Mar 23, 2021
We've heard it before. Someone says he or she grew up in the evangelical church. They speak to credentials they hold inside the church, an evangelical of evangelicals. But then they started asking questions.
What they talk about is that they didn't find good answers. There are likely few specifics given, and after a while they say they start to doubt the faith they were taught. Often their church's sexual ethics factor prominently in their complaints.
Eventually these followers of Christ may come out with lengthy posts on social media, announcing their de-conversion. They talk about being tired of the culture wars. They share how they're tired of not getting answers to their questions.
They share that they're relieved when they can finally share their departure from the faith. They join a group of a growing throng of ex-vangelicals. It challenges those following Christ on how to respond.
Samuel James is an associate acquisitions editor at Crossway Books, Editor of Letter and Liturgy, and contributing editor at The Gospel Coalition. He recently wrote on the topic of popular deconversion in what he calls "Country Club Deconstruction"