Jesus > Religion by Jefferson Bethke
Abandon dead, dry, religious rule-keeping and embrace the promise of being truly known and deeply loved.
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).
Bethke's message clearly struck a chord with believers and nonbelievers alike, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.
In his New York Times bestseller Jesus > Religion, 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.
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:
- Humbly and prayerfully open your mind
- Understand Jesus for all that he is
- View the church from a brand-new perspective
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.
Praise for Jesus > Religion:
"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 New York Times bestsellers Love Does and Everybody, Always
"The book you hold in your hands is Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz meets C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity meets Augustine's 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
Author Bio:
A multiple Grammy Award–winning platinum-selling artist, Lecrae has evolved into a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, speaker, thought leader, philanthropist, and co-owner/president of Reach Records. A catalyst for restoration in faith, music, and popular culture, he is part of a new wave of thought leaders who are engaging the culture and taking faith out of the pulpits into the wider world in hopes of bringing restoration!
To date, Lecrae has sold millions of albums and has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards, including a win for Best Gospel Album, fifteen Dove Awards, and one Billboard Music Award. He has also received both a Soul Train Music Award and a BET Hip Hop Award nomination. From his 2017 album, All Things Work Together, his single "I'll Find You," ft. Tori Kelly, is now certified platinum by the RIAA (sold more than one million copies), and "Blessings," ft. Ty Dolla $ign, is now gold (sold more than 500k). In addition to his book I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion but Found My Faith, Lecrae released an album titled Restoration and a three-part video narrative titled The Road to Restoration, a prelude to his forthcoming documentary.
Lecrae is involved with and partnered in several community initiatives that are rebuilding the west side of metro Atlanta, commonly known as The Bluff. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and three children.