Garbage - Life's Little Slices. He outlined his grace in Leviticus. But use it with caution: It is, by design, a very free paraphrase. Isaiah was born in 760 B.C. No. North Korea - In this totalitarian state, the only thing that North Koreans are permitted to worship is the nation's leader, Kim Jong-un. 4) Good News Translation (GNT) - Also known as the Good News Bible (GNB), the GNT was created by the American Bible Society as a translation that would be simple enough for anyone to easily pick up and understand, including individuals learning the English language and children. 1) The Message (MSG) - This translation is a paraphrase by Eugene Peterson. Thank you for your comments on The Message, although not very well versed in the bible something in my gut told me that it was wrong. One lady, a former church leader, reportedly lay awake all night wrestling with the issue. Becoming a scholar is the job of the church leader SO they can speak it upon any person of any intelligence. The Message Bible is an English-language translation of the Christian scriptures compiled by Eugene Peterson and published in segments from 1993 to 2002. Former Pastor: If there is a God, does he even make a difference? It is an accurate paraphrasing of the bible rather than a. Speak the Truth in Love. Trust God to reveal truth to in Love, In Matthew 3:7, Jesus speaks to the people and calls them a brood of vipers. Required fields are marked *. .". for you are with me; I dont need a thing. Paraphrase is often written by a single author who translates the Bible in their own words, sometimes not even using the original biblical languages as a foundation. Not to lower ourselves to the call of whatever is popular at the moment. 4 Even when the way goes through I am not alone. Almost all of Christianity is deceived and doesnt know the truth. In this article, we will discuss why it may be dangerous for ones understanding of the Christian faith and message. your rod and your staff, The Living Bible (TLB): When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and rejoiced in Pauls message; and as many as wanted eternal life, believed. The translators of the CEV prove their exegetical incompetence with confusing and illogical translations of verses, such as their handling of Acts 9:22. The Old Testament teaches that believers are defiled by their attempts at communicating with the dead, a practice that is detestable to God. Many believers enjoy reading The Message because of its modern appeal; however, it is important to recognize . According to NavPress, publisher of Eugene Peterson's The Message The Bible in Contemporary Language, there have been over 10,000,000 readers of The Message. will not get you closer to GOD. . And notice also the reference in The Messageto those who "use and abuse the earth and everything in it." Compare Micah 3:5 in the MESSage bible to the King James Bible and others. I ended up hearing The Message defined as all kinds of things to try to dismiss the problem that it tampered with scripture a practice which the Bible itself condemns. I will fear no evil, I have enjoyed listening to Peter Hobbs reading message audio on youtube. As a white male . Dont let your guard down or forget that at any moment you can be deceived. Gossip always contributes to a problem and never to a solution. A word-for-word translation like the ESV translates this as Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkeys colt!, The Living Bible translates this as, Dont be afraid of your King, people of Israel, for he will come to you meekly, sitting on a donkeys colt! Taylors use of dont be afraid is evidence that he does not realize that the common Hebrew expression of fear not means to have confidence.. (a) (The Message) "Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy leaving us more lonely than ever - the kind of sex that can never "become one"." (b) Comment: Sexual immorality is reduced to "the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy". Jesus saying about having a generous eye probably refers to Gods blessing on those who are generous with their resources and time. And not a great church to go to if salvation is paramount. Eugene Peterson created The Message, a Bible translation which emphasizes the need to trust God rather than focus on material possessions or appearances. About ten people in total complained about me that week. 1)It is often presented as being a Bible translation in modern language. By dictionary definition, power is the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. The Message promotes the mystical New Age message with a boldness never seen in a mainstream Bible. On the two occasions when I have since heard it used, the speakers havent disclosed the name of the book they are reading from. The latter error seems to me to be the more common danger in the church. True to your word, He commanded them to remember his grace in Deuteronomy. Like I said, it is a commentary, not a translation and it should be treated as such. HE never said that. Holy Bible comes with both the new testament and the old testaments of the holy scriptures. Eugene Peterson might be the William Tyndale of the 21st century or just an individual who wants to distort the bible or some who sincerely want to make the bible easy to read but making some mistakes. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Rare a member that actually brings a Bible and there are none available in the pews. This should be emphasized whenever a preacher or teacher quotes from it, I believe. Youre in charge! Dear Jonathan, Where is Sunday on the calender? Faith It is far more difficult to treat with love and kindness someone who disagrees with your faith than it is to denounce and dismiss them (as Paul did). And the word "abhorrent" is as good a rendering of the Hebrew as is "abomination. Your email address will not be published. It wasnt too long ago that we were stuck in this stagnant life of sin, but thankfully, God has given us a new life through Jesus Christ. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Keep pressing into the Lord! Later, when I started dating a woman (now my wife) at the church, she was warned that I was at the centre of controversy. ", If you're reading The Message, it will go right over your head: "Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it, don't qualify as citizens in God's kingdom. Authored by Eugene H. Peterson and published in segments from 1993 to 2002. How do we know the Bible is not just a fairy tale? Therefore, readers put a great deal more faith in the translators, as they are trusting their interpretation. Learn why this "gospel lite" illusion is such a seductive, powerful delusion for Christians and how you can avoid it in your walk of faith. And why are they persecuted? Especially when our own pastor prayed the Lords prayer in Peterson speak. hallowed be your name, He introduced himself as a God of grace in Genesis. This is why HE he stated that the Sabbath was made for man, man wasnt made for the Sabbath. I saw new believers using The Message as their actual Bible during a study, and felt like The Message was robbing them of some choice meat when they read passages from it that were flowery but so watered-down. Christians should only evolve to be more in line with His word. However, despite this attractive feature, it is not a translation that should be used for the seriousness of Bible study, as the simplistic use of English in the Good News Translation has come at a price. That type of persuasion keeps them in the dark. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. This is a useful place to start, given the controversy currently surrounding this popular, 84-year-old, Christian author. Verse Concepts. We were living in sin, and letting the world dictate how we should live our lives. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it emptied of God and love, godless and loveless wretches. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Jonathan Kotyk is a student, self taught philosopher, recovering addict and born again Christian. The Message Bible has become a field manual for false teachers. Queen Elizabeth II: A Role Model For Humanity, The Dangers of the Pan-sexual Agenda Part 1: What is Pan-sexuality. Peterson inserts his own dogma . I had to sit through two church services tailored to support the churchs use of The Message. Tyndale was killed by the Catholic Church because the Catholic Church did not want the common person to have a Bible. This phrase is used to describe someone who is wicked and deceitful, as snakes are often seen as symbols of evil in the Bible. Taylors lack of understanding of Hebrew and Greek and absent use of the original manuscripts has led to disingenuous passages and verses such as his translation of John 12:15. Preach in the full expression of the Holy Spiritwith wisdom and patience as you instruct and teach the people. 713 Some do know the truth but you will only know that by discovering it yourself. The Message is a tool that, while not subjectively perfect for some, is quite ideal for others. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. Difficulty Finding a Modern Interpretation of the Bible. I reminded the church that Jesus said if we love him, we will obey his commands (John 14:23). Peterson's assertion that the New Testament was written in the "street language" of the day is misleading. Its always better to refer to Scripture than to quote any pastor, preacher, biblical scholar, theological professor, etc., no matter where they are in their walk with Christ. The Message translation additionally suggests that people may reject Jesus teaching because the truth is too close for comfort. [] The second most dangerous way to read the Bible is to let someone create preconceived notions for you. Tyndale got a Bible into the hands of the common person. I remember feeling like a pariah with no support or friends in that church for some weeks. Again, the attempt to make a translation that is simple for anyone comes at the cost of containing misleading text, such as claiming the Holy Spirit actually replaces Jesus (John 14:26) and gender-neutralizing Pauls instructions for a pastor (1 Timothy 3:1-5). The scene in Oslo after Christian terrorist, Anders Breivik, struck. I got some belated support and encouragement. It confirms science, reveals the Messiah, and proves that it is supernatural in origin. The Passion is the work of sole translator, Brian Simmons, whose work has been heavily critiqued by the scholarly world. Lets all be careful and remember William Tyndale who first translated the bible to English but encountered fierce opposition and was killed(burnt at stake) but his work has a very large impact on the King James Version (the most accepted version of the bible) Solomon had clear instruction from the Lord not to marry foreign wives, but he chose . For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. He asked his people to respect his grace in Numbers. "You have something divine in your hands: a book like fire! English Standard Version (ESV): preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. The biblical position on controversial social and cultural issues is not immoral, it's not harmful, and it's not unloving. You can do anything you want! Some people are more religious than GOD. Since it is more of a commentary than a real Bible, it does not have the same effect of cutting into the depths of the heart. you let me catch my breath He did not say Peterson did not speak Gods Attributes in his rendition of Lords Prayer, he said the original text did not so there-for Peterson should not have added it to the prayer. answer the question why the message bible is dangerous, which will help you get the most accurate answer. That's because by itself, the Bible is not a history book. Set the world right; We can get a glimpse of the strengths and weaknesses of The Messageby looking at how Dr. Peterson treated a number of key verses dealing with homosexual practice. Posted on . Complaining isn't harmless sport; it's serious sin. Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, extols the Word of God. Jonathan Kotyk Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. ( Matthew 24:4-5) The following article hopes to help you make more suitable choices and get more useful information It is a popular book to use in liberal churches that are more focused on creating social change than on Jesus Christ, His saving act on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Ephesians 2:2 serves as a reminder that although it may seem like a distant memory, there was once a time when we walked according to the way of this world but now, thanks be to God, we are free! 10 your kingdom come, he leads me beside quiet waters, Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. It is specifically targeted toward U.S. English speakers with its use of American contemporary slang. Good people are going to perish. The Bible Is Dangerous, Inaccurate, And Written By Man The Bible is the most accurate historical book on planet earth. 7. The cult, of course, believes that these teachings must be preserved and protected from change. The Message, I was told, is a paraphrase, a commentary, a rendition, a transliteration, etc, etc. A historic first: Vietnam allows Franklin Graham to hold evangelism event with 300 churches, Teen who had breasts removed says health system lacks 'standards of care', School district rejects student-teachers from Arizona Christian University, Its smut: Kid reads sexually graphic book he got from school library to school board members, Ukraine war exposes weaknesses in Russia and the West, ChatGPT, consciousness and the human mind, Saving a Sick America: A Prescription for Moral and Cultural Transformation, Eugene Peterson and Jesus Cannot Both Be Right, Eugene Peterson Retracts Support for Gay Marriage, Says He Was 'Put on the Spot', Vicky Beeching on Eugene Peterson Controversy: 'American Christians' Opposition to LGBT Equality Tied to Money', U2's Bono Teams Up With Pastor Eugene Peterson to Release Documentary on the Psalms. Jonathan, I definitely agree with your take here. 1Cor. It certainly waters down the living word and I cant see anything in that text that would convict anyone. 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. They would just avoid the passages that had those words in them. I got the phrase As above, so below which appears in The Message and googled it alongside the word Satanism in the presence of the minister. The result is a strongly sectarian translation that no longer counts as Scripture; by masquerading as a Bible it threatens to bind entire churches in thrall to a false god. The Passion Translation is even promoted by churches that share Simmons own theology (for example removing rebuking and correcting from 2 Timothy 4:2). Apparently, she told the minister that she couldnt see why it mattered that Eugene Peterson changed Gods words. The Bible is therefore a highly dangerous. This has been a concern for my friend Ken Berding, who has been doing detailed work in the Greek New Testament and several English translations. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. Use it, then, in a supplemental way and, where it really nails things or clarifies things, learn from it. I had never heard of this Message until a couple of weeks ago when the leader at the church I attend put up verses on the front screen with the abbreviation after the scripture. That is abhorrent. If you desire the truth then and only then will it be reveiled. Teaching the New Testament can be a dangerous thing. August 23, 2017 The Message is a spiritually dangerous book, especially for new Christians who dont know anything about the faith or are just starting to investigate it and as it is there is already a huge amount of false teaching out there, like the Word Faith movement, the New Apostolic Reformation, Jehovahs Witnesses, Hebrew Israelites, and so on. Authored by Eugene H. Peterson and published in segments from 1993 to 2002, [2] the MSG falls on the extreme dynamic end of the dynamic and formal equivalence spectrum. One person stormed up to me and demanded that I send her no more emails. Yes. Witnesses, who also changed the Bible around to fit what they wanted to say, they created the NWT Bible. A couple of church leaders also began to express concerns about the content. You are really understanding mans word, not Gods by using this commentary/paraphrase. You committed to reading x amount of chapters or studying God's Word for x amount of minutes each day. I read your article, with interest. Related articles What Must Someone Believe in Order to Be Saved? There were phone calls and emails to the minister, as well as people appearing at the church office to complain about me to him in person. as above, so below. One implies that the one being delivered is actually out there engaging the enemy (the devil), while the other gives more of a picture of holing up away from other people and not bothering to engage. ", In TheMessagethis becomes, "Don't you realize that this is not the way to live? It would be smart to not confuse the Message with the actual word of God, it is a commentary and should be treated as such, meaning it is not divinely inspired and is full of errors. In this section of the sermon, Jesus uses the example of wildflowers to illustrate how God provides for all creatures. It's been the case from the beginning that Christians are slandered, and one of the worst slanders is to consider our love dangerous. I would sit alone on a sofa with no one ready to converse with me. Other times, we are ignorant because we have chosen not to learn something we need to know. 13 .mw-parser-output span.smallcaps{font-variant:small-caps}.mw-parser-output span.smallcaps-smaller{font-size:85%}God, my shepherd! I showed him the many websites that spring up connecting this phrase to Satanism and other forms of the occult. The Samaritans, however, believed that their temple, on Mount Gerizim, was where true worship . Your email address will not be published. At one point, I emailed as many people in the church whose email addresses I could find, showing the problems with the book. Rather, it is designed as a reading Bible that can give you a fresh perspective on a familiar phrase or passage.. Speakers were lacking in integrity to feed people from this book without first explaining the many problems with it. Refusing to know God, they soon didn't know how to be human either women didn't know how to be women, men didn't know how to be men. Unjust people who don't care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Many believers enjoy reading The Message because of its modern appeal; however, it is important to recognize that this unconventional version can have serious detrimental implications.