Rethinking the Bible: Is It Really the 'Good Book'? w/ John Marriott & Shawn Wicks

Before You Go, coauthored by John Marriott and Shawn Wicks, investigates the underlying reasons people deconvert from Christianity beyond surface intellectual objections. Drawing on interviews, research, and pastoral experience, the book highlights emotional, relational, and cultural dynamics that precede or accompany theological doubt. It provides insights for pastors, families, and Christians seeking to support those wrestling with faith and aims to equip readers to address both heart and mind in faith retention. The authors combine academic research and practical pastoral advice to propose preventative and restorative approaches. The work is positioned as a companion to more interpretive resources, helping readers understand the broader context of faith decline.

John Marriott and Shawn Wicks present an introductory apologetic and hermeneutics guide aimed at readers wrestling with hard biblical texts and doubts about Scripture. The book explains common modern assumptions that lead to misunderstanding the Bible, teaches genre and contextual reading skills, and addresses moral and historical objections to Scripture. It draws on the authors' pastoral, scholarly, and research experience with deconversion narratives to show how many objections dissolve with better interpretive frameworks. The book offers practical questions and steps for interpreting difficult Old and New Testament passages and encourages churches to engage these topics rather than avoid them. Overall, it argues that when read in its original context and intention, the Bible remains a trustworthy and life-changing text.