The Message by: Eugene H. Peterson
publisher: Navpress
religionThis book I found to be an exasperation to my soul. It is a contemporary language bible translation. As with most new translations there are trouble spots when comparing the text to the King James version of the bible. I am not of the opinion that the King James is the best translation. It is though a good translation if one keeps in mind that the use of words have altered somewhat. Where passages seem strange or downright ridiculous, a Strong’s Exhaustive concordance does wonders. This is not the case with The Message. Here are some of my impressions of The Message.
The Old testament
I don’t really have that much of a problem with the Old Testament of The Message. The language is simpler and they have taken some of the boring, highly repetitive passages and made them an easier read. In some places I found that the way of writing a passage was made clearer. Overall the whole of the Old Testament was a nice read. I don’t have too many things to say about how Peterson handled the translation. Of course a rabbi may have plenty to complain about.
The New Testament
Here is where my exasperation begins. It took me three months of casual reading time to get through the old. It took me close to four months of casual reading time to get through the new. Why? What was written didn’t have the familiar ring I was expecting. Every page, paragraph and sometimes a single verse didn’t seem right. I spent most of my time with a different bible open having to compare passages. I found that too often the intended meaning of the text in The Message was not in line with the New International Version I was using.
I like the passage where it compares the word of God to a sharp two edged sword. To separate between bone and muscle. To separate between soul and spirit. Yet to accomplish this it is important what words are used, and what they mean is very important. Some would say that this would then become legalism. However there needs to be discernment in what is being written or you run the risk of accepting a different gospel other than the one that the apostles preached. I am not saying that Peterson is writing a different gospel. I do however say that a watered down version of the gospel has its own dangers. When a sharp instrument is needed for surgery, like a two edged sword, it is totally un-acceptable to use a iron bar. Simple language does not give a precise answer, only an easier to understand answer. That answer then may not be effective.
Easy to digest food? Hebrews talks about the milk of the word. No chewing over the text and easy to swallow. I would say that The Message would be good for the beginner. Those who are new to the kingdom. They would get a general overview of the scriptures. Yet we are not to remain children in understanding. To do this we need precision. This is where one needs the meat of scripture to grow into Christian adulthood. The Message fails miserably for that purpose. It is great as a story book and it is terrible as a manual. The use of The Message for long-term study would be ineffective and could retard the growth of individuals. I would go further and say that it would hamper the church where knowledge and its application are needed.
As with many modern translations some of the passages are modified to become Politically Correct. Where the bible would talk about “brothersâ€, The Message would talk about about brothers and sisters. These are minor changes. Yet in some places these changes may have gone too far. My pastor says that one area of influence is the local group and the local group will have its own customs. This politically correct interpretation may be fine if one remembers that it is a local custom (Peterson’s custom) and not the exact interpretation of the word. I find that with only a few exceptions the new testament of the scripture by Peterson is one giant politically correct exercise of his faith. Because of this you are getting a slightly (or greatly) skewed understanding of the scriptures.
In his striving to make things easier to understand Peterson sometimes goes too far. As an example in one place his translation gives credence to those who believe in replacement theology. That is only good if you believe that Christians have inherited all the promises of the old testament and have replaced Israel as God’s chosen people. Of course, we have not replaced Israel. We have better promises based on a better covenant as Peter writes in Hebrews. Other times Peterson must of had a bad day. Instead of using contemporary language that most would understand he would use a more esoteric word that would be understood by few. (Like my use of “esoteric†to point that out?) Fortunately that does not occur often. Another strange example is where Peterson has taken a whole passage of one of the gospels and puts in its place a simpler explanation from a different gospel. Again, fortunately those are rare.
I could go on but I think you get the point I am trying to make. If you are a baby in Christ then The Message is an appropriate read. If you want a homogenized, cold filtered and pasteurized, skim milk bible to read, and wish to remain an infant in understanding, make The Message your study bible. On the other hand if you wish to hone that sword of the Lord, get a better translation such as the New King James Version or others like it and start reading, comparing and praying. Knowledge is given to those who seek for it in the right places.
I don’t think I would ever use the Message as a study bible. I use the new international study bible. It does give an interesting slant on some scriptures and Pastor Roy likes to use it. That’s mainly why I have one. I hardly read it except to follow along in church. I really like my study bible with the concordance. I also use the New Living Translation for my daily devotions and I like that very much also. Good post Joe.
