4 Tips to Deal with Doubt and Deconstruction

Have you ever had questions or doubts about your faith? Or do you know someone who has? Doubts are arguably more common today than ever, and yet many people feel unequipped to address them wisely. This video is a recent talk Sean gave at Bayside Church in Roseville, CA. He talks about how doubt is not the opposite of faith, how faith does not require certainty, and offers four tips from his own journey with doubt.
READ: Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Without Sinking Your Faith (amzn.to/3V3oOKP)
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[@Grace0724]

I was raised in a non-religious family. I became an atheist at 16 and then came to faith in my mid-20s. My faith since then has always been strong apart from a time in 2022 when I was in a dark place because I felt like I wasn’t close to God and I started questioning my faith. I was driving and I was litrerally praying out loud saying. “Lord I don’t know where you are, I feel so alone, I feel you’ve left me, I’m scared you don’t exist” As I pulled up to a red light my eyes were drawn to the car in front which had: ‘Jesus is our Lord, Jesus loves you, Jesus calls you’ printed in the back window. I live in the UK which is very secular. I have never seen anything like this on a vehicle before or after.

[@celestethompson3405]

❤

[@RangerRyke]

To suppress or dismiss doubt is to seek comfort over truth.

[@Lehmann108]

Absolutely brother! We ALL have doubt and it should NEVER be suppressed or denied. We need to find a spiritual community that will allow doubt and conversations about it. I'd argue that very few spiritual communities have the authentic spiritual courage to allow this.

[@caslook.kalliades]

I mean, I am on a quest, on an adventure, an odyssey, I am seeking my faith for weeks now. Since a couple of days, I feel like I am coming at its end, and here comes this, at exactly the right time and manner, like all the rest in this quest. Jesus is the way.

[@rubenrivera511]

❤oó😮y i😂😅u😅😅i

[@devinewynder5443]

Sean you are such a blessing to the body of Christ. ❤🙏🏿❤️

[@Paradicted]

I know it’s all true for me because for the first time in my life, I feel horrible after sinning, AND I have an unquenchable desire to please God. These two new ‘traits’ were completely the opposite before I asked Jesus to not only live in my heart but to place His desires for my life deep in my heart. This happened for me literally in an instant. It’s been 45 years since that happened and those same two ‘gifts’ hold true to this day. Do I still occasionally struggle with sin, and occasionally give in, yes, because I’m still a human in a fallen world, but I can tell you this, I feel absolutely horrible when I do even though I know I have already been forgiven once for all sins - past present and future. This is because when we fail, the Holy Spirit convicts, but he does not condemn.

[@deion312]

Listened to the whole thing, very good message. You and gavin ortland and ruslan have all helped me through my 3 year journey of doubts and questions

[@SeanMcDowell]

That’s awesome to hear!

[@MrSeedi76]

I'd also suggest Mike Licona. Quite a fan.

[@Elo560]

Thank you Sean! So timely for myself as am dealing with a grandson who is questioning his faith. He is very intellectual and it’s a good thing in a way but has been troubling for myself and his mom ….we are praying daily for him and this gives us great advice in how to answer (or how not to answer) him. He is 23 and about to graduate next year with a degree in engineering. His doubts and questions are so understandable in the day we are living in.

[@lcraver4797]

I know I went through a similar period after my wife died just under two years ago. The question from me was "Oh Lord, where were you that night when she needed you most?" and I went through what I called a 'deconstruction' but it wasn't the sort Sean and Alisa Childers talk about - for instance I have a very clear specific answer to the question of "When did you say 'God be merciful to me a sinner'. I'm still not out of the woods yet (haven't gotten back to my old routines of church attendance and scripture reading (thought I have memorized a lot of it!) and know I can't just get by on 30 minutes a night of listening to the Gettys and their friends on KZbin but am making progress. We all go through peaks and valleys though this has been quite the "mother of all valleys" yet I know that a good work has been started will lead me home despite the body blows of the last two years. PS - I haven't read Sean's books but my university years coincided with Evidence that demands a Verdict and I spent a lot of my undergraduate years and subsequently on the great authors of the faith both apologetics and in other areas.

