The Message is not the Bible. It is not a translation of the Bible. It is not even a paraphrase, since Eugene Peterson has removed much and added much.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines parody as: 1) a literary or musical work in which the style of an author or work is closely imitated for comic effect or in ridicule. 2) a feeble or ridiculous imitation.
Consider Psalm 1:1 from The Message: How well God must like you–you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road, you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.
This evokes images of clowns pouring forth from a tiny car, running around in helter-skelter fashion, honking hand held horns:
Sin-saloon! (Honk, honk) Dead-End Road! (Honk, beep) Smart mouth college! (Beep, honk)…
The Message version of Psalm 1:1 might be okay if used as a line in a country song, rather than pretending to be a verse from the Bible.
Here is Psalm 1:1 from the KJV:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Here is Psalm 1:1 from the NASB:
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
There is more to be concerned with than just the mockery of Psalm 1:1. The Message seethes with passages that are an offense to God. This parody has deceived people for over two decades now. In this, it has been very effective.
If you want to investigate further, go here: The Message “Bible”— A Breach of Truth: How Eugene Peterson’s The Message Omits Homosexual Sin—and Other Strange Deletions, Additions, and Alterations click here to read booklet
It would be much better if we all kept to the KJV. But that being said, there are other good translations like the NASB. I am not King James only.
The ‘message’ is not GOD’s Word. Note Matt.6:13 Christians would never ‘bastardize’ the Lord’s prayer by putting the ‘devil’ in it (as is the case in ‘the message, NIV, etc.) this thinking creates ‘Flip Wilson’ theology, as in “the devil made me do it”. Note also “wise” is deleted in Jude v.25 because their ‘god’ is not wise *see, final authority by dr. wm. grady. Also most of the new bibles are coyprigthed so we know they are not God’s Word (Mat. 10:8). These wolves in sheep’s clothing make sure they claim their own. God says “the nations of them that are SAVED shall walk in the light…” Rev.21:24. The authors of the new bibles take the word “SAVED” out of God’s Word they most desire the terrorists to be with them in Heaven! I love and appricate all you Spirit filled Christians, unfortunately there are so many carnal Christians.
I could show you some of the other 5000 changes in the new bibles that are in the original, but it can be found in, “look what’s missing”.
Charles Orr: The Message is a message from hell and has satan himself as its “author.” How blind have you become to the truth? The “message” is gutter garbage that I and countless others have literally burned. What a good feeling that was.
“The message”; cannot even call it a Bible, is quite popular amongst church goers of this culture as it does not have any power to convict anyone of their sins, thus there is no need for Christ.
Clowns love their circus churches filled with a community of entertainment, activity, and words of self flattery/exaltation. The words of Jesus have been replaced with the message of man, “I am so proud.”
I think you are somewhat premature in your analysis of Eugene Peterson’s work. I suggest you read 1 Corinthians 8:2 and take it to heart: “And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.”
If you look deeper into Peterson’s work and allow God’s Holy Spirit to guide you, you may discover its true inspiration underneath the surface, as I have done! Of course, The Message is NOT a literal word for word translation like Young’s Literal Translation, but I am convinced the message it conveys is totally inspired of God. The SPIRITUAL MESSAGE it communicates does NOT add to or take away from the TRUTH revealed in God’s Word! Among other things, you fail to see the many HIDDEN wordplays interacting between the Greek, Hebrew and English, as demonstrated in his version. These things could only have come from Almighty Yahweh Himself! In Matt.6:9-13, you criticize Peterson because he substituted the expression, “Reveal who you are” instead of “Hallowed be thy name”. There are specific reasons why Peterson states things the way he does. You need to search it out! God does reveal His Holy Name and will continue to do so in the future, as suggested In Ezekiel 28:22 and as Peterson declares:
Ezekiel 28:22 “Say, ‘Message from GOD, the Master: “‘Look! I’m against you, Sidon. I intend to be known for who I truly am among you.’ They’ll know that I am GOD when I set things and reveal my holy presence.”
Please take a deeper look at Peterson’s fantastic work and don’t be so quick to criticize!
It is still so popular, and so widespread, and a generation has been raised on it.
I’ve always known it was garbage, but because I never check it, I had no idea just how bad it was. Thank you for sharing this. With all of the other parodies of the Bible being released (like The Voice), I think I need to work on exposing its error more often. Especially since so many Celebrity pastors get away with citing/quoting it in their Bible twists.
Peterson does NOT tremble at God’s word, he mocks, he adds to it, he takes from it. He should be shunned. Good post John- the clowns and the tiny car are exactly what Peterson’s message resembles.
Wow. What a mockery Peterson makes. Indeed Discernment is at an all-time low.