Is deconstructing Christianity the end of your faith — or the beginning? This is Episode 1 of our 4-part series, Christian Deconstruction and Reconstruction: Finding Faith Again.
If you grew up in church and something started feeling off — like the Christianity around you didn't match the Jesus you read about — this is for you. In this episode, we share when our questions began, why doubt isn't failure, and how to rebuild a faith big enough to hold mystery, grief, and justice.
We discuss what deconstruction is and what it isn't, Adam Grant's Think Again hierarchy (cult leader → learner), Fowler's Stages of Faith (why stage 4 questioning is maturity, not rebellion), Jesus in Mark 2:13-17 redefining sin as a failure to bother to love, betrayal trauma in the church, the horseshoe of shame after purity culture, and why some people walk away while others stay to rebuild.
Plus: why Sean Duffy's "Great American Road Trip" reality show perfectly captures the fear of being "brainwashed" by college, and why Dolly Parton's radical hospitality might be the best sermon you'll hear this week.
This is a 4-part series tied to Dr. Carter's 7-week sermon series at The Loft - links below.
💛 Support the show! Your tax-deductible donation keeps this ministry going https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct
Social links - https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians
📧 Ideas for the show? progressivechristians@theloftla.org
🎧 Available on all podcast platforms — new episodes every Friday
Show Notes:
- Think Again by Adam Grant https://adamgrant.net/book/think-again/
- Hierarchy of Thinking Styles https://wheatandtares.org/2022/07/13/adam-grants-thinking-styles/
- The Religion of Whiteness- https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-religion-of-whiteness-9780197746288
- Singers of Soul- https://www.instagram.com/singersofsoul/?hl=en
- https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/08/cities-terminate-flock-contracts-at-record-pace-in-august/
What is The Progressive Christians Podcast?
We're the love your neighbor kind of Christians, not the storm the capitol kind. So, if you're curious about what a socially and politically progressive Christianity looks like, this podcast is for you! In each episode we discuss politics, pop culture, and anything else we find interesting from the perspective of progressive Christianity.
The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram, https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians
The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church.