The Message Bible

[joanhayes]

I just bought this bible yesterday at the Rhema Bookstore, and I absolutely love it! It is in contemporay english, and I think a great improvement over the Living Bible. It is leather bound, light weight. I read in bed alot, so I"m enjoying it. Some might complain I think be
cause the verses are not listed separately, but I like it because it reads more like a novel as the words flow together as well as the thoughts. For bible study, I will need my NKJV. . where my verses are separate for study.
Have any of you tried this yet? Just a personal comment,
I'm not pushing it!! In His Love,
Joan

[lindamarie]

I love how it reads !!! (I'm a "Bible freak" anyway... I don't think I have a problem with any of the versions...)

[desert_island_1]

Personally I do not like the message because the way the words are written, i don't find I think about what I am reading as much. I much prefer the NIV but that is me and if you are liking the message then I hope it continues to help you!

Kristy

[Penguin50388]

Some might complain I think because the verses are not listed separately

Those people could get the message re-amped (I think that's what it's called) because it has the verses in there.

I'm not the fondest of the message, to me something is just lost in the (translation? it's a paraphrase so it's not technically a translation :scratch: ). I'll stick with my other Bibles (don't get me wrong, I have a message Bible and I use it when I talk to groups of other youth, but I prefer NIV, NKJV, and a couple others).

[5stringJeff]

I'm not a big Message fan because, while the Message is passed off as a translation (or paraphrase), in reality it's part translation, part paraphrase, part commentary, and part sermon. Unless one is grounded in a real Bible translation, it's impossible to tell where the Scripture ends and the Eugene Patterson sermon/commentary/paraphrase starts.

[LiveInFaithfulness]

The one with the verse numbers is the Message Remix (i work at a Christian bookstore :) ).

I don't dislike the Message...i like that it's easy to read, and would be good for some settings. But i really prefer reading NKJV or NIV. I like it to feel like i'm reading the bible!! (ha ha, if that makes any sense...)

[kelco]

I like The Message for casual reading but I think that, as some people have posted, it is hard for newer bible readers to find where scripture leaves off and Eugene Paterson comes in. If you are looking for a contemporary bible may I suggest the NLT, Good News for Modern Man or CEV. These are all great contemporary versions and also have the benefit of being translations instead of paraphrases.

[Ric]

I just bought this bible yesterday at the Rhema Bookstore, and I absolutely love it! It is in contemporay english, and I think a great improvement over the Living Bible. It is leather bound, light weight. I read in bed alot, so I"m enjoying it. Some might complain I think be
cause the verses are not listed separately, but I like it because it reads more like a novel as the words flow together as well as the thoughts. For bible study, I will need my NKJV. . where my verses are separate for study.
Have any of you tried this yet? Just a personal comment,
I'm not pushing it!! In His Love,
Joan

Hi Joan,

When I first read the title to your thread here the first thing in my mind was to figure out how to tell in a nice way to go get your money back. But I see your really like the Message. I see nothing wrong in reading the Message if you read it as like you said it was, a novel. I do have a copy of the Message, but I rarely (if ever) pick it up.
The Message is a paraphrase of the Bible and needs to be understood as such when you are reading that translation.

Enjoy and God Bless!

[herev]

LOVE the Message, find myself preaching with it more and more and more

[rowena]

I've never heard of this translation/paraphrase. Is it like the Bible rewritten in to novel form or what? Would it be similar to the Good News translation I have around here somewhere that is layed out like a novel but is an acutal translation and has the verses and everything?

[sinner/SAVED]

I love the Message. If you count the ones that I have on my computer, I have access to 10 different translations and/or paraphrases. They are all great. When I am preparing a Sunday School lesson I love to parrallel four of them on E-Sword. This is a great way to find different ways to express the same idea or thought.

Our pastor asks a different person each week to read the scripture for his sermon. I noticed that for three weeks straight, three different people all read their passage from the Message.

[5stringJeff]

I've never heard of this translation/paraphrase. Is it like the Bible rewritten in to novel form or what? Would it be similar to the Good News translation I have around here somewhere that is layed out like a novel but is an acutal translation and has the verses and everything?

It's partly a paraphrase of the Bible, but it's also partly commentary and partly sermon. But unless you know the Bible well, you can't tell what's what (because it's not marked as such).

[Ric]

I've never heard of this translation/paraphrase. Is it like the Bible rewritten in to novel form or what? Would it be similar to the Good News translation I have around here somewhere that is layed out like a novel but is an acutal translation and has the verses and everything?

Actually the Message is a book I would highly recommend that new Christians would avoid at all costs. I do like to look in the Paraphrase from time to time to find a good wording of a passage, but if one likes to read a paraphrased Bible, I would recommend the TLB (The Living Bible). That paraphrase is closer to a translation of the Scriptures than the Message is even thought of.

