The Bible in Cockney

by Mike Coles

This is one of those 'must have' books.You should also make sure your school has a copy for use in RE lessons and assemblies. Would you Adam and Eve it? Read how Jesus feeds five thousand geezers with just five loaves of Uncle Fred and two Lillian Gish. Or how Noah built a bloomin' massive nanny. Then there's always the story of David and that massive geezer Goliath, or the time when Simon's finger and thumb-in-law was Tom and Dick in Uncle Ned and Jesus healed her... A very down-to-earth 'translation' that brings Scripture out of the pulpit and back onto the streets. Author Mike Coles is Head of Religious Education at Sir John Cass's Church of England Secondary School in Stepney, East London. He hated RE when he was at school, and vowed that he would never make the children suffer as he had to! When he moved to the East End nearly 15 years ago, he immediately fell in love with Cockney rhyming slang and started to use it in his lessons. The children loved it, he decided to write down some of his stories and - well, here they are. Mike's aim is for people to enjoy reading the Bible stories in this very down-to-earth version, and to help God's word reach out to those who wouldn't normally read the Bible but who may pick up a copy of this book. 'Puts the energy and passion back into the stories' The Archbishop of Canterbury.

132 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2001

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a surreal experience to be an American living homeless in England and finding this book passed around the local homeless community.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gift from a student (who made no profession to Christian faith and therefore all the more thoughtful as a gift), Wendy and I chose this as our 'read together' book when we were out having coffee and writing our gratitude journal together. It was fun and, because we are no Cockney's, made us think about what was written in new ways. As a high school teacher, I can also appreciate what Coles is attempting in this short contribution to understanding what the Bible is actually saying. I am consistently saddened, all the more so because I am not amazed, at the appalling ignorance and misunderstanding of biblical writing demonstrated by both supporters and detractors.

[Tommy Maker · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun way to learn stories from the bible. It was different, and kept my attention, unlike the bible, which loses me, to the point I don't understand what reading. Didn't always get the rhyming slang, had to refer to glossary at back when confused, which frustrated me a bit, being a true cockney myself.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on familiar stories. The way it's written makes you think a little bit more about what is actually going on in each part.

I liked it. I doubt many religious enthusiasts would though!