God Doesn't Want Your Religion

Karl Marx wasn't too far off when he said that religion is the opiate of the masses. Few individuals make it through life without believing in something, even if it is not all that spiritual. But what does God think about religion? Jesus consistently preached against religious practices and challenged religious teachers. He taught that doing good deeds to gain God's approval was wrong. He advocated that noticeable religious acts may actually hinder us in the pursuit of God. In 'God Doesn't Want Your Religion,' Dr. Lee A. Button explains how:
• Religion leads to a distortion of the truth.
• Religion has no answer for man's deepest problems.
• Religion promotes the ones who practice it.
• Religion produces a fear of man.
• Religion cannot lead to repentance and salvation.
• Religion creates enmity to the Gospel.

But if God doesn't want religion how can you please Him?

This book is about how to understand and apply the Beatitudes. These eight statements are part of Jesus first recorded message. They have been frequently quoted but rarely applied. Many know them but few understand them. Some are, perhaps, tempted to pass them off as a list of mysterious values not intended for actual practice. Dr. Button suggests that these eight sayings are not some kind of indiscernible blueprint for God's blessing. Far from being cryptic, they may be fully discovered. Neither are the Beatitudes a list of religious values. Far from being sanctimonious, these declarations strike at the root of religion.
While most commentaries and study guides discuss the front and back of each Beatitude, the beginning and the end, this book is unique in that it expands the dialogue. Each Beatitude is defined specifically. A simple way to recognize the Beatitude at work is suggested. The source for each Beatitude is illustrated. And finally, the reward for achieving the Beatitude is prescribed.
If you want to be sure you are pleasing God now and prepared for heaven later, religion must be replaced with righteous living. The Beatitudes show us precisely how that happens and this book is a guide for that exchange.