''The Message'' is not a translation of the Bible,
nor can it strictly
be said to be a paraphrase of the original languages of
the Bible.
(Quoted from: ''What is The Message (MSG)?'' by Got
Questions Ministry)
I used to enjoy reading from ''The
Message'' Bible written by Eugene Peterson. I remember
when I used to laugh with my friends as we found the
word ''coffee'' in the MSG Bible (Job 7:10 MESSAGE,
Luke 17:8 MESSAGE). However, wanting to take ''The
Message'' Bible as a paraphrase of the Bible It drove
me to compare it to the teaching of the Bible. In doing
so I found some problems with Peterson's rendering and
paraphrase of the Bible (resources at the bottom for
examples).
Why was ''The Message'' written? According to Eugene H.
Peterson he says: ''I hoped to bring the New
Testament to life for two different types of people:
those who hadn't read the Bible because it seemed too
distant and irrelevant, and those who had read the
Bible so much that it had become 'old hat'''
( biblegateway.com, navpress.com and messagebible.com
have both revised their Version Information). If
the Bible is becoming an 'old hat' for people it's not
the Bible but the person that is becoming an 'old hat'
by not allowing Gods word to change them from the
inside out. God's Word will never be outdated.
I think there is more behind ''The Message'' and
Peterson's agenda then we know about. Also, I realize
that just as there are both good and bad commentaries
on the Bible there are also good and bad paraphrases of
the Bible too. However, let us remember that what we
believe about God is derived from what we read in His
word. If one reads an incorrect one, then it logically
follows that what one believes about God will also be
in error. Do you care about God's Word? Please
for your benefit, check out the resources below for
further information on ''The Message'' Bible.
''What is The Message (MSG)?'' by Got
Questions Ministry
''Analysis of The Message'' by Justin
Peters
''"What kind of message is The
Message?'' by Berit Kjos
''Why The Message should not be used''
by David Simon
''Translation Comparison Charts'' by A.
Philip Brown II
''The Message Bible: An Unedifying
Mess'' by Jay Atkins (videos below)
Press on in Love & Go Serve Your King!
-Tim Molter
What is ''The Message'' Bible?