'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