Critique: Why I Hate Religion and Love Jesus Biblical critique of the popular "spoken word" Why I Hate Religion & Love Jesus, by Jefferson Bethke

1. Why I hate Religion and Love Jesus
-JeffersonBethke
1)What if I told you Jesus came to abolish religion?
I’d say you need to read the Bible. Mat 5:17,20;Jam 1:27
Matt 5:17 Think not that
I am come to destroy the
law, or the prophets: I
am not come to destroy,
but to fulfil.
Matt 5:20 For I say unto
you, That except your
righteousness shall
exceed the righteousness
of the scribes and
Pharisees, ye shall in no
case enter into the
kingdom of heaven.
Jas 1:27 Pure religion
and undefiled before
God and the Father is
this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in
their affliction, and to
keep himself unspotted
from the world.

2. What if I told you voting Republican really wasn't His
mission?
What if I told you Republican doesn't automatically mean
Christian
And just because you call some people blind doesn't
automatically give you vision?
I mean, if religion is so great, why has it started so many
wars?
Umm maybe because there is a real one and a bunch of
fake ones. If oil is so great, if money is so great, if liberty
and freedom is so great why have they started so many
wars?
Why does it build huge churches but fails to feed the
poor?
Any proof for this idea? What about the churches that do
feed the poor… do they not qualify as a “church”. Who is
“the poor” I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t consider
themselves to be poor.
Matt 26:11 For ye have
the poor always with
Mark 14:7 For ye have
the poor with you

3. you; but me ye have not
always.
always, and whensoever
ye will ye may do them
good: but me ye have
not always.
John 12:8 For the poor
always ye have with you;
but me ye have not
always.
Tells single moms God doesn't love them if they've ever
had a divorce
Never heard any Church say that.
But in the Old Testament, God actually calls religious
people whores
There are only five references to “religion” in the Bible
they are all in the NT and make no mention of “whores”.
Act 26:5; Gal 1:13,14;Jam 1:26,27
Acts 26:5 Which knew
me from the beginning,
if they would testify, that
Gal 1:13 For ye have
heard of my
conversation in time past

4. after the most straitest
sect of our religion I
lived a Pharisee.
in the Jews' religion, how
that beyond measure I
persecuted the church of
God, and wasted it:
Gal 1:14 And profited in
the Jews' religion above
many my equals in mine
own nation, being more
exceedingly zealous of
the traditions of my
fathers.
Jas 1:26 If any man
among you seem to be
religious, and bridleth
not his tongue, but
deceiveth his own heart,
this man's religion is
vain.
Jas 1:27 Pure religion
and undefiled before
God and the Father is
this, To visit the
fatherless and widows in
their affliction, and to
keep himself unspotted
from the world.

5. 2)Religion might preach grace, but another thing they
practice
Tend to ridicule God's people; they did it to John the
Baptist
Who is the “they” Herodian’s?
They can't fix their problems, and so they just maskit
Not realizing religion's like spraying perfume on a casket
See, the problem with religion is it never gets to the core
It's just behavior modification, like a long list of chores
Like, "Let's dress up the outside, make it look nice and
neat"
Ps 101:2 I will behave
myself wisely in a perfect
way. O when wilt thou
come unto me? I will
walk within my house
with a perfect heart.
Ps 131:2 Surely I have
behaved and quieted
myself, as a child that is
weaned of his mother:
my soul is even as a
weaned child.
1Cor 13:5 Doth not
behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own, is
1Tim 3:15 But if I tarry
long, that thou mayest
know how thou oughtest
to behave thyself in the

6. not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil;
house of God, which is
the church of the living
God, the pillar and
ground of the truth.
But it's funny that's what they used to do to mummies
while the corpse rots underneath
Now I ain't judging; I'm just saying, quit putting on a fake
look
You are judging by saying something is fake. And the
Bible teaches a Christian to judge.
Matt 7:5 Thou hypocrite,
first cast out the beam
out of thine own eye;
and then shalt thou see
clearly to cast out the
mote out of thy brother's
eye.
Luke 7:43 Simon
answered and said, I
suppose that he, to
whom he forgave most.
And he said unto him,
Thou hast rightly judged.
Luke 12:57 Yea, and why
even of yourselves judge
ye not what is right?
John 5:30 I can of mine
own self do nothing: as I
hear, I judge: and my

7. judgment is just; because
I seek not mine own will,
but the will of the Father
which hath sent me.
John 7:24 Judge not
according to the
appearance, but judge
righteous judgment.
John 12:48 He that
rejecteth me, and
receiveth not my words,
hath one that judgeth
him: the word that I have
spoken, the same shall
judge him in the last day.
Acts 10:42 And he
commanded us to
preach unto the people,
and to testify that it is he
which was ordained of
God to be the Judge of
quick and dead.
Rom 14:13 Let us not
therefore judge one
another any more: but
judge this rather, that no
man put a
stumblingblock or an
occasion to fall in his
brother's way.
1Cor 2:15 But he that is
spiritual judgeth all
things, yet he himself is
judged of no man.

