Jesus Is Better than You Imagined

by Jonathan Merritt

Is the God who created us better than the God we've created?

After following Jesus for nearly two decades, Jonathan Merritt decides to confront the emptiness of a faith that's dry, predictable, and rote. In a moment of desperation, he cries out for God to show up and surprise him, and over the next year, God doesn't disappoint.

In JESUS IS BETTER THAN YOU IMAGINED, Jonathan shares vulnerable stories of how he learned to encounter Jesus in unexpected ways. Through a 60-hour vow of silence in a desert monastery, he experiences Jesus in silence. When a friend dies of a rare disease, he sees Jesus in tragedy. Through confronting childhood sexual abuse, Jonathan discovers Jesus in honesty. In an anti-Christian-themed bar, he finds Jesus in sacrilege. And when he's almost kidnapped in Haiti by armed bandits, he experiences Jesus in the impossible.

Though Jonathan finds himself in places he never dreamed of, he doesn't lose his way. Instead, these experiences force him back to the Bible, where he repeatedly offers fresh, sometimes provocative, interpretations of familiar passages. Along the way, he throws back the covers on the sleepy faith of many Christians, urging them to search for the Holy in their midst.

Pointed and poignant by turns, Jonathan helps readers open their hearts to a mysterious God and a faith that sustains, guides, and most importantly, surprises. His fearlessly honest story invites us all to discover the messy mercy and crazy grace of a sometimes startling Savior.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Theology, Spirituality, Christian Living, Faith

208 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Jonathan is a faith and culture writer who has published over 300 articles in respected outlets such as USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, BeliefNet, Christianity Today, The Huffington Post, and CNN.com. He is author of Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet (2010), which Publisher's Weekly called "a must-read for churchgoers," and the forthcoming A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars (April 2012). As a respected Christian voice, he has been interviewed by ABC World News, NPR, CNN, PBS, Fox News, The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Jonathan first entered the public eye when a classroom epiphany prompted him to organize a national coalition of Christian leaders who care about the creation, founding the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative. Since then, he's been on the front lines of pressing cultural conversations from poverty to orphan care. He is a member of the national board of directors for Bethany Christian Services, America's largest adoption agency. Outreach magazine recently named Jonathan one of "30 Emerging Influencers" reshaping Christian leadership.

Known for his ability to tackle difficult issues through both the written and spoken word, Jonathan has become a sought after speaker by colleges, seminaries, churches and conferences on cultural and religious issues. He holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC) and a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology (Atlanta, GA). Jonathan resides outside of Atlanta, GA where he serves and teaches at Cross Pointe Church.

You can follow Jonathan, but please, only on twitter: @jonathanmerritt

Reviews

[Amy E Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is difficult to put into words how this book impacted me. I entered it knowing at least one chapter I read an excerpt of at Christianity Today (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2...) would be meaningful, I had no idea the entire book would speak volumes to me and my unique experiences. This book, a telling of Jonathan Merritt's journey from a stale and empty faith to one unfettered, free, and full, speaks truths many in his generation- and even mine- have only felt but not been able to communicate. Jonathan walks the reader from a place of wandering to a place called home. He takes personal experience and weaves in his deep theological knowledge to show the reader how they too may find their way on a similar journey. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced pain- whether in the church or not. You will discover Jonathan has thrown a strong scarlet thread over an impenetrable fortress to those in need of rescue. It is a thread called grace.

[Anthony Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I'm quite honest, this book disappointed me. I enjoy some of Merritt's other work and I was ready to enjoy this book. The first couple of chapters were pretty good, but I didn't find any of the content really fresh or striking. It's not bad either, so I'm not downing it. I was just hoping for more. It may hit other people at the right moment and provide a bit more reinvigoration.

Pet peeve: This barely had the length for a real book. There was triple spacing between every paragraph. Some of the chapters were just long blog posts. This annoys me when I'm willing to thrown down for an actual physical copy of a book.

