Tell it Slant

A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers

By: Eugene Peterson

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Just as God used words both to create the world and to give us commandments, we too use words for many different purposes. In fact, we use the same language to talk to each other and to talk to God. Can our everyday speech, then, be just as important as the words and prayers we hear from the pulpit? Eugene Peterson unequivocally says "Yes!"

Tell It Slant explores how Jesus used language—he was earthy, not abstract; metaphorical, not dogmatic. His was not a direct language of information or instruction but an indirect, oblique language requiring a participating imagination—"slant" language. In order to witness and teach accurately in Jesus' name, then, it is important for us to use language the way he did.

Part 1 focuses on Jesus' words in everyday contexts—his teachings to the crowds, the stories he told, his conversations with his disciples. Part 2 shifts the focus to Jesus' prayers—the words he spoke to God the Father.

Peterson's Tell It Slant promises to deepen our understanding of Jesus' words, strengthen our awareness of language as a gift of God, and nurture our efforts to make all of our speech convey a blessing to others.

"Language—given to us to glorify God, to receive the revelation of God, to witness to the truth of God, to offer praise to God—is constantly at risk. Too often the living word is desiccated into propositional cadavers, then sorted into exegetical specimens in bottles of formaldehyde. We end up with godtalk. . . . My concern is that we use God's gift of language in consonance with the God who speaks. Jesus is the primary person with whom we have to do in this business. Jesus most of all. Jesus, the Word made flesh. . . . I want to nurture an awareness of the sanctity of words, the holy gift of language whether it is directed vertically or horizontally. Just as Jesus did."—from the Introduction.

©2008 Eugene H Peterson (P)2008 Christian Audio

Thought provoking

This conversation lends itself very well I think to group discussion and definitely offers a lot of food for thought!

Eugene Peterson at His Best

What did you love best about Tell it Slant?

This book gives a new perspective on the sacred nature of language and how Jesus used language through narrative and prayer. Jesus was a master of 'telling it slant,' which is a phrase borrowed from Emily Dickinson. Through stories, like the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan (from the traveling narrative in the gospel of Luke), Jesus told truth in such a way that one would have to ponder the words in order to discover truth for oneself. Jesus also used simple, direct language in prayer, unlike many prayers said to God in public worship. This book is a thought-provoking masterpiece.

What other book might you compare Tell it Slant to and why?

There is no book quite like this in my experience, but if you enjoy the writings of John Stott, N.T. Wright, C.S. Lewis and Tim Keller, you will probably enjoy this book.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Gardner's voice is clear and direct, but I wish he would be a bit more expressive.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it is impossible to take in all the information in one sitting and it is also too long. This book is much better in small bites.

Deeply Thought-provoking

This is a thorough examination of the stories and prayers of Jesus with a focus on the language Jesus used. The author’s thesis is that there is only one language to use for everything in our lives; there ought to be no division between our secular and our spiritual lives, and therefore no difference between the language we use for work and home and play and the language we use to talk about and to worship God. Eugene helps us all to rediscover reverence for words.

Excellent Read By A Thoughtful Pastor and Scholar

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the words of Jesus or the words of Scripture. Peterson never disappoints when he writes he is a creative writer, careful scholar, and a caring pastoral voice.

A story weaver

A man that left us ripe fruit to enjoy permanently to quench our perpetual thirst