I have not yet read The Message so will not comment on its contents, I do have it, but am currently studying other items.
Picking up on some of the comments in this thread, I am surprised at the extremes.
RJ,
Christ4Ever is saying exactly what you are saying. so don't say "No'. Say yes!
And are you referring to the Translation of "The Message"? That is one of the worst translations to read. (KJV is the most recommended.)
And yes there are things that can lead a person away from Jesus Christ. Have you heard of an Atheist? Have you heard of Satan? Abortion? Murder? Of course there are things that can lead us away. But only if we chose to follow them.
The Message is not a translation. It is a paraphrase, and a very acceptable one, especially when used in conjunction to a good translation. In fact, new believers who are unfamiliar with bible language will come to love and crave scripture when introduced to this paraphrase, because their understanding is open and their hunger is great.
I am absolutely sure that Eugene Peterson thinks nothing of the kind. The quote you posted is from 'Eat this Book'. A glance at the rest of the book will tell you that he has the highest regard for the word of God.
For heaven's sake! Peterson is a Spirit-filled man. We should all know that God wasn't inspiring stories that are highly descriptive and detailed as to settings that include background, sights, sounds and smells. Holy Spirit helps us fill in those things. That's part of His job.
First I see criticism of 'The Message', with nothing constructive to back up the statement, then I see the comments praising, The Message and the author Eugene Peterson. Although we all agree that the most accurate translation is what we should always seek, there are also other situations we should also consider? Some may disagree with paraphrasing, because they are seen to be not accurate translations, but if they speak to the heart of a young soul and allow the Holy Spirit to take control, and the Word is not compromised, just said a different way, where is the problem?
If paraphrasing scripture is not considered correct because it is not accurate to The Word, because it is saying things a different way, then we could also compare this to when Jesus spoke in parables, He was speaking a different way. The Jews didn't understand what Jesus said, they interpreted what He said as not being 'accurate to scripture'. He spoke of the Old Testament scriptures and Law but, because it was said a different way, it didn't seem to them right to scripture.
Do we in this day and age when speaking say...
'I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.' e.g. ye, thee, hitherto, etc. No we don't. Why, because we were not born in King Henry VIII era. We speak according to the way we were taught in the time period we live and our culture. Ever since Babel language and the way people speak has changed but never more than today in this technological period of time. Do our children speak as we do? No. Do our grandchildren speak as we do? No. Do we speak like Shakespeare? No. England is a small part of Great Britain, yet even in this small piece of land the way people talk varies so much, the south speaks different to the north, the west speaks different to the east, and many variations in between, Geordies, Scousers, Brummies, etc.
So when we consider all the variations in speech in our current day and age, along with the differences subject to our age and the time zone we were born, surely if a paraphrase is not taking away the Truth in the Word and will speak to some, especially those who have not accepted our Lord or are young souls, then surely paraphrasing has to be acceptable, I think so.
After considering all the above variations, we also have to consider and accept, Church Congregations are made up of believers and none believers, some haven't yet tasted the milk, some are tasting the milk whilst others are thirsting for more, then we have the Christians on meat and wanting more, those on meat were once on milk!
So is paraphrasing an issue, considering the way we talk, the time zone we live in, our age in the world, our age as a Christian, what stage we are in our Christian life, I think not, providing it is accurate to scripture, maintaining the Word and context of the message to reach hearts at what ever stage that heart may be. Faith comes by hearing... we sow the seeds... the Holy Spirit does the work, God is in control. If paraphrasing is the milk for a young searching heart, that brings a young soul into the fold, I am sure by the Power of the Holy Spirit they will be guided and in time they too will be searching for real meat also.
I do hope the message is received gracefully, my heart was troubled when I read the extremes in the posts.
Jesus loves you. I do too.
