Deception - The Message Bible

[KM Richards]

Anybody ever do a few comparisons of the Message Bible with actual scripture? Also, anybody notice all the "new age" buzzwords?

Looks like the great falling away the Bible talked about in the ends times is upon us (I know, it's been here a while...I just read the original KJV as it goes great with Greek / Hebrews dictionaries)

I was listening to a show on TV and they brought up the Message Bible and I'd never even looked at it, as I typically don't use any of the new newfangledy translations since many are done for profit, not accuracy.

Lemme know what ya'll be thinkin on this info I just found...

* Deletes words that imply occult spirituality. Substitutes more finite, human influences: ​

1 Timothy 4:1 "...in later times some will abandon the faith and follow seducing spirits and doctrines of demons." (KJV)
The Message : "...as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars."

[We're not just dealing with illusions. Deceiving spirits and the timeless doctrines of demons
are far more effective in deceiving people than illusions and professional liars.]​

* Deletes reference to "the ruler of the kingdom of the air" and "sinful nature" (the "flesh"):​

Ephesians 2:1-3: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[2] and following its desires and thoughts."
The Message : "It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat."

* minimizes occult dangers, Deletes consequences: ​

Thessalonians 2:9: "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved."
The Message: "The Anarchist's[3] coming is all Satan's work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they're so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it - gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they're banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions."

[Peterson's tendency to delete the supernatural and minimize the consequences of sin reminds me of Rom. 1:18 - "The wrath of God is being revealed...against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth..."]​

* Deletes references to sinful nature and occult practices, minimizing Satan's power: ​

Galatians 5:19-21: "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like."
The Message : "It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religions; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved.... ugly parodies of community. I could go on."

[Idolatry and witchcraft are not the same as trinket gods and magic-show religions! We're dealing with spiritual forces far greater than magical illusions.] ​

*Sounds like the song "Awaiting You All" by George Harrison (Beatles)
through "chanting the names of the Lord:" ​

You don't need a horoscope or a microscope to see the mess that you're in
If you open up your heart You will know what I mean...
Now here's a way for you to get clean
By chanting the names of the lord and you'll be free
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see.​

Colossians 2:10: "...and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority."
The Message : "You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him..."

* Changes words like fornicators and idolaters which identify specific sins
and Adds a politically correct reference to environmentalism. ​

(Recall the environmental terminology in Eph. 2:1-3, "filled your lungs with polluted unbelief...") ​

1 Corinthians 6:9-11: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified…."
The Message : "Unjust people who don't care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. 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. A number of you know from experience what I'm talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then, you've been cleaned up and given a fresh start...."

* Deletes reference to obedience and to the grace of our Lord: ​

Romans 16:19-21. "Everyone has heard about your obedience [the Greek word consistently refers to obedience or obeying], so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."
The Message : "And so while there has never been any question about your honesty in this matters - I couldn't be more proud of you! - I want you also to be smart, making sure every "good" thing is the real thing. Don't be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus!"

* Deletes "sexual immorality." Adds "avoids commitment and intimacy:" ​

1 Corinthians 6:18-20: "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."
The Message : "There's more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much a spiritual mystery as a physical fact. As written in Scripture, 'The two become one.' 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.' ....In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for 'becoming one' with another."[5]

[One could conclude that "commitment and intimacy" or "becoming one",
not marriage, set the boundaries for acceptable sex.] ​

 

[KM Richards]

Part 2....

* Adds words that qualify homosexuality, providing a loophole for committed
homosexuals who "love" each other. Deletes "God gave them over...": ​

Romans 1:26-27: "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."
The Message: "Worse followed. 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. Sexually confused, they abused and defiled one another, women with women, men with men - all lust, no love. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it - emptied of God and love, Godless and loveless wretcheds."

[This strange wording leaves a loophole for homosexuality to be permitted if it was an expression of love, not lust - which many gay couples claim today. In other words, lust becomes the sin, not the choice of a same-sex partner. The consequences of disobedience, "due penalty" seems broader than "emptied of God and love..." Historically it includes sexually transmitted diseases as well as spiritual death. That politically incorrect possibility is deleted here.]​

* Distorts truth with a contemporary bias: ​

Romans 3:19-20. "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law, rather through the law we become conscious of sin.
The Message : "This makes it clear, doesn't it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! and it's clear enough, isn't it, that we're sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everyone else? Our involvement with God's revelation doesn't put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else's sin."

[This interpretation endorses today's false standard of tolerance: Don't expose or criticize another person; just deal with your own sin. It defies God's guidelines concerning counseling, correction, restoration and accountability - and supports today's tendency to condone sin. See Romans 1:32 - but not in The Message. It deletes this important point.]​

* Deletes "spiritual" - spiritual readiness to receive God's resources for ministry.
Substitutes "live creatively," usually a reference to human resources, not God's: ​

Galatians 6:1-2: "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."
The Message : "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out."

* Deletes references to submission. Adds marital equality: ​

1 Peter 3:1, 7: "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands...
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life..."

The Message: "The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs...
The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God's grace, you're equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals...."

* Deletes references to sexual immorality, repentance, tolerating sin,
the God who searches hearts and minds... ​

Revelation 2:22: "I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. so I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds..."
The Message : "But why do you let that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet mislead my dear servants into Cross-denying, self-indulging religion? I gave her a chance to change her ways, but she has not intention of giving up a career in the god-business. I'm about to lay her low, along with her partners, as they play their sex-and-religion games. The bastard offspring of their idol-whoring I'll kill. Then every church will know that appearances don't impress me."

* Misleading emphasis: ​

Romans 15:4-5. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God..."
The Message : "Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir... our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God..."

[No mention of endurance and hope - which implies triumph in the midst of suffering, as we remain confident that God will do all He has promised. In light of Peterson's tendency to minimize the disciplining side of God. Notice, "follow Christ Jesus" is replaced by a Jesus who "gets along with us."] ​

* Replaces "reconciliation" (a spiritual work based on the cross) with "friend." ​

Adds "drop their differences" (Could he be promoting a PC form of unity?): ​

2 Corinthians 5:20: "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."
The Message: "We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you."

* Adds a promise not found in the original Greek: ​

Romans 8:35-37: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?"
The Message : "Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:"

 

[KM Richards]

Wow! How sad...looks like Copeland, Savelle, Billy Graham, and many other major ministers have embraced this poor excuse for scripture....


