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

by Jefferson Bethke(Favorite Author)

4.31 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1400205395 (ISBN13: 9781400205394)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Thomas Nelson

review 1: Very interesting book--there were parts that I absolutely loved. After trying "religion" for years, Jefferson Bethke finally found Jesus...but he didn't find him while mouthing platitudes in Sunday School. The Jesus Jefferson found in The Bible wasn't constantly telling people to better themselves; he was telling people to give up trying and just come to him.The first time Jesus described himself as the Messiah it was to a promiscuous Samaritan woman, the lowest of society's low. He was forever making friends with the outcasts but rejecting the churchgoers. He burst open his closed society, creating a church where Jew would worship alongside Gentile. And in response, his followers today often segregate themselves, listen only to Christian music, do wonderful service b... moreut only for people in their own congregations, and lord their holiness over the people on the fringes of society.(I'll note that I am one of these people. I hope I can take the lessons of this book to heart.)Jefferson's book abounds with a 23-year-old's enthusiasm, but whenever it started getting annoying he would rein it in and tell a humbling story about his own struggles. It's very much written for people in his own generation but older folks can still relate.This book isn't for everyone. But I can recommend it to those who are searching.
review 2: In Jesus > Religion Jefferson Bethke asks many of the same questions and wrestles with many of the same ideas I myself have been asking and wrestling with over the past few years. I wouldn't say I agree with every single word he writes, but Bethke and I have come to a LOT of the same conclusions at this stage of our journeys. Bethke's rise to recognition came as a result of his spoken word YouTube videos, which are excellent, but that also means he didn't set out to be an author. He acknowledges as much in the book's introduction, and it is evident in his writing style. At times the book feels more like a rambling rant than cleanly divided chapters of organized thoughts; however, to be honest I really didn't mind because the things he's addressing are so important. I'm just glad someone is saying what he's saying. For those who grew up in or around evangelicalism, I think Jesus > Religion could be a great starting point to challenge preconceived notions (which many don't even recognize as such) and force people to think critically about who Jesus really is and how He really ought to affect our lives. For those who are already on that journey, there's probably a lot here that will resonate with you and possibly help you to feel a little less alone. I am very thankful for this book. less

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