I was disappointed, but this is NOT a bad book. It may be great for some people. For me, it was pretty "meh." I appreciate his honesty, but that's the work's strongest suit. I'm glad the writer seems to have found some answers and peace on things and hope this work is merely the beginning of a lot of really good stuff.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in a long time. The book is approachable, regardless of your faith experience or tradition; nothing in it comes close to the "Christianese" found in most books of this ilk. Throughout, Merritt presents salient Christian truth with personal anecdotes. He doesn't pull punches, calling out Western Christianity in some needed areas. However, the book is not a post-modern critique encouraging a deconstructed faith nor does it sacrifice some portions of Scripture to emphasize others. It's rather Merritt's introduction to the Person who changed his life, and whether you know God already, think you know Him, or want to, you will find something (Someone?) in the book that will speak to you where you are.

[Jason Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of compassion and honesty, this is the book I needed to read this year. Jonathan struggles with some of the same questions many young Christians have, but rather than give up and assume it's wrong to ask those questions he asks them with such humility and grace that readers will be inspired to open their Bibles, go to their knees in prayer, and seek the answers from the places that matter: in the words of Jesus and in the hearts of those who love you.

I appreciate this book so much and I believe you will, also.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read any other works of Merritt except for magazine articles so I was not sure what to expect.

My initial impression was is was too simply written - too easy to read. I then reread a chapter in effort to slow my reading down and it read much better.

The book is simply written and confronts the idol Jesus and points us to the real McCoy. After a point the simple prose is perfect for the message delivered.

If anything, every Christian MUST read Chapter 5, A Thread Called Grace. It painful to read and should change most readers.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly appreciated Jonathan's honesty as he shared much of his journey in finding out that Jesus truly is better than you imagined. I felt such a connection with him as he shared his legalistic upbringing and found myself nodding along as I read his story. Great read

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely Encouragement

I have been struggling in my faith for almost two years now. Christianity had become a performance based club in which only the best and brightest benefited. Reading this book has reminded me of the Jesus I saw and believed in when I first became a Christian, over thirty years ago. Thank you Jonathan Merritt for sharing your story, it was the encouragement I needed at this time in my life.

[Olga Rezanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this was like getting a hug from an old friend so, I read it in one sitting.

I laughed, I cried, I felt understood and challenged, and most of all, I felt love and grace coming off of the pages.
Jonathan challenges you to sit with the things you don’t understand, to meet God where he is (and on his terms), and to look for God in places you might not expect him to be.

I am breathing a little easier after having read this, and I am fairly confident that I will need to read it again.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book, but I think it falls into the problem of many memoirs written by people who are still young, that they lack the life experience to have something truly unique to say. The author is a religion reporter, whose father was a Baptist pastor, who has come to challenge some of the conservative evangelicalism of his childhood. he has some interesting insights, but doesn't stay on any one topic long enough to really develop it.

[Will Abrams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Merritt's book is full of good honest questions about the American church. I'm not sure the book satisfies them with answers, but this is likely a refreshing read for those who feel themselves going through the motions in their church lives.

[Aaron Case · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Merritt's journey from the (sometimes) plastic facade of Bible belt Baptist Christianity to the more raw and real, life with the authentic Jesus who is of course, better that you imagined.

[Mindy Seekford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the raw and honest words that Jonathan shared. This book is a must read!

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan is a good writer. He takes some new approaches and adds perspective to well-travelled roads. A worthwhile read!

[Eleanor Hoppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good balance of personal narrative and reflections on faith and religion. Thoughtful and readable.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

JESUS IS better than you imagined! This was a very good read and I'm glad I own a copy. I felt the first three chapters were the best. To me, it seemed that a couple of the other chapters were a nod to popularism and PC. Stil, Jonathan Merrit has a solid voice in a heavily trafficked subject (as it should be). He brings a fresh fast paced voice to contemporary Christian writing.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never read anything by Jonathan Merritt before, but his article in Christianity Today (which was taken directly from this book) floored me and I decided that if we was willing to be that honest and real, I wanted to see what else he had to say.

It was well written throughout, and even though it didn't always capture my attention, it did most of the time and I was encouraged by so much of what he had to say, and he certainly has a gift when it comes to writing.

I especially loved these quotes from the book:

"The God of the Bible is not one who settles in a single place waiting for us to show up, but one who scatters His presence in every nook and cranny like wedding rice"

"God wanted to wow me and woo me and love me and surprise me, but I wanted to manage Him. He wanted to expand my capacity to encounter Him, and I wanted to control Him. No wonder the relationship often grows strained."

"Embracing mystery means acknowledging how much I don't know, admitting how small a piece of the puzzle I hold, and yet accepting that through it all God can still be trusted."

"Perhaps each morning when I throw back my covers, I should begin searching for manna, for those seemingly routine blessings that God has placed on my doorstep. Maybe I should become a scavenger for God's kept promises that I might otherwise brush past or skip over."

"I claim to believe in a God who can and wants to work miracles, but my prayers rarely probe those places. I keep my requests limited to tasks I can well accomplish myself, perhaps because I'm afraid God won't come through. If I don't ask God to rescue me or heal my body, I don't have to worry about how to cope if He chooses not to. I often lament my weak faith, but should I expect more when my prayers are even weaker?"

"Where I'm going determines what I see, and what I see can affect my entire experience of living"

"As it turns out, sometimes God lets our house burn down so we can better see the sun rise"

"Waiting is that excruciating place between where I am and where I want to go"

"I grow weary in waiting because I think every wait is a waste...waiting doesn't mean wasting. It means God is working"

"God does not rush around the china shop of life making sure the teacups don't fall off a ledge and break. Rather He stays ever present as the gracious shopkeeper, picking up the cracked porcelain, supergluing it, and placing it among His most prized possessions"

"...not only did Jesus hang out with 'unholy' people, He hung out in 'unholy' places. The dinner tables of tax collectors, parties thrown by immoral socialites, and, perhaps most reprehensible, wells in Samaria"

"God isn't the annoying dad who pecks at you when what you really need is to be left alone. He knows that sometimes you need to experience His absence to crave His presence, and sometimes we know Him better by missing Him"

"The church is a gathering of individuals who, when you are nearing the end of your rope, will tie it to a rock so you don't fly away"

[Tavo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I unfortunately received a free copy of this book through the First-Reads giveaway.

Jesus Is Better Than You Imagined is about the author's (Jonathan Merritt) experience as he learns more about the nature of God and his attempt to expose some apparent misconceptions. In order to be convincing the author must, at the very least, make logically sound claims. This is where things go wrong.

To begin with, the author recounts a moment when he apparently encounters God. When singing an early morning hymn on his back porch (a daily ritual of his) he claims "a mighty wind blew, sweeping up leaves and grass clippings" causing trees to sway for the entire duration of the hymn. Now there are two possible explanations for this; (1) Heat displacement. Or (2) God violated the laws of physics in order to remind the author that he is everywhere. Now a reasonable man would conclude that coincidences happen. Not the author. In fact, he tries to re-create the moment about a month later and is actually confused when he fails (If only he could re-create the moment at his will, imagine all the free energy that could be harnessed). The author concludes that God was actually trying "to expand my capacity to encounter him." A faulty conclusion based on faulty premises.

The book continues in this same spirit. At the end of the book, the author recounts the time a group of women took him aside and prayed for him. Later, one of the women e-mailed the author to let him know what she "seen and heard" during the prayer session; "Expect the unexpected. Look for the unusual. Get out the box because things are shifting... You have thought this a difficult season -this situation would not change. In fact, you have gotten comfortable in a strange way with this trial." Now a reasonable man would conclude that perhaps these women are constantly giving similar prayer sessions to random people every chance they get and perhaps the vague language they use will sometimes happen to coincide with what these random people are experiencing. That's what a reasonable man would conclude. Not the author. He makes the conclusion that it was a "prophetic utterance."

From beginning to end, I could highlight every faulty premise in every chapter and every faulty conclusion, but I have already wasted too much time on this book. It's all the same. You've heard it all before; You must stop talking in order to be able to listen to what God is saying. God is everywhere. He appears in unexpected ways. God cannot be fully comprehended. It's all the same.

