Bethke - Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough

PRAISE FOR JESUS > RELIGION

A leader has the ability to affect the attitude and beliefs of their followers. Jefferson Bethke is a young leader who has the attention of a passionate generation yearning for truth. This book offers a chance to uncover what an authentic relationship with Jesus looks like. Be prepared for a trip unlike what youd expect. Buckle up! It will open the eyes of readers of all ages and strengthen the faith of those chasing after the greatest leader this world has ever known.

Governor Mike Huckabee, syndicated TV and radio host, and New York Times best-selling author

This is a book that will make you think. Jefferson Bethke asks questions that your life really has to answer. Thinkers and seekers and questionersstart here. Wrestle it out. You cant walk away from these provocative pages unmoved.

Ann Voskamp, author of New York Times best-selling book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

Jesus is the focal point of the gospel. He is the center and the essence of Christianity. Thats why I love Jeffersons wholehearted determination to make Jesus the main thing. As you read his book, you will find yourself challenged to look past prejudice, habits, and traditions and rediscover the person you fell in love with in the first place: Jesus.

Judah Smith, lead pastor of The City Church and author of New York Times best-selling book Jesus Is _____.

Jeffs book will make you stop and listen to a voice in your heart that may have been drowned out by the noise of religion. Listen to that voice, then follow itright to the feet of Jesus.

Bob Goff, author of New York Times best-selling book Love Does

Leadership is not limited by age. Your legacy is not only determined by what you do as you get old, but also by who you are when youre young. At twenty-three, Jefferson Bethke is leading the way for this next generation of leaders. His raw and fresh approach to faith make this book a must-read for every person looking to discover an authentic relationship with Jesus.

Brad Lomenick, president of Catalyst and author of The Catalyst Leader

When Jefferson shares his heart and voice its simple and its shocking. Its simple because he presents the truth. Its shocking because we as the Church have added so much to the truth and embraced it as the gospel. He is a voice we need to pay attention to.

Sheila Walsh, speaker and author of God Loves Broken People and The Storm Inside

This book helped me to understand and think about the freedom to live in Christ. With biblical principles Jefferson takes us to see Jesus way beyond simply just doctrine and rules.

Ricardo Kaka, midfielder for Real Madrid

Jefferson bridges the gap between Gen X and the Millennials. He doesnt try to rediscover the Bible, but is biblically sound when asking lifes big questions and answering them with a fresh approach using todays language and current examples. Jesus>Religion is gritty while effortlessly balancing truth and grace. This is the book for the Millennial generation. It should get more views than his YouTube video.

Candace Cameron Bure, actress and New York Times best-selling author

The book you hold in your hands is Donald Millers Blue Like Jazz meets C. S. Lewiss Mere Christianity meets Augustines Confessions . This book is going to awaken an entire generation to Jesus and His grace.

Derwin L. Gray, lead pastor of Transformation Church, author of Limitless Life: Breaking Free from the Labels That Hold You Back

Jefferson knows Godflat adores himfears himwants to please him more than every human. You feel it every time he talks or writes or does his rap poetry stuff. He sees God and he makes everyone else see him, believe him, and fear him too. I love God more because of his life and I pray that through these words you will too.

Jennie Allen, author of Anything

Jefferson Bethke is a refreshing voice speaking truth. In his book Jesus > Religion he clearly communicates the simplicity of Jesus message. The book is a must-read for those who are truly interested in understanding who Jesus really is and what his message is all about.

Craig Gross, author of Open , founder of xxxchurch.com

After viewing his spoken word Jesus > Religion multiple times, I knew Jeff was a Christian that I could easily and readily relate to. The wisdom and knowledge he has of the Bible is a direct correlation to how much he loves Jesus! With great discernment, he wrote this insightful work that has helped shape my knowledge of Gods Word, thus directly growing my love for our Creator that much more. Its modern, its biblically based, and Jeffs testimonies allow readers to easily identify with the goodness of God in their own lives!

Landry Fields, small forward for Toronto Raptors

Christians have tended to have one eye open to sin and the other eye closed to religion. In this book Jefferson talks about the joy of having both eyes open in order to follow Jesus more deeply.

Pastor Mark Driscoll, founder of Mars Hill Church, the Resurgence, and cofounder of Acts 29

Im the sort of person who ought to hate this book. I think religion is a good biblical word (James 1:27). And I think the eclipse of the church and distrust of institutions is the primal sin of evangelicalism. But I love this book, and its author, and heres why. Jefferson Bethke turns our attention to Jesus, not as a system or a mascot but as a Person. And he does so with the kind of fresh exuberance that leads us to, not away from, the church. If youre tired of bleached grave religiosity, this effervescent book will give you living Christ renewal.

Russell D. Moore, president, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention

In this book, Jefferson Bethke pulls back the curtain on the subtle dangers associated with elevating religion over relationship. Jefferson is blatantly honest and refreshingly authentic as he guides us to the opportunity to leave behind plastic, shallow spirituality and really grasp the life Jesus has for each of us. Ive got a feeling this is a book people will be talking about for years.

Pete Wilson, pastor, author of Plan B and Let Hope In

Jeff Bethke in my opinion is a leader for such a time as this. Gods hand is clearly on him and I believe he is a voice for his generation. I believe that Jesus has graced him by the Spirit of God to clarify the gospel to people who are un-churched, de-churched, and over-churched. People who need the clutter of Western religiosity removed as it has been hoarding to the point where Jesus cannot be seen, exalted, and treasured. Read Jesus>Religion and contemplate the places where falsehood has taken the place of seeing the character of Jesus more clearly.

Eric Mason, pastor of Epiphany Fellowship, president of Thrive, author of Manhood Restored

Jeffs viral video poem connected with millions of people who feel weighed down by the heavy burden of religious moralism and justification by performance. His new book will take them deeper, as it explores Gods grace for sinners through Jesus Christ. Jeffs deeply personal story takes us from the despair of self-righteous religion to the hope, meaning, and grace found in Jesus, and it will resonate with anyone searching for life more abundantly.

Justin Holcomb, executive director of the Resurgence and pastor at Mars Hill Church

2013 by Jefferson Bethke

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Nelson Books and Thomas Nelson are registered trademarks of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

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