I don’t know why, but I thought of this minister on the radio who preaches that the only real bible is the Old King James version. Any other version according to him is not of God. Is it Jay Lennard Mcgee or something like that. It’s funny how some Christian sects pick something like a bible translation or sabbath day and make that their lifes work to try and convince the reat of us that they are right. What do you think about that?
Dougie G – It makes me CRAZY!! (Not that you were asking me, in particular, but I thought I’d answer the question.) There are so many websites online (not to mention books, radio shows, TV shows, etc.) that are devoted to criticizing everyone else. Some of them make me really sad inside – I want to ask them if there is anything they are happy about, anything they rejoice about, anything at all that they agree with! I think we really miss the boat when we reduce our faith and our relationship with God to a set of arguments and debates.
Having said that – Joe, I know this is not what you are doing with this post. You have some valid points, and I know (because we’ve talked about this) that you have spent a lot of time studying before you wrote the post.
I wanted to add my own thoughts, just from the place that I am in right now. I look at my bookshelf with the KJV, NIV, NASB, AMP, LB and the Message, and I value them all. I use them all from time to time, both in my studies and in my personal devotional life.
And then I remember being in a tiny village in Ukraine, where Westerners had perhaps never been, and seeing elderly ladies accept the gift of a Ukrainian Bible with great emotion and reverence. And I guessed that part of their story included hanging onto their faith through decades of Communism, with no Bible at all.
I remember reading some of my historical fiction (which I love) in which I am reminded of the entire centuries that went by when regular people couldn’t read God’s Word at all; it was a sin to translate it into the language of the people. They had no idea what it said, except what their religious authorities told them.
When I remember those things, I become very, very thankful for the incredible luxury I have of comparing different versions, and benefitting from nearly all of them. And I am very, very thankful that God preserves His Word through time, despite all of the humans involved in the process.
There is the old standing joke…
“If the King James Bible was good enough for the apostle Paul then it is good enough for me.â€
Now as for picking your bible and convincing the rest…
When a new version comes out the majority look upon the new work with suspicious eyes. I guess it is a holdover from the days when, according to Jude, you “contend for the faith.†Remember that happy period in church history started by Luther and his translation of the bible into common German? (ok, a little sarcasm there)
It starts with a new vision of scripture and ends with more division. Sometimes that is a good thing. Other times it is divisive for differing reasons. Some are so politically correct they make me want to puke. Others are done so loving of the truth that you can’t help but be inspiring. Sadly all these different bible versions represent a perceived need. And some, sadly, lead people further from the truth. They fight for their version because they need that version to justify who they are or what they have become.
I understand what you are talking about Patti. I remember hearing the stories of how those behind the “iron curtain†would pass a single page from a bible to another person. Then it would be passed again, making the rounds until it came back again to the one who sent it. Actually it is hard to know who sent it in the first place. A people so hungry for the word of God that they would risk their lives to get their hands on a piece of scrap with the word printed on it, a single crumb from the word of God.
In my house we have a bountiful crop of bibles for every taste. I find some value in most. A few are burried. They have all helped me understand the different paths the water takes among the stones and boulders in the River of God.
Stones and boulders? The issues that face the church.
We are so fortuneate to have the freedoms we do in this country.
Joe. What are the stones and boulders you refer to in your opinion?
Patti. You are right. There is so much negativity and a critical spirit amongst so mant Christians. It is very sad, and really hurts our testamony.
The bible says they will know we are Christians by our love for each other. When “theyâ€, the non Christian see “other†Christians arguing and debating over theology and sometimes not in a loving manner, it doesn’t look very “lovely†to them. My grandfather witnessed a fist fight between two Christian men on the church steps over a point of scritpture. How dumb and destructive was that? I also understand the draw this spirit has and the temptation to get caught up in silly arguments. I love talking about the scriptures. My motive is to learn more about their meaning and to gain a deeper understanding, not to be contraversial, although, as I said sometimes we tend to get into discussions that look like contraversy because we are resistant to change and don’t want to give in to new revelation truth. We tend to like to hang on to the old way of thinking. It’s a real process of growth and somehow we need to find balance in the process.
I agree with you, that bridge building and finding the positive in every situation, like the TTC, is the “better way†to go. lol.
Doug wrote: “Joe. What are the stones and boulders you refer to in your opinion?â€
They are the ideas and themes people have taken from the bible and use as central to their faith walk. I describe this more in my next post.