why the message bible is dangerous why the message bible is dangerous

1)It is often presented as being a Bible translation in modern language. Samaritans only recognized the first 5 books of the Bible, rejecting the remaining books of the Hebrew Bible. Matthew 3:7 Meaning lost: In Matt 3:7, John the Baptist challenges the sincerity of the Pharisees in requesting baptism and warns that they face God's wrath. 4 Even when the way goes through 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. Difficulty Finding a Modern Interpretation of the Bible. How do we know the Bible is not just a fairy tale? ", The Messagereads: "Don't have sex with a man as one does with a woman. Verse Concepts. Almost all of Christianity is deceived and doesnt know the truth. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Yes. Clean Up Your Email. 4 Even though I walk "The Message offers vibrant language that awakens my heart to the wonders of God's Word again and again. 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. 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. He asked his people to respect his grace in Numbers. One of those churches is the enormously popular Bethel Church (for a deeper look at Bethels unorthodox heretical practices and their use of The Passion Translation, see my article, Bethel's False Gospel). Do what's best We were breathing in polluted unbelief and exhaling disobedience. Often when Im studying the scriptures, I will read 3 or 4 versions (and I use the word version: to include Versions, Translations and Paraphrases or Commentaries). That's because by itself, the Bible is not a history book. (Dis)Honorable Mention: Two translations that most Christians know to avoid but should still be mentioned are the New World Translation (NWT), which was commissioned by the Jehovahs Witness cult and the Readers Digest Bible, which cuts out about 55% of the Old Testament and another 25% of the New Testament (including Revelation 22:19, which says, if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book). Although I was never rude in my emails, seven people complained about me to the church office in one day. It was then I got on the internet and read A LOT more and studied LOTS. Some people are more religious than GOD. Throughout history, power has influenced a lot of good . It is a trap that ensnares the poor and the weak and leads them away from the love of Christ. Of course, I could cite hundreds of brilliant renderings in The Message, and sometimes, when preaching, I'll cite one of them, since it powerfully drills home the point. ( Matthew 24:4-5) 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. 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 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Posted on . Jesus saying about having a generous eye probably refers to Gods blessing on those who are generous with their resources and time. Theological Reasons. The Message Bible Good vs. English Standard Version (ESV): And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. Church officials must be in control of their own families, and they must see that their children are obedient and always respectful. "You do sports together or go shopping together. Verse Concepts. Petersons lax handling of the Word of God results in stifled messages that are far less impactful than the original God-breathed directive. He has spent time on both the far Left and Far Right side of the political spectrum and lives in Canada. ", The ESV reads: "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. To see additional comparisons other than what is listed below, visit Bible Gateway, where you can view parallel translations of this translation (and any of the other poor translations featured in this article) with the ESV (or any other reliable translation) side by side. He didn't. People at my church had seemingly fallen in love with The Message and I was chucking a big rock in their pool. why is x2 closed at magic mountain; ul858 household electric ranges standard for safety; barron trump height problem; dr sebi daughter; growth mindset activities for high school pdf why the message bible is dangerous. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it emptied of God and love, godless and loveless wretches. It is an accurate paraphrasing of the bible rather than a. And notice also the reference in The Messageto those who "use and abuse the earth and everything in it." It is written in a conversational style with contemporary language, making it easier for readers to relate to on a personal level. What The Message did to The Lords Prayer as you outlined here is startling all the revolutionary meaning has been sliced and diced away. Dont take any minister, pastor or friends word for truth. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. [5] The work was awarded the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Gold Medallion in 2003 for being the title retailers prized.[6][7]. hallowed be your name, The cult, of course, believes that these teachings must be preserved and protected from change. Translation Comparison - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. 7. 2) When pastors preach from it, it encourages people to use it, this is dangerous because the Message is full of errors, false doctrine, and occult philosophy. 4:29) The Mess routinely speaks "corrupt communication" with some curse words in its pages.This is just one example.. Teaching the New Testament can be a dangerous thing. That type of persuasion keeps them in the dark. You cannot say that just because divination is used in human sacrifice, it is evil. 2) The Passion Translation (TPT) - This is another paraphrase translation like The Message. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. This is a useful place to start, given the controversy currently surrounding this popular, 84-year-old, Christian author. We were living in sin, and letting the world dictate how we should live our lives. They read a passage of The Message that theyve written down or read it from an app on their cell phone. Contempt for it is contempt for the truth. [2], According to the Introduction to the New Testament of The Message, its "contemporary idiom keeps the language of the Message (Bible) current and fresh and understandable". One lady, a former church leader, reportedly lay awake all night wrestling with the issue. The CEV uses an even more simplified version of English than the GNT. Preach in the full expression of the Holy Spiritwith wisdom and patience as you instruct and teach the people. We love each other, and we're not using or abusing each other.". Authored by Eugene H. Peterson and published in segments from 1993 to 2002. and send me in the right direction. through the darkest valley, . English Standard Version (ESV): preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. He goes so far as to say it's a form of sacrilege to speak of God in language that is "inflated into balloons of abstraction or diffused into the insubstantiality of lacey gossamer." He is further identified as the son of Amoz (Isaiah 1:1). 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 same would be true for other versions or translations of the Bible, no? He is the author of 25 books and hosts the nationally syndicated, daily talk radio show, the Line of Fire. Bibles are banned and those found in possession of one face imprisonment, torture and even death - as do up to three generations of their family. Not the first. Jonathan Kotyk A book through which God speaks. In his book the Bible he expressly commands us not to change his words (Proverbs 30:6, Revelation 22:19). 1. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Keep that in mind constantly and before searching for the truth, every single time dont forget You reject me therefore I will reject you, not only does satan deceive but also its God that blinds unbelievers, but will unblind if he chooses, so desire, ask Yahweh ( God) to remove your veil and guide you on your search for the truth and for the protection from satanic deception so youll not be deceived. Answer Ignorance is the lack of knowledge or understanding. 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. You are right-on! The Message (MSG): Don't you realize that this is not the way to live? Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Thats why officials must have a good reputation and be faithful in marriage. The King James Version 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. The Message Bible has become a field manual for false teachers. Power . Word-for-word is a more literal translation of the original language used and puts more of the onus on the reader to discover the intended meaning of the author. your rod and your staff, This is the main message of the entire Bible, Old and New Testament, that those who have repented and trusted in Christ "have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord. The Messages technique in translating the original text is so casual in its approach that NavPress, publisher of The Message, says, It's not meant to replace your current version of choice. This Message book should not be used at all. Eugene Petersons translation of The Message removes this idea of worrying about paying for clothing and instead warns against vanity and attention to fancy clothing. But use it with caution: It is, by design, a very free paraphrase. I would question whether Peterson feels the same way. Your email address will not be published. The only significant addition Peterson added was changing what the Bible actually said. The goal of The Message is to engage people in the reading process and help them understand what they read. It is a potential danger even for those who avoid its more obvious . 5. Look for Part 2 of this article, where we will review the top 5 Bible translations to use. God's cautions are for our good, and ignoring His guidance and commands opens us up to being misled. 2-3 He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. I began to show up where The Message had taken from, added to, and twisted scriptures in the particular passage that had been recited during the church service also explaining why those changes fitted a New Age and politically correct agenda. According to Psalm 138:2 God magnifies His Word above His name. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. 12 and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. In reality, the Lord doesn't need men to make His words more "readable." The Spirit is more than capable of bringing an understanding to anyone as the Lord wills and as we devote ourselves to study of it. Yes. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? A striving after love, is the ethically more demanding choice (1 Corinthians 13:4), while the other, insisting on the right faith, more likely than not will lead to callousness (Gal 1:6-9). Remember almost the entire word is deceived. He has found that The Message often adds meaning to passages that are not present in the original Greek text. Talking to the Dead in the Bible. 5) Contemporary English Version (CEV) - This translation is another work by the American Bible Society, commonly referred to as the Bible for Today's Family. Therefore, readers put a great deal more faith in the translators, as they are trusting their interpretation. The second most dangerous way to read the Bible is to let someone create preconceived notions for you. Yes. I appreciate the years of effort that were put into it, and I recognize it for what it is, with all its great strengths and great weaknesses. How hard are you working at understanding the scriptures? 1 Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need! Schedule II: Drugs with some medically acceptable uses, but with high potential for abuse and/or addiction. One person stormed up to me and demanded that I send her no more emails. [2] It is a highly idiomatic translation, using contemporary slang from the US rather than a more neutral International English, and it falls on the extreme dynamic end of the dynamic and formal equivalence spectrum. I believe that Gods people searchin n praying to Holy Spirit to guide us in understanding. The latter error seems to me to be the more common danger in the church. Gossip always distorts and exaggerates, and is never a reliable source of truth. Regarded as sacred and authoritative, such a complex collection of histories, legends, allegories and images becomes a monstrous Rorschach blot in which you can picture almost . Thank you so much. You committed to reading x amount of chapters or studying God's Word for x amount of minutes each day. as we also have forgiven our debtors. Required fields are marked *. The Bible, and His word, are not evolving, they are static. Finally, I have to say, the attitudes in a lot of these comments and from the opinion of the author is why many people are leaving the practice of Christianity. Jesus is warning the people that they must repent and turn away from their sins if they want to be saved from Gods judgement. Peterson's Approach Yields a Commentary. they comfort me. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! This one comes from the New Apostolic Reformation ( NAR) camp, from the brain of one man, a human-appointed "Apostle.". We are called to be His examples, His disciples. Instead of using any of these misleading translations, we would do much better to quote the Word of God faithfully, which is perfect and God-breathed, instead of rewording Gods message to include our biases and personal opinions and beliefs. I got some belated support and encouragement. They concluded that Eugene Peterson had indeed made a decision to insert occultic words into the book but they still chose to read from it! 6 the end of the Lords Prayer is about forgiving not Gods attributes you may be confusing scripture with the Doxology/song. Those who gossip & slander are not in right fellowship with God (Rom. Peterson's assertion that the New Testament was written in the "street language" of the day is misleading. Isaiah was born in 760 B.C. This is wrong; it is not a translation it is a paraphrase, which makes it a commentary at best. The problem of fundamentalism requires that Bible interpretation be undertaken with great care and consensus, which may be difficult when cultural pressures promote the opposite. The New International 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. makes me feel secure. you find me quiet pools to drink from. They are convicted because they own a Bible. 9 "This, then, is how you should pray: Thank you! Reveal who you are. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. ", Dr. Peterson's paraphrase here is vivid and powerful, with nothing watered down or weakened, describing the most debased aspects of homosexual practice in stark, clear terms. 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. But I do prefer to use it to add clarity. North Korea - In this totalitarian state, the only thing that North Koreans are permitted to worship is the nation's leader, Kim Jong-un. The simplicity of the English used in this translation has made it a popular choice for evangelists; it was even used at Billy Graham crusades. Hostility to it is hostility to the. on earth as it is in heaven. It certainly waters down the living word and I cant see anything in that text that would convict anyone. There are many issues I have with the Message translation, but for the sake of space I am only listing three of them. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Robert D. McFadden. The Samaritans, however, believed that their temple, on Mount Gerizim, was where true worship . [3], The publisher states: "Peterson's work has been thoroughly reviewed by a team of recognized Old and New Testament scholars to ensure that it is accurate and faithful to the original languages. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (MSG) is a paraphrase of the Bible in contemporary English. - is the Word of God? The Message loses the idea of an evil demonic power in these verses. God says, in Isaiah 1:18, "Come now and let us reason together." With alcohol use we temporarily and permanently stupefy our reasoning powers. 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. Although it appears that Eugene Peterson's bible The Message is endorsed by many prominent people this does not mean we accept what they promote without testing it against Scripture. A church that uses the Message, is a church that has let culture invade the Kingdom. You should seek understanding through the Holy Spirit, not through the eyes of man. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Yes. from. Translation Comparison - Matthew 16:16-18, Good News Translation (GNT): Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.. Keep pressing into the Lord! I am thankful that Gods grace is sufficient enough for you, me and Eugene Peterson because God is the only one that knows the heart. We have to read them for what they say, not for what we want them to say. I found it helpful to cobble together a resource from various websites showing examples of how The Message has tampered with Bible verses, misrepresented the gospel, and added occult and New Age words. God bless. At one point, I emailed as many people in the church whose email addresses I could find, showing the problems with the book. Yes. There are sections where the message really brings an idea into easy-to-understand language, but for me there is far too much dumbing down and softening of scripture. 13 And lead us not into temptation, For instance, the English Standard Version, a word for word literal translation puts the Lords Prayer, from Matthew 6 as: Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Cant find your booklet. The Passion Translation (TPT): proclaim the Word of God and stand upon it no matter what! Jews believed the temple in Jerusalem was the only proper place to worship God. Tyndale was killed by the Catholic Church because the Catholic Church did not want the common person to have a Bible. ", In fact, you might even turn to your partner as you read the verses together and say, "That doesn't describe us! Arthur L. Farstad writes: As a Bible translator and editor myself, I must disagree. 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. John Clark: Ise, thank you for sharing and for your openness. Indeed, a day of judgment is coming (2:12-22, 24:1-23), so let all the nations of the earth take heed. Matthew 5:11-12 People are not running from the word of God or Jesus, but the judgement and hatefulness of some Christians. 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. However, I found that often The Message is a wonderful commentary as it helps gel the other versions in a better light for me. It's dangerous to build an opinion of the Bible through the lens of someone else's beliefs. The Bible is therefore a highly dangerous. "[4], The Message was translated by Peterson from the original languages. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. 3) The Living Bible (TLB) - First published in 1971, The Living Bible is another paraphrase translation by sole translator, Kenneth Taylor. Translation is from one language to another. I still get what The Holy Spirit is teaching me and have benefited Spiritually by it.. Rise to the occasion and preach when it is convenient and when it is not. Related articles What Must Someone Believe in Order to Be Saved? I just read your comments on the message bible and I agree that it is dangerous for Christians who are not seasoned in the word. 3 he refreshes my soul. "Eugene H. Peterson, 85, Scholar Turned Homespun Pastor, Dies". The Sabbath day is Saturday. Speakers were lacking in integrity to feed people from this book without first explaining the many problems with it. Heather, theres more to it than that. Pastors should not be encouraging people to us such a book, since it fills peoples heads with error. It confirms science, reveals the Messiah, and proves that it is supernatural in origin. Return to homepage. Good for you, Simon son of John! answered Jesus. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I reached the conclusion that it was very bad and going to deceive a lot more people. Amen. This is clearly what Eugene Peterson is looking at, since otherwise the prayer should end after deliver us from evil, or as the paraphrase puts it (I hesitate to call it a paraphrase, since a true paraphrase keeps the original thought intact), keep us safe from ourselves and the devil. I would point out that theres a huge difference between deliverance and keeping safe. 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.