Ep. 118: Nicholas McDonald on healing from disillusionment.
Have you ever felt disillusioned?
In this episode of MercyCast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Nick McDonald, the author of The Light in Our Eyes: Rediscovering the Love, Beauty, and Freedom of Jesus in an Age of Disillusionment. Our conversation was a raw and honest exploration of vulnerability, adversity, disillusionment, and rebuilding faith.
Nick opened up about his journey—what it looked like to question long-held beliefs, wrestle with evangelicalism, and confront the trauma that often lingers in religious spaces. I deeply resonated with Nick's reflections on what it means to rediscover the Gospel, not just as a theological concept but as a source of grace, compassion, restoration, and renewal.
This episode is a reminder that it's okay to ask questions. It's okay to lament. And it's okay to start again.
If you've ever felt disillusioned by the Church, or if you're searching for a faith that embraces both the head and the heart, the spiritual and the physical, I believe this episode will meet you where you are.
Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:
Vulnerability is a scary but necessary part of faith.
Many people are deconstructing their faith to find what is real.
Deconstruction can lead to confusion, but it can also foster growth.
The Gospel often presented is anemic and lacks depth.
We need to address the whole person in our faith journey.
Jesus cares about both our souls and our bodies.
Historical context is crucial in understanding evangelicalism.
The Social Gospel has implications for how we live out our faith.
Restoration and renewal are central to the Christian experience.
Disillusionment can be a part of growth in faith.
Listen to the full episode:
For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.