I am very concerned about the way The Message is used in sermons at churches. The Message is not a Bible translation. It is one man’s interpretation. It is terribly inaccurate, often leaves out major Biblical principles, waters down passages and sometimes adds stuff that has nothing to do with the original text.
And yet it is used as if it is Scripture. Used as if it is God’s word not just the ideas of Eugene H. Peterson.
I understand the need to translate the Bible into different languages including modern English. But that must be done while maintaining the integrity of the original text. The intent should not be changed.
The Message can have a place. It could be used to give illustrations, or a point of view, much like any literature, news clipping or video can be used. But to call it scripture, to craft a sermon around it as if it were the inerrant Word of God. Oh my.
Oh it just drives me crazy.
*I actually considering not posting this. I’m sure people will disagree with me and or be offended. Bahh! I’m hitting publish. This is my Web site. I censor myself enough as it is.
the entire new testment is the opinions of a select few, look how much each one differs? though they’re probably a more accurate account than more recent interpretations
Comment by Jammay — June 6, 2005 @ 7:36 am
Amen Amen! The Message can be useful as easy reading or a Bible study aid. Read it along side a true translation in order to gain a different view point of a passage but by all means do not use as the foundation of your message, building an entire sermon off of one key word, as if that one word was the very breath of God. It drives me crazy when someone spends an hour preaching on a word from the Message that was not there in any true translation. Upon close and sometimes not so close examination often entire passages are totally off base from their original meaning. While I am encouraged my its ability to get more people to read the Bible I am discouraged by the entire “Message” movement. It concerns me to be nameing something as God’s Word that is really God’s word through the eyes and heart of Mr. Peterson.
Comment by Jami — June 6, 2005 @ 7:57 am
Ah, I’m so glad to find someone else with a modicum of sense regarding The Message. I found your blog while searching for info on The Message. I find it so incredibly offensive (the book), I can barely think when someone starts quoting it. It saddens me that Scripture, which I believe to be so precious, is being watered down and accepted by so many people genuinely trying to know God. I’m glad you posted this, and I hope more people will. Something ought to be said publicly about this.
Cheers
Comment by Lori — June 27, 2005 @ 4:12 am
Lori,
Thank you for you comment.
Since writing this entry, I’ve done a little more research. Here are the links that I saved.
crossroad.to
wayoflife.org
cultureshocksolution.org
leaderu.com/marshill
Comment by Amy — June 27, 2005 @ 9:48 am
Amy - I missed this one - probably because it was a year ago and I was not a blog freak. I believe I would have tried to raise the same points I did today. The Scriptures witness to the incarnate Word Jesus, but it does not appear to be God’s intent for the Scriptures to replace Jesus. I have been seriously rethinking holding up a copy of the Scriptures and saying here is the Word of God. I am confident that the Scriptures are accurate and reliable, and that they are an accurate and reliable witness to Jesus and His message.
Comment by rob horton — July 14, 2006 @ 10:36 am
Other comments on this post are here.
Comment by Amy — July 14, 2006 @ 11:38 am