The Light in Our Eyes by Nicholas McDonald Book Review

About the Book:

For the millions who have felt disillusioned with American evangelical culture, this book is a lifeline for navigating the cynicism of both conservative and progressive beliefs to find real hope in the life and mission of Jesus.

As a pastor and author, Nicholas McDonald spent years helping people work through serious questions about the evangelical church’s gospel and its often hurtful responses to those confused by American Evangelical culture. He quickly realized that what these people needed—what he really needed—was not merely apologetics answers but the good news that speaks to their deepest dreams: love, beauty, and freedom—the very things Jesus promises to those who follow Him.

With excellent storytelling and profound insights from his own deconstruction journey, McDonald compassionately addresses the concerns so many readers have with the evangelical subculture’s sense of entitlement, nostalgia, and cynicism. And he outlines a clear path to finding restoration in Jesus. The Light in Our Eyes offers nine ancient practices to help you experience anew—or for the first time—Jesus’s love, beauty, and freedom and to embody and extend them in the world. Through the scriptural song of Zechariah and relatable, inspiring stories of men and women who have been re-storied by the gospel of Jesus, this book reminds us that Jesus’ dreams fulfill what our hearts have longed for all along.

Journey from despair and darkness to faith and light as McDonald outlines a path to becoming reenchanted by the dreams Jesus has for each one of us, the church, and the world. To take up His dream is the invitation to believe again, and to hope again.

My Review:

I really appreciate McDonald's concept that deconstruction is not a one size fits all but is rather a spectrum of loyal, doubting, disillusioned, deconstructing, and deconstructed. With McDonald, I think many who have left the church are disillusioned. He points out that many have become disillusioned with the toxic American evangelical subculture, seeing something rotten in it. He notes the difference between American evangelicals and evangelicals in the rest of the world. His book is aimed at the disillusioned, giving them hope, not to return to their previous experience but to find a new experience in true Christian faith.

He shares many of his own experiences and the experiences of others, often giving verbatim dialogues. His stories provide good evidence for being disillusioned. He includes some humor and some tongue in cheek observations.

I can't decide if this book is for disillusioned young people or those who minister to them. Much of McDonald's writing style is aimed at younger readers, say college age. But some of the material, like historical sections, I think they might find boring. The long section about the effect of the Civil War on the church is a case in point. Even so, this would be a good book for discussion over a cup of coffee with those disillusioned with the current state of evangelicalism in America.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Nicholas McDonald is the Associate Pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian church in central Indianapolis and has served in ministry for over fifteen years. His previous positions have included roles in youth ministry and four years as the Campus Minister of Reformed University Fellowship at the University of Missouri. McDonald received his degree from Gordon Conwell Seminary and studied creative writing at Oxford University. He writes regularly for The Gospel Coalition and is the author of Faker. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and their three children.

Multnomah, 256 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)