Jesus > Religion

Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough

By: Jefferson Bethke

Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke

Length: 4 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Abandon dead, dry, rule-keeping and embrace the promise of being truly known and deeply loved.

Jefferson Bethke burst into the cultural conversation in 2012 with a passionate, provocative poem titled “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” The four-minute video of Bethke’s spoken-word performance literally became an overnight sensation, with seven million YouTube views in its first forty-eight hours (and 24+ million within a year). The message hit like a blizzard on social-media sites and in forwarded e-mails, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.

In Jesus > Religion, Bethke unpacks the stark contrasts that he drew in the poem - contrasts between teeth gritting and grace, law and love, performance and peace, despair and hope. With refreshing candor, he delves into the motivation behind his message, beginning with the unvarnished tale of his own plunge from the pinnacle of a works-based, fake-smile existence that sapped his strength and led him down a path of destructive behavior.

Bethke is quick to acknowledge that he’s not a pastor or theologian, but simply a regular, twenty-something, soul-starved searcher who cried out for a life greater than the one for which he had settled. Along his journey, Bethke discovered the real Jesus, who beckoned him beyond the props of false religion.

©2013 Thomas Nelson (P)2013 Thomas Nelson

Very Intimate and Inspiring

Jefferson Bethke has always been a writer I've looked out to for his relatability. If you want to hear someone motivate you by giving you life examples you need to hear, this is the book for you.

Great book for new and old believers alike

I am by no means a “new” believer and yet in some ways am an absolute baby Christian. This served as a good reminder of what it means to love God and to be His follower. It doesn’t mean avoiding a certain amount of sin. It doesn’t mean acting a certain way. It means, seeking after Christ. Jefferson does a great job at reminding of this while sharing his personal story and not getting preachy. You can tell he is going through this journey with us.

helpfully enlightening.

Loved it! whether you are bogged down in the mire of religiosity or just want a reminder of how beautiful Jesus truly is this is a fantastic book.

This is a life saving book!!!

I bought this book for a friend on her birthday hoping that she'd like it. At the time, I had no intention of buying it myself. God pulled on my heart strings to buy this book. I had no idea why at the time, but I'm sure glad I did. It changed my life. After just reading the first chapter, I wrote on my book mark 'Keep going!!! Don't listen to the devil!!! This book is going to change your life!!' I hadn't read the entire book of course, but i felt it in my soul that God was going to do something amazing!! He did!! This book has made me realize that I was faking it in my Christian walk with Jesus. I have decided to change my life and let God work through me!! I would highly recommend it to anyone who is questioning their walk with God!!!

eye opening

really opened my eyes to this season in my life trying to walk closer to God

Just perfect

One of the greatest books ever. Never heard a greatest message presented so clearly and so comtemporarily. Its just perfect.

my Faith and it's resurrection

absolutely loved it!
helped me find and secure my love for jesus!
should be best seller I recommend this book to anyone who even has a sliver of doubt or questions their love for jesus.
Jeff nerrorates the book and he wrote it so it is explained perfectly!
I got this book because I was confused and upset about church and corruption in religions I was confused and scared about what church to pick to make sure I was saved if this is you PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! Jeff has an extremely talented and perfect view if how you should see god and helps you see god for who he truely is.
What stands out to me the most about this book and will stick with me for the rest of my life is that God and Jesus should be seen as your family. YOU dont have to earn your forgiveness and you cant!, its given to you!!! and cannot be taken from you. stop trying to be GOOD ENOUGH because the truth is your not but god loves you anyways and accepts you as his child! after all we are created in his image and he sees you the way a parent sees their child. he has that unconditional love that a parent has for their child. thank you 1000 times over for writing this book jeff. you changed my life or... helped me find jesus! for who he TRUELY IS!

putting a face to grace.

wow , I've just faced all my fears , opened my scars and healed Thank you ...I was able to relate not only by listening to Jefferson and his life story but by being the opportunity to reflect on what I knew and strugled to peace together on my own.

This book had funny moments , and critical sircumstances. I recomend. I have the book and the audio. both are great tools.

Read it! Or Listen :)

This book is more than its title. Jeff does an awesome job describing his thoughts and what it means to follow Jesus! Read it!

LIFE CHANGING!!

I am utterly speechless. As a young women who has grown up in the Church I can honestly say that I’ve heard A LOT of Christian books. This book BY FAR is one that has completely changed my mindset. Jefferson’s words are all things I’ve experienced and thought in my life, it feels so good to know I’m not alone. Definitely recommend! God is GOOD!!