Matthew 6:9-43

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Same verses in 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!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.



What is alarming about this passage is “as above, so below” is deep in occult practice and philosophy.

This language is used in black magic and it’s theory practiced by Aleister Crowley, the author of the satanic bible.

In the next passage, we will see politically correct environmentalism and the deletion of sins.

1 Corinthians 9: 6-11

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

The Message (same verse)

Don’t you realize that this is not the way to live? Unjust people who don’t care about God will not be joining in his kingdom.

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.

A number of you know from experience what I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit.

(end of Message bible quote)

Where does it say anything in scripture about “abusing the earth” in Corinthians?

It’s not there.

This has been added to the scripture to be politically correct and endorse the global warming agenda. Idolatry and homosexuality are clearly deleted from these verses.

The Message Bible is subtle in it’s deception leaving out homosexual sin in some passages, promoting the global warming agenda in others. New age concepts are abound in this book as well as references to mysticism and esoteric language.

What better way to convince the world that ‘god’ wants world government and a world religion for ‘peace’?

This bible subtly deceives and as well known Christian teachers embrace and endorse this book, the more read it without question or discernment.

In the beginning, sin began by questioning the Word. As so it will be in these last days. For the enemy has little time.

Might have to re-think KCM's teachings due to this...I thought he was a stickler for the Word...apparently not!

 

[ABlessedAnomaly]

Here's my first thoughts, although I'll have to research a little deeper.

These are JUST THOUGHTS.

I first heard criticisms of the Message Bible from the orthodoxy, but they are critical of ANY new translations at all.

Billy Graham?? Isn't Message too new for him?

Satanic Bible was written and published by Anton LaVey, not Crowley (although Crowley is as messed up if not more than Lavey.

Never heard Cope or Sevelle quote from Message, but won't say they never have. But to then turn and toss their entire ministry because of it....

Well, I'll read deeper.....

 

[DMW]

Relax, its a tool.

 

[Deaver]

I have struggled over which translation is best. I think it is important to understand that there are translations and paraphrases. I believe the Message is really a paraphrase and should be read and understood in that light.

Having said that, after a lot of prayer and some reading about which bible translation is best, my position is that it is best to consistently read God’s Word in more than one translation. Multiple versions result because of the many choices of how to translate a word into English. We hear God speaking when we’re listening, not distracted by the argument of which version is “right”. If we ask, the Holy Spirit will open our mind; change our heart; and work out salvation in our life.

 

[ABlessedAnomaly]

some interesting correlations. Troubling, indeed.

We must remember that The Message was written by one man, Eugene Peterson, I believe. I would put it more in line with "The Book of God" by Wangerin -- but Wangerin specifically says his is not a Bible, but a novelized, readable story. Peterson is putting out a translation.

 

[ABlessedAnomaly]

Relax, its a tool.

But if the "tool" distorts the truth, are we to be concerned?
At what point of distortion SHOULD we be concerned (if not this book)? Should we ever??

 

[ABlessedAnomaly]

I have struggled over which translation is best. I think it is important to understand that there are translations and paraphrases. I believe the Message is really a paraphrase and should be read and understood in that light.

Having said that, after a lot of prayer and some reading about which bible translation is best, my position is that it is best to consistently read God’s Word in more than one translation. Multiple versions result because of the many choices of how to translate a word into English. We hear God speaking when we’re listening, not distracted by the argument of which version is “right”. If we ask, the Holy Spirit will open our mind; change our heart; and work out salvation in our life.

Hi Deaver,

The OP question isn't one of paraphrase v.s. translation. For it is safe to say that if we read the Living Bible translation to get the general idea of what parts of the Bible are talking about, then we are rather safe in coming to a fair understanding of what God wants.

When we want to rightly divide the Word of God and get down to word studies and pull the exact meaning out of a text, then we need a more faithful (systematic) translation to do this.

The question isn't whether The Message is a paraphrase -- it is -- but what type of philosophy might be interwoven into the paraphrase. If the verbiage used softens one to New Age concepts, then we become more accepting of those concepts in general life and the enemies words and concepts are easier to get to pass our ear gates and eye gates and get into our hearts. This is deception at its worst.

I haven't studied The Message bible to see if this New Age language is present, but that is what KM in the OP is suggesting. Some of what he has quoted is quite interesting and seems to support the supposition.

 

[KM Richards]

Relax, its a tool.

Yes, a tool of satan to introduce leven into the Body of Christ for the purpose of deceiving the elect.

The question isn't whether The Message is a paraphrase -- it is -- but what type of philosophy might be interwoven into the paraphrase. If the verbiage used softens one to New Age concepts, then we become more accepting of those concepts in general life and the enemies words and concepts are easier to get to pass our ear gates and eye gates and get into our hearts. This is deception at its worst.

The big problem is this book is being promoted by many major ministries as a "Bible"...thus making many believe that: "if they say it's OK, I'm diving in"

Here's a list of who is promoting "The Mess" to their people...

NavPress used their names in the promotion of this book:
(they have to be making money from the endoresement...otherwise, why endorse this trash???)




Amy Grant,
Benny Hinn,
Bill Hybels,
Bill and Gloria Gaither,
Billy Graham,
Brock and Bodie Thoene,
Carol Kent,
Chuck Swindoll,
Cynthia Heald,
Dan Quayle,
Dave Dravecky,
Toby-DC Talk,
Don Moen,
Duffy Robbins,
Gary Chapmen,
Gary Smalley,
Gordon Fee,
Gordon MacDonald,
Harold Fickett,
J.I. Packer,
Jack Hayford,
Jay Kesler,
Jerry Jenkins,
Jerry Savelle,
Jim Burns,
Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter,
John Maxwell,
Joni Eareckson
Tada,
Joyce Meyer,
Kathy Peel,
Keith Miller,
Kenneth Copeland,
Leighton Ford,
Leith Anderson,
Luci Shaw,
Madeleine L’Engle,
Max Lucado,
Michael Card,
Michael W. Smith,
Mike Yaconelli,
Newsboys,
Patsy Clairmount,
Pat Williams,
Phil Driscoll,
Rebecca St. James,
Richard Foster,
Rick Warren,
Rod Parsley
Ron Kenoly,
Stuart and Jill Briscoe,
Tim Kimmel,
Tony Campolo,
Tremper Longman,
Bono of U2,
Vernon Grounds,
Walter Kaiser Jr.,
Walter Wangerin,
Warren Wiersbe,
Wayne Rice,
Wellington Boone.
Frederick Buechner.