[@PastorOunanian]

I agree Sean a modern day Paul . I was bless to work and be under his training thur Pastor Haman Cross Jr. and Matthew Parker. My Library was filled with his books.

[@brettwheeler7753]

Yes, it is OK to question, so that we aren't just blindly following, and can become truly grounded in our Faith. God can always withstand ANY MAN'S SCRUTINY! When questioning though, do it with reverence and for understanding, not as the Pharisees who tried to outsmart Jesus/God/Holy Spirit.

[@meldevore]

For me doubt = struggle and where there’s struggle there’s life! I welcome the doubters in my life and help them answer the questions they have. ❤

[@midimusicforever]

Great stuff, Sean!

[@midimusicforever]

By the way, about Usama - God loved him, just as he loved us all while we were yet sinners.

[@Degjoy]

It’s astounding how powerful the ego is. Everyone is so keen to continue believing what they already believe. I see it in myself too. To have an open mind is a life’s work! I wonder if it’s possible to be open to all beliefs.

[@Sternschnuppen85]

I appreciate this talk. Thank you for this.

[@astatine0085]

This is great!

[@patricianoel7782]

I recommend “Faith After Doubt” by Brian McLaren. I deconstructed Mormon religion-- was a devout member for 64 years and quit then after committing time to deep study.😮

[@Aussiepupadventures]

This was such a great message!❤

[@karenterrell8843]

I’m 63 and struggling in my faith because of an emotionally abusive relationship. I’ve begged God for help so many times, no help. It’s getting hard to believe that God ever answers prayer or cares about my life. Please do more of these videos.

[@brettwheeler7753]

I've been there, too. I have finally seen my past hurts as an opportunity to grow and now help others since I can relate. Perhaps God wants to use you in a similar healing fashion.

[@the_maskedtoaster844]

My dear sister in Christ- I hear you. No-one deservers to be abused. I wish I could reach into the screen and give you a hug. What you are asking is where is God when bad things happen. I want to to believe but he doesn't seem to be there. I understand . I was not in an abusive relationship but I went through a time when I doubted God existence . My friend God is there and he hears and understands you. More over he loves you even if you dont feel it. Trust it from someone who know feelings can be misleading. We cant always trust who we feel. I cant give you the answers in a short post. I highly recommend talking to your pastor (if you have one) or a trusted Christian sister that you know will give you sound Biblical advice. Pour your heart out to them and let them love and comfort you. A lot of times God works through people. I hope this was a little bit helpful. Sincerely a Brother in Christ

[@russellmiles2861]

I have work with many folk in such situations: children, families, workplace. This unrelenting Trauma is painful . But it is not Gods responsibility to solve our problems. There is professional advise, support service, Police and courts if need be. Take action

[@tgrogan6049]

Sorry to here your story. Jesus isn't going to help you. Get a lawyer and get out of the relationship!

[@cbpaddingtonbear2606]

Hey, Just thought I'd share my story. I was abused by my parents and then my older brothers for 22 years. I echo the others no one deserves to be abused, if you can leave this situation, I encourage you to. Is there a local body of Christ that can help you to get to safety? I still don't have answers from God as to why he didn't stop the abuse I existed in for a long time. I don't understand. But I do know God, I know that people in my situation usually end up somewhere with a bottle or a needle trying to escape the pain. I have never even wanted that. I know many in my situations end up dead by their own hands, I'm still alive while still struggling so much sometimes with feelings of pointlessness. I have doubts all the time, but I also recognise that I am here, I am healing, I am a miracle. God saved me life and my son is here because of that. Anyway I'm praying for you xo

[@dellabesong9447]

I just need to share this right away bcz this is helpful. Thanks Sean.

[@margaretharley4111]

Fantastic brilliant ❤❤

[@carolm753]

I don’t hear anyone encouraging people that it’s ok to remain uncertain and open, and that it is a legitimate landing spot… But why not if faith is not about having certainty? Why can’t people doubt, lose faith, remain uncertain, be open to learn/grow (& not just to return to where they were)? If someone is unsure of faith claims/ideas and stays that way, then why isn’t overt uncertainty/openness about belief the more honest place to stay?