Because I value rational (and original) thought, I'm afraid I cannot recommended this book.

[T.C. Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Overview

The book contains twelve chapters–ten “Encounters,” bookended by two chapters, an introduction and a conclusion. Each of the “Encountering” chapters is based own a personal story, ranging from a journey to a monastery in the New Mexico desert to a bar, “Nestled in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, a gentrifying district in the heart of the city, this bar has become a hipster hangout, a gathering place for the dechurched, and a regular happy hour stop for the obscenely beautiful casts of Drop Dead Diva and Vampire Diaries.” The reader discovers a vulnerable Jonathan Merritt in these pages, especially in the chapter “A Thread Called Grace: Encountering Jesus in Honesty.”

The reader also finds Mr. Merritt rethinking and challenging along the way his own fundamental Southern Baptist roots and upbringing. You see, Jonathan Merritt grew up in the home of a well-known Southern Baptist pastor–a home from which he draws over and over, in his journey of discovering that Jesus is better than he imagined.

Mr. Merritt is quite adept at storytelling. Neither is he afraid to rethink the popular use of certain Scriptures.

A Critique

For the most part, I enjoyed reading Jonathan’s Jesus is Better Than You Imagined, especially the vulnerability shown throughout. However, as much as I appreciate the vulnerability displayed, I was left thinking that Mr. Merritt was too ambiguous toward the end of his most vulnerable chapter (which I mentioned above).

In addition, as I turned each page, I kept saying to myself, “I have read this book before: another frustrated evangelical Christian, challenging that fundamental element of the church tradition he or she grew up in.”

Next, I believe the title of the book really doesn’t fit its contents. The book would have been better titled Fresh Encounters: How I Discovered Jesus is Better Than I Imagined. Why? Well, ten of the twelve chapters are these “Encounters,” which leads Mr. Merritt to a rethinking and a re-imagined of the Christian tradition he was bred in.

Concluding Thoughts

While the reading of Merritt’s Jesus is Better Than You Imagined reminded me of similar books I’ve read, I was drawn in to Jonathan’s person stories and encounters, especially after his encounter at the New Mexico monastery. I actually looked forward to each new “Encounter.” As a Southern Baptist myself, I was especially encouraged by what I was reading–Jonathan not being afraid to rethink and challenge some of the customs and practices that the more fundamental Southern Baptists have been known to embrace.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

An earnest and heartfelt exploration of Merritt's spiritual journey. In some ways I can relate to the author's exploration. I to grew up in an evangelical household, although not a pastor's son like Merritt, and often felt both attracted to and suffocated by that culture and world. I don't share Merritt's history of abuse which I am sure colors all of his experiences.

The good: the honesty and good will that comes through. Merritt is sharing his journey and is willing to admit his faults, temptations, weakness, etc. I think many readers will find this refreshing and helpful; particularly if they have struggled with similar issues. Merritt clearly has a big heart and writes well about his experiences.

The bad: it is a perfect example of modern evangelicalism's, particularly the progressive variation, focus on individual psychology and experience with all of scripture and faith seen through that lens. It is also largely a rehash of the other obsession of evangelicalism: legalism versus grace. In his defense, if you grew up in this culture and time you can't help but be engaged in the debate to some degree. But it strikes me as rather stale at this point.

This is not an academic book by any stretch of the imagination but it is rather surprising that Merritt shows no awareness of the impact of the New Perspective on Paul effects the discussion about the Pharisees for example. His approach is all mid-twentieth century southern evangelicalism.

And that is the problem in the end, it is an at times engaging memoir but the short work feels a little thin by the end. If you like the author and/or his writing style it is an easy read but I am not sure it ads much insight or clarity.

[Blake Atwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Merritt's most personal book to date resonated with me, especially when he speaks to growing up as a legalistic Christian more focused on perfection rather than Jesus.

This paragraph was especially relevant to where I sometimes find my life:

"Ministry had become a job. Another waypoint in my efforts to save the world. I spent more time talking about God than talking to Him. More time describing God's presence than bathing in it. I had become a travel agent pointing to God like a far-off tourist attraction when I should have been traveling there myself."

