
It's Not What You Think
Why Christianity Is So Much More Than Going to Heaven When You Die
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $17.09
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Jefferson Bethke
-
By:
-
Jefferson Bethke
About this listen
Join Jefferson Bethke, New York Times bestselling author of Jesus > Religion, as he challenges the accepted view of contemporary Christianity with the world-changing message that Jesus actually brought.
Jesus was most upset at people for seeing but not seeing. For succumbing to the danger and idolatry of forcing God into preconceived human ideals. But what if there were a better way? What if Jesus came not to help people escape the world but instead to restore it?
It's Not What You Think tells the familiar stories of the scripture in a radically new light, presenting God's unchanging truths from the Old and New Testaments as the challenging story that it is: a mysterious, compelling narrative with God at the center.
Along the way, Bethke reminds us of the life-changing message of Jesus that turned the world upside-down—a world that God is putting back together—teaching us how to:
- Uncover our true purpose and satisfy our longing for significance
- Find the kingdom of God wherever we are
- Embrace the gifts of fellowship and community
Praise for It's Not What You Think:
"With a deep discernment of the times we're living in, Jefferson spotlights many misinterpreted truths in the Bible and puts a voice to the true heart of God's Word. His desire to bring us into a more intimate encounter with God jumps off of each page. Christians need this book—now more than ever!"—Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author of Forgiving What You Can't Forget and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries
"It's easy to get stuck in life. To let our faith grow stagnant, our walk grow weary, and our hope grow silent. Jefferson isn't okay with that and has created a book that turns what we think we know upside down. Creative, honest, refreshing. I'm a huge fan of the heart that explodes from this book."—Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work & Never Get Stuck
©2015 Jefferson Bethke (P)2015 Thomas Nelson PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
-
Jesus > Religion
- Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough
- By: Jefferson Bethke
- Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke
- Length: 4 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jefferson Bethke burst into the cultural conversation in 2012 with a passionate, provocative poem titled “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” The four-minute video of Bethke’s spoken-word performance literally became an overnight sensation, with seven million YouTube views in its first forty-eight hours (and 24+ million within a year). The message hit like a blizzard on social-media sites and in forwarded e-mails, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.
-
-
Reestablished My Calling
- By Chris Darius on 05-18-14
By: Jefferson Bethke
-
To Hell with the Hustle
- Reclaiming Your Life in an Overworked, Overspent, and Overconnected World
- By: Jefferson Bethke
- Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke
- Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is your wake-up call to resist the Hustle culture and embrace the slowness of Jesus. Our culture makes constant demands of us: Do more. Accomplish more. Buy more. Post more. Be more. In following these demands, we have indeed become more: More anxious. More tired. More hurt. More depressed. More frantic. What we are doing isn't working! In a society where hustle is the expectation, busyness is the norm and information is king, we have forgotten the fundamentals that make us human, anchor our lives, and provide meaning.
-
-
Meh. Listen to John Mark Comer instead.
- By Mackenzie W on 01-30-20
By: Jefferson Bethke
-
Love Is
- How Messy Stories Can Meet in the Heart of God
- By: Jefferson Bethke, Alyssa Bethke
- Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke, Alyssa Bethke
- Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
So many young people enter adulthood with expectations of blissful dating followed by a romantic marriage but then discover they’ve been duped. Because they learned about love and sexuality from faulty sources - social media, their friends, Disney fairy tales, pornography, or even their own rocky past - they have no idea what healthy lifelong love is supposed to be like. The results are often disastrous, with this generation becoming one of the most relationally sick, sexually addicted, and divorce-ridden in history.
By: Jefferson Bethke, and others
-
Take Back Your Family
- From the Tyrants of Burnout, Busyness, Individualism, and the Nuclear Ideal
- By: Jefferson Bethke
- Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke
- Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Toxic hyper-individualism. Widespread brokenness. America’s family model isn’t working. Ever wonder if it’s time to opt out? New York Times best-selling author Jefferson Bethke gives you the tools you need to grow your family with intention and delight. The practical ideas and true stories from families in all walks of life will give you the push you need to discover a completely new yet ancient way to do family.
