Faith After Doubt

Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It

By: Brian D. McLaren

Narrated by: Brian D. McLaren

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

This program is read by Brian D. McLaren

From the author of A New Kind of Christianity comes a bold proposal: only doubt can save the world and your faith.

"Will help you live fuller and breathe easier.” (Glennon Doyle)

Sixty-five million adults in the U.S. have dropped out of active church attendance and about 2.7 million more are leaving every year. Faith After Doubt is for the millions of people around the world who feel that their faith is falling apart.

Using his own story and the stories of a diverse group of struggling believers, Brian D. McLaren, a former pastor and now an author, speaker, and activist shows how old assumptions are being challenged in nearly every area of human life, not just theology and spirituality. He proposes a four-stage model of faith development in which questions and doubt are not the enemy of faith, but rather a portal to a more mature and fruitful kind of faith.

The four stages - Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity, and Harmony - offer a path forward that can help sincere and thoughtful people leave behind unnecessary baggage and intensify their commitment to what matters most.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Essentials

©2021 Brian D. McLaren (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Wordy, but impactful

The author/narrator is enthusiastic and coherent in his message. A little wordy, probably would have been more enjoyable with a little editing. For doubters, a very reassuring message.

A good map!

This book is encouraging, challenging, uplifting! As noted, it's a good map for the journey through the valley of the shadow of doubt.

What I needed

This book has provided much-needed comfort in this stage of confusion. After five years of searching and questioning my fundamentalist Christian background, this book has given me hope that there’s an end to the constant frustration. Not only an end, but a destination.
There are a few things in this book (like the Universalism) I’m not sure I’m ready to jump into just yet, but overall I found this book more than helpful. If you are in the process of breaking your faith apart, I’d recommend this book just so long as you remember that little grain of salt.

Clarity for my brain scribbles

I've been deconstructing for the past few years, reading so many authors and painfully walking this path that feels like a death to my Christian identity. I really needed clarity and permission to not have to "land" anywhere. I can live in my questions, but also live in a space of love, which is actually the impetus that started this journey. All my genuine self ever wanted was to walk in love, BE love, and I feel more equipped to be that person with our having to justify myself to any gatekeeper. This book is a beautiful gift!

definitely a yearly read as you evolve in faith...

so much to unpack. return often to find something you may have missed before... great information.

Helpful for Faith Leaders

It's a pretty heady/academic book.
Part 1: **
Part 2: ****
Part 3: *****
It gets better as it goes! Part 1 felt especially slow, in part because I was already intuitively familiar with the material. I don't know that the book is interesting enough narratively to engage many lay groups, but it is not only interesting but also important for faith leaders. Understanding the stages of doubt/faith as McLaren presents them can engender greater compassion for those at stages different than one's own, and that is always worthwhile. There are also some valuable reflections on raising children through the stages with an inclination towards love that will equip them to progress at their own pace towards a "Stage 4" faith.

I'd recommend to everyone!

Many religions and worldly ways of thinking teach us that doubt is a kind of weakness or fault. This book teaches the opposite: That true faith is not real unless it utilizes doubt.
If you come from a very traditional and restrictive background, I recommend this book. If you have left your old beliefs behind and need affrimation for leaving them there, I recommend this book. If you are curious about how Humanity can keep itself from self-destructing, I recommend this book!
If you are doubting and questioning, you are not broken or evil. You are being called to a more authentic and fulfilling life. This book will encourage you!

The frank conversation I needed for a long time.

this book provides it good framework for working through doubts which no doubt a sale most of us at one time or another. open, Frank discussion and consideration up doubts rather than insincere recitation of platitudes and standard doctrine is a refreshing way forward.

So good and so true

Puts into perspective how doubting is a positive thing and not a negative thing. This book made me feel like I wasn’t alone on my path and faith journey.

Excellent

Very hopeful, helpful, and affirming work. I enjoyed it, and I'm glad to have encountered it.