Jefferson Bethke
Thomas Nelson, 2013, 208 pp., $16.99
Jefferson Bethke’s Jesus>Religion begins with a well-composed introduction that gives readers an unfiltered version of Jesus Christ—as He was and not as we have made Him to be. “We’ve lost the real Jesus,” the author writes, “or at least exchanged him for a newer, safer, sanitized, ineffectual one. We’ve created a Christian subculture that is nowhere near the rugged, revolutionary faith of biblical Christianity.” This followed by a series of chapters that seeks to prove the book title’s claim by addressing topics one at a time. From relationships to grace to God Himself, Jesus>Religion displays the sharp contrast between religiosity and a life that stems from a relationship with Jesus. More importantly, Bethke challenges his readers in how they are living out their own faith. On occasion, Jesus>Religion takes a ranting tone, but much of that is resolved by a final chapter that shouts a love for the church. This would be a good resource for groups of college students and young adults as they begin to make sense of the significance of the life of Christ apart from their parents—an important season in the author’s life that is frequently referred to in the book. Being a younger voice, Bethke also would provide pastors and youth pastors with a grasp on the opinions and passions of a younger generation.
