Jesus > Religion

Hi, This book is everything I already thought about God/religion/churches/real Christians , but it was great to have someone write it down in a great way. He is a great writer and has great insights. He is not a pastor etc, but was on a journey to figure out God/religion/church etc. He had his upbringing in church which bored him. Model Christians may miss the mark and New age may miss the mark. Are there real Christians? Each chapter has questions at the end that summarize the chapter...good for group discussions or personal thoughts. He has some great insights. Trying to earn heaven? It is worth reading. I have not gone to church for awhile since I can't get up in the morning, but I agree...each church represents people who are about the same personality. I wonder what one of my churches I enjoyed would do if a motor cycle gang drove up to church for service. Can a person be ok without a church? All I know is I can feel the vibrations of positive energy like people who go to a foot ball game instead of watching it at home. People need people and love. God is about love and to be isolated is not good. Life is the school, love is the lesson is the bumper sticker on my car. I agree Jesus hated religion, but God is not religion. Man made religion to try to earn their way to heaven and feel safe/protection maybe. To me a real Christian will show love, not just follow rules to try to get to heaven. If they don't love they are not full of the Holy spirit in my opinion. My kids went to a christian school...they got a lot of religion and prayer/Bible learning and some love, but not positive thinking. The focus was too serious sometimes which attracts maybe sad things. I have never seem so many bad things happen. I read the whole Bible a few times...too serious and church didn't teach always the whole story and dark things in the Bible. Taking the Bible to literal each church may focus on a different part of the Bible. I like to read the words of Jesus...to me that is the most important part. I agree grace/love/forgiveness etc. is the new law more than rituals/Old testament. When I hear a sermon I don't want to hear man's wisdom and his learning curve, but God's wisdom. I went to one church where most of the songs were very depressing and can only be happy in heaven. The people were depressed also and had to force self to pray/go to church like it was a duty instead of enjoying it. They would call themselves Christians and other churches were not considered Christian. There were many good things about that church, and great fellowship, but right now I don't feel like I would "fit in" to any church so I watch on TV Joel Osteen talk positive. I know he is not talking much about the New testament, but think he is living the Christian life with more faith than others and wisdom. He knows to stay connected to God and give him the glory/praise/honor and thank God. Jesus did not come to judge, but teach people how to reconnect to God and how to live. I wanted to help at one church, but they said they didn't want people like me to help in the nursery. They run the church like a business and get to "hire" who they want...even though it is volunteer and they desperately needed nursery help, but didn't want me. I could only be a spectator there 99% of the time. They didn't want my help except with Bible school...didn't person in charge of that. Another church the pastor talks about sex/money too much and wants to be a famous preacher. He is like a comedian and many "down and out" people go there since they are sad and need his humor. Another churches...not my style of music/preaching/or what I believe. I need a church that I can be accepted/loved/listened to/lets me help and teaches what I believe. I don't go to church for entertainment, but to learn/songs/sermon/fellowship. I can pray/thank/praise God at home. I don't do communion since I can't have alcohol/gluten and I think God would understand. I have done full body under water baptism like Jesus did. This is an excellent book...gets people thinking. I have already had many discussions about religion versus God, but he adds new insights into the debate. People may decide to be atheists since they have not witnessed real Christians. All people sin, but where is the love? God gave a new law...grace/mercy/love/forgive. Kent Brantly to me is a real Christian. Religious wars...some will say God allowed killing in the Old testament. New testament...Paul's opinion 4X..man's wisdom? People may use against gay people? Where is the love?

When Jeff first posted his "Why I hate religion but love Jesus video", I was amazed to see how many people it resonated with. People that I know for a fact aren't Christians were reposting it and saying how much it impacted them. That video was just a teaser to what Jeff is capable of doing with the help of God. I have been following his videos and postings ever since and I was very eager to read his book. Now let me tell you I am NOT a big reader, especially of "religious" books. I am in my mid twenties and yes I am a Christian but I keep an open mind when reading such things. That being said, I thought this book was AWESOME. I literally couldn't put it down and plan on reading it again and again. He is not a writer and I think that helps the book. It is written very simply and its not very long so anyone can enjoy it without struggling through. He is real and shares some deep stuff from his life about his struggles and experiences that you won't find in most books about Jesus. Honestly I think that no matter what you believe or don't believe, this book is worth reading. I feel comfortable recommending this book to anyone ranging from my Christian friends, to my atheist friends, to my old school Catholic grandma. Jeff tells you about the real Jesus, not the one in the media or the one religion tries to portray. Even if your an atheist I suggest reading this. I'm not going to say it will convert you but at least you'll really know who this Jesus guy was and what he is all about. So in summary: Great book, easy to read, not to long, actually interesting and full of Jeffs deep personal experiences, almost guaranteed to give you a whole new twist on Jesus and Religion. I promise it will leave you thinking.

This book is a must have for every living person on this planet. I don't say that just because I received a pre-release copy of the book, or because I became part of a Street Team to help promote the book. Both of which are true. However; this book both transformed, and reaffirmed what Grace truly means in my personal life. What first made me fall in love with this book was they style it was written. It was open, candid, and personal. I almost felt as if I was in a coffee shop in the great Pacific Northwest (cause that's all the exists there, amen?), having a conversation with Jefferson as he poured his heart out about Jesus. "The Jesus of the Bible is a radical man with a radical message, changing people's lives in a radical way." Jesus. The focal point of this book; Jefferson has a convicting, and convincing way of painting who the real Jesus is. The passionate, hungry, fiery, dangerous all loving man who we can have a real and personal relationship with. As Bethke writes, we understand that Jesus isn't a cookie-cutter cute baby that we sing about during Christmas, but a an all-powerful God who has set us free from bondage. "And when He said `It is finished,' I believe that He meant it." Grace isn't something that we earn, achieve, or work for. We see that common thread throughout the book, and Bethke doesn't shy away from the tough topics that have many Christians, and non-faith based leaders in controversy. Alcoholism, homosexuality, pornography, tattoos, sex, and similar topics are on the forefront of debate in this book. This is what hit hard with me, and what Jefferson so simply articulates: it doesn't matter what we deal with. Grace isn't extended to those who struggle with some sin and not others. Through Christ, we are made righteous. Period. Regardless of your situations or circumstances. If my college student budget (essentially $0.00) would allow, I would purchase this book for everyone that I love and care about. Everyone needs to hear the message of God's grace, and his unmerited favour. Without understanding this concept, we are just God's employees; putting in our good work to receive our good pay. We're God's sons and daughters, not someone under contract. The Bible says "God so love the world," not "God will love the world if." He already loves us. And the battle has already been won. We are His, and He is ours. We just need to accept the grace he gives us, and live in it. Jesus redeems us. Jesus makes us righteous. Jesus makes us blameless. Jesus makes us holy. Jesus makes us perfect. Religion does not. Jesus > Religion? Not just a book, a life changing experience. And the most quotable book of 2013. And years to come.

First as a young adult and than as a youth and young adult minister, let me say thank you. Jefferson Beth's was first introduced to me in a presentation by our bishop. It was a session during a very popular and large youth convention. The breakout session was for people trying to support relevancy in ministry. After watching Jeff's YouTube of the poem, I was moved to share his words with others and eager to hear more. A few years later I was introduced to this book and I am extremely excited that I was. On so many levels I relate to the ideas and feelings expressed in this book. I also know several youth/Young adults that are impacted by religion and struggle to be liberated without condemnation. In these pages you are reminded that only dependency on Jesus allows you the authority to live freely yet in decency. We are living in a society and time where we must consistently remind ourselves and the body of believers that as the church we are called to reflect Christ and humbly lead others by serving. Jefferson's book is a must read for young and old. It is a reminder and a teacher for those that are called to Christianity. A reminder that we all fall short of God's glory, but it teaches us to be honest and humble as we are all a part of ministry together. A body of workers, working to enlarge God's Kingdom and worship him in unity. I plan on introducing this book as a social conversation piece to our ministry and using the questionnaire portion to invoke individuality and provide further foundation for our groups spirituality. I pray others would consider the same. Shalom.

This book is probably one of the best books that has come out for Christians in a long time. In it Jeff has three major themes that struck me. The first theme is that Jesus knows Christians will make mistakes. They will be critical of the person who sings off key, they will judge the person who smells bad. They will be upset with the parents who do not control their children in Church, School, on the playground. They will become angry at the person, who cuts them off on the highway or cuts in line at the grocery store; they will be discouraged about certain life problems and etc. Jesus knows this will happen and says to the Christian do not stuff these thoughts and feelings down, do not pretend you are okay, but admit them, accept them, own them, experience them and then realize that when you give them to Me I take them to the cross and exchange them for you for My perfectiveness, My innocence, My wholesomeness. The second theme seems to be that Jesus did not come to save the righteous or self-righteous, but He came to save the very people mentioned above. It is not only them; but people who have warts on their noses, moles on their cheeks, a stammer in their speech, and a lurch in their walk. He came to save the tax evader, the prostitute, the speeder, the abuser and the con person. Yes, even the child molester and the murderer and the outcast woman on the street corner. You name it and Jesus came to take all of these people’s behaviors and exchange them for His sinlessness. The third theme is that the Christian does not have to work to be good. The Christian is already good through Jesus’s goodness. The Christian is already innocent, whole and holy because Jesus is innocent, whole and holy. The Christian is already blessed, peaceful, gentle and joyful because that is the Nature of Jesus and He has exchanged our condition for His. Christians do not have to work to be these things; they just have to begin to except that this is true about themselves. Christians have the Star of David (Jesus) within their heart and soul and all they need to do is realize this and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

This is a book about knowing Jesus. Jefferson doesn't use words on a page to get your attention, he talks to you directly through his writing and brutal honesty. He is both engaging and encouraging. If you are struggling with your faith, get this book and dive in.

I remembered seeing a brief clip of an interview with Jefferson Bethke while I was visiting my parents. I didn't think much about it, but I agreed with what he said, as did my parents. I didn't really think much more about this young inspirational speaker until recently. I've been trying put my thoughts down about growing up and being Christian in a world that somehow seems to be mostly secular. I wanted to be better able to explain to my children why loving and believing in Jesus is so essential. As I pondered the issues, I remembered that interview. I didn't remember Jefferson's name (Sorry about that, Jeff), but I goggled the main point that I remembered, which was about hate for religion, but love fore Jesus and I found his name and Youtube Videos. I watched all of them I could find and then I saw that he wrote a book, so I bought it. Jefferson seems to have a way of explaining God's love for us that is amazing. He emphasizes God's grace and forgiveness and gives us every reason to accept God's grace. Reading Jeff's book is almost like reading my own thoughts, except Jeff knows how to explain them better and he uses the Bible to back up those explanations. I especially liked his ideas about the gay community. The main point is that just because we believe that being gay goes against God's order, doesn't mean we have to hate, persecute or reject gay people. God doesn't hate gay people, he loves them, just as he loves everyone, despite our sins. I also liked how Jeff emphasized how we should never be self righteous. We don't deserve "Heaven" any more than anyone else, even if we go to Church every day. Heaven is God's gift and it belongs to everyone who choses to accept it by accepting Him. Job very well done!

I had always thought that something wasn't quite right with the churches we were going to. Something felt missing. Many times I didn't see the love we were called to live out. Coming out of a divorce family with two extreme belief ideas, God has given me a balance between them. My dad is very religious and zealous, while my mom was nonreligious yet I had seen love in her and not in my dad. She was a universalism and believe that everyone had some truth, every religion was right( not saying I agree with this, nor do I believe that. How can one say the door is open and one say no it's shut both be right, it's either or.) Anyway she had always told us that she didn't care what religion we were part of or what we believe. She just want us to think for ourselves and believe something because that's what somebody says to do. She said she would accept us regardless and still love us as our children. She didn't see the importance of going to the "church" and stop going altogether. She thought it was more important to visit your grandparents and to help out the needy. My mom isn't perfect but I have learn much from her. My dad was extremely strict and it had to be done such a way. With many rules and regulations No Halloween No NonChristian Music No Harry Potter and so on. On the other hand he did bring up into a "Christian family" and taught me about Jesus early on. We often had to do prayer chair (where one goes on to the chair and everyone prays for him. I really appreciate them and always felt good about them), "praise and worship time" where we would sing his made up songs to God, and daily bible reading times. Even though at the time I didn't like those and always thought they were boring, they help me with my foundations with Christ. So I have learn things that were good and things that were not with both of them, helping shaping me. One time I was arguing with my dad about not going to church on Wednesdays (which was super important for him. You can't miss church) I told how the youth group was dead and how I wanted to go to a different church one instead, but he refuse to listen and I had to go. This went on for awhile. I was also 18, a junior in high school. So one Wednesday evening when we were getting ready to leave, I told him I wasn't going and walk out. He was furious and said I command you to come back and if you don't obey than you are breaking the scriptures (or something like that, super controlling and manipulative, changing the words out of the context for his will) so ignore him and drove to my moms (since they were divorce) My mom told me how proud she was since I stood up for myself. Later he told me I couldn't go back to his house unless I go to Wednesday church with him again. I never did so I was kick out of his house. The thing was I was still responsible for my younger siblings and to drop then off but I was unable to go inside. Talk about pain. Not only that but a few weeks later I got into a pretty bad car crash but both the driver and me were safe. Our cars were pretty mess up. I would normally call my mom for help but she wasn't in town so I had to call my dad for help. I was terrified, but I eventually call him and him and my step mother came. I told him what happen and he offered to drive my car home(it was still drivable) and I got to ride home with my stepmother. I'm glad too because I was so shaken up that I couldn't drive even if I wanted too. So we went home (first time for me in weeks) and we ate dinner. Thinking everything was back to normal he ask me again if I was going to church on Wednesday. I said no and we both knew what that meant and I went more weeks with out seeing them. Eventually he realize how dumb it was and change the "punishment" to no watching tv or such and such, which I didn't really watch a whole too much. So I got to go back to the house. And eventually the "punishment" was completely remove. Right now we are good with each other and a side note we had a pretty good relationship with each other before the whole thing started. Another thing was I was going to church on my own and many times I was alone since I didn't knew a whole lot of people. I was extremely thankful the situation and trusted in God that everything was going to be okay. Because before that I didn't really had a way to understand those who had it worst than me and I could understand what my cousins where feeling a lot better. Sorry for getting carried away and writing nothing about the book. At first before I even read it I thought I was good enough and didn't need to read it, but after reading it I was really wrong. It help reminded me, reestablish, and change my paradigms. Some things I always new because they had always been on my heart. Other things were tear crying moments of I'm wrong. I started to see Jesus more clearly. Nevertheless the real question is should You read this book? Yes! I don't care where you are in your walk with Christ or don't even know him. Just do it.