The Unchained Bible: Cultural Appropriations of Biblical Texts: 455

“Summarized.” —New Testament Abstracts

“Pyper’s work should hold the interest of biblical scholars, theologians, sociologists of Christianity, those interested the reception of religious texts, and finally educated and motivated general readers. The Unchained Bible, like the Bible itself, fruitfully invites its readers to wonder, curiosity, and offense before its many penetrating insights, strange vistas, and unexpected connections. For putting together such a work, Pyper and T&T Clark are to be commended.” –Joseph K. Gordon, Marquette University, Reviews in Religion and Theology

“This collection of essays offers a wide range of unexpected readings of the Bible in popular culture, literature, film, music, and politics … Hugh Pyper’s point throughout the present volume is that the Bible’s effects may surprise and sometimes dismay both religious and secular groups when it is ‘free to roam’, unchained from the constraints of the Church. Infused with his characteristic wry humour, Pyper’s book seeks to provide a conscious engagement with these effects … Through his varied examples of ‘odd intersections between the Bible and popular culture’ Pyper effectively demonstrates how attention to the cultural appropriation of the Bible can often aid understanding of the text.” –Christine E. Joynes, Trinity College, Oxford, UK, Journal of Theological Studies (Vol. 64.2)