Topic: The Message Bible & Other Paraphrased Bibles

[Tim Russ]

This is exactly why I strongly dislike (perhaps hate) The Message bible (MSG).

What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. Luke 12:32 (MSG)

Now that you've read The Message version let me show you three other versions.  KJV, NIV, and NASB.

(Luke 12:32 KJV)  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

(Luke 12:32 NIV)  "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

(Luke 12:32 NASB)  "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.

The Message bible is so wordy that it takes over and shares a paraphrase of what the bible actually says.  Please note that there's very little difference between the three standard bible versions I've shared. 

However, the wordiness of The Message bible sometimes completely changes the meaning of scripture.  This is generally what happens with any paraphrased bible.

The Message isn't a true bible translation.  Rather, it's one man's opinion of what the bible actually says.  Paraphrases shouldn't ever be trusted as scripture quotes.  Their best use (if you choose to use them) is as a commentary.

[Ro]

Yep! if the King James was good enough for the Apostle Paul .... then it is good enough for me.   

hehehehehehe
 

Seriously I think those who are studying the word of God are not going to read the message bible for thei daily readings. 

It takes an extreme writers license - and that would be changing the word of God, especially when they change content. 

My concern is that it has, especially in that verse you quoted....a real relaxed view of what God expects from us.  It almost sounds New Age. 

That's my 2 cents worth.

Ro

[Tim Russ]

~smack~  ...the apostle paul...you nut!

[Ann Doupont]

I find that funny, too, Ro...that the KJV was good enough for the apostle Paul...very funny.

For those of you who don't know this, the King James Version was not only written in the year 1611, but also it was in English (not in the language that Paul spoke).

I personally find the Message Version of the Bible VERY distasteful.

Ann

[Ro]

Kewl.... people do read my posts.  (huge grin)

When the "Ink and the Blood Exhibit" was in St Petersburg, about a couple years ago, we went to see it.  The history of how we got the bible translations was very intriguing. It was very sobering to realize how many people have died so we can have the bibles that we do today.  The resistance to translate the bible in English was intense and well resisted.

We should value more the treasure the Lord has provided and many have paid dearly for so we can have a personal copy of the Holy Bible. 

If you ever get to Florida and can go to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando they also have an exhibit about the history of the bible, which is amazing. 

God has truly blessed us with His word. 

[Ro]

No one has posted here.....so I guess I need to talk about the Apostle Paul again....

The fact is we all need to value the word of God so much that we actually read and study it.  I think there are better and best translations but the translation does not matter if we do not read it.

It is easy to get too busy to take time to sit down with the word of GOD and enjoy!  That is so enjoyable and so rewarding.

[Tim Russ]

Ditto...what she said. 

[Ro]

I think the paraphrased Bibles are quite a pleasure to read.  It helps in getting the story flow and when we are not doing deep studies it can be a better choice for getting the meaning of the passages in context. 

Besides that it is just an easier read.

[Tim Russ]

Hmmm, so if I paraphrase scripture for you you'll understand it better? 

The problem with this approach is that your greater understanding of the bible is limited to the perspective of the author of the paraphrased bible rather than the perspective of the Holy Spirit.

[Ro]

Paraphrased is for the most part, putting the King James translation in modern language.  The KJV was not, of course the language that Paul read the scriptures from.  If precision of every word is the mission one can read the KJV that has links to the original language, which is the Greek for the Old Covenant and Hebrew for the New Testament. 

God wants us to be in 'the word' daily so we can become more knowledgeable about the truth he has for us.  As we read HE reveals.  It is totally awesome to sense his presence and his love for us as we read the Bible. 

Thank you Jesus!

[Tim Russ]

Paraphrase - a restatement of a text, passage, or work giving the meaning in another form  (Websters dictionary online http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraphrase)

When we restate a meaning we're restating our understanding of what something means.  At that point the restatement ceases to be God's holy inspired word and becomes our understanding of it.  As none of us are God any restatement whether that be preaching, teaching, or a paraphrased bible ceases to be the inspired word of God.

I am not now, nor have I ever been a proponent of the KJV as the language Paul read scriptures from! 

If a precise understanding of God's Word isn't one's objective then I (for one) have concerns about the true motives of the individual.  Why would anyone want a generic idea of what God wants when they can know precisely what God wants?  This directly relates to the milksop christianity I refered to in another post.

Being in The Word means being in God's Word.  It doesn't mean being in some person's thoughts about what God's Word means.  I doubt God's goal is to make us more knowlegeable.  Rather I'd imagine that he wants us to know Him better and wants us to become more like Him.

[Ro]

Amen.

Agreed.