Why I Read the Message Instead of the Bible
Today's Bible in Contemporary Language
In 2002 I found, in Sam's Club, a book called The Message by Eugene Peterson. Reverend Peterson has been preaching the Bible for over 40 years. He started out as a teacher of the biblical languages Greek and Hebrew in a seminary. He then switched fields and was challenged by God to teach and share the Bible so people really listened.
Reverend Peterson read the Bible in the original Greek and translated the joy of the Bible into an everyday, usable language his congregation could get excited about. In 1990 an editor asked him to translate the Bible and ten years of work resulted in The Message.
Here's some of my favorite Bible verses (NIV) and the corresponding The Message verses.
Proverbs 3:5-6
NIV
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
The Message:
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Matt. 19:26
NIV
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
The Message:
26Jesus looked hard at them and said, "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it."
Matt. 7:7-11
NIV
7Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!The Message:
7-11"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
Philippians 4:13
NIV
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
The Message:
I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
"Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright � 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group."
* Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Published by Debra Brown
Traveler (not a tourist) who happens to live in Iowa. Run my own business out of my home setting up discount accounts for consumers who wish to create a safe non-toxic environment for their families. View profile
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9 Comments
Post a CommentI just read your post on the messeges in the bible and what the verses mean but I have to tell you that you are in error. that is...if you think that the book of messeges is better than the bible you are wrong. nothing personal but as an example you quote the golden rule and think that the messege is that God will give you a good gift just like a loving person would but the gift of God is not about gifts instead of "snakes" its about the sharing of the gosple truth with others who are seeking to know God in a more understanding way.
This is sad. Hardly a "good Christian girl" would be reading another book INSTEAD of the Bible. There are always things that help. It sounds like you neglected to do any studying about the history and the stories of the Bible to truly know the word of God.
interesting thoughts on a very tedious subject. I believe in the literal inspiration of the bible, that it was man written but God inspired. I have also come to believe that God "preserves" His Word. That being said , although translation may vary in some degree . God can and will , maintain and preserve His ultimate message of grace and forgiveness and hope for mankind.
I use the NASB/Message parallel Bible. One is the best word for word translation and the other is the most paraphrased. It makes my daily Bible study more exciting.
I am so glad to see that others also are speaking out about this issue. I had always believed that modern versions of the bible were the same text but in easier to read language until God reveal to me that is not true. So much of the Christian doctrine has been omitted from the modern versions. A side-by-side comparison reveals the omissions involving the lordship, diety, and virgin birth, as well as our redemption through the blood of our Saviour and our need to repent.
Bottom line, there's only ONE WORD, ONE TRUTH and ONE SAVIOR. There are those who come to speak the truth but are like sheeps in wolves clothing. I am not saying this is the case but like airlck said, The bible better move you to salvation. The bible is our instructions for how to live, how to get along with our fellow man (including the rude ones and trust me that's not easy to do, I know...he's been on me to behave around rude people for a very long time plus I have to admit, I don't read my bible as often as I should, although I am saved). I also agree with Jessica Gordon, anyone can "write a book" and put it in their own words that which the author or authors wrote. Anyone can do that but not everyone was called according to what God wanted them to write like those of the bible. One Byline..Christ...one Christ...
wow, that is a scary comment... "Bible didn't move me much"... Well being that God wrote the Bible, and when you are born again, He indwells in you, the Bible should then "move" you. If the Bible isn't interesting, you had better make sure you are really saved.
It is great as a paraphrase--for that is what it is. And on an acknowledged paraphrase, it is probably advisable to put the writers name.
I don't like the Message because the person who translated it put his name in the byline. God wrote the Bible, not Eugene Peterson. Also, there are places where the Message completely re-writes the meaning of a verse of Scripture. It can really change the way you view God, Christianity, marriage, and even the world itself...and not necessarily in a good way. 5 stars for a good article, though.