[@carolm753]

If I had to guess, it is because the stakes are too high, but apologists & pastors are afraid to come across now as the heaven/hell-is-on-the-line evangelist. However, in efforts like these, they still are trying to keep people within the “safe zone” for those base level reasons. If heaven or hell weren’t the ultimate stakes, it would be ok for people to be freely and openly uncertain and without rush to ever change that status. Right?

[@alfredomontealegre7132]

Only those who endure and persevere despite the relentless onslaught of the malignant ... "shall dwell in the secret place of the Most Hig, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91

[@horridhenry9920]

Hold on a moment Sean. I thought Christian’s claim that Christianity is not a belief it’s a relationship! Relationships are two way interactions. I’m certain that when I speak to my wife she answers me back. When you speak to God doesn’t he answer back. How do you have a relationship with someone that you cannot see, and does not respond in any discernible manner.

[@horridhenry9920]

@Hildy31 The belief part I have no argument with. The relationship part is the issue.

[@onlylettersand0to9]

Fun fact: John the Baptist's followers ended up rejecting Jesus and founded Mandaeism, a religion which teaches that John the Baptist was the final prophet. Mandaeism is still around, with tens of thousands of followers today--which is rather remarkable given that no outsiders are allowed to join the religion (you have to be born into that religion).

[@sedacollier1602]

I don’t think a faith can be very strong if it hasn’t gone through doubt and asked plenty of questions. It’s by testing that faith against the strongest of arguments and evidence, pro and con, that it grows stronger. If you’re afraid to ask the question, by all means ask it.

[@truthache]

Grace also is not the excuse to keep on sinning.

[@jasondeanthedog1742]

He got me when he said he believes that the 49ers are going to win the Super Bowl

[@nolt4024]

What are the sources…”this, this, this, and this” you mentioned at 38:45?

[@truthseeker5698]

Is Sean McDowell a calvinist/reformed subscriber?

[@calisteman7126]

Doubt is not opposite of faith unbelief is. - Sean McDowell

[@seanhogan6893]

Unbelief is faith.

[@Obeytheroadrules]

Doubt is reality and reason knocking on the door of your superstitious imagination

[@Coffee1776]

*_Is the background information we have (from our life experience) too heavy to be outweighed by the evidence for the resurrection? I struggle with this sometimes. What are your thoughts?_*

[@LindeeLove]

Even if you could prove a man rose from the dead, it does not prove that he could create a universe.

[@midimusicforever]

What in your life experience would be evidence against the resurrection of Jesus? That doesn't make sense to me. Life on Earth is hard and the Bible does not say otherwise.

[@LindeeLove]

@@midimusicforever Evidence against the resurrection? I'm not aware of any evidence that anyone has ever risen from the dead.

[@Coffee1776]

@@LindeeLove That's because you never looked.

[@LindeeLove]

@@Coffee1776 How do you know that?

[@ubersheizer5398]

Before I watch, is this HOW or HOW not To?

[@damaygo1742]

How to

[@PiRobot314]

If Jesus is really concerned with giving us eyewitnesses to give us a confident faith, do you think Jesus will personally appear to all of us so all of us can have the most informed faith possible? (I mean like actually appearing in physical form so that we can see him and touch him) If that was Jesus's true intention towards Thomas, then wouldn't he give that same gift to every individual? I have not had a personal witness of Jesus by the way. Still waiting on that.

[@russellmiles2861]

I have met Jesus many times: quite a few in fact. I work in mental health care for a tad. I mostly ignored them.

