Leaving Evangelicalism Without Losing Jesus: Deconstruction, Doubt, and a Better Way Forward

Voxology

Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Society & Culture

4.7 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 19 August 2019

⏱️ 73 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

How stepping away from evangelical subculture doesn’t always mean walking away from Jesus. Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, Bonnie, and special guest Andy Laura reunite for a raw and candid discussion on the rising wave of public deconstruction stories, including those of Josh Harris and Marty Sampson. They explore how rigid Christian systems often leave no space for doubt, grief, or change—and what a healthier path could look like for those questioning their faith.

Highlighting how the evangelical church's rigidity, celebrity culture, and systematic certainty can actually fuel disillusionment, they call for a broader, more compassionate view of how faith evolves—and how to be people who hold pain well in others’ journeys.

Key Takeaways:
• Leaving Evangelicalism ≠ Leaving Jesus – Many people stepping away from evangelical structures are still pursuing truth, peace, and meaning—and some are finding Jesus more clearly outside those systems.
• Deconstruction in the Spotlight – Reflections on Josh Harris and Marty Sampson’s public “falling away” and how the Christian response often lacks nuance and grace.
• The Problem with the Purity and Celebrity Culture – How evangelicalism’s obsession with youthful influencers and certainty has become spiritually stifling for many, including its former leaders.
• Responding with Compassion, Not Correction – The importance of making room for doubt, grief, and growth—especially for those wrestling with honest questions about hell, justice, and Christian hypocrisy.
• Holding Pain Well – Why the church must be a safe place for honest wrestling and brokenness, not just praise and performance.

Guest Highlights:
Andy Laura – Former Vox Community pastor and original Voxology co-host, Andy brings his unique wit and wisdom back to the mic for a deep, poignant conversation about leaving ministry, parenting in chaos, and creating meaningful work post-pastoring.

Resources Mentioned:
• Josh Harris’s Instagram Post – “By all the measurements I have for defining a Christian, I am not one”
• Stephen Colbert & Anderson Cooper on Grief – A masterclass in holding pain with dignity and hope
• Sleepless Clothing Line – wearesleepless.com

The Voxology crew invites you to question openly, process authentically, and walk humbly together toward a more honest expression of faith rooted in Jesus.

Subscribe, leave a review, and follow the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Help us build a community committed to justice, grace, and the beautiful mess of spiritual formation.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Transcript

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0:00.0	These were people that were such
0:10.0	participants in the formation of the very culture they're leaving
0:15.0	that you can't leave that culture without being critiqued by it.
0:19.0	That's where it really bites you, is that you've
0:21.7	created a culture of critique. Hey, everybody. Welcome to the Vox podcast. My name is Mike. So glad you are
0:34.8	tuning in. Thank you as always for allowing us to be a small part of your life.
0:39.4	And I am joined today. I need a, for some reason, I'm compelled to give clothing updates just because I'm looking at the people we're talking to.
0:47.5	And I want you to have them in mind as they're speaking. So I'm looking at Tim Stafford. Tim clearly has woken up, has not showered. He's wearing
0:55.5	some sort of a very, there's a deep sort of V that has chest hair coming out of it. And I feel like,
1:03.8	if it's distracting. Well, I feel like, um, like the word Chris Christofferson comes to mind. And I don't know why. Maybe that's a hangover from,
1:14.0	you know, 70s music or something, but you just kind of have that Chris Christopherson vibe today.
1:19.2	Christopherson's a sexy beast. I'll take it. Okay. All right, perfect. And then as always,
1:24.4	representing the almost separate nation of Texas.
1:29.0	We have Bonnie.
1:31.3	And Bonnie, just give us a bit of a hair update, if you would.
1:35.0	You know what?
1:35.7	I straightened it.
1:37.6	And I don't know.
1:39.5	And it's glorious.
1:40.6	I don't know if people understand.
1:42.6	How long does that take?
1:45.4	It didn't. You know, it wasn't that take? It didn't, you know,
	...

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