-
-
Don’t waste your money / time
- By Chris on 02-24-22
By: Jefferson Bethke
-
Love That Lasts
- How We Discovered God's Better Way for Love, Dating, Marriage, and Sex
- By: Jefferson Bethke, Alyssa Bethke
- Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke, Alyssa Bethke
- Length: 5 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Young people today enter adulthood with expectations of blissful dating followed by romantic, fulfilling marriages only to discover they've been duped. They learned about love and sexuality from social media, their friends, Disney fairy tales, pornography, or even their own rocky pasts, and they have no idea what healthy, lifelong love is supposed to be like. The results are often disastrous, with this generation becoming one of the most relationally sick, sexually addicted, and divorce-ridden in history.
-
-
Excellent!!
- By Greenleaf on 10-17-17
By: Jefferson Bethke, and others
-
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition
- A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
- By: Gregory Koukl, Lee Strobel - foreword
- Narrated by: Gregory Koukl
- Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a culture increasingly indifferent or even hostile to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. In Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition, Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to artfully regain control of conversations, keeping them moving forward in constructive ways through thoughtful diplomacy. Step-by-step, you'll learn the tactics of good persuasion and defense, how to identify the tactics of your opponent, and how to build your case, patiently and practically.
-
-
Awesome Book
- By Dee Venable on 12-06-19
By: Gregory Koukl, and others
-
Jesus > Religion
- Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough
- By: Jefferson Bethke
- Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke
- Length: 4 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jefferson Bethke burst into the cultural conversation in 2012 with a passionate, provocative poem titled “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” The four-minute video of Bethke’s spoken-word performance literally became an overnight sensation, with seven million YouTube views in its first forty-eight hours (and 24+ million within a year). The message hit like a blizzard on social-media sites and in forwarded e-mails, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.
-
-
Reestablished My Calling
- By Chris Darius on 05-18-14
By: Jefferson Bethke
-
To Hell with the Hustle
- Reclaiming Your Life in an Overworked, Overspent, and Overconnected World
- By: Jefferson Bethke
- Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke
- Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is your wake-up call to resist the Hustle culture and embrace the slowness of Jesus. Our culture makes constant demands of us: Do more. Accomplish more. Buy more. Post more. Be more. In following these demands, we have indeed become more: More anxious. More tired. More hurt. More depressed. More frantic. What we are doing isn't working! In a society where hustle is the expectation, busyness is the norm and information is king, we have forgotten the fundamentals that make us human, anchor our lives, and provide meaning.
-
-
Meh. Listen to John Mark Comer instead.
- By Mackenzie W on 01-30-20
By: Jefferson Bethke
-
Love Is
- How Messy Stories Can Meet in the Heart of God
- By: Jefferson Bethke, Alyssa Bethke
- Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke, Alyssa Bethke
- Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
So many young people enter adulthood with expectations of blissful dating followed by a romantic marriage but then discover they’ve been duped. Because they learned about love and sexuality from faulty sources - social media, their friends, Disney fairy tales, pornography, or even their own rocky past - they have no idea what healthy lifelong love is supposed to be like. The results are often disastrous, with this generation becoming one of the most relationally sick, sexually addicted, and divorce-ridden in history.
By: Jefferson Bethke, and others
-
Take Back Your Family
- From the Tyrants of Burnout, Busyness, Individualism, and the Nuclear Ideal
- By: Jefferson Bethke
- Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke
- Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Toxic hyper-individualism. Widespread brokenness. America’s family model isn’t working. Ever wonder if it’s time to opt out? New York Times best-selling author Jefferson Bethke gives you the tools you need to grow your family with intention and delight. The practical ideas and true stories from families in all walks of life will give you the push you need to discover a completely new yet ancient way to do family.