[@timbro88]

Hey, good point. Although I think that if Jesus appeared again to everyone in the clouds right now, people will still find a way to reject that it’s actually the biblical God. Even a third of the angels in heaven at the beginning who were continually before Gods throne rebelled and decided to reject Him. Even when Jesus does come back at Armageddon, people will still reject Jesus because people don’t want God to be real, they want to be God of their own lives. We’ve also gotta keep in mind that if He made himself so much more abundantly aware to us, there really wouldn’t be much need to seek Him out, to search for the Lord. Not much free will and choice to either believe in Him or not if He just makes its so incredibly obvious He’s with us. I hope that helps. Let me know if you want to have a conversation about this. God bless.:)

[@PiRobot314]

@@timbro88 Could you help me understand what you mean by these two statements?: 1. "Even a third of the angels in heaven at the beginning who were continually before Gods throne rebelled and decided to reject Him." 2. "Not much free will and choice to either believe in Him or not if He just makes its so incredibly obvious He's with us." Specifically, did the angels who rejected God have free will to reject God even though God was obviously with them? We can know that someone exists and still choose to reject them. If we know they exist, we can at least make an *informed decision* about whether to reject them or not. I can't make an informed decision about whether to accept someone if I don't even have enough information to tell if they are alive. Also, it depends on if Jesus is loving or not. If Jesus is loving to everyone, I will accept Him. If Jesus is sometimes not loving, it will make the choice much more difficult. (But at least I will know what I am even choosing in the first place if He appears)

[@truthseeker5698]

Is Sean a calvinist/ reformer?

[@jdnlaw1974]

Not according to Job.

[@lindamason8168]

I wish Sean would respond to my question: how do you explain dinosaurs?

[@LindeeLove]

He would ignore you because he is just interested in selling books. He and his father are both millionaires doing this stuff.

[@velkyn1]

that's because he can't answer your question. He's a great coward, and never responds when his lies are exposed.

[@midimusicforever]

I am not Sean, but what about dinosaurs?

[@timmy-the-ute2725]

I knew Josh McDowell. We would hassle him about not keeping more of the royalties from his book sales. He believed in the message of his ministry and would reinvest back in the ministry. He wrote books to witness about Jesus.

[@velkyn1]

@@timmy-the-ute2725 Sean is as much of a fraud as his father. It's hilarious how they both fail so miserably and either can do what their jesus promises to true believers. Sean uses the same claims he did, and they still don't work. Evidence of worshippers isn't evidence that their gods exist.

[@curiousgeorge555]

My team the 49ers had that game. Mahomes is the GOAT. Way more talented thatn Brady, imo.

[@tgrogan6049]

I am very skeptical about any "stories" from apologists. Remember Ravi Zacharias?

[@theresaplash2462]

Why do u say holy cow?

[@inYTbio_SiteLINKs2Verses_Bruv]

You should seriously say to yourself; "Am I wrong about Homosexuality?" God sear your spirit Sean.

[@peaceonearthpeaceonearth9686]

Matthew 7:15-20 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. In the very next verse, Jesus teaches us, Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. The reason why Jesus FIRST teaches us how to identify false prophets and then in the VERY next verse he tells us "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven," is because he wanted to make it obvious who he is talking about. In the book of Romans, Paul contradicts this very important teaching. Romans 10:13 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Even those who had enough faith in Jesus to perform miracles and cast out demons will not go to heaven unless they do the will of God. So, who do yo think will be allowed to enter heaven, those who do the will of the Father of Jesus or those simply call upon his name?

[@semidemiurge]

Sean, can a reasonable and intelligent person read the Bible and examine the evidence both for and against Christianity and come to the conclusion that Christianity is most likely not true? Yes, No?

[@Jimmy-iy9pl]

My own 2¢: Yes, but despite their reasonableness. I think an otherwise competent person can mishandle or misunderstand the evidence for Christianity - sometimes in some fairly subtle but important ways - that will not allow them to fully appreciate the force of the evidence. The evidence for Christianity is at least on par with the evidence for most scientific and historical theories which are generally accepted on just testimony alone by most average people. At least with Christianity, someone can understand the direct evidence itself in a fairly comprehensive manner. It's all publicly available.

[@semidemiurge5767]

@@Jimmy-iy9pl "The evidence for Christianity is at least on par with the evidence for most scientific and historical theories". This is not even close to being true. The evidence for most of the Bible's claims is miniscule at best. In fact, much of the Bible goes against what science has shown to be the case. That is why Christianity has to resort to believing based on faith. If Christianity had sufficient evidence, faith would not be required.

