Leaving and Finding Jesus

By: Jason Clark

Narrated by: Jason Clark

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

In Leaving and Finding Jesus, Jason writes about his deconstructing Emmaus Road faith journey. He confronts the myth of separation with the truth that nothing, not life or death, powers or authorities, present or future, not hell, nor our understandings, beliefs, systems, or actions—separates us from the love of God.

Based on scripture, recent studies, shared stories, and his experiences as a pastor and relational theologian, Leaving and Finding Jesus encourages folks to trade a transactional view of God for something better: friendship.

From hell to hermeneutics, this audiobook deconstructs our often cruel and punishing thoughts about God so we might discover a firm foundation upon which to build our faith: God in Christ, reconciling the world to himself.

Leaving and Finding Jesus is bold, but kind, and will encourage:

• The millions of Christians exhausted by the "for or against" paradigm that seems to rule and define the Christian narrative today.
• Those who are moving from a transactional approach to God toward a relational approach defined by other-centered, self-giving love.
• Those who reject the image of God as a violent, retributive being and embrace God's image as the kind, reconciling spirit at work within us, and our world, for good.
• The faithful followers of Jesus who may no longer identify with organized religion, but are passionate about the work of reconciliation.

©2022 Jason Lloyd Clark (P)2022 Jason Lloyd Clark

Critic reviews

"In this beautifully accessible spiritual memoir, Jason flips the tables of any faith far too small and narrow to contain the all-expansive love of God. I'm grateful for any witness whose deconstruction doesn't discard (or rob others of) the truly good news of Jesus. Here, Jason shares with us a living person who's guided him forward, not merely an idea to be left behind." (Bradly Jersak, author, Out of the Embers: Faith after the Great Deconstruction)

"While joining Jason on this fantastic read, I found myself humming REM's 'That's me in the corner, that’s me in the spotlight, losing my religion.'” (Dr. Shawn C Harnish, lead pastor, Dansville Foursquare)

Excellent revelation

Just when I thought "God is not in Control" was my favorite book on God's goodness and love, I listened to this incredible work! It will change your life.

Relatable, captivating, and encouraging

This was such a good book! If you are looking for information on how to reconcile the seemingly angry and ruthless unforgiving God of the Old Testament with the unconditionally loving Father of the New Testament, this a great book to start with. If you have been hurt by the church or your think God took somebody away from your or hurt you to teach you a lesson, this is the book for you. If you have questions about Gods character, the church, the law, sin… this is the book for you. the Author, Jason Clark is the narrator and does an amazing job not only writing the book in a captivating way but also in reading it.

Masterful guide to the freedom of knowing.

After reading scores of books by a variety of authors in the field of deconstruction, Jason clears an incredibly high bar. Those who claim to follow Christ, have from time to time, hear the Spirit of God calling them. That call is to leave the bondage of beliefs that imprison us from knowing Jesus and His Father. Reformers who at great cost, point the way, into the “In Christ/ Christ in us relationship.” Jason is one of those reformers. His voice is a much needed clarion call in an era when The Spirit is calling everyone to return to the faith that once was delivered to the saints. I greatly appreciate that Jason doesn’t just stand on the side of the road pointing out the way. As a gifted storyteller he walks right along with the one willing to leave, to find Jesus. As Jason shares his own Emmaus journey, I experienced him walking right next to me. Entering in to my conversation as I walked my own Emmaus road. I strongly recommend this book to anyone bold enough to consider “Leaving to Find Jesus”

We Love Because He first Loved Us

This book is a refreshing take on what it means to live authentically as a follower of Jesus. After 40 some years of evangelical Christian church teaching, I have become disillusioned with the lack of focus on living a life of love. The love among believers is what attracted me to check out Christianity in the first place. It's this loving, accepting Jesus that Jason Clark follows and wants to encourage others to follow. The other kinds are the ones that should be left behind.

So very comforting

As one who has struggled so with hell and God’s unconditional love.Thanku,Thanku,thanku.You are so brave to share this.

Love covers

Great book opens your mind to alternative ways of seeing scripture! Well written and thought out!

Second time through

So much to consider, this is one to read and share with friends for sure.

leave judgment pursue love

very well written and read. a challenging book it makes you face our own judgment style of being a Christian. laying down the the judgmental Jesus and following the non-judgmental Jesus the Jesys who doesn't keep track of sin and love all

Understanding Jesus

Great book breaking down false beliefs about God! The love you may not know! Full of truth.

Too good?

The seemingly punitive, transactional, and conditional love view of God has never sat well with me. It has been a hindrance in my reading of Scripture and my relationship with the Lord.

It is encouraging and a relief to hear someone who similarly sees that view as hypocritical and has firstly - not been afraid or ashamed to point it out (despite consequences of being shamed), secondly - not tried to distort/justify it with some sort of fallible us/them reasoning or worse, dismiss it completely by looking at things through rose-colored glasses, and thirdly (and more to the point) - has come through with a strengthened love and closeness with Jesus (and all mankind) instead of further away.

A word of caution: This book has been so inspiring to me and has given credit to thoughts I've never been able to process in such a relatable and tangible manner that I'm now at risk of thinking/sounding like I've got something figured out. The renewed hope in a closer walk with Jesus in the everlasting now has already made this book a risk I'm gladly willing to take. And I hope you are too.