Jesus > Religion MP3 CD – MP3 Audio, April 1, 2014

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?

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.

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 needed for every Christian.Jefferson is honest. Transparent. You learn so much more about him than realised.The questions in the book help you and I think this will help every believer be free to walk with Jesus and others, free from religion and in a pure, joyful rrlationshp with Jesus... burden free.

Thanks Jeff for writing this book.I appreciate your words and I agree with you.God bless you! And keep using you in such a great way!

Originally inspired by a short YouTube video on the same subject that went viral, this book is an awesome surprise. One of the best books I've read in a long time. Straight-forward, contemporary and on point. For someone that's exploring what Jesus is all about, this book lays it all out in a simple, humble way. No fancy jargon. Not long-winded. No deep theology. No fire and brimstone. (In fact, the opposite.) Bethke writes likes you're sitting across from a good friend having coffee and talking about this topic. He openly uses raw personal experience to bring his points home in each chapter and they are unbelievably effective. Bethke has a firm grip on what grace and faith in Jesus are all about...hopefully after reading this book, others will gain some of that insight too. Highly recommend.

Jefferson traz uma abordagem honesta sobre Jesus, religião, Igreja e pessoas. Alguns pontos são desafiadores, e não concordei com 100% da visão dele (ainda), mas é uma obra necessária e o mais importante: reconciliadora. Vale muito a pena a leitura!

Un libro muy interesante, escrito con un lenguaje claro y directo (además de con una gran sinceridad) y que se esfuerza por limpiar el polvo depositado por las religiones sobre la imagen de Jesús, para mostrarnos de nuevo el corazón de su mensaje de salvación y cómo -incluso aún hoy en día, dos mil años después- sigue siendo completamente válido y reconfortante. Una lectura muy recomendable.