8. ‘Cause there's a problem if people only know you're a
Christian by your Facebook
Too funny if fakebook posts are the evidence of Salvation
most would not qualify.
Prov 25:9 Debate thy
cause with thy neighbour
himself; and discover not
a secret to another:
Prov 11:13 A talebearer
revealeth secrets: but he
that is of a faithful spirit
concealeth the matter.
Isa 3:9 The shew of their
countenance doth
witness against them;
and they declare their sin
as Sodom, they hide it
not. Woe unto their soul!
for they have rewarded
evil unto themselves.
I mean, in every other aspect of life, you know that
logic's unworthy

9. It's like saying you play for the Lakers just because you
bought a jersey
See, this was me too, but no one seemed to be on to me
I thought he wasn’t concerned with others opinions
of him just Gods. His concern for pleasing others is
now sounding like “religion” that he hates so much.
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do
I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I
should not be the servant of Christ.
Acting like a church kid while addicted to pornography
See, on Sunday I'd go to church, but Saturday getting
faded
Acting if I was simply created to just have sex and get
wasted
See, I spent my whole life building this facade of
neatness
But now that I know Jesus, I boast in my weakness
The Bible never condones boasting in sin. Paul boast in
“infirmities” -sickness, frail of body.
Jas 4:16-17 16 But now
ye rejoice in your
2Cor 11:18-19 18
Seeing that many glory

10. boastings: all such
rejoicing is evil. 17
Therefore to him that
knoweth to do good,
and doeth it not, to him
it is sin.
after the flesh, I will glory
also. 19 For ye suffer
fools gladly, seeing ye
yourselves are wise.
2Cor 11:30 If I must
needs glory, I will glory
of the things which
concern mine infirmities.
2Cor 12:5 Of such an
one will I glory: yet of
myself I will not glory,
but in mine infirmities.
2Cor 12:9 And he said
unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect
in weakness. Most gladly
therefore will I rather
glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.
Because if grace is water, then the Church should be an
ocean

11. No problem it’s not water and the church isn’t an ocean-
whatever that means. In the Bible water is: H2o, trouble,
judgment, The Holy Spirit, The word of God.
It's not a museum for good people—it's a hospital for the
broken
No, it’s not really that either. A church is a “school” for
those who want to learn how to please God; a “family”
for those who want to fellowship with others who want
to please God.
Which means I don't have to hide my failure; I don't have
to hide my sin
From God, you can’t hide sin. From man you should be
ashamed of it enough that you want to hide it. This
sounds like he has identified with sin instead of sin being
a foreign element that invaded or Cond. the “new man”.
Ezra 9:6 And said, O my
God, I am ashamed and
blush to lift up my face
to thee, my God: for our
iniquities are increased
Job 40:4 Behold, I am
vile; what shall I answer
thee? I will lay mine hand
upon my mouth.

12. over our head, and our
trespass is grown up
unto the heavens.
Job 42:6 Wherefore I
abhor myself, and repent
in dust and ashes.
Jer 31:19 Surely after
that I was turned, I
repented; and after that I
was instructed, I smote
upon my thigh: I was
ashamed, yea, even
confounded, because I
did bear the reproach of
my youth.
Dan 9:8 O Lord, to us
belongeth confusion of
face, to our kings, to our
princes, and to our
fathers, because we have
sinned against thee.
Rom 6:21 What fruit had
ye then in those things
whereof ye are now
ashamed? for the end of
those things is death.
Because it doesn't depend on me; it depends on Him

13. The payment for sin depended on Jesus, your acceptance
of that payment does depend on you. Your sanctification
depends on you.
See, because when I was God's enemy and certainly not a
fan
He looked down and said, "I want that man."
No, he didn’t. God wanted mankind (whosoever) not you
an individual.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Gal 4:8-9 8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God,
ye did service unto them which by nature are no
gods. 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or
rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the
weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire
again to be in bondage?
Which is why Jesus hated religion, and for it He called
them fools
Don't you see so much better than just following some
rules