-
-
Don’t waste your money / time
- By Chris on 02-24-22
By: Jefferson Bethke
-
Love That Lasts
- How We Discovered God's Better Way for Love, Dating, Marriage, and Sex
- By: Jefferson Bethke, Alyssa Bethke
- Narrated by: Jefferson Bethke, Alyssa Bethke
- Length: 5 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Young people today enter adulthood with expectations of blissful dating followed by romantic, fulfilling marriages only to discover they've been duped. They learned about love and sexuality from social media, their friends, Disney fairy tales, pornography, or even their own rocky pasts, and they have no idea what healthy, lifelong love is supposed to be like. The results are often disastrous, with this generation becoming one of the most relationally sick, sexually addicted, and divorce-ridden in history.
-
-
Excellent!!
- By Greenleaf on 10-17-17
By: Jefferson Bethke, and others
-
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition
- A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
- By: Gregory Koukl, Lee Strobel - foreword
- Narrated by: Gregory Koukl
- Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a culture increasingly indifferent or even hostile to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. In Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition, Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to artfully regain control of conversations, keeping them moving forward in constructive ways through thoughtful diplomacy. Step-by-step, you'll learn the tactics of good persuasion and defense, how to identify the tactics of your opponent, and how to build your case, patiently and practically.
-
-
Awesome Book
- By Dee Venable on 12-06-19
By: Gregory Koukl, and others
-
Garden City
- Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human.
- By: John Mark Comer
- Narrated by: John Mark Comer
- Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Garden City, popular pastor and speaker John Mark Comer gives a surprisingly countercultural take on the typical "spiritual" answer of the church. Comer explores Scripture to discover God's original intent for how we are meant to spend our time, reshaping how you view and do your work, rest, and life.
-
-
Such a beautiful take on work
- By S. Tanner on 01-05-23
By: John Mark Comer
-
Habits of the Household
- Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms
- By: Justin Whitmel Earley
- Narrated by: Justin Earley, Troy Simons, Ruth Simons
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover simple habits and easy-to-implement daily rhythms that will help you find meaning beyond the chaos of family life as you create a home where kids and parents alike practice how to love God and each other. You long for tender moments with your children - but do you ever find yourself too busy to stop, make eye contact, and say something you really mean?
-
-
Phenomenal
- By Ashley E Martin on 07-13-23
-
Live No Lies
- Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace
- By: John Mark Comer
- Narrated by: John Mark Comer
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We are at war. Not with a foreign government or domestic terrorists or a creepy new artificial intelligence hell-bent on taking over the world. No, it’s a war we feel deep inside our own chests: we are at war with lies. The problem isn’t so much that we tell lies but that we live them. We let them into our bodies, and they sabotage our peace.
-
-
Is this a political book?
- By Kickngrass on 11-30-21
By: John Mark Comer
-
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
- How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
- By: John Mark Comer, John Ortberg - foreword
- Narrated by: John Mark Comer, Kris Koscheski
- Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"Who am I becoming?" That was the question nagging pastor and author John Mark Comer. Outwardly, he appeared successful. But inwardly, things weren’t pretty. So, he turned to a trusted mentor for guidance and heard these words: "Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life." It wasn’t the response he expected, but it was - and continues to be - the answer he needs. Within this audiobook, you’ll find a fascinating road map to staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world.
-
-
Pedantic and Patronizing
- By Hannah Raveling on 08-06-20
By: John Mark Comer, and others
-
All My Knotted-Up Life
- A Memoir
- By: Beth Moore
- Narrated by: Beth Moore
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All My Knotted-Up Life is a beautifully crafted portrait of resilience and survival, a poignant reminder of God’s enduring faithfulness, and proof positive that if we ever truly took the time to hear people’s full stories . . . we’d all walk around slack-jawed.
