{"product_id":"jesus-religion-why-he-is-so-much-better-than-trying-harder-doing-more-and-being-good-enough-9781400205394","title":"Jesus \u003e Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbandon dead, dry, religious rule-keeping and embrace the promise of being truly known and deeply loved.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJefferson 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).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBethke's message clearly struck a chord with believers and nonbelievers alike, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn his \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestseller \u003cem\u003eJesus \u0026gt; Religion\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith 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: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHumbly and prayerfully open your mind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderstand Jesus for all that he is\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eView the church from a brand-new perspective\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBethke 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise for Jesus \u0026gt; Religion: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"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 \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestsellers\u003cem\u003e Love Does\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eEverybody, Always\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The book you hold in your hands is Donald Miller's \u003cem\u003eBlue Like Jazz\u003c\/em\u003e meets C. S. Lewis's \u003cem\u003eMere Christianity\u003c\/em\u003e meets Augustine's \u003cem\u003eConfessions\u003c\/em\u003e. This book is going to awaken an entire generation to Jesus and His grace.\" --Derwin L. Gray, lead pastor of Transformation Church, author of \u003cem\u003eLimitless Life: Breaking Free from the Labels That Hold You Back\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBethke, Jefferson:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eJefferson Bethke is the \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eJesus \u0026gt; Religion\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eIt's Not What You Think\u003c\/em\u003e. He and his wife, Alyssa, host \u003cem\u003eThe Real Life Podcast\u003c\/em\u003e and run FamilyTeams.com, an online initiative equipping families to live as a multi-generational team on mission. They live in Maui with their daughters, Kinsley and Lucy, and son, Kannon. To say hi or to learn more, go to jeffandalyssa.com.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thomas Nelson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50726216630546,"sku":"9781400205394","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_dbd0f69c-1c9f-45d9-a6db-6c0d51f436c2.jpg?v=1734858548","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/jesus-religion-why-he-is-so-much-better-than-trying-harder-doing-more-and-being-good-enough-9781400205394","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}