly]4） A sensitive， poignant， halting， generous encounter with Bradley's heart for people in the midst of spiritual liminality [this book feels like a hug]If you're brand new to Bradley's writing， by the way， it might be helpful to pick up "A More Christlike God" first？ It might tackle more specific questions about God， the Bible and Jesus that are at the root of things you feel unsettled about？ 。。。more
Tanya Lee
，
In a time of great change， when answers aren't as easy to come by as they used to be， inside and outside of the institutional church in all its flavors， we need Brad Jersak's voice。 We need his diligent commitment to authenticity in the journey。 We need books that give us glimpses of what can arise out of the ashes of the crumbling Western church。 If your certainty in regards to the Christian church and tradition has ebbed away， and you are in the midst of grief and confusion， you are not alone In a time of great change， when answers aren't as easy to come by as they used to be， inside and outside of the institutional church in all its flavors， we need Brad Jersak's voice。 We need his diligent commitment to authenticity in the journey。 We need books that give us glimpses of what can arise out of the ashes of the crumbling Western church。 If your certainty in regards to the Christian church and tradition has ebbed away， and you are in the midst of grief and confusion， you are not alone。 Read this book and glimpse the hope of the gospel again， in a new， yet entirely ancient light。 ~I received an advance copy from the author。 。。。more
Nicky Martini
，
I received an advanced reader copy。Out of the EmbersFor such a time as this！ There is no denying it， be it collectively or at a very personal level there is a great shaking taking place。 For some this has been a most freeing season and for others the storms of life have come our way and many of us have found that the walls of our faith were not adequately equipped to withstand the pressures of life or the realities of our suffering world。 This book is for all。 Brad Jersak dares to poke the ember I received an advanced reader copy。Out of the EmbersFor such a time as this！ There is no denying it， be it collectively or at a very personal level there is a great shaking taking place。 For some this has been a most freeing season and for others the storms of life have come our way and many of us have found that the walls of our faith were not adequately equipped to withstand the pressures of life or the realities of our suffering world。 This book is for all。 Brad Jersak dares to poke the embers through the pages of this very raw and very honest book， diving deep into the hard realities that inevitably all of us must venture through as we grow into the fullness of Christ。 For me personally I found my friend Jesus， the co-suffering servant navigating me through this book， taking me back to bring healing so I can continue this journey in a more healthy way。 One thing I’m certain of， this book will bring much needed and timely healing， growth and above all renewed hope so that in turn we can be vessels of love， mercy and restoration for all。 My sincere gratitude to Brad Jersak。 。。。more
Ellen Haroutunian
，
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author。 Deconstruction of faith is rampant。 Research shows that thousands of people are streaming out of the church and the Christian faith， and the exodus is not slowing down。 Out of the Embers: Faith After the Great Deconstruction is the first book on deconstruction and renewal of faith I’ve seen that looks into the perfect storm of events and history that have instigated this necessary and inevitable Great Deconstruction， as the author Brad Jersak d I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author。 Deconstruction of faith is rampant。 Research shows that thousands of people are streaming out of the church and the Christian faith， and the exodus is not slowing down。 Out of the Embers: Faith After the Great Deconstruction is the first book on deconstruction and renewal of faith I’ve seen that looks into the perfect storm of events and history that have instigated this necessary and inevitable Great Deconstruction， as the author Brad Jersak describes it。 The mindset of modernity has created a scenario in which awareness of transcendence and belief in God is nearly impossible， thus much of what is considered faith has been reduced to ideology and its accompanying emotions。 As many may recall， the late Phyllis Tickle taught that the church seems to have a rummage sale every 500 years or so， ridding itself of the unnecessary and even harmful things it has accumulated。 Deconstruction is not new。 Jersak walks us along an ancient roadmap through deconstruction towards renewal by a means beyond what our modern， reasoning brains have been given。 Deconstruction is truly needed and of course， as Jersak notes， there is deconstruction that is merely destructive。 The author describes some of his own painful journey of deconstruction while also acknowledging he cannot speak for everyone’s experience， nor does he try to create a one size fits all solution。 