-
-
Finished in one day
- By nedmac mama on 02-22-23
By: Beth Moore
-
Why Do I Do What I Don't Want to Do?
- Replace Deadly Vices with Life-Giving Virtues
- By: Jonathan "JP" Pokluda, Jon Green - contributor
- Narrated by: Jonathan "JP" Pokluda
- Length: 5 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We live in an upside-down culture. We wink at our vices as coping strategies while restricting our virtues to our online personas, where they won't interfere with our real lives. And we wonder why we feel empty, exhausted, and directionless. But why do we do things that we know are harmful for us? Jonathan "JP" Pokluda wants you to know there's a better, more fulfilling way to live, and it doesn't involve looking inside yourself for the answers—because that's not where you'll find them.
-
-
Best Book
- By andrea on 07-23-23
By: Jonathan "JP" Pokluda, and others
-
Resilient
- Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times
- By: John Eldredge
- Narrated by: John Eldredge
- Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Reclaim your joy and thrive through the storms of life when you find your strength in God. The human soul has a built-in yearning for joy and beauty and all good things. But that craving for life is so easily lost in the pace and demands of modern life. Join New York Times bestselling author John Eldredge as he gives you the tools you need to follow Jesus' path of supernatural resilience. Between false promises of ease and comfort on one side and the sheer busyness and stress of daily life on the other, people today are facing a shortage of peace, happiness, and strength.
-
-
Good for my soul
- By Anonymous User on 09-29-22
By: John Eldredge
-
The Love Stories of the Bible Speak
- Biblical Lessons on Romance, Friendship, and Faith
- By: Shannon Bream
- Narrated by: Shannon Bream
- Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Bible reveals not just butterflies and broken hearts. In Scripture, we see God’s beautiful design for the partnership of marriage. We witness friendships that cross all boundaries. We watch as families navigate the many seasons of life. Our guiding example for them all is the deepest, most abiding, foundational love ever known: God’s unconditional love for His people. In The Love Stories of the Bible Speak, Shannon Bream draws lessons from the good, the bad, and the ugly of Biblical romances, friendships, and families.
-
-
Uplifting and motivational book
- By Joseph Sullivan on 03-31-23
By: Shannon Bream
-
Forgotten God
- Remembering Our Crucial Need for the Holy Spirit
- By: Francis Chan
- Narrated by: Francis Chan
- Length: 4 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A follow up to the profound message of Crazy Love, Pastor Francis Chan offers a compelling invitation to understand, embrace, and follow the Holy Spirit's direction in our lives. "In the name of the Father, the Son, and ... the Holy Spirit." We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two?
-
-
The Spirit: the Power of Christ in Us
- By Greg on 02-16-12
By: Francis Chan
-
Uninvited
- Living Loved When You Feel Less than, Left Out, and Lonely
- By: Lysa TerKeurst
- Narrated by: Ginny Welsh
- Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst shares her own deeply personal experiences of rejection from the perceived judgment of the perfectly toned woman one elliptical over to the incredibly painful childhood abandonment by her father. She leans in to honestly examine the roots of rejection, as well as rejection's ability to poison relationships from the inside out, including our relationship with God.
-
-
What A Great Book!
- By Charles Andre, Jr. on 01-27-17
By: Lysa TerKeurst
-
The Word of Promise Audio Bible—New King James Version, NKJV: Complete Bible
- By: Thomas Nelson Inc.
- Narrated by: Jason Alexander, Joan Allen, Richard Dreyfuss, and others
- Length: 98 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With an original music score by composer Stefano Mainetti (Abba Pater), feature-film quality sound effects, and compelling narration by Michael York and the work of over 500 actors, the The Word of Promise Audio Bible will immerse listeners in the dramatic reality of the scriptures as never before. Each beloved book of the Bible comes to life with outstanding performances by Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Richard Dreyfuss as Moses, Gary Sinise as David, Jason Alexander as Joseph, Marisa Tomei as Mary Magdalene, Stacy Keach as Paul, Louis Gossett, Jr. as John...
