Steve, Rich, and Sarah kick off this episode by once again giving a big shoutout to the Media Team for their incredible work on the new studio. If you’re listening and haven’t checked out the podcast on YouTube yet—go take a look! This week, the conversation picks up where last week’s left off, diving deeper into the topic of deconstruction. Rich raises a compelling point: many people who say they’ve deconstructed haven’t actually walked away from Christianity itself. Instead, they may be stepping away from a particular system or set of beliefs shaped by a specific church or leader—beliefs that may not align with the heart of the gospel. At the core, it’s about learning how to examine Scripture for yourself and trusting it as authority. The Christian life, after all, is often a battle for the mind. Steve shifts the discussion toward dealing with doubts and questions, emphasizing that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having them. In fact, the hope is that those doubts would lead us closer to Jesus and into the truth found in God’s Word. Sarah adds that faith plays a crucial role in this journey. When certainty isn’t always possible, trust in Jesus becomes essential. Does belief require absolute certainty? Steve encourages listeners to bring their questions into community, reminding us that we were never meant to wrestle with our faith alone. Rich presses into the idea that spiritual growth and maturity can often help us process our doubts. Sometimes, the real challenge isn’t the question itself, but a mindset that needs transformation. The episode wraps up with a heartfelt reminder: love the people in your life who may be walking through deconstruction. Stay present, offer support, and be a consistent source of grace and truth.

Books Steve recommends:

The Deconstruction of Christianity by Alisa Childers & Tim Barnett

Set Adrift by Sean McDowell & John Marriott

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Interested in studying Greek with Rich? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com.

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Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.

Welcome back to Resident Strangers! Whether you’re listening or watching, we’re so glad you’re here. If you’re a Christ follower, you may have heard the term deconstruction—but what does it really mean? Interestingly, even within Christian circles, this word carries different interpretations. As the conversation around deconstruction grows, Steve and Rich are dedicating the next two weeks to unpacking its significance. Is deconstruction simply about asking tough questions about faith? Or is there something deeper—perhaps even darker—beneath the surface? Rich suggests that much of deconstruction revolves around questioning authority, while Steve traces its philosophical roots back to Jacques Derrida, noting that the concept can even be seen as far back as Genesis 3. In many ways, it’s not a new idea at all. Rich also introduces The Path of Deconstruction, explaining how personal crises often trigger deep doubts and reexaminations of belief. While moments of crisis can reveal flaws in our thinking, they also present an opportunity to lean on Jesus like never before. Wrestling with faith can, in the end, lead to a deeper relationship with Him. Don’t miss next week’s episode as we continue this important conversation in Part 2!

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Steve's January 2025 sermon on Deconstruction

Books Steve recommends:

The Deconstruction of Christianity by Alisa Childers & Tim Barnett

Set Adrift by Sean McDowell & John Marriott

Sign up for the Resident Strangers email list

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves! Resident Strangers has been a podcast for the past year and a half, but now Sarah, Steve, and Rich are thrilled to share that the podcast is not only available on audio platforms — it’s also on YouTube! This long-awaited expansion has the whole crew excited to bring you content in a brand-new way. A huge shoutout to Brandon Petry for his incredible work in building the brand-new studio where the podcast is now filmed and recorded. Special thanks also go to Brittany Petry, Brandon Lloyd, and Hailey Keller for their valuable contributions! In this episode, Sarah and Steve offer some background on Desert Springs Community Church, where the podcast is produced. Steve has been the pastor there for 30 years, and Sarah serves on the full-time staff. Rich, a professor at Grand Canyon University, also serves as an elder at the church. The group reflects on their years in ministry together and shares the story of how the podcast began. Steve opens up about his passion for helping those who follow Jesus think biblically in a world that often feels foreign. He explains how the events of 2020 sparked a desire to create a space for conversations about the importance of studying theology. Rich also emphasizes the importance of unwavering allegiance to Jesus, no matter the circumstances we face. We hope this episode offers a deeper understanding of who we are, and we can’t wait to have you join us — whether you’re listening or watching. Thanks for being part of the Resident Strangers community!

Check out Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Other podcasts produced at Desert Springs - The Stories Collective + The Now Life

*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Make sure you check out the book Rich was a part of writing! An Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Guide to the Things That Really Matter

Sign up for the Resident Strangers email list - http://eepurl.com/iwv3Ug

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.