 

[KM Richards]

Copeland talks about rejecting "genetically altered bible" when referring to people butchering the Word of God to make it say something it doesn't actually say...

Wonder why he has not examined The Message "Bible" and has allowed his name to be used to promote it???

Here's some mo info I found that brings up some very good points....

_____________________________________________________________

The first blast from The Mess attacks the "Lord."

The "Lord" occurs a whopping 7970 times in the KJB -- more than any other noun. Of the 8,000-plus different words used in the KJB, the "Lord" ranks 14th among the most occurrences (number 13 is the single letter "a"). Only helper words such as "the"; "of"; "in"; "to"; et. al. occur more often.

The Mess contains the "Lord" only 71 times! The "Lord" ranks 1087th among words in The Mess. It appears the same number of times as words like "question" or "reputation."

In the New Testament, (ironically, the Testament of the "Lord" Jesus Christ) the "Lord" appears a skimpy 23 times in The Mess. The Mess NEVER directly honors Jesus Christ as Lord. The "Lord Jesus" occurs 118 times in the King James Bible. The "Lord Jesus Christ" occurs 84 times in the King James Bible. The phrase "Lord Jesus Christ" or "Lord Jesus" is not in The Mess! The outright denial of the "Lord" Jesus has never occurred in ANY translation.

Let us clarify something . . . the total amputation of the "Lord Jesus" is no accident. It is not an issue of translation or Greek manuscripts. It is not a matter of updating archaic words or making it easier to understand. It was a deliberate and intentional doctrinal decision to remove the "Lord Jesus."

And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord. . .
John 20:13


It is interesting that Judas Iscariot never calls Jesus "Lord."

The Bible states 13 times Judas "betrayed" the Lord Jesus; Judas was possessed of satan (Luke 22:3); Jesus Christ calls Judas "a devil" (John 6:70); Jesus calls Judas the "son of perdition" (John 17:12 – which is also the title of the antichrist in 2 Thess. 2:3). The Bible describes hell as Judas’ "own place" (Acts 1:25).

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I?. . .
Matthew 26:25, KJB
Judas always addressed Jesus as "Master" -- never "Lord." Following the footsteps of Judas the "betrayer," the Mess also "betrays" the Lord, always calling Jesus "Master" – never "Lord"!

Another partner in the "Master Jesus" plan is the New Age religion. The root of the New Age Movement (NAM) teaches during various "ages," teachers or guides arise called "Masters."

Helena Blavatsky, the guru of the modern-day New Age Movement, wrote extensively of these enlightened "masters." In the 1980’s, the book Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow by Constance Cumbey, exposed the New Age Movement. Mrs. Cumbey defines the mystic new age as:

A vast organizational network today, the New Age Movement received its modern start in 1875 with the founding of the Theosophical Society by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. . . Strongly propounding the theory of evolution, they also believed in the existence of ‘masters’ who were either spirit beings or fortunate men more highly ‘evolved’ than the common herd. (Cumbey, Constance, Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, p. 44)
In his best selling book, A Crash Course on the New Age Movement, author Elliot Miller describes the new age Jesus as:

The New Age Jesus became ‘the Christ’ only after purifying himself of ‘bad karma’ through many incarnations, and even now (as many New Agers believe) he is only one of several ‘masters’. . . (Miller, Elliot. A Crash Course on the New Age Movement, p. 30)

Second only to Blavatasky in the New Age hierarchy, is Alice Bailey. Author Constance Cumbey says Bailey, ". . . did more than anyone, except perhaps H. P. Blavatsky, to build the foundations for the ‘New Age’." (Cumbey, Constance, Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, p. 49) In 1922 Alice Bailey formed Lucifer Trust Publishing, which was later renamed to the subtle Lucis Trust Publishing. Bailey wrote extensively on the "Master Jesus." The following quote are but one of the hundreds of references to the New Age "Master Jesus":

"There is a growing and developing belief that Christ is in us, as He was in the Master Jesus. . ."
(Bailey, Alice, The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p. 592)
New age researchers quickly discover the Jesus of the New Age is not the "Lord" Jesus but "Master" Jesus:

Jesus to the New Age is a man who ascended to be a Master. . .
(Understanding the New Age, Watchman Fellowship Inc.) A basic tenet of the New Age thinking is that of the Master Jesus. . .
(Yungen, Ray. A Time of Departing, p. 112)

 

[KM Richards]

Here's more info found at: The Message Bible: A Mystic Mess



The Mess calls Jesus "Master" over 400 times and the unique New Age phrase "Master Jesus" appears 76 times! The only other Bible I found "Master Jesus" in was the New Age Bible titled The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ!

The following examples (among many) of the "Master Jesus" in The Mess loudly echo the Judas-inspired, New Age doctrine of the "Master Jesus."

As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, "Master Jesus, take my life."
Acts 7:59 Then some of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene who had come to Antioch started talking to Greeks, giving them the Message of the Master Jesus.
Acts 11:20 And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive.
2 Corinthians 4:14 He who testifies to all these things says it again: "I'm on my way! I'll be there soon!" Yes! Come, Master Jesus! The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!
Revelation 22:20-21

The Bible in 1 Corinthians 12:3 warns against spiritual counterfeits such as The Mess that deny Jesus is the "Lord." Notice how the Mess attempts to cover its tracks by perverting the same verse.

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 12:3, KJB For instance, by using your heads, you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say "Jesus be damned!" Nor would anyone be inclined to say "Jesus is Master!" without the insight of the Holy Spirit. 1Cor. 12:3, The Mess


Not content with propagating the NAM "Master Jesus," The Mess continues its "master" plan. The "Lord God" occurs 546 times in the King James Bible. The "Lord God" briefly appears 9 times in the Mess. The Mess replaces the "Lord God" with "Master God." I could not find the "Master God" in any other Bible version.

Again, notice the new age, mystic tone of the "Master God" in the Mess.