14. You should be glad for some rules, man does not
naturally know how to please God that’s why we have a
Bible.
Prov 14:6 A scorner
seeketh wisdom, and
findeth it not: but
knowledge is easy unto
him that understandeth.
John 6:44-45 44 No
man can come to me,
except the Father which
hath sent me draw him:
and I will raise him up at
the last day. 45 It is
written in the prophets,
And they shall be all
taught of God. Every
man therefore that hath
heard, and hath learned
of the Father, cometh
unto me.
1Cor 2:14 But the
natural man receiveth
not the things of the
Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him:
neither can he know
2Cor 4:4 In whom the
god of this world hath
blinded the minds of
them which believe not,
lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ,

15. them, because they are
spiritually discerned.
who is the image of God,
should shine unto them.
Now let me clarify—I love the Church, I love the Bible,
and yes, I believe in sin
What “church” is this he loves [the one he claims does
not feed to poor?]
If he loves the Bible so much why can’t he quote any of
it?
The only time he tells us anything he “believe(s)” it
happens to be SIN.
But if Jesus came to your church, would they actually let
Him in?
Yes, he does and we do.
See, remember He was called a glutton and a drunkard
by religious men

16. Too bad this guy doesn’t have a Bible; the Bible doesn’t
say Jesus was talking to religious men; he was talking to
the multitude (joe public).
Matt 11:7 And as they
departed, Jesus began to
say unto the multitudes
concerning John, What
went ye out into the
wilderness to see? A reed
shaken with the wind?
Matt 11:19 The Son of
man came eating and
drinking, and they say,
Behold a man
gluttonous,and a
winebibber, a friend of
publicans and sinners.
But wisdom is justified of
her children.
Matt 9:10-11 10 And it
came to pass, as Jesus
sat at meat in the house,
behold, many publicans
and sinners came and sat
down with him and his
disciples. 11 And when
the Pharisees saw it,
they said unto his
disciples, Why eateth
Luke 15:2 And the
Pharisees and scribes
murmured, saying, This
man receiveth sinners,
and eateth with them.

17. your Master with
publicans and sinners?
But the Son of God never supports self-righteousness—
not now, not then
Mark 12:33-34 33 And
to love him with all the
heart, and with all the
understanding, and with
all the soul, and with all
the strength, and to love
his neighbour as himself,
is more than all whole
burnt offerings and
sacrifices. 34 And when
Jesus saw that he
answered discreetly, he
said unto him, Thou art
not far from the
kingdom of God. And no
Matt 5:20 For I say unto
you, That except your
righteousness shall
exceed the
righteousness of the
scribes and Pharisees, ye
shall in no case enter
into the kingdom of
heaven.

18. man after that durst ask
him any question.
Matt 23:1-3 1 Then
spake Jesus to the
multitude, and to his
disciples, 2 Saying, The
scribes and the Pharisees
sit in Moses' seat: 3 All
therefore whatsoever
they bid you observe,
that observe and do; but
do not ye after their
works: for they say, and
do not.
Now back to the point—one thing is vital to mention
How Jesus and religion are on opposite spectrums
See, one's the work of God, but one's a man-made
invention
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost

19. hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost
hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1Thess 2:11-13 11 As ye know how we exhorted
and comforted and charged every one of you, as a
father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk
worthy of God, who hath called you unto his
kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause also thank we
God without ceasing, because, when ye received the
word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not
as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of
God, which effectually worketh also in you that
believe.
Eph 4:11-13 11 And he gave some, apostles; and
some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of

20. God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fulness of Christ:
See, one is the cure, but the other's the infection
See, because religion says "do"; Jesus says "done"
Religion says "slave"; Jesus says "son"
Religion puts you in bondage, while Jesus sets you free
Religion makes you blind, but Jesus makes you see
And that's why religion and Jesus are two different clans
Religion is man searching for God; Christianity is God
searching for man
Which is why salvation is freely mine, and forgiveness is
my own
Not based on my merits, but Jesus' obedience alone
Because He took the crown of thorns, and the blood
dripped down His face
He took what we all deserved—I guess that's why you
call it grace
And while being murdered, He yelled,
"Father, forgive them; they know not what they do."
Because when He was dangling on that cross, He was
thinking of you
And He absorbed all your sin, and He buried it in the
tomb

21. In hell, not the tomb.
Which is why I'm kneeling at the cross, saying, "Come on,
there's room"
So for religion—no, I hate it; in fact I literally resent it
Because when Jesus said, "It is finished," I believe He
meant it