The problem I have with the Message for new Christians is that doctrinally it can and will lead some people astray from God's true Word. But if you are well grounded in His Word, by all means go ahead and read the Message, it can be edifying.

[rowena]

Thanks guys!

I'm not looking in to getting it though cause I have like more Bibles then I know what to do with already!

[Artos]

I love the Message. Dont like Living Bible Paraphrased. Use NRSV and NIV for preaching, NEB for reference. But if I need the BIble to come alive for me, I read the MESSAGE. Too much scholarly studies over the years....Good to read it fresh again. The MESSAGE allows me to do that.

Favourite verses like:

"Anyone who intends to com with me has to leat me lead. You're not in the driever's seat- I am. Dont run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self help is no help at all. Self sacrifice is the way, my way, in finding yourself, your true self. ." (Luke 9:23)

"He was supreme from the beginning and - leading the resurrection parade- He is
supreme in the end. From beginning to end He's there, towering far above everything. everyone. So spacious is He, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in Him without crowding. Not only that , but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe- people and things, animals and atoms- get property fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of His death, His blood that poured down from the Cross... ..." (Colossians 1)

Wow. The words just jump at you.

[Bill777]

I just bought this bible yesterday at the Rhema Bookstore, and I absolutely love it! It is in contemporay english, and I think a great improvement over the Living Bible. It is leather bound, light weight. I read in bed alot, so I"m enjoying it. Some might complain I think be
cause the verses are not listed separately, but I like it because it reads more like a novel as the words flow together as well as the thoughts. For bible study, I will need my NKJV. . where my verses are separate for study.
Have any of you tried this yet? Just a personal comment,
I'm not pushing it!! In His Love,
Joan

A pastor gave "The Message" to me for free. I couldn't read it, it totally distorts God's word. I don't recommend it. You can access most bible versions here.

http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/

Literal (word for word) translations are the best bibles. My favorite is the KJV. The only 5 literal translation on the market right now are:





English Standard Version (ESV)
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
King James Version (KJV)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
There are three types of translations: word-for-word (literal), thought-for-thought, and paraphrase. The message is a paraphrase translation, just not what you want. Paraphrase translations are basically a guy writing his own interpretation of the bible, using his own language. Here's some information on the type of translations from the International Bible Society web site:

http://www.ibs.org/bibles/translations/index.php

[WiredSpirit]

For study I like the Amplified Bible. It gives just about every possible translation there could be from the original language. For example, this is how John 3:16 reads:

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=45#fen-AMP-26135a)]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Of course, If you're reading a lengthy passage you can easily get lost with all that, so if I'm just reading I prefer the NRSV or if I'm really unfamilar with a passage I'll read the NLT or CEV. At church all we usually use is the NRSV, although our pastor will reference other translations from time to time, but I like most of them.

[Andy Broadley]

I Liked it in the main (only have the NT at the moment though). A bit 'American' in some of it's wordings (Jesus hunkered down etc.). Good for reading in bed, on the beach, at work etc.

Wouldn't use it if leading worship though.

[Celticflower]

The youth pastor at our church uses the Message when he preaches. It is a bit disconcerting if you are trying to follow along with the scripture reading and you are using a different translation. Most of them don't bother me (ie I'm reading NIV while the lector is reading KJV, or whatever), but with this one I get lost. Not something I plan to put money out for in the near future. If the YP wants my kids to use the Message he can buy it for them.

[Ric]

The youth pastor at our church uses the Message when he preaches. It is a bit disconcerting if you are trying to follow along with the scripture reading and you are using a different translation. Most of them don't bother me (ie I'm reading NIV while the lector is reading KJV, or whatever), but with this one I get lost. Not something I plan to put money out for in the near future. If the YP wants my kids to use the Message he can buy it for them.

We solved that problem in our church, we decided to read, preach, study from the NIV in groups or at Worship. Anyone who did not have an NIV - we gave them one free of charge. :thumbsup:

[WiredSpirit]

In group Bible studies at my church most people have different translations, but it doesn't really seem to make much of a difference. If someone is reading from the NIV and I am using the NRSV I can usually follow along without a problem.

I'd say that a slim majority just use the Bibles the church provides anyways, which are NRSV. I usually do. Its not that I don't own plenty of Bibles, but its kind of a pain to haul one around church. I have enough trouble keeping up with my coat and other things I bring in with me.

[Ric]

In group Bible studies at my church most people have different translations, but it doesn't really seem to make much of a difference. If someone is reading from the NIV and I am using the NRSV I can usually follow along without a problem.

I'd say that a slim majority just use the Bibles the church provides anyways, which are NRSV. I usually do. Its not that I don't own plenty of Bibles, but its kind of a pain to haul one around church. I have enough trouble keeping up with my coat and other things I bring in with me.