He does not dodge the reality of the many experiences of religious trauma and cruelty that are all too common。 Essentially， in his view， exposing and shedding false constructs that we have built around the faith is crucial to its survival， but more importantly， it is crucial in order to clear the way for one to abide in the actual loving and healing presence of God beyond previous constructs and fear。 Yes， Jersak writes from a place of deep faith and love for Jesus， a perspective that might be a bit triggering for those who are understandably angry at the ages old distortions of the faith and Christianity and the great harm that has come from that。 I encourage you to read this anyway if you feel ready。 Some who have deconstructed might accuse him of being a bit preachy， but the preaching comes from a place of the author’s hard-earned humility and raw faith spoken through the tone of a kind friend。 He will not harm you。 In fact， he describes quite a bit of healing of trauma through a gentle， purified， loving faith。 He also recognizes that the contemplative/mystical path is crucial for real faith in a postmodern/metamodern age， a stance I strongly agree with。 This book may not cause you to budge an inch， but that is not the goal， be not afraid！ There is an abundance of the age-old virtues of patience and trust for everyone and anyone’s journey here。 It’s about love。 It’s worth your time。 This book dives fearlessly into the words of some of the harshest critics Christianity has ever had—particularly Voltaire and Nietzsche。 If you think you’re angry at Christianity， you ain’t heard nothing yet！ However， both speak from a deep understanding of what the gospel of Christ reveals and offers， though Nietzsche was not able to claim faith for himself。 Few today have such a profound understanding of the Christian faith （not their fault）， although many certainly have had their hearts broken by the failure of Christianity to produce little Christs in this world。 Modern Christianity needs the critiques and experiences these men and women whom Jersak calls the “seven sleepers” of our history， who have done the deconstruction thing and have contributed immensely to pruning out absurdities， cruelties， and falsehoods。 The courage of these folks and many others blows my mind， to be honest。 They have prepared the way for something more real and true to re-merge。 From death comes resurrection。 What is most profoundly important about this book is that Jersak does not shy away from the problem of suffering and in particular， non-redemptive or meaningless suffering。 Many of the deconstructed whom I have interviewed lament the wounds that were inflicted by having been forced into suppressing hard realities and questions。 They had been forced to deny their own experiences and intuitive knowing。 This can no longer be ignored。 Non-redemptive suffering is explored through the lenses of those who have suffered it most severely， those who have been tortured because of all kinds of diabolical “othering。” Here we meet the Christ who exists “outside the gate，” that is， outside the place where the worthy gather， with all those who have been rejected and abused。 Truthfully， that is the only Christ I can follow。 There， outside the gate， the Light that shines in the darkness becomes as palpable as the noonday sun。 There， we can allow the exiled parts of our own selves to be welcomed again as well。 I also encourage those who feel secure in their faith and see deconstruction as trendy， faithless， or possibly threatening to read this book as well。 It sharpens our understanding of the actual Good News。 The author is an Eastern Orthodox theologian and a convert from evangelicalism， which is another story I’d love to hear more about。 I believe that few in the heritage of western Protestant Christianity have heard the gospel through the echoes of memory and faith that the ancients knew in such a clear and beautiful way。 This book is rich and deep—there’s far too much to describe in a short review。 What becomes apparent is that there is something more real than we have dared to fully know or imagine。 Love is primary， and God’s abundant welcome is offered to all。 It will make you thirsty。 15/10 recommend。 。。。more
Eileen Robbins
，
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author。Are you disillusioned with your faith？ With your life？ Brad Jersak's book， Out of the Embers， may be just what you need to help you find your way。 Life has periods of deconstruction and the journey can be arduous and scary。 Allow Brad to be your companion。 You'll find you have lots of company as he relates his own story， and the stories of many others all throughout history。 Deconstruction can lead to reconstruction and can be a positive experie I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author。Are you disillusioned with your faith？ With your life？ Brad Jersak's book， Out of the Embers， may be just what you need to help you find your way。 Life has periods of deconstruction and the journey can be arduous and scary。 Allow Brad to be your companion。 You'll find you have lots of company as he relates his own story， and the stories of many others all throughout history。 Deconstruction can lead to reconstruction and can be a positive experience。 In this book， you just may find what you need to find your way。 I highly recommend this book。 。。。more
Pamela
，
I received an advance reader copy of this book。 Often when I say a book is a hard read， it’s because it is dense and perhaps more difficult to understand。 I found this a hard read not because it was dense， but because it was raw and vulnerable and touching on things that are raw and tender in me。 This book takes time。 And I will need to reread。 But it is gentle and full of understanding and pastoral care。 I recommend it to anyone who is working through those big questions of faith。 On a more fri I received an advance reader copy of this book。 Often when I say a book is a hard read， it’s because it is dense and perhaps more difficult to understand。 I found this a hard read not because it was dense， but because it was raw and vulnerable and touching on things that are raw and tender in me。 This book takes time。 And I will need to reread。 But it is gentle and full of understanding and pastoral care。 I recommend it to anyone who is working through those big questions of faith。 On a more frivolous note - most gorgeous cover。 Perfect。 。。。more
Daniel Devries
，
I received an advanced reader copy of this book。 Out of the Embers is a book about deconstruction， kind of。 It’s a book about deconstruction， but it doesn’t feel like it is。 I mean that in a good way。 Jersak shares his own aversion to what he refers to as happy-clappy social media deconstructionists。 Find the hoards of “exvangelicals” and similar folks on Twitter and you’ll know what he means。 They run the gamut from deeply thoughtful to， well， less thoughtful。 Jersak’s book isn’t about “burning I received an advanced reader copy of this book。 Out of the Embers is a book about deconstruction， kind of。 It’s a book about deconstruction， but it doesn’t feel like it is。 I mean that in a good way。 Jersak shares his own aversion to what he refers to as happy-clappy social media deconstructionists。 Find the hoards of “exvangelicals” and similar folks on Twitter and you’ll know what he means。 They run the gamut from deeply thoughtful to， well， less thoughtful。 Jersak’s book isn’t about “burning it all to the ground” to help people leave faith。 He maintains a deep Christian faith， now in the Orthodox tradition （his background–I guess the one he deconstructed out of？–is Baptist）。 Jersak wants to offer signposts and guides to help readers who are experiencing their own deconstruction: “I hope in some way， through this book， to walk beside you so that you will know that you are not alone。” So how’s the book？ Personally， the pain and anguish of the kind of deep deconstruction he articulates isn’t my experience。 I’m thankful for that。 For those who are experiencing， or have experienced， pain or trauma or disorientation like Jersak describes， these passages will be healing。 My faith road has seemed like more of an ambling stream: turns and surprises， sure–and acquainted with tragedies–but not freighted with the faith-trauma Jersak addresses。 Again， I'm thankful。 The most engaging and enjoyable parts of the book for me personally were Jersak’s chapters on thinkers from the past （and up to the present）。 Some of these thinkers might be a surprise–Voltaire and Nietzsche， for example。 I found the chapter on Voltaire interesting–he’s probably the thinker in the book I’ve engaged with the least。 Jersak also engages readers with Plato， Moses， Kierkegaard， Dostoyevsky， Simone Weil （his apparent favorite）。 His chapter on Howard Thurman （mostly on Howard Thurman， that is） may have been my favorite。 You’ll also encounter names like Elie Wiesel， James Cone， and more。 What I’m failing to say in all this is that the book is good。 It covers lots of breadth， but it held together for me。 Once I got to part two （of three）， I really settled in and enjoyed it。 The book has emotional range and Jersak seems kind and good， a guy you won’t mind spending your time with， I don’t think。 Can I pick any nits in the book？ Only to be a stinker。 I’ve heard lemmings don’t really commit mass suicide by jumping over cliffs。 At one point Jersak writes， “We heard it from Frankl: God is hanging there with you，” but the narrative he seems to be referring back to is the one from Elie Wiesel’s Night， not Frankl。 And for me–this is just me–I don’t prefer it when authors use emails they’ve received （or similar anecdotes， like long conversations or text threads） and reproduce them at length to make points or observations。 A brief quote， a phrase， a snippet–but put the rest of it in your own words。 That’s just my opinion， and a small picky one。 Oh， and last of all， I don't like endnotes。 I like footnotes。 I don't like it when the author has extra thoughts about page 57， but you have look up said thoughts on page 324。 Scanning through the endnotes， though， made it clear they were almost all citations。 So no permanent hard feelings （who could live that way？）。 Somewhere along the way in the book， the “second simplicity” idea came to my mind。 I’m not sure who came up with the idea first， but the idea is （ha！） simple: things are first simple， then things become complicated; you move through the complexities to a deeper， second simplicity。 That’s not exactly what’s going on here with faith and the “Great Deconstruction，” as Jersak aptly calls this cultural tremor。 But there’s something there。 When you undo the bad constructs， the bad images of God， reject what God is not， go through the pains of the birth canal， embrace （or at least survive） the disorientation， learn to hope， learn to love， then a second faith opens to you。 There are plentiful paths there–some beautiful， some wrenching–but I think this book will help many， and interest perhaps many more。 Jersak quotes MLK; I'll let that quote be the last word because， well， just read: "I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality。。。。 I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word。" 。。。more
Sherry Sinclair
，
With much respect to Brad's compassion and ability to explore and teach on multi-layered issues within the Christian realm， "Out of the Embers"， made sense of the loss， confusion and hope I've experienced。 I am pleasantly surprised how Brad's questions resonate and continue to echo in my mind。 This book is not a quick fix， or a fix of any degree。 This book is real， is raw and carries the Light of Hope to travelers of our time。 Deconstruction is not new - it is a doorway to life less fettered。 Do With much respect to Brad's compassion and ability to explore and teach on multi-layered issues within the Christian realm， "Out of the Embers"， made sense of the loss， confusion and hope I've experienced。 I am pleasantly surprised how Brad's questions resonate and continue to echo in my mind。 This book is not a quick fix， or a fix of any degree。 This book is real， is raw and carries the Light of Hope to travelers of our time。 Deconstruction is not new - it is a doorway to life less fettered。 Don't give up - Jesus is more accepting， more loving and more patient that we will ever know。 "Christ the Door。。。The primary point of this chapter has been to say what we call deconstruction is a kind of transition， a liminal space， a doorway - an entrance as much as an exit。 Consider now， also， this claim of Jesus Christ: I AM the gate [or door]。 If anyone comes in by me， they will be safe， and will go in and out and find pasture。 （John 10:9）" pg 291。 。。。more
Jenny Rose
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When I saw the opportunity to be part of the launch team for Out of the Embers， I jumped at the chance。 I have read a couple of Jersak’s books， watched him speak， and appreciate his perspective of his journey。In the beginning of the book， he addresses the big picture progress of the deconstruction/renovation journey with multiple metaphors。 Often I have heard/seen complaints of an individual who “has strayed” and become progressive， but it is only a glimpse of the individual in a stage。 Christia When I saw the opportunity to be part of the launch team for Out of the Embers， I jumped at the chance。 I have read a couple of Jersak’s books， watched him speak， and appreciate his perspective of his journey。In the beginning of the book， he addresses the big picture progress of the deconstruction/renovation journey with multiple metaphors。 Often I have heard/seen complaints of an individual who “has strayed” and become progressive， but it is only a glimpse of the individual in a stage。 Christians should know better that the Holy Spirit is in the active process of transforming and we are all in different stages of that transformation。Since the 1990’s–when I first started to notice–those who walked or turned away from the church building were definitely impacted by historical faith， spiritual voices， and leaders and often the hypocrisy of。Jersak draws on the scholar and wisdom of many thinkers through the ages to shed light on the different deconstruction journeys。 Some resonated with me， others went over my head。 Likely， at least one of them will help shed light on yourself or someone you know。If you are wondering why anyone would deconstruct/renovate their faith， I suggest you read this book。 If you think everyone who begins the deconstruction/renovation journey becomes agnostic or atheist， I encourage you to read this book。 This book is also for those at any stage of the deconstruction/renovation journey。I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author and this is my honest and unbiased review。 。。。more
Spencer Payton
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Note: I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author。 Written with deep theological insight， yet made accessible with a pastoral heart， Brad Jersak acts as a humble guide through the the necessity， perils， and possibilities of “deconstruction。” As someone who has gone through seasons of doubt， uncertainty， and yes， even deconstruction， Brad’s work over the past few years has been invaluable to me。 In this new book， Brad shows that we need not fear wrestling with God， and letting our false im Note: I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author。 Written with deep theological insight， yet made accessible with a pastoral heart， Brad Jersak acts as a humble guide through the the necessity， perils， and possibilities of “deconstruction。” As someone who has gone through seasons of doubt， uncertainty， and yes， even deconstruction， Brad’s work over the past few years has been invaluable to me。 In this new book， Brad shows that we need not fear wrestling with God， and letting our false images of Him be shattered。 As Brad puts it so beautifully:"Christ is the ultimate deconstructionist， inexorably converting whole lives， a whole species， a whole cosmos-by gathering all things and all people into himself， entering the chrysalis of death and Hades， then reemerging to transfigure all things which his eternal life。" It is this hope that not only frees us to ask the hard questions， but also prevents us from falling into despair or cynicism。 I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who finds themselves in the midst of a crisis of faith， those who are picking up the pieces of a faith already shattered into pieces， and those who seek to walk alongside others that find themselves at any point on that journey。 。。。more
Lyle Collie
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I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author。This well written book has brought back a series of memories with a new view of how I have been and am being formed through the twists and turns of my life by the God who loves me， always has， and always will。
Michael
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A very thoughtful deconstruction of deconstruction from a sharp mind with pastoral heart。 Loved it。 I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author。
Felicia Murrell
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I received an ARC in exchange for this review。 In a day where the answer seems to be: 'Burn it all down，' Bradley Jersak calls to us from the ashes of ruin with the attentiveness and compassion of the Good Samaritan tending to and providing for a stranger in need。 Out of the Embers reassures that deconstruction is not merely for the purpose of destruction， but unlike many Christian texts of old， it does not attempt to fill in all the blanks， or flood us with certitude。 In this seminal work， Brad I received an ARC in exchange for this review。 In a day where the answer seems to be: 'Burn it all down，' Bradley Jersak calls to us from the ashes of ruin with the attentiveness and compassion of the Good Samaritan tending to and providing for a stranger in need。 Out of the Embers reassures that deconstruction is not merely for the purpose of destruction， but unlike many Christian texts of old， it does not attempt to fill in all the blanks， or flood us with certitude。 In this seminal work， Brad comes to us as a fellow wayfarer， a sojourner who is questioning， seeking and anchored。 And from that deeply rooted place， with the voices of sages from eras past， Out of the Embers is written as a companion for fellow seekers， a guide for the questioners and calls us in to turn once again to the One who loves， to the One who leads， the One who makes all things new。 What will we be after the coal of the refiner's fire has touched our lips？ Out of the Embers leaves us hopeful。 。。。more
Jay Mitchell
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“After a lifetime immersed in Christian culture， including pastoral leadership， somehow， you missed out on spiritual attachment to Christ as a living person。” One purpose of this book is to point to Jesus and how people get pastors， leaders， and others as their intermediary instead of having an encounter with Christ for themselves。 If one is thinking of leaving church， has left church， or is wanting nothing more to do with Christianity， this book is for you。 If you know someone who has left orga “After a lifetime immersed in Christian culture， including pastoral leadership， somehow， you missed out on spiritual attachment to Christ as a living person。” One purpose of this book is to point to Jesus and how people get pastors， leaders， and others as their intermediary instead of having an encounter with Christ for themselves。 If one is thinking of leaving church， has left church， or is wanting nothing more to do with Christianity， this book is for you。 If you know someone who has left organized religion and is desiring to see both sides， this book is for you。note: I did receive an advanced copy。 。。。more
Sarah Sanchez
，
Brad Jersak offers a much needed perspective on the deconstruction of fundamental faith that so many are going through currently。 He takes a dive into philosophy， history， and theology to show us how we can remain rooted in Christ through and after the deconstruction process。 Out of the Embers describes what I've found in my own journey with Christ， even as it seemed so much was on fire around me。 This book will be helpful for those wondering if faith can remain or those walking with others on t Brad Jersak offers a much needed perspective on the deconstruction of fundamental faith that so many are going through currently。 He takes a dive into philosophy， history， and theology to show us how we can remain rooted in Christ through and after the deconstruction process。 Out of the Embers describes what I've found in my own journey with Christ， even as it seemed so much was on fire around me。 This book will be helpful for those wondering if faith can remain or those walking with others on this path。 Thank you for your beautiful work， Brad！ 。。。more
Elena Vlasova
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I received an advanced reader copy of this book。 To read Mr。 Bradley's books is always a blessing to me。 This book is very helpful if you have been changing in your faith， in rethinking and discovering new and wide spectrum of life through the bible。 The author gives a wide perspective of historical views on faith and disbelieve in God， which is very supportive in keeping the focus， directing through the thick， sometimes dark ideas of the thinkers。 It sounds pretty responsive and beneficial to m I received an advanced reader copy of this book。 To read Mr。 Bradley's books is always a blessing to me。 This book is very helpful if you have been changing in your faith， in rethinking and discovering new and wide spectrum of life through the bible。 The author gives a wide perspective of historical views on faith and disbelieve in God， which is very supportive in keeping the focus， directing through the thick， sometimes dark ideas of the thinkers。 It sounds pretty responsive and beneficial to me living in today's Russia。 。。。more
Eric H
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I received an advanced reader copy from the author。 In this book， Bradly Jersak reveals some very important truths about the current era and experience of what he calls the Great Deconstruction。 Perhaps one of the most important is that it is not a new phenomenon。 It is a historical current in which we find ourselves at a particular point。 He deftly shows how what we call deconstruction has been happening for a very long time。 I found this comforting for my own journey because you realize that y I received an advanced reader copy from the author。 In this book， Bradly Jersak reveals some very important truths about the current era and experience of what he calls the Great Deconstruction。 Perhaps one of the most important is that it is not a new phenomenon。 It is a historical current in which we find ourselves at a particular point。 He deftly shows how what we call deconstruction has been happening for a very long time。 I found this comforting for my own journey because you realize that your questions， your feelings， your anger--and your joy--are not all occurring in isolation。 You are on a path that is well trodden， and there is wisdom to be found for the way forward。 If you are questioning the parts of your belief system that no longer make sense to you， Brad strips away the feeling that you are alone in the cave。 He brings a lantern given to him as a gift right into all that spiritual angst that can feel like lonely darkness。 He raises it up and lets you know， you aren't alone， and while this is hard， there is still a Gospel and it truly is Good News。 。。。more
Deborah
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This book is unlike anything I've ever read。 It is so raw and vulnerable and daring that it had me in tears almost all the way through！ The humanity that is reflected on every page resonated so deeply， that it gave me the permission to be exactly where I am and who I am on my journey。 In a world of shifting faith， with an audience ranging from evangelical to atheist， Bradley STILL has the courage to take us right into the trauma and dares to point us to the One who has not forsaken us in our suf This book is unlike anything I've ever read。 It is so raw and vulnerable and daring that it had me in tears almost all the way through！ The humanity that is reflected on every page resonated so deeply， that it gave me the permission to be exactly where I am and who I am on my journey。 In a world of shifting faith， with an audience ranging from evangelical to atheist， Bradley STILL has the courage to take us right into the trauma and dares to point us to the One who has not forsaken us in our suffering， but has been right there all along， waiting and suffering with us。 But neither does the author leave us there， succumbing to the ashes all around us。 Not with triumphalism or with bravado， but rather by revealing his own real vulnerability， the author opens our eyes to the Presence of The Good Shepherd。 If the reader is daring enough to follow the author into the abyss。。。then the reader will， as a matter of course， encounter the One who is already there， carrying our wounds and bearing our suffering。。。 poised and ready to carry us Out of the Embers and all the way towards healing and true restoration。The resulting redemption does not just touch and heal the present moment， but reaches all the way back into the darkest moments of our lives and heals us from the inside out。 What a magical journey！ Thank you Bradley Jersak for your loving heart， for your courage and for this marvelous book！ 。。。more
Michael Ferry
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I had the privilege of being on the launch team for this book。 I found it a life saver since it helped me understand how my beliefs， not just about God but life in general， transition over time。 My prior held thoughts had lost their influence as new life experiences took me beyond where I had previously harbored。 Life is always about adjustment， whether it be in the field of Faith， jobs， relationships， or any other altering of our statistics quo。 In Brads book I found the needed steps to get me I had the privilege of being on the launch team for this book。 I found it a life saver since it helped me understand how my beliefs， not just about God but life in general， transition over time。 My prior held thoughts had lost their influence as new life experiences took me beyond where I had previously harbored。 Life is always about adjustment， whether it be in the field of Faith， jobs， relationships， or any other altering of our statistics quo。 In Brads book I found the needed steps to get me unstuck from my emotional prison。 Now on this side of adjustment I can ask the questions to help others facing similar challenges。 Reading this book will allow you to experience the Hand of the Lord comforting you as you walk with Him by your side into a better tomorrow。 。。。more
Michelle Higgs
，
In reading Brad Jersak’s latest book "Out of the Embers"， I am immediately reminded of something CS Lewis once said， “Every age has its own outlook。 It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes。 We all， therefore， need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period。 And that means the old books。” In particular， CS Lewis made me mindful that a modern author could quite easily get swept up unawares in advocating for things t In reading Brad Jersak’s latest book "Out of the Embers"， I am immediately reminded of something CS Lewis once said， “Every age has its own outlook。 It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes。 We all， therefore， need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period。 And that means the old books。” In particular， CS Lewis made me mindful that a modern author could quite easily get swept up unawares in advocating for things that， over time， may prove unhelpful or even outright false。 Whereas the truths from the ancients have been tested over time to reveal their truthfulness and therefore their inherent wisdom。 I am so thankful that Brad has brought into the present conversation around deconstruction some wisdom teachers （aka the “seven sleepers”） from the past to illuminate the very unclear path ahead。 His ability to balance kitchen table conversation and pastoral insight with philosophical and theological deep dives is impressive and not to be underestimated。 So deftly does he navigate these spaces that I find myself both immediately recommending this book to all and then hesitating to make sure it will be understood in its fullest extent。 This must be the challenge of having a pastor’s heart and a professor’s head。 I wouldn’t want it any other way。 Our present world requires us to move out of the shallow waters。 We are neither the first nor the last generation challenged by these issues and thankfully we are not alone。 If you find yourself at the beginning， middle or well on your way through deconstruction， I cannot think of a better companion on your journey that Brad Jersak （and his Seven Sleepers）。 I know I will be recommending "Out of the Embers" for quite some time to come。 （Note: I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author。） 。。。more
Sharon Peaker
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This has to be the best book around on the subject of deconstruction。 Heartrending， raw vulnerability， enlightening， inspiring， gentle， caring， compassionate， inclusive。 A book that will change your life。
Stephen Gosden
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I don’t like long reviews。 I haven’t the patience。 My view is， if you want to know what’s in the book， use Amazon’s “Look inside” feature， read the testimonials， buy the book or browse it in a bookshop。 🙂So I’ll try to keep this short and limit it to what struck me about the book。I’ve read several of Brad’s books over the years - Her Gates Will Never Be Shut， A More Christlike God， A More Christlike Way， A More Christlike Word - and one he and Eden， Brad’s wife， wrote together - Rivers from Eden I don’t like long reviews。 I haven’t the patience。 My view is， if you want to know what’s in the book， use Amazon’s “Look inside” feature， read the testimonials， buy the book or browse it in a bookshop。 🙂So I’ll try to keep this short and limit it to what struck me about the book。I’ve read several of Brad’s books over the years - Her Gates Will Never Be Shut， A More Christlike God， A More Christlike Way， A More Christlike Word - and one he and Eden， Brad’s wife， wrote together - Rivers from Eden。And now， Out of the Embers。They have all helped me to better understand the Gospel， the necessity of Christian Universalism （the subtitle of another book）， and what it means， the fact that supposedly non-negotiable beliefs like Eternal Conscious Torment and Penal Substitutionary Atonement need not be believed at all （indeed， I learned that in the Orthodox Church， PSA must not be believed！） and how to make sense of the difficulties of the Bible such as apparently God-commanded genocide。 But this book is different。 It is even more personal， it seems to me。 After reading only a few pages， it reminded me of the popular story that I will retell below:A man is strolling in the countryside when he falls into a disused， dried-up well。 The walls are so steep and the well so deep he can't get out。A philosopher - perhaps a follower of Nietzsche - passes by and the man shouts up， 'Hey you。 Can you help me out？' The philosopher tells him， “It’s time you stopped trying to flee the reality of our real struggle in this world into the safety of some happily-ever-after “true world” up there or over there。 You’re fine where you are。” Then a priest comes along， and the man shouts up， 'Father， I'm down in this well， can you help me out？' The priest castigates him for abandoning the pleasant countryside， and moves on。 Then someone who he knows only through blog posts and books - an author - walks by。 Our man in the well recognises him from photographs and shouts out， 'Hey， can you help me out？' The author immediately jumps into the well。 Our man says， 'Are you stupid？ Now we're both down here！' The author replies， 'Yeah， but I've been down here before， and I know the way out。' The well， of course， is deconstruction。 Some people just fall into it， while others enter it deliberately for various good reasons。 Either way， they may get stuck at the bottom， in a very dark place with no obvious way out。 Philosophy and religious advice will rarely help。 What they need is someone who has been where they are， and found the way out。And the author？ You’ve guessed it; the author who jumps in， and one of many who have found their way out， is Brad Jersak。Well， it’s only a story， but in a very real sense I understood early on that when it comes to the dark hole of deconstruction that many find themselves in， Brad is the one to help us because he’s been there and knows the way out。 He also realises that it is inevitable and necessary。 He writes， “It can be pure joy … [or] pure sorrow - a cataclysmic collapse。 Or the joy and sorrow can flow mingled down， like the water and blood from the Saviour’s side。”It’s his personal experience - and that of others who contact him for help - that is so meaningful。 But he is not content to leave us with simply his own experience。 He says， “If you knew for sure that The Great Deconstruction is， let’s say， just phase two of a precarious five- or seven-stage expedition， and only a remnant of previous travellers have traversed the terrain， you’d want to know how they did it， what they’ve seen， and their take on what trails led nowhere， or worse。” So he backs up his own history with a history of deconstruction， which， far from being a purely modern phenomenon， has its roots in Moses “and his apophatic entourage from church history”， and continues with Plato， Voltaire， Kierkegaard， Dostoevsky and Nietzsche。 And especially Simone Weil， who， Brad says， “saved my life。”It’s fascinating reading。 It also gives us hope。 And， at the bottom of the deep， dark， hole of deconstruction， what you need most of all is hope。At one point， all he knows for sure is， “God is Good。” It took a year for him to add “God loves me，” and another year to venture the idea that “God cares …”If you’ve been there， or are headed that way， or are there now， you will find in this book the story of a man who knows the way out。 It may be just what you are looking for。 ******************************If you are wondering how I've managed to read this book before its publication date （admittedly only half of it so far！） it's because I've been given a PDF copy to review。I pre-ordered a Kindle copy too， which arrived on my phone a few minutes ago。 Needless to say， I have not been influenced by receiving the PDF in advance of publication to post a more favourable review。I hope my review will help you to order with confidence， or at least a better idea as to whether or not you will like/enjoy/benefit from it。Nagoya， Japan， 21 November 2022amended and slightly extended， 22 November 。。。more
Jessica Boudreaux
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