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Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better…
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Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough (edition 2013)

by Jefferson Bethke (Author)

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462754,002 (3.89)None
Christian Nonfiction. Religion & Spirituality. Sociology. Nonfiction. HTML:

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

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 4-minute video literally became an overnight sensation, with 7 million YouTube views in its first 48 hours (and 23+ million in a year). The message blew up on social-media, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.

In Jesus > Religion, Bethke unpacks similar contrasts that he drew in the poemâ??highlighting the difference 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 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 religi
… (more)
Member:KellyS16
Title:Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough
Authors:Jefferson Bethke (Author)
Info:Thomas Nelson (2013), Edition: later edition, 240 pages
Collections:Your library
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Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough by Jefferson Bethke

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Showing 1-5 of 7 (next | show all)
Solid read

A refreshing view on Christianity, Jesus, and religion overall.

Some rather minor details here and there would need fixing in terms of some biblical stories referenced (the levite and his concubine comes to mind). But some doctrinal differences aside a solid read. I'm SDA so my beliefs on hell, Sunday worship, etc differ from his views but those not being the main theme of the book one can throw aside those dogmatic differences aside and really enjoy the meat of the book.

An 8.5 out of 10 ( )
  Miguel.Arvelo | Jun 9, 2020 |
The book is essentially the authors testimony and opinion on how other Christians behave and shouldn't behave.
He's got some things right, but we are all in different places in our lives and though he doesn't think there are Biblical scriptures on certain things there are he just needs to look harder, (or perhaps it's not time for him to see them).
Just because someone finds something sinful/unclean, then to that person it is. As a person's walk with God becomes more holy the filter gets tighter and sin is more obvious. So where he may not find anything wrong with listening to certain movies or listening to certain music or whatever, to another person they may. The other seemed to be judging these people as being judgmental. And it is true sometimes the person that has the tighter filter needs to be reminded that someone else's filter is different, but all should abide by His word.
In some places the author comes across pretty opinionated and doesn't have all the facts, (even included a tall tale as factual), and I won't even get into the scripture part of the errors, but I think overall his heart is in the right place and it will probably attract young people that think anything to do with Jesus is about religion or things you "can't do", perhaps "Sunday/secular Christians".
I still recommend the book. It ends on a really good note. ( )
  VhartPowers | Dec 27, 2018 |
Excellent study for all people who are seeking a relationship with Jesus and who are tired of rule-following. - Pastor Tom Brennan, 2016.
  BBCHampdenLibrary | Apr 24, 2017 |
Excellent. Lots of challenging things to think about. ( )
  gpaisley | Jun 18, 2016 |
This book was a complete waste of time and utter nonsense. The author did a great job in demonstrating his naivety about the world, religion, the Bible, and yes, even about Jesus. ( )
  jimocracy | Apr 18, 2015 |
Showing 1-5 of 7 (next | show all)
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Christian Nonfiction. Religion & Spirituality. Sociology. Nonfiction. HTML:

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

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 4-minute video literally became an overnight sensation, with 7 million YouTube views in its first 48 hours (and 23+ million in a year). The message blew up on social-media, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.

In Jesus > Religion, Bethke unpacks similar contrasts that he drew in the poemâ??highlighting the difference 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 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 religi

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