Religion vs. Gospel

A couple of weeks ago I posted a review of a book called Jesus > Religion. Jefferson Bethke wrote a very good book that I still recommend, but for those who are confused by the terminology of "religion," look at this document by Pastor Tim Keller.

If you find yourself leaning towards viewing Christianity through the Religion perspective, that is not what the Bible is all about. The Bible is all about the gospel of Jesus and the gospel. The Bible speaks of the good news of God coming down from heaven to save His children by dying for their sins.

God is good and gracious.

Jacob Luis Gonzales

#JesusisGreater - Review

This morning was the official release of the new book by poet, speaker, and - as of today - author Jefferson Bethke. The book is called "Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough."

I met Jeff last year at a speaking engagement he had at the University of Missouri here in Columbia. He did a couple of his famous poems that included "Why I Hate Religion , But Love Jesus." That particular poem was received well that night, but the poem received commentaries from all sides. Atheists were talking about it, Agnostics were talking about it, Muslims were talking about it, Jews were talking about it, Christians were talking about it... Everyone was talking about it. The discussion that this poem and video created was encouraging to see because people were talking about Jesus. This book is a follow up to his poem, and I believe that there are three reasons that everyone should talk some time to read this book.

1. He is Honest and Authentic
Jefferson Bethke has to be one of the most honest and authentic writers of my generation. He is honest about his battles with fighting against lust, which can be incredibly difficult to share in a book that will get tons of attention. Also, he is open about when he grew up in poverty and how he passionately loves his openly gay mother. His honestly about how the disagree yet they love each other is inspiring and convicting.

He even speaks about how, as a Christian, he still struggled with lust all the way to the point of sleeping with an ex-girlfriend. This is how he described his feelings afterwards:

I’ll never forget the feeling when I got home. I felt hollow, sick, dirty. I was a Christian now. I knew better. I wasn’t supposed to do that anymore! On top of that, I felt even more shame because I had planned what I did and had many opportunities to say no. I’d never had this happen before, and I’ve never had it happen since. The shame and guilt were so palpable that I literally became sick. I stayed up until six o’clock that morning throwing up, feeling so dirty and worthless and thinking I had completely failed God and that he must hate me now. (page 133)

When was the last time that you read a Christian author explicitly tell you the low points of their lives? When was the last time that you read someone open up their lives for their readers to see that they aren't perfect and above the point of the book? Probably never.

Jeff's ability to convey a sense of vulnerability and a sense of strength at the same time displays how Jeff trusts in Jesus' righteousness and His work on the cross. Even thought Jeff openly says he struggles with self-righteousness - which most of us do - but his clear dependance on God's work is evident throughout each chapter of the book.

2. Created For Discussion
It is obvious that this book is for discussion because at the end of the chapters are lists of questions that could be discussed or answered on your own. I found the questions insightful and helpful for each chapter, but I found his writing style probing me to ask my own questions.

Jeff talks about a time his girlfriend broke up with him and how he struggled with suicidal thoughts. He dives into why he struggled with those thoughts:

My worth, my identity, and my satisfaction were all wrapped up in her, and when I lost control of the situation and control of her, it felt like my god was being taken from me. That’s the truth with any idol—it will rock you to your core when it leaves. When a good thing leaves you, it might make you sad. But when an ultimate thing leaves you, you feel like you can’t live anymore. (page 115)

My first thought was, "What, if it left my life, would drive me to think I could not survive without it?"

I immediately felt convicted about two things that I needed to repent of: money and control. I am currently talking about these things now, and I pray that I overcome these idols and start worshipping Jesus rightly.


3. Jesus is Proclaimed
One clear thing about this book is that Jeff talks in depth about how scandalous God's love is for us. I'll let his words speak for the messages he wants to convey:

God doesn’t hide sin. In fact, he put it on display two thousand years ago in a splintered T-shaped piece of wood. Jesus came down to earth, lived the perfect life we never could have, and died the death we should have. And every drop of blood that poured from him was another drop of love falling on us.
Have you ever felt like your sin should be paid for?
It has been. 

All our sins.
All our filth.
All our guilt.
All our shame.
(Page 135).  

The minute we trust in Jesus, our standing becomes his standing. We no longer represent ourselves; Jesus represents us. Our faith isn’t earned. It’s counted. When we trust in Jesus, God then looks at us the same way he looks at Jesus. Even when we mess up, God looks at us and says, “Pure, spotless, blameless, perfect, holy, my child, you’re free!”
That’s what changes a heart and what stirs us to worship.  

That’s what changes someone’s life.
You don’t have to keep trying.
You don’t have to hide your sin.You just have to trust in Jesus who exchanged himself for you at the cross. (Page 137-138). 

The word worship is defined by glory and thanksgiving. We are worshiping when we give glory to something. Whatever we give glory to, we sacrifice for. Sometimes that’s sex; sometimes that’s our jobs; sometimes that’s our reputations. But we all worship something, and we all put pseudo-gods on the thrones of our hearts. 

When Jesus died on the cross, he completely reversed this curse, allowing God to retake his proper place as the one true God of our lives.
(Page 168).  

Go out and buy this book. I know that I saw Jesus in a new light and in a new way, and I know that if you commit to reading this with an open heart that God will shatter what you thought it meant to love God and follow Jesus Christ.

God is good and gracious.

Jacob Luis Gonzales

Jesus Is Greater - Buy This Book!

Just finished this book tonight. I received an advanced copy, and I am pretty sure that everyone should buy this when it comes out next week. Read it, share it, and be blessed by Jefferson Bethke's writing style and authenticity that jumps from each page. Having met this guy before, I respect him as a brother in Christ, a poet, a speaker, and now a writer. Check this out! ‪#‎jesusisgreater‬

The Promise of Jesus

We Are Hiding

Why Jesus Still Hates Religion

Jesus > Religion