When faith feels fragile, a conversation on deconstruction with Nicholas McDonald

Have you or your kids ever wrestled with hard questions about faith? If so, you're not alone and you’re definitely in the right place today. This week, I’m talking with Nicholas McDonald about his personal journey through disillusionment, deconstruction, and ultimately a deep renewal of his hope in Jesus. His honesty, wisdom, and compassion are such a gift to parents who are navigating this with their kids or experiencing it themselves.

Here are four takeaways from our conversation:

• Nicholas shows how asking hard questions can actually deepen faith when approached in a safe, truth-filled environment.
• Community is key. He shares why isolation makes doubt heavier and how loving, honest relationships can carry us through it.
• Parents don’t need to have all the answers. Walking with your child through their questions with empathy and humility is more powerful than a perfect explanation.
• Hope is always on the table even in the hardest seasons, God’s love remains, and he invites us to keep wrestling, trusting, and returning.

Nicholas is a pastor, writer, and speaker with a heart for helping people encounter Jesus through the truth of Scripture and the beauty of story. He is the author of The Light in Our Eyes: Rediscovering the Love, Beauty, and Freedom of Jesus in an Age of Disillusionment, and his teaching often bridges the gap between doubt and belief for a new generation of Christians.

I know this conversation will encourage your heart and give you practical wisdom for those messy, holy moments of parenting. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to show up.

(00:00) Introduction and Background

(05:24) Disillusionment with the Church

(10:46) Parenting and Faith Challenges

(16:27) The Importance of Community

(22:02) Hope for the Future of Faith

Connect with Nick

X account

Substack

The Light in Our Eyes book

Resources Mentioned

Christian Parenting resources

A Great Cloud of Witnesses Prayer Journal

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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