Abram said, "Master GOD, how am I to know this, that it will all be mine?"
Genesis 15:8 King David went in, took his place before GOD, and prayed: "Who am I, my Master GOD, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life?
2 Samuel 7:18 He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "Master GOD, only you know that."
Ezekiel 37:3

The Mess travels to "loony land" deleting the "Lord." Rather than correctly translate the "Lord God," The Mess crafts the gobbledygook phrase "God, God." It also deceitfully slips in a comma attempting to justify the goofy Mess.

GOD passed in front of him and called out, "GOD, GOD, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient--so much love, so deeply true—
Exodus 34:6 Attention, Israel! GOD, our God! GOD the one and only!
Deuteronomy 6:4


The NAM identifies their "Masters" as "divine guardians" and "custodians of the Divine Plan." The New-Age Tara Center describes the "Masters" as "custodians" of the Divine Plane:

The Masters, together forming the Spiritual Hierarchy, are the custodians of the Divine Plan for this planet.
(Basics of Ageless Wisdom, Tara Center, p. 3).

In Deuteronomy 32:8, the Mess also references these "divine guardians" who "care for the Earth." This is not Bible Christianity. And this is not in the Hebrew text! Notice the complete change from the King James Bible.

When the High God gave the nations their stake, gave them their place on Earth, He put each of the peoples within boundaries under the care of divine guardians.
Deuteronomy 32:8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 32:8, KJB


The New Age Movement revolves around the “One.” Riplinger writes in New Age Versions: "Virtually all exposes on the New Age Movement observe ‘the One’ is this movement’s object of worship." (Riplinger, G.A. New Age Versions, p. 85)

New Age guru H.P. Blavatsky teaches the NAM begins with "the One":

"The esoteric theogony begins with the One. . . "
(Blavatsky, H.P. The Secret Doctrine. Vol. 1, Page 94)

"The Secret Doctrine carries this idea into the region of metaphysics and postulates a ‘One Form of Existence’ as the basis and source of all things."
(Blavatsky, H.P. The Secret Doctrine. Vol. 1, Page 46)

In the following quote Blavatsky states Jehovah and the Serpent [Satan] that tempted Eve both are the "One".

It is curious that Jehovah's name in Hebrew should also be One,. . . Jehovah -- esoterically (as Elohim) -- is also the Serpent or Dragon that tempted Eve. . .
(Blavatsky, H.P. The Secret Doctrine. Vol. 1, Page 73)

The One theology stems from pantheism. The word Pantheism derives from the Greek words pan meaning "all" and theos meaning "god." Pantheism teaches God is All and All is God or "One". It rejects a personal, loving God, instead defining God as "Presence" or "One." Infoplease defines "pantheism" as "a denial of God's personality and expresses a tendency to identify God and nature." The god Pan appears as a cloven-foot, half-man, half-goat satyr playing the hypnotic "pan pipes." (Ezek. 28:13) Occultist Albert Pike describes Satan as ". . . the mythologic and horned form of the God Pan. . ." (Pike, Morals and Dogma, p. 102) The Satanic Bible (p. 144) also includes Pan in its list of Infernal Names of Satan. Hence, a pan-theist follows Satan.

During a NAM meeting in Boulder, New Age leader Jose Arguelles told his listeners to, ". . . invite "PAN" in, accepting him as the leader and guide for their lives. . . that 'right now Mother Earth is bringing Pan back to save us and lead us into the New Age. We can help by surrendering to him. . ." (www.raidersnewsupdate.com/gaia.htm)

Make no mistake — Pan is the "One" of the New Age religion.

The New Testament of the King James Bible never refers to God or the Lord Jesus as the impersonal One. Several times Jesus Christ is called the Holy One and the Just One, but never an impersonal, mystic One. The Mess changes the personal pronouns such as he and him (that reference Jesus and God) and personal nouns such as the Father, with the impersonal pantheistic "One" over 102 times in the New Testament! The following verses from The Mess loudly resonant the New Age "One" mantra.

No one has seen the Father except the One who has his Being alongside the Father--and you can see me.
John 6:46 As John was finishing up his work, he said, 'Did you think I was the One? No, I'm not the One. But the One you've been waiting for all these years is just around the corner, about to appear. And I'm about to disappear.'
Act 13:25

Since the One who saves and those who are saved have a common origin, Jesus doesn't hesitate to treat them as family,
Hebrews 2:11

Every time the Animals gave glory and honor and thanks to the One Seated on the Throne--the age-after-age Living One—
Revelation 4:9

 

[ABlessedAnomaly]

Amy Grant,
Benny Hinn,
Bill Hybels,
Bill and Gloria Gaither,
Billy Graham,
Brock and Bodie Thoene,
Carol Kent,
Chuck Swindoll,
Cynthia Heald,
Dan Quayle,
Dave Dravecky,
Toby-DC Talk,
Don Moen,
Duffy Robbins,
Gary Chapmen,
Gary Smalley,
Gordon Fee,
Gordon MacDonald,
Harold Fickett,
J.I. Packer,
Jack Hayford,
Jay Kesler,
Jerry Jenkins,
Jerry Savelle,
Jim Burns,
Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter,
John Maxwell,
Joni Eareckson
Tada,
Joyce Meyer,
Kathy Peel,
Keith Miller,
Kenneth Copeland,
Leighton Ford,
Leith Anderson,
Luci Shaw,
Madeleine L’Engle,
Max Lucado,
Michael Card,
Michael W. Smith,
Mike Yaconelli,
Newsboys,
Patsy Clairmount,
Pat Williams,
Phil Driscoll,
Rebecca St. James,
Richard Foster,
Rick Warren,
Rod Parsley
Ron Kenoly,
Stuart and Jill Briscoe,
Tim Kimmel,
Tony Campolo,
Tremper Longman,
Bono of U2,
Vernon Grounds,
Walter Kaiser Jr.,
Walter Wangerin,
Warren Wiersbe,
Wayne Rice,
Wellington Boone.
Frederick Buechner.

where did you get this list. I found it intact on a site that is quite questionable. What is your source, KM?

 

[KM Richards]

Here's more....


Building upon the "One" concept, a distinct code-word among the mystic New Agers is "oneness."

"The root idea of the New Age is oneness, unity and wholeness—the One for all."
(Groothuis, Douglas R. Unmasking the New Age, Illinois: InterVarsity Press 1986, p. 115) "This oneness of life is the crux of the New Age movement."
(Yungen, Ray. A Time of Departing, Lighthouse Trails Publishing, Silverton, 2002 p. 130)

"Oneness" is an unusual and bizarre word, not appearing in most dictionaries. Only New Agers recognize the "oneness" teaching. Following the mystic New Age "Oneness" script, The Mess says in Ephesians 4:6, "Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness". The word "permeate" means "spread throughout" or "to penetrate". According to The Mess, "Everything you are and think and do is spread throughout with Oneness." Make no mistake about it -- this is heavy-duty New Age doctrine.

