"The Message"

[JT912]

Just wondering if anyone out there enjoys reading "The Message" translation and or what anyone thought of it. Personally I really like it because to me it clarifies what the bible is actually saying. Often times when I read scripture I say to myself wow that's interesting, but with then I read it in the message and it makes more sense. But I also wonder also if it is accurate enough to trust? Originally I read the NKJV or the NASB but it's frustrating because their are words in their that only few people actually know or use. And I don't like the NLT In my opinion it's watered down. So What do guys give the message from 1-10?

1=Bad and 10=good accuracy

 

[calluna]

Just wondering if anyone out there enjoys reading "The Message" translation and or what anyone thought of it. Personally I really like it because to me it clarifies what the bible is actually saying. Often times when I read scripture I say to myself wow that's interesting, but with then I read it in the message and it makes more sense. But I also wonder also if it is accurate enough to trust?

That's the problem with things that 'make sense'. 'My ways are not your ways.'

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Whatever translation/version feels right to ya, is right for ya.

 

[calluna]

Whatever translation/version feels right to ya, is right for ya.

True. Though if a published translation feels right, kiss yourself goodbye.

 

[oldsage]

Just wondering if anyone out there enjoys reading "The Message" translation and or what anyone thought of it. Personally I really like it because to me it clarifies what the bible is actually saying. Often times when I read scripture I say to myself wow that's interesting, but with then I read it in the message and it makes more sense. But I also wonder also if it is accurate enough to trust? Originally I read the NKJV or the NASB but it's frustrating because their are words in their that only few people actually know or use. And I don't like the NLT In my opinion it's watered down. So What do guys give the message from 1-10?

1=Bad and 10=good accuracy

I would put it near the low end of the scale, I'd say 1 or 2. From just skimming the text it doesn't seem to be accurate and looks like a paraphrase.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

I would put it near the low end of the scale, I'd say 1 or 2. From just skimming the text it doesn't seem to be accurate and looks like a paraphrase.

I have never seen an accurate bible yet or one that even comes close to it.

 

[dead2self]

I'm not going to rate it as I haven't read it, but from what I have gathered the man who wrote it does indeed know his ancient texts and langauges. Therefore I would guess that while the Message will obiously be his interpretation, he will not be paraphrasing strictly from a modern text without knowing what the originals say. For that reason I would say the Message would ineed be very usefull to get a better understanding of what a passage says in a similar fashion as a commentary or a sermon.

 

[ebia]

Just wondering if anyone out there enjoys reading "The Message" translation and or what anyone thought of it. Personally I really like it because to me it clarifies what the bible is actually saying. Often times when I read scripture I say to myself wow that's interesting, but with then I read it in the message and it makes more sense. But I also wonder also if it is accurate enough to trust?

I quite like the Message. It is a paraphrase, so what you are reading is more heavily dependent on his interpretation than for a more word-for-word translation, and it's also the work of a single author and therefore doesn't have some of the checks and balances of more traditional translations. On the other hand it does get you involved in the text well, and he doesn't steer clear of challenging the reader - stuff that is easy to screen out when you read a "harder to read' translation comes through often very clearly in the Message. All translations have plusses and minuses - what you trade off in precision you gain in ease of understanding. Comparing it to the NKJV, say, is comparing apples and oranges - they are both good fruit and each has its place. Personally, I don't like the NKJV (very clunky English in my opinion) and the NASB is rarely encountered outside of North America. But whatever style suits you, its far more important that you read the bible and wrestle with what it has to say than that you pick the "right" translation.

1=Bad and 10=good accuracy

Depends what you mean by "accuracy". Accurate to what - the original words, the original phrases, the meaning(s) originally intended,...?

 

[calluna]

I'm not going to rate it as I haven't read it, but from what I have gathered the man who wrote it does indeed know his ancient texts and langauges.

Like the Pharisees.

 

[dead2self]

Like the Pharisees.

Also like Jesus. What's your point here?

 

[calluna]

Also like Jesus. What's your point here?

Jesus didn't think much of the Pharisees.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Jesus didn't think much of the Pharisees.

They didn't think much of Him either

James 5:6 Ye condemn, ye murder the Righteous-One, not He is resisting to Ye.

Revelation 9:21 And not they reform out of the murders of them, nor out from their sorceries,...........

 

[calluna]

They didn't think much of Him either

Nor the Scripture. They didn't have Latin or any other language, modern or archaic, to hide its meaning, so they just had to ignore it.

 

[dead2self]

Jesus didn't think much of the Pharisees.

Uh huh...still wondering what that has to do with the author of the message knowing greek and hebrew though. Or are we just stating random facts?

 

[calluna]

Uh huh...still wondering what that has to do with the author of the message knowing greek and hebrew though.

If Jesus didn't think much of the Pharisees, maybe he doesn't think much of Mr Peterson.

 

[dead2self]

Oh I see...Jesus doesn't like people who know greek and hebrew...Oh wait...I don't see, that makes no sense at all.

Do you have any other basis for comparing this man to the pharisees?

 

[calluna]

Jesus doesn't like people who know greek and hebrew.

Really? Why is that?

 

[dead2self]

Really? Why is that?

Are you even reading your own posts? You go from the author of the message knowing ancient languages and texts, to comparing that to the pharisees, to stating the obvious fact that Jesus doesn't like pharisees to the unfounded supposition that Jesus might not like the author of the Message. Seeing as how the only indictment against him given is that he is like the pharisees for knowing hebrew and greek, one must assume Jesus has a poor view of all people with this knowlege in your eyes.

 

[dead2self]

Furthermore, as I read your quote of my post I must wonder if you're reading my posts either. You take my conclusion of your odd thought pattern and turn it into a declaritive statement, which it is not. Then you proceed to completely ignore my question.

 

[calluna]

Are you even reading your own posts?

I'm not lying.