What kind of message is The Message?

[Alpine]

The Message may be a loose paraphrase but not as loose as what I heard on TBN and you probably heard on Sunday.

~Jim

Why were you watching TBN?

 

[mont974x4]

Why were you watching TBN?

To know the enemy?

 

[JimB]

Why were you watching TBN?

Oh, I sometimes drop in just to see what is going on in the always-entertaining world of Charis-mania and to check out the latest in 1960's hair styles.

And sometimes I just need some extra cheese, please.

~Jim

It seems to be a universal irony that when people are free to do what they want they usually imitate one another.​

 

[Floatingaxe]

Hi Tbird,

Do you really believe that The Message's Lord's Prayer is a translation of Greek?

Matthew 6:9-13 from the NIV:

"Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

From "The Message":

"Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best -
As above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you
and forgiving others.
Keep us safe
from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!

No, it is a PARAPHRASE, only. If you don't like paraphrases, then don't use them. To suggest that Peterson is deliberately foisting an agenda on us is preposterous. Spirit-led believers would be able to see that if it were true.

As it is, we are seeing mistaken fear mongers with their bullhorns calling out, to no avail. That should tell you something. The Body of Christ is not amused.

 

[mont974x4]

I doubt God is amused at the intentional twisting of Scripture found in "the message".

 

[Floatingaxe]

A paraphrase makes no claims to being an accurate translation of scripture. It is a paraphrase, an interpretation. You know that going into it, if you read the introduction. Most preachers paraphrase the Bible when they are preaching and have to recall a scripture off the top of their head. Like the preacher on TV this past week (during the outrageous TBN beg-a-thon) who told us, quote, “Don’t the Bible say that Bill Gates’ money is laid up for Christians” (and all the people whooped or went into a swoon).

Except, the Bible does not say that. That interpretation would encourage covetousness.

To quote Prov. 13.22 from another paraphrase (the Message), “A good life gets passed on to the grandchildren; ill-gotten wealth ends up with good people.”

The Message may be a loose paraphrase but not as loose as what I heard on TBN and you probably heard on Sunday.

~Jim

It seems to be a universal irony that when people are free to do what they want they usually imitate one another.​

Ecclesiastes 2:26 may also be the verse he refers to....

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

From The Message:
God may give wisdom and knowledge and joy to his favorites, but sinners are assigned a life of hard labor, and end up turning their wages over to God's favorites. Nothing but smoke—and spitting into the wind.

 

[mont974x4]

God has favorites? That is more evidence against this abomination called "the message"

NASB
Rom 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.

 

[JimB]

Ecclesiastes 2:26 may also be the verse he refers to....

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

From The Message:
God may give wisdom and knowledge and joy to his favorites, but sinners are assigned a life of hard labor, and end up turning their wages over to God's favorites. Nothing but smoke—and spitting into the wind.

You have to interpret Ecclesiastes in situ.

It is the only book in the Bible written by a backslidden man from a backslider’s point of view. You know, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

~Jim

It seems to be a universal irony that when people are free to do what they want they usually imitate one another.​

 

[tbird_energizerbunny]

Elijah2

Thank you for bombarding me with direct copy and pastes of what you've already said. I appreciate your consideration.

If you notice, I did not give a stance on this issue, but rather used both KJV and the Message to give you a different perspective.

I'm not saying the issues aren't there or aren't real, and I'm not saying they are there and are real, I'm just asking you to consider how this reflects to the testimony of Christ. I don't think Christ had this in mind for his followers. This arguing and bickering is magnifying the disruption within the Body of Christ rather than alleviate it. People are not brought to Christ by those who argue and bicker among themselves...but I ask you to recognize the potential we could have had instead of bickering, and recognizing the potential that Christ has to work through everything.

Being immediately on the defensive does not show the love of Christ to me, as your fellow believer and comrade in Christ. Does it? All I am gently saying is to see what has the greater potential to display the glory of Christ, bickering about the translation to use, or using your favored translation to witness to the lost?

 

[mont974x4]

I believe he is trying to be obedient to what we are told in Jude....to contend earnestly for the faith.

 

[Floatingaxe]

You have to interpret Ecclesiastes in situ.

It is the only book in the Bible written by a backslidden man from a backslider’s point of view. You know, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

~Jim

It seems to be a universal irony that when people are free to do what they want they usually imitate one another.​

Oh my goodness!

