The Jesus > Religion

<p><strong><em>NEW YORK TIMES</em> BESTSELLER</strong></p><p><strong>Abandon dead dry religious rule-keeping and embrace the promise of being truly known and deeply loved.</strong></p><p>Jefferson Bethke burst into the cultural conversation with a passionate provocative poem titled Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus. The 4-minute video became an overnight sensation with 7 million YouTube views in its first 48 hours (and 23+ million in a year).</p><p>Bethke's message clearly struck a chord with believers and nonbelievers alike triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.</p><p>In his <em>New York Times</em> bestseller <em>Jesus > Religion</em> Bethke unpacks similar contrasts that he drew in the poem--highlighting the difference between teeth gritting and grace law and love performance and peace despair and hope.</p><p>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. Along the way Bethke gives you the tools you need to: </p><ul><li>Humbly and prayerfully open your mind</li><li>Understand Jesus for all that he is</li><li>View the church from a brand-new perspective</li></ul><p> </p><p>Bethke is quick to acknowledge that he's not a pastor or theologian but simply an ordinary twenty-something who cried out for a life greater than the one for which he had settled. On this journey Bethke discovered the real Jesus who beckoned him with love beyond the props of false religion.</p><p><strong>Praise for Jesus > Religion: </strong></p><p>Jeff's 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 it--right to the feet of Jesus. --Bob Goff author of <em>New York Times</em> bestsellers<em> Love Does</em> and <em>Everybody Always</em></p><p>The book you hold in your hands is Donald Miller's <em>Blue Like Jazz</em> meets C. S. Lewis's <em>Mere Christianity</em> meets Augustine's <em>Confessions</em>. This book is going to awaken an entire generation to Jesus and His grace. --Derwin L. Gray lead pastor of Transformation Church author of <em>Limitless Life: Breaking Free from the Labels That Hold You Back</em></p>