Book Review: It's Not What You Think by Jefferson Bethke

Have you ever grown up hearing about something that you believed until you heard that maybe you heard it wrong? We all have in some way or another. Growing up watching the old Three Stooges films, someone told me that Curly Howard died when an elevator cable broke and he fell to his death in the elevator. It turns out that is not how he died.

Some of you are probably wondering what does this have to do with Jefferson Bethke's new book, It's Not What You Think. The simple illustration from my misinformed childhood is an example of things that have been taught about Christianity that we may have gotten misinformed about. Some of you are going are thinking there are a lot of areas the church has gotten wrong over the years.

Bethke takes a look at the greatest story of all time which is the gospel and how we have been given a half gospel in some circles. We have forgotten that the gospel starts in the garden of Eden and makes it way to the cross of Christ. Bethke takes a look at Jesus coming the flesh which means that God became a human being who lived among us at one time. Christianity is not a future experience but a life to live right now and for all eternity and the Kingdom of God is here but not fully consummated.

Bethke does give theological truth in the book and does cite the Bible but not in a way that would make this book as go-getter when it comes to teaching Christianity to new believers and even those who are skeptical of the faith. I did not feel this book getting my attention as his previous book did. It seems little rushed and going all over the place. Not saying this is a bad book, but I think the material could be presented a little more clearer.

Thanks Booklook Bloggers for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Jesus > Religion by Jefferson Bethke

Jefferson Bethke has become a YouTube sensation. His videos has addressed misinterpreted Bible versus as well as counterfeit gods that people have claimed for themselves. The one video that got everyone's attention was his poem on why he hates religion but loves Jesus which has over 25 million hits and also inspired his first book, Jesus>Religion.

Bethke recounts his own story of how Christianity was portrayed by the religious guys who keep adding rules to the Bible and he finally came to terms that the Jesus in the Bible is not the Jesus some of his followers have made him out to be. Some Christians picture Jesus as a safe man who loves all who come to him and will give you a comfortable life. It turns out that following Jesus is more dangerous than what some Christians have led others to believe.

Bethke also addresses why Jesus still hate religion to this day as well as exposing some of the fakes in Christianity. The rest of the book deals with the difference between Jesus and religion. For example, he deals with the issue of suffering which is a hard subject for a lot of Christians and even causes non-believers to reject Christianity. Religion will tell you that if you are suffering, it is because God is punishing you for some past sin you have committed. While Jesus says that I have taken the punishment for your sins through my sacrifice on the cross.

The final chapter of the book, I believe, is an important one and that is Jesus loves the church and so should we. Too many times I hear people say, "I love Jesus but hate the church," which will be a problem that will never go away especially in America. He even goes on the say what the church truly is:

The Greek word for church is ekklesia, which means a “people called out.”1 What I love about that definition is it has nothing to do with a building. Church in America is viewed as a brick building with a cross on top. Church in the New Testament is a group of people with the power of Jesus in them unleashing grace on anyone and everyone they encounter. That means when you leave “church” on Sundays, the church is leaving.

The church isn’t a building; it’s people.

The church isn’t a dead club; it’s a living organism (pg 183-184).

Furthermore, Bethke talks more about the church being the body of Christ and even where we can be real with one another where some churches do not want their members to be transparent.

All I can say about this book is simply this: Get the book. Read the book. Mark in it and share it. If you are church leader, get groups together. You know lost people who have burned by religion, give them this book.

Thanks Thomas Nelson for letting me review this book.

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This latest video from Jefferson Bethke is based on his upcoming book, Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough.



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