We fixed that problem too, we took the Pew Bibles out of our church. We encourage everyone to have their own personal Bible to carry around and make it part of their lives. When we have guest in our church who don't have a Bible - we give them one free of charge.

But like you, I too can follow alone in my Bible no matter what translations someone else is using.

God Bless! :)

[alaurie]

I like the New Living Translation for an easy read. If I'm studying, I use the NIV or look at several different translations online.

[WiredSpirit]

We fixed that problem too, we took the Pew Bibles out of our church. We encourage everyone to have their own personal Bible to carry around and make it part of their lives. When we have guest in our church who don't have a Bible - we give them one free of charge.

But like you, I too can follow alone in my Bible no matter what translations someone else is using.

God Bless! :)

Maybe I'm the odd one, but I really don't see any value to bringing your own Bible to church. Its kind of like bringing you're own law books to a lawyer's office. I always thought people that did bringing their own Bibles to church were doing so to show off how good of Christians they are.

[alaurie]

Maybe I'm the odd one, but I really don't see any value to bringing your own Bible to church. Its kind of like bringing you're own law books to a lawyer's office. I always thought people that did bringing their own Bibles to church were doing so to show off how good of Christians they are.


I take mine for several reasons. We don't have pew bibles and the scripture for the days message is on the overhead screen while the lay reader is reading it, then it's gone. Also sometimes something in the message will remind me of another passage I want to look up. Don't be so quick to judge all us bible toters the same! :P

[Celticflower]

I take mine for several reasons. We don't have pew bibles and the scripture for the days message is on the overhead screen while the lay reader is reading it, then it's gone. Also sometimes something in the message will remind me of another passage I want to look up. Don't be so quick to judge all us bible toters the same! :P

Another reason to tote your own: sometimes the scripture is a small portion of a larger passage. Being able to look up and read the surrounding verses helps put things in context.

[Onesimus85]

I like the way that the message reads, quickly. However I think that as far as study goes we must study slowly. Often times we run through something to quickly and miss the small details that contribute to a larger picture. When I study I use the NIV Learning Bible, The New Living Translation, and a NIV Interlinear Greek/English Bible. You don't have to be a Greek scholar to use it either, but you do need to have the proper tools. Commentaries can be a good help too, although if you get a hold of a liberal commentary you need to be aware of that, and vice versa for a conservative commentary. I have found that some Bibles use the word foreknowledge where others say predestined. Those distinctions can make a big difference if you don't look to other translations or commentaries.

[Ric]

Maybe I'm the odd one, but I really don't see any value to bringing your own Bible to church. Its kind of like bringing you're own law books to a lawyer's office. I always thought people that did bringing their own Bibles to church were doing so to show off how good of Christians they are.

Well I'm just the opposite, not only do I carry my Bible to church with me so I can use it in Bible Study and keep personal notes, then take the same personal Bible into the sanctuary so I can use it during the sermon and take more notes and cross reference and jot down other notes (and to check the accuracy of the pastor) - then that same Bible goes with me where ever I go for the rest of the week. It goes with to to work, to friend's homes, to where ever I may need to take my son, to another Bible study at a friend's house with a small group, and where ever my wife and I may go for any reason. The whole point is that this Bible is "mine" and it is a part of me so that I can study it, look up notes, cross reference passages, look up a thought, and what ever else I may need to use "my" Bible for - like having it on hand to witness with.

A Bible is not something you just bring to church to show other people that you own one then to let it collect dust for the rest of the week, a Bible is the very Word of God given to you by God Himself, a "love letter" actually, and that is something I can't do without!

[Onesimus85]

Well I'm just the opposite, not only do I carry my Bible to church with me so I can use it in Bible Study and keep personal notes, then take the same personal Bible into the sanctuary so I can use it during the sermon and take more notes and cross reference and jot down other notes (and to check the accuracy of the pastor) - then that same Bible goes with me where ever I go for the rest of the week. It goes with to to work, to friend's homes, to where ever I may need to take my son, to another Bible study at a friend's house with a small group, and where ever my wife and I may go for any reason. The whole point is that this Bible is "mine" and it is a part of me so that I can study it, look up notes, cross reference passages, look up a thought, and what ever else I may need to use "my" Bible for - like having it on hand to witness with.

A Bible is not something you just bring to church to show other people that you own one then to let it collect dust for the rest of the week, a Bible is the very Word of God given to you by God Himself, a "love letter" actually, and that is something I can't do without!

Sounds like you need a t-shirt I saw once. It read "A Bible that is falling apart reveals a life that isn't."

[Ric]

Sounds like you need a t-shirt I saw once. It read "A Bible that is falling apart reveals a life that isn't."

LOL! Thats cool! I've always said that a tattered Bible shows an untattered life. :thumbsup: