About the authors

“Since ancient Hebrew kings wrote poems questioning God, faithfulness has included voicing doubt, wondering aloud about a God who seems absent and aloof. In this lovely, creative book, Bick and Schuurman bring a sociologist’s eye and a journalist’s ear to understand contemporary experiences of faith undergoing deconstruction. Their assessment is charitable without being uncritical. Their deep sympathy does not prevent them from voicing their own questions about deconstruction. I particularly appreciated how deeply Canadian this book is, taking place and context seriously. The result is a book that both informs and inspires.”

- James K.A. Smith, professor of philosophy, Calvin University, author of Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism? and How (Not) to Be Secular  

“As a Canadian and someone who experiences deconstruction, I thoroughly appreciate Bick & Schuurman’s particularly Canadian perspective on the deconstruction of belief and faith. As more stories like this become available, deconstruction is more normalized and healthy growth to spiritual independence is more possible.” 

– David Hayward, aka “NakedPastor,” and author of Flip It Like This!

“As an 'Undone', I felt seen, heard, and fairly represented after reading this book. Dr. Peter Schuurman and Angela Reitsma Bick tell the story of the Undone with profound empathy and balance. They not only clearly articulate the fraught experience of faith deconstruction but also map a path towards healing and a better future for both the Church and those on their deconstruction journey. Whether you are deconstructed, deconverted, or have never doubted your faith, this book is a must-read if you believe there is hope for the Church to become an agent of healing in Canada.”

– Josiah Mahon, podcast host of Slow Train to Heck

“This is an important book. It handles one of the most relevant and immanent challenges for the Canadian church. This is not only good scholarship and investigative journalism that pulls no punches, it does so with heart, grace, and kindness.” 

–Jared Siebert, author of Gutsy: (Mis)Adventures in Canadian Church Planting and founder of the New Leaf Network.

“We need more stories about faith deconstruction from a Canadian perspective, and this book gives us the opportunity to listen to those unique voices and learn from their experiences.”

– Martha Elias Downey, author of Go Wide: reimagining the landscape of theology. 

“Blessed are the Undone brings the reader close to perspectives and experiences rarely heard in churches, from those deconstructing their Christian faith. For the reader who is open to listening and learning, Schuurman and Reitsma Bick offer a systematic, thoughtful, gracious, and nuanced presentation and analysis of these stories – they are ‘for’ meaningful Christian community, restoration, and witness in the world. Importantly, they gift the reader with hope-filled possibilities for individuals and Christian communities moving forward.”

– Joel Thiessen, author of None of the Above: Nonreligious Identity in the U.S. and Canada, Professor of Sociology at Ambrose University, and Director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute.

“This is such an important book. Thought-provoking, heart-breaking, commendable. The idea behind the book is to chart a way forward so that deconstructing one's faith doesn't mean a wholesale abandonment of Jesus; instead, it blazes a new trail forward.”

– Alan Lensink, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of Canada Graduate Student Director

“The deconstruction journey can feel lonely and unknown; my own deconstruction felt like breaking new and unfamiliar ground in my faith. I am so grateful for the canoeing metaphor for faith deconstruction Bick and Schuurman offer, which is both very Canadian and resonates with the stories in this book and beyond. The authors’ perspective takes a step back and examines the wider landscape, offering informed expertise based on the accounts of so many Canadians. The journey of deconstruction and reconstruction as a portage to the next part of a canoeing adventure aptly maps this moment in the Canadian church.”

– Amy Bratton, Director of Operations & Publishing, New Leaf Network

“Bick and Schuurman have written a book that is both courageous and compassionate. It takes courage to look honestly within one's own community and acknowledge the problems therein. And it takes compassion to listen carefully and attentively to those who have called out those problems and who have felt their sting as they try to navigate a new path forward.”

– Dr. Brian Carwana, Executive Director, Encounter World Religions

“Blessed are the Undone addresses something new: the state of deconstruction in Canada in particular. The authors write with grace and empathy, which pairs well with the storytelling approach they take. Secularization can be treated as a bit of a bogeyman, but this work looks at the reality of churches today with a humanizing and pastoral lens. It will serve as both a breath of fresh air to ministry leaders and an interesting take for ordinary people in the pews.”

– Nina Schuurman-Drenth, Spiritual Director, Artist, and Pastor at Eucharist Church

“If you are a Canadian who is deconstructing or has deconstructed their Christian faith – or you know someone in that category – you should read this book! Bick and Schuurman tell the stories of many deconstruct-ers in a balanced and sympathetic way, neither celebrating deconstruction or dismissing it. It's an engaging and lively read, but does not compromise scholarly depth. Highly recommended.

– Sam Reimer, Professor of Sociology at Crandall University and the author of Caught the Current: British and Canadian Evangelicals in an Age of Self-Spirituality.

“I am so glad I decided to read this book ahead of the large pile of unread books I already own. Frankly, it is the most timely, important, well-researched, and well-written book I have come across in a long time. If you want to understand one of the most scary – but also (I believe) the most hopeful – movements happening across churches these days, Peter and Angela’s book is required reading. Buy it and put it on the top of your reading pile as soon as you can.”

– John P. Bowen, Emeritus Professor of Evangelism, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, and the author of The Unfolding Gospel: How the Good News Makes Sense of Discipleship, Church, Mission and Everything Else.

“A fantastic Canadian faith-centric work that helped me feel comfortable with my own questioning, while also giving me hope that something better waits on the other side of my doubts.”

– Dr. David Flatla, Associate Professor, School of Computer Science, University of Guelph

Book Reviews

Podcast Interviews

Join Angela Bick and Peter Schuurman and friends to learn more about Blessed are the Undone.