Merritt has a seemingly effortless way of writing, so it's a quick, inspiring read. Jesus Is Better than You Imagined can help anyone reconnect with a God who's always there, but sometimes seems just outside the periphery of our lives.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Review: I theoretically like memoirs and spiritual biography. I think it is useful to see how God walks through the lives of both famous and unknown Christians. The problem with memoirs is that usually they trace the path of God as if it were as clear in advance as it is in hindsight. And with words that sound wise because the author has had lots of time to think about the situations. (In comparison to most of the rest of us that don't see those great God connections in the midst of daily life.)

That being said, I still think the memoir is worth reading (although not in too large of doses.) This is a good example of a memoir. Merritt is telling his story on his terms and with a real sense that Jesus is better than what we would imagine for ourselves.

My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/jesus-is-better/

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from the book giveaway.

I appreciated Merritt's honesty and reflections on encountering God in this book. Topics included encountering God in the silence, in mystery, in His sanctuary, in waiting, and in tragedy. I would imagine that whoever reads this book, will find resonance in some chapter. This is one of those books God uses to shape you in whatever season you at in. For me, I was reminded of Jesus being in the everyday, mundane. In the goodness of life, we see Jesus. God's faithfulness is seen in the everyday sunrise, the smile from a friend, the warm cup of coffee I'm sipping on right now. Merritt says, "Maybe I should become a scavenger for God's kept promises," and that resonated with me.

Thanks for the great read and the reminders for my heart!

[Joy Matteson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love Jonathan Merritt's new book on Jesus. There might be many books you read about who Jesus really is, but perhaps not by someone who's seen some pretty dark sides of American Christianity. I suppose this is part-memoir and part-devotional reading, but I came away challenged by Jonathan's call to find Jesus in the felt absences, the quiet, and the radical grace we don't truly understand. Highly recommended for those who are tired of church, tired of hypocrisy, or tired culture wars.

[Teresa Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Mr. Merritt's story mirrored many others I have known-growing up in church doesn't mean we won't limit God-He is so much more than the "fire and brimstone" God I heard preached as a young person! Although I understood that, many others only saw God as that, the vengeful, wrathful God Who punishes. Somehow, they disconnected Jesus from God. Jesus IS God and He displayed compassion, love, and inderstanding-that's God, too. Well worth reading

[Bret Legg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus Is Better Than You Imagined is about experiencing God in unexpected places and unexpected ways. It is a book that draws you in. The writing is smooth and easy. Jonathan has a way of using words to paint visuals on your brain that powerfully transmit the intended truth...that God is mysterious and can be found all around us, when we're really looking and listening. This was a very good read with each finished chapter begging you to read the next.

[Sundi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book filled with real, raw pain, and beautiful stories of God's pursuit of us. Merritt wrote about experiences we've all struggled with, yet may not be brave enough to admit. He spoke what so many of us think. If you've been in a dry season with God, or maybe you're in one now, this is a great read. Pursue God's grace through the pages of this book.

[Ann Gemmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really appreciated the author's honest and well stated reflections. He has some terrific insights which reminded me again - Jesus really is above and beyond all our limited, human minds can comprehend and oh, so worthy of our devotion. This book provided a refreshing reminder of the wonder of God's scandalous love for me!

[Emily Holladay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus is Better Than You Imagined is such an important book, because it introduces us to God in a fresh way, using stories we can all relate to. Reading this book reminded me of the faith that is so important to me and the community of believers that I need and who God loves. I recommend this book for anyone who needs to be reintroduced to the God who is present and at work in our world.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Jonathan for sharing from very vulnerable places in your life. God is at work. He is speaking. He wants to speak to me today. May God give me ears to hear and eyes to see. Jesus is better than I have imagined.

[Marguerite Harrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this sometime ago and had to read it. Not a book for me to recommend to any one! It is okay but it doesn't keep on pointing me to Christ as you would think by that Title of the book. Disappointed. It is more of his personal testimony and experience in his life time.