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The Upside Down Bible: What Jesus really said about money, sex and violence
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 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.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2015
3 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 1, 2018
I wish I had read this sooner. I was raised a Christian but stopped going to church when I was a teenager. I've always struggled to figure out if there is space for me (a bisexual, and a daughter of someone who took their own life) in the church. Can I hold God in my heart when so many are preaching that I'm an a disgusting abomination? That my mum will go to hell for what she did?
The last Christian book I read before this called me a sinner in a chapter that lumped homosexuality and paedaphilia together!! Was left terrified and traumatised.
This book has taught me that faith and religion are not the same thing. That you can have one without the other. And that almost everything I thought I knew about what Jesus said was actually what other people have claimed he said! And the refreshing reality appears to be that none of us will ever know for sure what he meant.
The historical and socio-political context given for each reading really helped my understanding. I also gained a lot from the 'next steps' section at the end of the book. Was left feeling like I had some good tips on what translation of the bible to read and where to start with it. For the first time in about 17 years I am reading the bible again. It's an amazing feeling.
Symon is a very skilled writer. I appreciated not only his message but his way with words in every chapter. It was a joy to encounter.
I would have loved a longer book with more about what was said on homosexuality but that's my only criticism of it.
I shall be recommending this to my friends and family.
The last Christian book I read before this called me a sinner in a chapter that lumped homosexuality and paedaphilia together!! Was left terrified and traumatised.
This book has taught me that faith and religion are not the same thing. That you can have one without the other. And that almost everything I thought I knew about what Jesus said was actually what other people have claimed he said! And the refreshing reality appears to be that none of us will ever know for sure what he meant.
The historical and socio-political context given for each reading really helped my understanding. I also gained a lot from the 'next steps' section at the end of the book. Was left feeling like I had some good tips on what translation of the bible to read and where to start with it. For the first time in about 17 years I am reading the bible again. It's an amazing feeling.
Symon is a very skilled writer. I appreciated not only his message but his way with words in every chapter. It was a joy to encounter.
I would have loved a longer book with more about what was said on homosexuality but that's my only criticism of it.
I shall be recommending this to my friends and family.
January 26, 2018
“Jesus’ teachings are challenging, provocative and awkward. They don’t fit into neat categories and well-structured theories, whether liberal or conservative, Catholic or Protestant.”
This is such an interesting premise for a New Testament study. The Up-Side Down Bible examines the teachings and life of Jesus through several lenses at once, and aims to present different perspectives rather than draw conclusions from them. It invites people of any (or no) faith to come to the Bible fresh, and to make up their own minds.
In every chapter, the book focuses on one particular passage from the Gospels, referencing where else the story is told and offering definitions for words which may be unfamiliar. Hill discusses the historical context, the academic debate, and then invites his focus group to share their interpretations, in an attempt to drive his readers towards questions of their own.
The Up-Side Down Bible is good for those who are already familiar with the Bible, to see well-known passages with fresh eyes. But it’s also an easy and inviting access point for those unfamiliar with the life of Jesus, as it assumes no prior knowledge. It encourages us to remember that there is very rarely one single, simple answer when it comes to God’s word, and rather than building towards an argument, each chapter ends with a series of questions to encourage a continuation of the discussion. Hill reminds us that Jesus encouraged his disciples to question, and encourages us in turn to engage in debate rather than settle on one interpretation. You cannot ‘solve’ the Bible. But Hill’s book demonstrates that the issues Jesus discussed are just as relevant today.
This is such an interesting premise for a New Testament study. The Up-Side Down Bible examines the teachings and life of Jesus through several lenses at once, and aims to present different perspectives rather than draw conclusions from them. It invites people of any (or no) faith to come to the Bible fresh, and to make up their own minds.
In every chapter, the book focuses on one particular passage from the Gospels, referencing where else the story is told and offering definitions for words which may be unfamiliar. Hill discusses the historical context, the academic debate, and then invites his focus group to share their interpretations, in an attempt to drive his readers towards questions of their own.
The Up-Side Down Bible is good for those who are already familiar with the Bible, to see well-known passages with fresh eyes. But it’s also an easy and inviting access point for those unfamiliar with the life of Jesus, as it assumes no prior knowledge. It encourages us to remember that there is very rarely one single, simple answer when it comes to God’s word, and rather than building towards an argument, each chapter ends with a series of questions to encourage a continuation of the discussion. Hill reminds us that Jesus encouraged his disciples to question, and encourages us in turn to engage in debate rather than settle on one interpretation. You cannot ‘solve’ the Bible. But Hill’s book demonstrates that the issues Jesus discussed are just as relevant today.
December 23, 2015
"What Jesus really said about money, sex and violence" - as discussed with people who are reading the author's chosen passages from the Gospels for the first time.
Very accessible, and an interesting premise. The book deliberately avoids giving conclusive answers, ending each chapter with questions for further thinking.
Very accessible, and an interesting premise. The book deliberately avoids giving conclusive answers, ending each chapter with questions for further thinking.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews