Tell it Slant Audiobook By Eugene Peterson cover art

Tell it Slant

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

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Tell it Slant

By: Eugene Peterson
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.60

Buy for $14.60

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel
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.

©2008 Eugene H Peterson (P)2009 christianaudio.com Bible Study Bibles & Bible Study Christianity Commentaries Ministry & Evangelism New Testament Spirituality Theology
All stars
Most relevant  
This conversation lends itself very well I think to group discussion and definitely offers a lot of food for thought!

Thought provoking

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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.

Eugene Peterson at His Best

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Deeply Thought-provoking

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Excellent Read By A Thoughtful Pastor and Scholar

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A man that left us ripe fruit to enjoy permanently to quench our perpetual thirst

A story weaver

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Eugene Peterson takes words very seriously-- and here he examines Jesus's ministry, not from the perspective of his theology, or his actions, or his historical impact, but from the words he chooses and the styles of speech he employs. The first half of this book expresses a regret that we often "reserve one type of speech for prayer and religious activity, and another type of speech for our everyday lives", which, he argues, Jesus did not do. Perhaps this is a relevant message for Christians attending highly liturgical churches, but in terms of evangelical listeners, who may at times be accused of being brazenly casual with God, I'd say that Peterson is very much preaching to the converted (no pun intended!).

He also argues that direct speech is often offensive and for that reason, fails to achieve its purpose. Hence the title, "tell it slant", which Peterson draws from an Emily Dickinson poem and identifies with Jesus's way of teaching.

More interesting is the second half of the book, which scrutinizes the parables. He shuns stereotyped, cliched interpretations in favor of a fresh perspective that nonetheless respects the literal qualities of the text. Those fascinated with Jesus's parables will find this a worthwhile purchase for that reason alone.

An Interesting Perspective

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Dr Peterson’s teaching on Jesus’ Parables and Prayers is excellent with many new insights. And I learned that Jesus used the same language everywhere.

Jesus used the same language everywhere

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.