It is Scripture, God-breathed through the Holy Spirit. What was said there is truth, just the same.

 

[Floatingaxe]

God has favorites? That is more evidence against this abomination called "the message"

NASB
Rom 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.

Of course He has favourites.

A good king only has assignments for those who are trustworthy to do his will. Likewise, God also chooses to use and bless those who are faithful and trustworthy to obey Him when He calls them.

That's why we have many extra-ordinarily blessed Christians who are advancing the Kingdom mightily.

 

[mont974x4]

Except that isn't what that verse is saying. It does not say anything about playing favorites.

 

[Floatingaxe]

Proverbs 3:1-4
1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.

 

[jeolmstead]

Hey John O, I've alread commented on this posting of yours on another thread, but for you to say this has caused me great concern for you:

I do not consider the bible to be inspired unless God is inspiring it. Otherwise it is the same book that several well known popular cults use.


In HIS INSIPIRED WORD it commands burning such things, so you better throw The Message into the fire with them.


Christianity isn't a cult, so I think your foundation in His Word has gone adrift, and I guess that can happen when you appear to be reading paraphrased and watered-down versions, such The Message.


Be very careful of what you say, and believe when it comes to HIS WORD, the TRUTH of our LIVING GOD, our Lord Jesus Christ, be very careful.


Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

You are correct, Christianity is not a cult, but, many cults claim to be Christian.

Would you say then that the bible they use is the inspired word of God?

Because, it’s the same one you and I read. One cult reads it and claims Jesus is an angel. Another reads it and claims there is no eternal hell. Another group read it right up to the point they drank the poison kool-aid.

When the devil quoted scripture to Jesus in the wilderness, was that word inspired as well?

The point I’m trying to make is, no translation stands greater then God and any of them can be inspired (or not inspired).

God is the one who brings the inspiration, otherwise, it’s just a book.

I love the bible because it introduced to my savior who brought me back into relationship with God. I love it because through the power of the Holy Spirit it comes alive and speaks to me.

However, it is not a religious fetish or idol. (as it has become to some)


John O.

 

[Floatingaxe]

You are correct, Christianity is not a cult, but, many cults claim to be Christian.

Would you say then that the bible they use is the inspired word of God?

Because, it’s the same one you and I read. One cult reads it and claims Jesus is an angel. Another reads it and claims there is no eternal hell. Another group read it right up to the point they drank the poison kool-aid.

When the devil quoted scripture to Jesus in the wilderness, was that word inspired as well?

The point I’m trying to make is, no translation stands greater then God and any of them can be inspired (or not inspired).

God is the one who brings the inspiration, otherwise, it’s just a book.

I love the bible because it introduced to my savior who brought me back into relationship with God. I love it because through the power of the Holy Spirit it comes alive and speaks to me.

However, it is not a religious fetish or idol. (as it has become to some)


John O.

 

[mont974x4]

Look deeper into the ideal that the message claims as being Gods favorite and God's ideal of finding favor. They are different. Just as what Scripture actually says in other places compared to what is claimed in the message. There is a very real and honest reason we stand against that work of man that is leading people astray.

 

[Floatingaxe]

Look deeper into the ideal that the message claims as being Gods favorite and God's ideal of finding favor. They are different. Just as what Scripture actually says in other places compared to what is claimed in the message. There is a very real and honest reason we stand against that work of man that is leading people astray.

LOL! I didn't even use The Message regarding those matters in but one instance in three, yet you still came against them.

 

[mont974x4]

The discussion is based on the deceptions of "the message" and misunderstanding of actual biblical concepts.

In this and other threads on that abomination comparison of actual Scripture to what is found in "the message" have been presented and yet people still defend it as a viable resource for discovering Truth. Clear evidence has been presented and rejected.

 

[jeolmstead]

As far as I know,

None of the major cults busily leading people astray are currently using the Message. (I could be wrong)

As far as I know they do it with the good ole KJV.

Although one messes with John 1:1 and replaces “God” with “a god”. Their bible is otherwise word for word KJV.

I don’t know how many people have been lead astray by “The Message”. I do however have good numbers on those lead away reading the king’s English.

(and it’s more than 144,000 now)

John O.