-
-
Lovely...needs a section guide. I made one
- By A. Lee on 08-29-16
-
Satisfied
- Finding Hope, Joy, and Contentment Right Where You Are
- By: Alyssa Joy Bethke
- Narrated by: Alyssa Joy Bethke
- Length: 4 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Touching on topics like fear, worry, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and body image, Alyssa Bethke walks you through issues that rob you of your joy and helps you recognize them for what they are: distractions. With all of its expectations and contradictions, this world can take a major toll on us. Be skinny, but not too skinny. Work and hustle, but stay home and be a good mom. Be wild and free while tidy and pure. Love your husband, but be independent. Alyssa Bethke shares a compelling collection of relatable essays that will help you embrace and cultivate beauty in your life.
-
-
Good book but….
- By Amazon Customer on 06-30-21
What listeners say about It's Not What You Think
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Janette Hartmann
- 12-10-15
Great Read
I absolutely loved it. Your perspective on life, duty, and God is very interesting. I could not stop listening to the audiobook. It is amazing.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jennifer
- 11-19-15
Made me think
I love how each chapter is challenging in different areas of our walk with Christ. My favorite part was describing Jesus' baptism. I had not thought about God telling Jesus he was pleased with him before his journey began. How often we try and please God when we need to remember he fully loves us from the start.
Another chapter I enjoyed was on rest and how we view it in our society today. It spoke to me and I know I will return to read that section and many others.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bailey Knight
- 06-03-19
AMAZING!! A whole new perceptive to love and live by!!
This book is so beautifully written and so easily relatable to me as a growing follower of Jesus!
Yet, even for those who are slightly skeptical about the Bible or the “christian” faith, this will surely clear up a lot of the misunderstandings that unfortunately many of us fall into.
But how beautiful is God’s Grace!! I absolutely recommend this book to everyone I know!! Give it a read! It will only open your heart more to God’s true calling to intimacy with Himself and others! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Stefanie McCool
- 11-17-15
Amazing perspective
I loved that Jeff narrated his own book, made it more personal. I am also blown away by his maturity and knowledge of scripture and history. It definitely helped bring me closer to God and have a heart focused on Jesus again. Thank you Jeff!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Godknows
- 05-22-16
Mine Is biased cause I love this guy
HE DID A GREAT JOB WHILST NARRATING.HIS STORY IS EXCELLENT. I LOVE THIS BOOK. Jefferson Bethke May the Lord Bless yoooouuuu
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
- Celest
- 02-19-16
Eye Opening
Great revelations from the Holy Spirit. Thank you Jeff for being a leader to us.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Spurgeon
- 10-16-16
GREAT A-HA MOMENT
A wonderful book to listen to. I listened a 2nd time and learned so much more about myself and other thoughts that changed my mind and opened my viewing on issues as well. J B reads the book very well and I did not want to stop listening.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- F Douglas Griffin
- 08-02-17
Utterly Shocking Revelations
Listening to this book was like an amazing love story on film. I was saddened to reach the end.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- domonique
- 04-23-16
Wow!
Wow. This book brought so much awareness to my heart and eyes! One of my favorites now! Thanks bro for the insight. It brought revelation and knowledge that I needed to be aware of to go deeper in my relationship with God and to guide others on how. My favorite part of the book is when you speak about how we should set aside a day to play! Thank God for your obedience bro. I will be telling many more people about this book and buying it for my book shelf!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Angel
- 02-10-16
Most Amazing Heart Opening Feeling
I can't count how many times I was responding to the questions that you asked in this book. I haven't been able to keep the Lord's name off my lips or stop talking about how much this helped me see his love for me. Thank you for the help. Thank you for me not feeling like I was the only one in the room that was just not getting it. Because now I can have been able to let God into my heart and see.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!