Welcome to Crucible of Thought! I'm Brandon, and I was a member of conservative evangelical congregations for 45 years. This blog is about things that I've learned since 2020, as I've been undergoing a process of "deprogramming," "deconstruction," "reconstruction"... pick whatever term you want, but basically a process carefully examining many different aspects of my social, political, and religious beliefs to see what really actually aligns with the Bible and specifically the teachings of Jesus, more than what aligns with the host of dogmatic statements I inherited in years of church training. I'm not trying to persuade anyone: I'm sharing my process, in the hopes that it inspires and enlightens others. I welcome you to join me as we move forward in our faith together.
Recently a friend asked me what it felt like to lose so much of my faith. I don’t think I lost anything: instead, I feel like I’ve shed things that weren’t mine to begin with. Let me tell you about my own encounter with Aslan.
Shedding My Dragon Skin Read More »
I’ve always believed that Christians go to heaven when we die. It’s a staple of many people’s faith. Where did that doctrine come from, and what does the Bible say about heaven? Join me as I survey the various verses that talk about heaven.
Am I Going to Heaven When I Die? Read More »
What’s more important? Evangelicalism, or Christianity? Lately I’ve seen a lot of people defending the former at the expense of what I believe is Jesus’ example of how we should live as a community of faith.
The Preservation of Evangelicalism Read More »
Jesus said we’d know a tree by its fruit, and perhaps we can also know a doctrine the same way. I grew up with an end-times doctrine that is widespread in the church, but which I now recognize is bearing a lot of bad fruit. Maybe it’s time to recognize the harm.
How Revelation Warped My Theology Read More »
I’m intrigued that for an institution so absolutely central to human life, the Bible has shockingly little information about the ideal marriage. Hardly any of the examples about marriage fit our modern Christian definition of “one man, one woman, for life, with the blessing of the church and the state.”
What Defines Biblical Marriage? Read More »
I was asked today “so what exactly have you deconstructed?” Here’s a few thoughts on that question.
How I Have Deconstructed? Read More »
Too many Christians seem obsessed with power and control. But being oppressed was the very thing that helped the early church grow explosively. Are we pursing the wrong thing?
Everybody Wants to Rule the World Read More »
Today’s media systems use outrage as a currency to drive engagement. But is outrage a poison pill that is tearing us apart? I suggest there’s a better way to exist in this modern social media world.
Outrage as Social Currency Read More »
It’s really hard when trusted people change dramatically. For the sake of our faith, often we don’t really want to know why they changed. It might require us to change too.
It’s Best Not To Ask Read More »
I’ve seen a lot of conservative Christians recently argue that gays cannot be saved, or cannot be Christian, specifically because of 1 Cor 6:9-10. What does that verse say, and is it relevant?
Can Homosexuals be Christian? Read More »