The New Age guidebook Metaphysical Primer: A Guide to Understanding Metaphysics gives nearly the exact same principle of the New Age Movement, "Everything is one with everything else. All that is on Earth is an expression of the One Deity and is permeated with Its energies." (Yungen, Ray. A Time of Departing, p. 52)

The Mess doesn’t stop there. It continues to spread the New Age "Oneness."

I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness. . .
John 17:23 Because there is one loaf, our many-ness becomes one-ness. . .
1 Corinthians 10:17

Another "oneness" term the New Age Religion exercises is "interdependence."

Constance Cumbey writes in The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, "Another key teaching of this movement is that all things are ‘interconnected’ or ‘interdependent’". (Cumbey, Constance, The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, p. 67)

Cult author Dr. Walter Martin, identifies "interdependence" as a New Age "buzz-word" used to "describe the oneness".

Interdependence/Interconnectedness – These words are used by New Agers to describe the oneness and essential unity of everything in the universe.
(Martin, Walter, The New Age Cult, p. 129)

Like a hypnotized cobra being charmed by the sweet sound of the piper, The Mess serenely dances to the New Age Piper (Ezek. 28:13) while singing the song of interdependence.

Everyone I meet--it matters little whether they're mannered or rude, smart or simple--deepens my sense of interdependence and obligation.
Romans 1:14




Another key New Age teaching surrounds "the Presence." The NAM "Presence" forms a mystic, impersonal pantheist "presence" of God. The following quotes reveal the importance of the "Presence" in the New Age agenda.

Occultism sums up the ‘One Existence’ thus: ‘Deity is an arcane, living (or moving) fire, and the eternal witnesses to this unseen Presence. . ."
(Blavatsy, H.P. The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 1, Page 2) The Christ Self, then, has communication with the Father who in both Principle and Person is the Presence of God, the I AM THAT I AM, or the I AM Presence.
(Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Mysteries of the Holy Grail, p. 217)

Alice Bailey reveals the "Presence" strikes a blow at the Biblical "transcendent" God or a God that exists apart from nature and man.

This inevitably brings in the concept of the Presence, or of God Immanent and is the result of the needed revolt against the one-sidedness of the belief in God Transcendent."
(Bailey, Alice, The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p. 355)

The Mess refers to God at least 34 times as the NAM "Presence." Teaching the God of the Bible as a mystic Presence constitutes blatant blasphemy. This can only be defined within a New Age viewpoint. In sharp contrast, remember, the Mess NEVER directly refers to Jesus as Lord. The following verses (of many) echo the NAM mystic "Presence" of the Mess:

No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man.
John 3:13 I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth.
Revelation 20:11

The Mess calls the sacred "shewbread" as the mystic "Bread of the Presence" eight times [Ex. 25:30, 35:13, 39:36, 1 Sam. 21:6, 1 Kings 7:48, 2 Chron. 4:19, 29:18].

Always keep fresh Bread of the Presence on the Table before me. Exodus 25:30

Energy activates the spiritual "force" of the New Age religion. Prayers, meditations, invocations, and rituals all create energies.

The inflow of this energy has brought many hundreds of people into a new and deeper spiritual realization;. . . Thus is the New Age dawning . . . This is the occult law.
(Bailey, Alice. The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p. 7) Every man should realize that in the use of energy lies direction and the treading of the Path. . . Students should familiarize themselves with the ‘energy concept’ and learn to regard themselves as energy units displaying certain types of energy.
(Bailey, Alice. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 4)

Alice Bailey references "energy" over 1029 in the Rays and The Initiations. New Age disciple and popular, folk-rocker Tori Amos, defines this New Age energy as Lucifer, while readily confessing her love and worship of Lucifer.

I wanted to marry Lucifer. . . I don’t consider Lucifer an evil force. We can all tap into that free-running current of distorted energy."
Tori Amos, (Francesca Lia Block, "The Volcano Lover", SPIN, March 1996)

To visit Father Lucifer, to have a moment to dance... to go down in the dark, to visit with the dude! Not these little ‘Prince of Darkness’ wannabes... some of them are cute, but to visit the real energy force that has held the darkness: you go there with honor. . ."
(A bottle of red: Tori Amos, B-Side Magazine, Sandra A. Garcia, May-June 1996)

The Mess explicitly promotes the NAM mystical "energy." Energy appears 40 times in The Mess. Note: Energy only appears one time in some of the other per-versions. The Mess leaves no doubt concerning its faith in the New Age "energy" force.

In Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:28, the Mess changes "pray" to "the energies of prayer." Apparently, God no longer answers our prayers, instead, the prayer itself, generates "the energy." The Bible definition of prayer means "to ask." (Matthew 21:22)

When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.
Luke 6:28

Mark 5:30 and Luke 16:19 no longer reads "virtue" leaving the Lord Jesus, but "energy discharging" or "surging" from him.

At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, "Who touched my robe?"
Mark 5:30

The following are a few more (of many) undeniable NAM "energy" doctrine in the Mess:

All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven,
Ephesians 1:20

That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Philippians 2:13


A casual study of the New Age religion quickly exposes their light-god. A best selling New Age book of the 90’s was Embraced by the Light by Betty Eadie. Light is the cornerstone of NAM.

The popular new age prayer called The Great Invocation by Alice Bailey, (originally published by Lucifer Publishing), begins with the words, "From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let Light stream forth into the minds of men. Let Light descend on Earth." And it ends with "Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth."

Marilyn Ferguson, states in her best-selling New-Age guidebook, The Aquarian Conspiracy:

Always, the vision of evolution toward the light. Light is the oldest and most pervasive metaphor in spiritual experience. We speak of enlightenment, the city of light, the Light of the Word, children of light, the ‘white-light experience’,
(Ferguson, Marilyn. The Aquarian Conspiracy, p. 385)

The guiding light of NAM is Lucifer, which means "light bearer." Hence, new age disciples proudly label themselves, "light bearers." The Dictionary of Word Origins by John Ayto, under the listing for "Lucifer," simply says "see LIGHT." (p. 329) The definition for "light" then reads ". . . Latin lux ‘light’ which English gets Lucifer, literally ‘light bearer’." (Ayto, John. Dictionary of Word Origins, p. 323) 2 Corinthians 11:14, says, ". . . Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." In Luke 10:18, Jesus Christ says, ". . . I beheld Satan as lightning . . ."

The following excerpts from New Age material testify of their "light" god:

This Light will irradiate (in a fashion unknown before) not only the Father's House, which is the source of all our planetary light. . This light will now flood the world of men, bringing illumination to men's minds and light into the dark places of human living It is light and - above all else . . ."
(Bailey, Alice. The Reappearance of the Christ, p. 58)

To this light the mystics testify, and it is this light into which they enter, and which enters into them, revealing the light which is latent and drawing it forth to potency. "In Thy light shall we see light." This is the outstanding fact of scientific mysticism. God is light. . .
(Bailey, Alice. From Bethlehem to Calvary, p. 153)

The Mess is flooded with the mystic NAM "light." The Mess adds "light" when light is not in the text. It magically transforms simple "light" into NAM "God-light" or "Life-light." The following verses from The Mess compared with the KJB clearly reveal the NAM "light" agenda.

 

[KM Richards]

Lucifer literally means "light bearer." And New Agers, who recognize Lucifer as their god, proudly wear the title "light-bearer."

". . . the one in whom the light shines becomes a light-bearer in a dark world."
(Bailey, Alice. The Rays and The Initiations, p. 49)

These words carry meaning to all true disciples and present them with an analogous goal which they define to themselves as that of finding the light, appropriating the light, and themselves becoming light-bearers.
(Bailey, Alice. The Rays and The Initiations, p. 143)

The Mystic Mess also claims the Luciferian New Age banner, "light-bearer."

If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you?. . .
Matthew 5:15

Another well-known NAM term is "light-seeds." And again (and again. . .), The Mess preaches NAM agenda.

Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people. . .
Psalm 97:11


Anyone familiar with New Age and Eastern mysticism knows the importance of the lotus. H.P. Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine contains a chapter titled "The Lotus as a Universal Symbol." The Secret Doctrine, directly mentions the mystic lotus over 80 times. In Alice Bailey’s A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, the lotus carries over 249 references. No symbol is more sacred in the New Age mysticism than the lotus.

Blavatsky describes the "Lotus" god of the New Age.

In chapter lxxxi. of the Ritual (Book of the Dead), called ‘Transformation into the Lotus,’ a head emerging from this flower, the god exclaims: "I am the pure lotus, emerging from the Luminous one [Lucifer]. . . . . I carry the messages of Horus. I am the pure lotus which comes from the Solar Fields. . .
(Blavatsky, H.P. The Secret Doctrine, p. 380)

The New Age Aquarian Gospel of Jesus, crowns Jesus with the "Lotus wreath."

19) This man, approved by all the master minds of heaven and earth, this man from Galilee, this Jesus, chief of all the sages of the world, we gladly recognize.
20) In recognition of this wisdom that he brings to men, we crown him with the Lotus wreath.
The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ

The Dictionary of Symbolism states the sacred "lotus blossom" originated from "primordial ooze" and arose to become "the divine creator of the world."

Lotus: In ancient Egypt the lotus blossom is mentioned in the myth of the creation of the world: it originated from primordial ooze, and the divine creator of the world arose from its calyx.
(Biedermann, Hans. Dictionary of Symbolism, pp 212-213)

The Mess writes the most blasphemous and openly New Age propaganda ever recorded in a mainstream Bible. The Mess transforms the Lord Jesus from the "lily of the valley" to the mystic "lotus blossom from the valley pools."

I'm just a wildflower picked from the plains of Sharon, a lotus blossom from the valley pools. A lotus blossoming in a swamp of weeds-- that's my dear friend among the girls in the village.
Song of Solomon 2:1-2

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
Song of Solomon 2:1, KJB

Notice the Mess degrades the beautiful "rose of Sharon" to a crude "wildflower picked from the plains of Sharon."

In Micah 7:14, The Mess performs more New Age magick. It transforms "midst of Carmel" into a blatant new age phrase "centered in lotus land."

Shepherd, O GOD, your people with your staff, your dear and precious flock. Uniquely yours in a grove of trees, centered in lotus land. . .
Micah 7:14



In Romans 15:13, the Mess contains the most bizarre statement ever in a mainstream Bible.

Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!
Romans 15:13

Who is the "God of green hope"?

The "green hope" originated with the hellish, human sacrificing, Druids. The publication Talks on Freemasonry states, "Green was, with the Druids, a symbol of hope and the virtue of hope with a Freemason illustrates the hope of immortality." (Kenneth Tuckwood, Talks on Freemasonry) The "green hope" mantra is a popular rallying cry in the new age Mother-Earth environmental movement. In NAM "green" signifies Oneness with the Earth, hence the title of William Anderson’s book, Green Man: The Archetype of Our Oneness with the Earth.

". . . the devil appears as ‘the green one’. . ."
(Biedermann, Hans. Dictionary of Symbolism, p. 159)


Chanting occupies a central role in paganism and mysticism. The popular book, Chant and be Happy, featuring former Beatle and Krishna disciple George Harrison states, "By serving GOD through each thought, word, and DEED, and by chanting HIS Holy Names, the devotee quickly develops God-consciousness." Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, defines "chanting" as: "The continuous recitation of a mantra. . . which helps one achieve an altered state of conscious, ecstasy, communion with the divine. . ." (Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, p. 92). The word "chant" occurs only one time (Amos 6:5) in the KJB and refers to idolatry. The mystic Mess includes "chant" 9 times. (Jdg 5:11; Psa 35:15; Psa 71:24; Jer 9:10; Jer 51:14; Eze 26:17; Eze 32:16 (3 times); Rev 4:8; Rev 4:10) In Revelation 4, the four and twenty elders (vs 10) and the four beasts (vs 8), before the throne of God, are "chanting."

The Four Animals were winged, each with six wings. They were all eyes, seeing around and within. And they chanted night and day, never taking a break: Holy, holy, holy Is God our Master, Sovereign-Strong, THE WAS, THE IS, THE COMING.
Revelation 4:8


As the name implies, the New Age religion teaches a series of "ages." The Mess promotes the New Age religion with the phrases "age after age" (Rev. 4:9; 4:10; 14:11) and "age after age after age" (Psalm 72:5; Rev. 5:13; 22:5).

Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age. Revelation 22:5

 

[KM Richards]

A popular New Age, Oneness-Pantheistic, teaching says, "as above, so below." New Age Journal published a book titled As Above, So Below. The Introduction says, "’As above, so below’ means that the two worlds are instantaneously seen to be one when we realize our essential unity with God. . . . The One and the many, time and eternity are all One." (New Age Journal, So Above, So Below, p. xi)

The Mess quietly transforms the hallowed "Lord’s Prayer" into a New Age "as above, so below" invocation.

In Matthew 6:10, The King James begins with the familiar, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

The mystic Mess reads, "Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best-- as above, so below."


The Bible says in Psalm 119:140, "Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it."

Note. The following verses from The Message include vulgar and offensive language. I recognize the sensitivity of my readers, but The Message is heavily marketed towards the youth by scores of Contemporary Christian Musicians, including CDs of verses from The Message. The only accurate way to expose this filth is to show the verses. Remember this is a "Bible" recommended by tons of prominent Christian leaders!

When the King James Bible describes intimate relationships and immoral behavior there remains a careful wholesome tone in its wording. It doesn’t sugar-coat the sin, but it doesn’t smell with the stench of the world. Contrary to the pure Words of God – the Mess wallows in the sewers of smut. The Mess smells of "sex, sex, and more sex."

. . . Sniffing the wind for the slightest scent of sex. Who could possibly corral her! On the hunt for sex, sex, and more sex-- insatiable, indiscriminate, promiscuous.
Jeremiah 2:24

The word "sex" appears 199 times, (remember the "lord" appears only 71 times). The Mess contains enough "sex" to satisfy even Hugh Hefner. There is sexual intercourse (Jdg 21:11); sex goddess (2Ki 21:7); sexual predators (Job 24:15); sexual excesses (Job 36:14); sex shrines (Jer 5:7); [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]tish sex (Eze 16:24); sex orgies (Eze 16:26); sexual prowess (Eze 23:21); obsessive sex (Eze 23:49); filthy sex (Eze 24:13); loose sex (Hos 4:2); drunk on sex (Hos 4:12); sex-worship (Hos 4:19); popular sex gods (Hos 11:2); lewd sex-worship (Hos 13:1); sacred sex-and-power centers (Mic 5:14); sexual orgies (Hab 2:15); sexually confused (Rom 1:27); sexual transmission (Rom 9:8); scandalous sex (1Co 5:1); sexually promiscuous (1Co 5:9); sexual sins (1Co 6:18); sexual relations (1Co 7:1); sexual drives (1Co 7:2); sexually tortured life (1Co 7:9); sexual disorder (2Co 12:21); cheap sex (Gal 5:19); sexual obsession (Eph 4:19); casual and illicit sex (Heb 13:4); sexual filth (2Pe 2:7); sexual rack and ruin (Jud 1:7); dirty sex (Jud 1:8); and sex peddlers (Rev 21:8). Note: most of the above phrases occur several times.

The Mess routinely uses crude words such as "genitals," "sperm", "[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]," and "streetwalking harlot."

Saul exploded in anger at Jonathan: "You son of a [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]!. . .
1 Samuel 20:30

I'll expose her genitals to the public. . .
Hosea 2:10

. . . Drunk on sex, they can't find their way home. They've replaced their God with their genitals.
Hosea 4:12

"Look around at the hills. Where have you not had sex? You've camped out like hunters stalking deer. You've solicited many lover-gods, Like a streetwalking harlot chasing after other gods.
Jeremiah 3:2

. . .. After all, they're involved in this as well as you; if you don't come to terms, they'll be eating their own turds and drinking their own pee right along with you."
2 Kings 18:27

Jeremiah 8:13 even quotes a Holy God calling Israel "a [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]." Notice the wording of the King James Bible.

GOD's Message: "Ask around. Survey the godless nations. Has anyone heard the likes of this? Virgin Israel has become a [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]!Jeremiah 18:13

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.
Jeremiah 18:13 King James Bible

In Ezekiel 16:24, The Mess spews the most vulgar and crude language ever recorded in a mainstream Bible:

At every major intersection you built your bold brothels and exposed your [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]tish sex, spreading your legs for everyone who passed by.
Ezekiel 16:24

While "sex, sex, and more sex" floods the Mess, the sodomites disappear. The "men" of Sodom in Genesis 13:13 are now "people of Sodom." The Mess completely pardons the "sodomites," replacing them with the inoffensive and meaningless "sacred prostitutes."


The Bible admonishes us to, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. . ." (Eph. 4:29) The Mess routinely speaks "corrupt communication" with some curse words in its pages.

"Damn" appears many times in precarious settings.

Go, curse Jacob for me; go, damn Israel." Num 23:7
Break their miserable hearts! Damn their eyes! Lam 3:65
Take care of that damned woman 2 Kings 9:34
I'd rather be damned by God than drink this! 1 Chron. 11:19
We're damned if we do and damned if we don't Jer 8:14
you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say "Jesus be damned!" 1 Cor. 12:3

Nothing seems sacred to the Mess, even descending to using the "G.D." word.

Here is GOD's Message to the prophets, the preachers who lie to my people: "For as long as they're well paid and well fed, the prophets preach, 'Isn't life wonderful! Peace to all!' But if you don't pay up and jump on their bandwagon, their 'God bless you' turns into 'God damn you.'
Micah 3:5

Notice how different the words of God's tender compassion found in the King James Bible in Micah 3:5:

Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Micah 3:5, KJB


Like this "present evil world," The Mess enjoys perverting and redefining the word "hell."

a gang of local hell-raisers all Judg 19:22
hell-raisers Judg 20:13
you hellhound! 2 Sam. 16:7
a fool hellbent on folly. Pro 17:12
rebels to rot in hell. Psa 68:6
I'm camped on the edge of hell. Psa 88:3
"Let's go out and raise some hell. Pro 1:11
We've been to hell and back. Lam 3:47
hellholes. Zep 1:9
hellbent on destruction, 1 Cor. 1:18
"To hell with your money! Act 8:20
And then all hell broke loose Rom 1:29

 

[ABlessedAnomaly]

Here's some mo info I found that brings up some very good points....

Sir, quote your source explicitly.

***[edit] Sorry. I now see your sourced link in your next post to the one I quoted there. The rest of my comment stands. [end edit]****

The site you copied this from (or to the point, the originating site of these quotes), av1611.org, is not a reputable site.

Along with the Message Bible this site blasts the NIV, the New KJV, TNIV, along with other acceptable versions. This site is from a group who are King James Only proponents, and these groups have their own issue especially when it comes to Word of Faith. This forum is for Word of Faith, about Word of Faith. If we allow information from sources that are contrary to Word of Faith then we allow leaven into the forum that will eventually lead to the erosion of a cohesive study platform for Word/Faith participants.

While a topic study of whether The Message Bible contains New Age propoganda certainly can be of use to the participants of this site, quoting material from men whose primary focus is the calling everything that isn't their own cults is not what we want here.

 

[KM Richards]

Sorry...they have some very good points concerning the Message book.

Are they unbelievers over there at av whatever dot org? If they are believers, then we are to not attack them even if they attack us (did not Jesus have some stuff to say 'bout that??? Yes...He did)

I know...there is a group of folks that think only the original KJV is authorized by God, and they probably attack the NKJV too, which seems to be pretty decent.

As far as attacking word of faith...who cares??? Everybody attacks word of faith, so why is that any cause for concern?

If God backs His Word...then we're good, right?

Every group will use hook or crook to argue their position on things is the best...even wof people...but the truth is that there is bad and good in most every group. I mean, wof people just seem to want the good stuff in life and if you mention anything about hard times you'll get a "get thee behind me satan" really quick (not sure why anybody would want satan folloawing around behind them, oh well).

Wof people need to understand that we aren't the only people God loves in the Body of Christ...I heard God has a special section in Heaven for full gospel people, including wof, and instructs everyone else to be really quite when passing by this section cause full gospel people think they are the only ones in heaven! (that is actually a joke someone told me once...)

I know this is a shocker to those in the wof community...but God sees us as a Body and not all body parts think alot of the other body parts...even though they should cause it's God's Body and we need them just as much as they need us!

On the subject of the Message book...the av org crowd has it right...I was listening to a new age expert (a Christian minister that got saved from the new age deal years ago) on the SonLife Network last night (I know, I know...that's Jimmy Swaggert's channel...eeek), which is how I found out about the Message book.

On this subject, Jimmy Swaggert and av org is absolutely correct...even though they may not be on other subjects. This is a "take the good, spit out the bad" situation, and unless you are prepared to claim absolute 100% perfection of all things in your life...you'll have to admit that some of the stuff you believe and do isn't right...which makes you just like other Christians.

I'm not trying to start any new doctines here, but it's very alarming how popular this Message book is amongst young people...many of whom have no clue about digging in to the original texts to understand what is being said and also comparing to the rest of scripture.

No, they seem to be way to budy for any of that and believe whatever you tell them if you are in a position of authority. All ministries that are promoting this book are falling short of honoring the integrity of God's Word...repentance is in order on this one, and that includes Kenneth Copeland...if he even knows about this!

Wow, saying something against Copeland...is that blasphemy er somethin???

He's been my spiritual dad for over 20 years...now, I have to seriously re-think any involvement if he is this slow...he has obviously missed God on this one as he should be all over this!

I may have to go down to EMIC and talk to them about this...btw, they have a nice display in Word Works Bookstore for the Message book!





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[DMW]

The big deal is this forum is a haven where we come to not be bashed and attacked for our beliefs.
With respect to translations, there are many conspiracy theories about the newer ones, mainly against the NIV and mainly by the nut-case KJV only crowd. The truth is, the KJV itself is rife with errors, which has been documented, and even if it weren't, it has long past its time of relevance to modern language usage.
Personally, I think we are frustrating the Holy Spirit when we try to get people to use language and idioms totally unfamiliar to them. This is taking the Gospel out of the hands of the common people to whom it was sent. I can tell you that after many years of ministering to children, elderly, and inmates, that there is nothing more frustrating than trying to teach about the "lust of concupiscence" or the "superfluity of naughtiness" or doing that "which was meat."
I consider that abundance of translations and language tools and commentaries a blessing of the Lord to give us a system of check and balances on interpretation and to help open our understanding (which, by the way, the Message Bible excels at).

 

[Deaver]

Hi Deaver,

The OP question isn't one of paraphrase v.s. translation. For it is safe to say that if we read the Living Bible translation to get the general idea of what parts of the Bible are talking about, then we are rather safe in coming to a fair understanding of what God wants.

When we want to rightly divide the Word of God and get down to word studies and pull the exact meaning out of a text, then we need a more faithful (systematic) translation to do this.

The question isn't whether The Message is a paraphrase -- it is -- but what type of philosophy might be interwoven into the paraphrase. If the verbiage used softens one to New Age concepts, then we become more accepting of those concepts in general life and the enemies words and concepts are easier to get to pass our ear gates and eye gates and get into our hearts. This is deception at its worst.

I haven't studied The Message bible to see if this New Age language is present, but that is what KM in the OP is suggesting. Some of what he has quoted is quite interesting and seems to support the supposition.

I agree with what you said. I would like to add a few words to clarify my issue.

First, I would like to state that that no Bible translation is inspired. All of them have been put together by men. The only perfect translation of Scripture is what God Himself actually revealed to the apostles and prophets.

Although, I do not promote ‘The Message’, it is obvious that Peterson abstained from strict adherence to the grammatical structure of the original text in favor of a more natural rendering. His focus was readability of the Bible more so than the preservation of the original grammatical structure. This focus resulted also in other Bible Translations/paraphrases such the New Jerusalem Bible, the Revised English Bible and the Contemporary English version, to list a few.

If one goes to the Internet and searches for something like, “what is wrong with the {fill in the blank] bible version/” I am sure they will something wrong with every version, yes even the KJV.

Remember we should always compare scripture to scripture and ask for the Holy Spirit to interrupt for us. To that point, as I have stated previously I am a firm believer that one should use multiple Bible versions in their study. Also, to give full disclosure, I use the KJV as my basic study bible.

I think what the OP is presenting are those things that we would discover if we use a variety of Bible versions when we study the Bible. I agree with what I believe the underlying point of the OP and that is, as Christians we should study any Bible version to see if it contains something that would distort or take away from the Word of God.