[@MrSeedi76]

​​​@@semidemiurge5767you're confusing evidence for Christianity with evidence for "the Bible" which is a collection of many books by many authors about their experiences with God, including poetry for example - there is no "evidence" for poetry. Also - what "evidence" should there be for the new testament? It's historical documents, ancient biographies about someone who conquered no countries or other things that would leave "evidence" in form of statues and inscriptions on buildings during his lifetime. But there are more than enough outside sources that tell us he existed. That's about it. Also - the Bible isn't a science book, so science can't disprove it. That's an error of category. And I didn't see anyone claiming that there was no good and evil in this world and people often choose the latter (original sin) or that the world might be a better place if we loved our neighbors as ourselves (one of the main commandments of Christianity) or that we might be better off forgiving others their trespassing against us (some basic stuff every psychiatrist will tell you). What truth are we even talking about in case of the new testament? That there was a guy walking around Galilee preaching? Someone who left behind the beginning of a new religion. How much evidence you think we would ever have for such a thing? Strangely enough, when atheists attack the Bible they rarely ever attack the teachings of Jesus because they know they'd have no leg to stand on. And how about the empty tomb? Well, it was empty. They built a church above it. What evidence were people expecting? I wonder if the people who claim that there is no evidence, a) ever looked into it, b) ever really considered how much of history is lost to us, c) considered how close the sources are to Jesus compared to any other person in ancient history - the earliest manuscripts of the writings of Julius Caesar are some 1,000 years later. The first complete new testament is from around 200 and fragments are dated to the first century. So the sources are extraordinarily good. Doesn't make anyone a believer though.

[@WaterCat5]

​@@Jimmy-iy9plNo, Christianity doesn't for a second have as much evidence as something like evolution. Just because lay people don't understand all the details doesn't mean it isn't true. People might not understand electricity, but the fact that we have light bulbs and such shows the theory works. God has nothing even approaching something as simple as a light bulb.

[@Jimmy-iy9pl]

@@WaterCat5 I obviously dispute that. I think there's plenty of evidence for theism.

[@TempleofChristMinistries]

You may want to believe and you may find Good Reason to Believe but you do not actually believe, all you are doing is justifying your position so that you can say you have faith even in your doubt, but you do not, you're a man who thinks he has faith but you do not, your faith is based on intellectual reasoning which is no faith at all,

[@aaronmusa234]

I encourage all bible followers to question their faith. I left church for islam/monotheism in 2002 moses ' god is one ' Jesus ' greatest command worship our lord the one god only ' Muhammad ' worship the creator only not the created ' Paul ' god is now 3 coequal godheads ' clearly the wolf in sheep clothing Jesus warned about is Paul now then how are you still led astray

[@donpetty7584]

Genesis 1:26 "26 God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth." If Paul made up a fictional 3 coequal godhead, who is the "us" and "our" in Genesis? The above is the Amplified. New English Translation "26 Then God said, “Let us make[a] humankind[b] in our image, after our likeness,[c] so they may rule[d] over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth,[e] and over all the creatures that move[f] on the earth.” Then you have a problem with Jesus when He prayed for His disciples in John 14. "16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." That's the trinity. So, it wasn't Paul's creation. Was it? So who has been led astray?

[@velkyn1]

yep, the usual words from a cultist.

[@damaygo1742]

Cultist? How so

[@MrSeedi76]

Some people simply don't know the definition of "cult."

[@velkyn1]

@@MrSeedi76 So, would you agree that a cult is a group of people who follow one person? Who tells them to abandon all they have? Who says to mutilate their body parts? who says just believe? the heaven's gate cult did this, the people's temple cult did this. If so, you agree that christianity is a cult.

[@velkyn1]

@@damaygo1742 Would you agree that a cult is a group of people who follow one person? Who tells them to abandon all they have? Who says to mutilate their body parts? Who says just believe? the heaven's gate cult did this, the people's temple cult did this.

[@damaygo1742]

@@velkyn1 in a way, Jesus said this, but yes I agree 😂

[@peternagel-er7ly]

How much money does this snake oil salesman make?

[@mattandkim17]

You owe it to yourself to have a chat with Doug @pinecreek