My two cents is… There is no such thing as an exact word for word translation of the Bible into the English language. From my research Amplified and ESV are the two closest word for word translations we have. There are words used in the original biblical text of which there are no one-to-one exact word matches in the English language. I think pausing and stepping back to understand what language is, is important. Words are symbols to communicate ideas. They are not math problems where 2+2=4. I believe it makes us feel more comfortable thinking that there is one accurate Bible translation but that just isn’t the case and not the intention of the Bible. The Bible points us to God, his son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The Bible uses apocalyptic literature, poetry, parables, narrative, historical narrative and other types of written words. Again, it is not a book of science or math. It is language commmnicating truth. Just as Jesus used parables to communicate truth (one might ask, how do we know truth from a parable without interpreting it?) language is a collection of symbols with different meanings doing its best to communicate an idea.

I hold the Bible in the highest esteem right after God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Outside of God it is the highest authority in my life and I believe it is the top vehicle of which God (the trinity) communicates truth. But I think when we try to turn it into a science book or a math problem that has specific definitions for all truth, we are missing the point. The Bible must be talked about. It just be worked out within community. It must be prayed over and prayed through. We must seek God through it and wait for the spirit to speak to us through the “living word” that it is.
If you do any research about WHY Peterson wrote the Bible it is remarkable. The man began writing the message with the intention of writing in the same language that he heard his congregation using. This is an incredible example of what it looks like to be a pastor. After doing this for multiple books of the Bible he was asked to do the entire Bible by a publishing company. Peterson did not write “his version” of the Bible. He wrote a version in the language of his congregation in order to help them access the truth that is in scripture. I beg you please don’t approach scripture thinking you can find all the “right” definitions. It is a living word. It is a double edged sword. It is breathed by the mouth of God. Don’t think you can control it by having all the write answers. Instead submit to it and listen to what God is telling you through it. Talk about it with your Christian friends. I could go on but I’ll have to stop here. Also, I’m trying not to be combative in this message. But instead just writing a response about a very important and valuable thing.

That’s the problem and my point
It’s not a translation
It’s a paraphrase. And a very, very poor paraphrase

I don’t have any formal teaching in scripture. When I read it I have an uneasy reaction to it. And it caused me to research what was other’s reaction to it. Out of concern I wouldn’t want anyone to use it as their primary translation.

See Psalm 1
Absolutely no connection to the thoughts or teachings of the Psalmist.
When Petersen was threatened by Lifeway to recant his teachings and views on homosexuality, Petersen immediately did an about face
Then people who dug further like us noticed how the Message turned homosexual behavior into “lust”

Really? Is that the problem that was referred to?
Is lust a sin? Yes
Does the Bible point out homosexual behavior over and over again as a sin and an abomination? Yes it does.
What was the very first commandment in the Bible? “Fill the earth”

Lifeway threatened Petersen and money and the publishing further copies of the Message were at stake.

That is such a great way to put that!

I think this is a good introduction to people who feel overwhelmed and have not read the Bible much. I appreciate that it has opened this daunting task for people who might never even read the word. There is no reason to take issue with this because it can sound legalistic. Many are blessed by its reading.

blasphemy, at least Peterson said it should NEVER be used from the pulpit!!!!!

All adults don’t understand equally. I’m glad it’s not called a translation. I believe Peterson meant well.

Agreed.
I wouldn’t attack anyone who reads the Message, but I’d clearly answer anyone’s questions with much the same answers you did

I’m looking (if you have it please direct me) of direct quotes or videos of him stating Peterson that The Message should not be used in a church. In other words don’t quote from the pulpit or a Sunday School class when Bibles are easily accessible

The best comparison I can make is Joel Osteen. If someone listens to him and gets something from him …fine.

If they ask what I think, I’d direct them to better ministries for people who are ready for something other than milk and want meat. All I’d say to that person is “ would you be interested in listening to?” And then let the Holy Spirit direct

The Message is not a Bible. When you read a Bible you are reading the words of God which is The Word of God. You are actually meeting with God.

From what I’ve read and heard, The Message is definitely not The Word of God. It’s Eugene Petersen’s words, a paraphrase. And I find it to be a poor paraphrase.

Thanks for your comment T, you bring up a few good points, but there are a few problems with your ideas.

1. “scholars say the NIV and KJV are blasphemous” No they don’t. Scholars acknowledge some things could have been translated better in a few areas. But most scholars recognize that the main translations that we have today, KJV, NKJV, ESV, NIV, NLT, RSV, NRSV, etc., were composed by hundreds of leading scholars and they are very accurate, considering the limitations we have and the difficulty of the process. The Message was composed by one scholar.

2. “What if a brother or sister came across a MSG translation, and it’s what sparked their relationship with Jesus Christ?” Yes, coming to Jesus is good, but that doesn’t necessarily make the MSG good. What if someone went on a killing spree, landed in prison, and accepted Christ in prison from a preacher, does that make the killing spree good? People accept Christ from false teachers or from living a life filled with sin, the end result is good, accepting Christ, but that doesn’t make the latter is good.

3. “I like seeing if they pass tests of grace or not.” I like your intentions here, and we need grace, but it doesn’t really work like that. You can’t go and knock a brother in the face and if he gets mad, so work on your grace. You can’t distort the Word of God and if someone makes a stand for truth tell them to have more grace. God is grace, mercy, and love, but he is also truth and righteousness. He doesn’t love distorting his word.

The point is to get as close to the original languages as possible. Not, oh I found a slight problem with a word in the ESV, so that means we can change the meaning of the Bible around to fit our worldviews.