Attempts to read Jesus' teachings with an open mind can be hampered by years of being told the 'right' interpretation in church. Christians familiar with the texts can gain fresh insights by listening to people coming to it for the first time, who may find the traditional readings far from obvious. Symon Hill has led many Bible study groups with largely non-Christian groups and has discovered surprising and helpful insights that are less likely to be found among Christians used to reading the Bible. For example, these readers will often relate to different characters and find meanings that may surprise us. In The Upside-down Bible, Hill presents alternative readings of some of Jesus' best-known parables - focusing on topical themes of money, power, sex and violence - which will help us to consider the teaching of the Bible with a fresh perspective and gain a deeper spiritual and cultural understanding of the Bible texts. Each chapter includes questions, prompts and reflection points making it useful for group and individual Bible study.

'Symon turns traditional church interpretations of Jesus's teachings on their head; offering a radical reinterpretation that connects Christ's message to daily life, personal relationships and political struggles today.' Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner

About the Author
Symon Hill is an associate of Ekklesia, a Christian political thinktank, has written two previous books and blogs regularly at symonhill.wordpress.com, as well as for Third Way and The Guardian.

Reviews
'Symon turns traditional church interpretations of Jesus's teachings on their head; offering a radical reinterpretation that connects Christ's message to daily life, personal relationships and political struggles today.' -- Peter Tatchell
'Jesus' stories are basically about life, not religious geekery. So what do first-timers or all faiths and none make of them? Symon Hill has listened carefully to a wide variety of people, many encountering the parables for the first time, to refresh and restore our idea of what it means to be human. He uses some knowledge from well-chosen experts, but draws us easily into the text in a playful and engaging way. TUDB is a book of questions as much as answers, where stories we thought we knew sparkle with fresh possibilities. It invites us to dive into Jesus' teaching from many different angles, and reflect. There's something valuable here for everyone, whether complete first-timer or seasoned preacher.' -- Alan Wilson
'If you're turned off by the Church but think Jesus might have been on to something - this is your book. Symon Hill reintroduces us to Jesus the teacher, whose stories don't always make easy sense because they are intended to make us instead. As always, Hill is contagiously on cue, fair and provocative.' -- Mark Oakley
'By turns provocative, passionate and kind, Symon Hill's new work is that rare thing: A book that dares to take Jesus' teaching ministry seriously. It dares to invite the reader to think for herself and be prepared to have her assumptions about Jesus, money, sex and violence turned upside-down. A must-read for anyone brave enough to explore Christianity's radical roots.' -- Rachel Mann
'This little book invites readers to take a fresh look at what Jesus actually said rather than what we imagine or wish him to have said. Its key themes of money, sex and violence are explored through stories from the gospels, all set in the context of a crash course on how to read the Bible, which is eminently readable and grounded in solid research.' -- John Drane



Book Information
ISBN 9780232532074
Author Symon Hill
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd
Publisher Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd