Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #995827 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 2272 pages

From AudioFile
Peterson says that THE MESSAGE draws on his scholarly training and ministerial experience to present the Bible in accessible language. The language is indeed largely simple, but, to be frank, some of the phrasing is odd. The syntax of some lines is awkward and lacks the majesty of older translations. The rest of the presentation is equally uneven. Peterson's own voice is striking, but some of the other narrators lack a sense of drama. Sometimes their voices are conversational; at other times, nearly flat. The musical interludes are professionally done, but the electronic rock can be jarring. Finally, the extended introductions to each section of the Bible may put off some listeners as they promote specific interpretations over others. G.T.B. 2007 Audies Award Finalist © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

Refreshing and accurate
I have been a christian my whole life, I am a seminary graduate with a masters in theology and I am sick of reading the bible! At least until I got the message. Reading it is a joy, the language is fresh and it reads like a novel.

If you want to study the bible get another version or some commentaries - that is not what The Message is intended for. But if you want to read the bible and enjoy it, book by book, in language as good as any best-selling novel, than The Message is for you.

By the way I have found the text of The Message to be surprisingly true to the original text. The author apparently ignored the way that english translations have always translated the bible and went directly back to the original. There are several instances where the NIV, NASB and KJV make changes to the text which are not true to the original - but each of these mistakes is not found in The Message. In most instances of contraversial passages I have found The Message to be better than most other translations. It isn't as accurate as the NRSV but it is as accurate at least in the passages I looked at as any other english translation such as the NIV or ESV, both of which have a reputation for being fairly reliable.

I am impressed, and its been a very long time since I was impressed with a translation of the Bible. Enjoy!

just bought it .
okay i just bought this (paraphrased)bible about 2 hours ago. which would be 6:55 p.m. 4/17 .. i work at a bookstore and i noticed this new bible. the cover caught my attention right away and i wanted to know what it was about. i wanted something that would help me get me through the bible. i had tried once before to read the niv bible . i only got halfway through it, before putting it down. and that was a few years ago. I have a few diffrent views and beliefs than most christians, but I want to read His word , i want to read something that i can understand better. I am reading some of these reviews and a few people are complaining about how his paraphrase is way diffrent from the original text. the funny thing is .. there a lot of people who i have spoken to who feel the same way about diffrent versions of the bible , like kjv, nkjv, niv, nlt, nrsb, etc.. some people will only read certain ones because they feel the other versions aren't telling the real truth. with that said. the editors specifically write in the intro of this (paraphrased) bible, "that this is a reading bible , and is not intended to replace study bibles"when you come across ideas , or words that you don't understand, don't hesitate to get some help from someone who may have spent more years reading the Bible than you have. And at some point along the way, you may find it helpful to get a standard study Bible to facilitate further study. Until then, just pray as you read through the Bible , asking God to have his way with your life." there it is folks. it is recommended that you have a study bible. so it even admits that this isn't something to replace the actual Bible. i am more than happy to have bought this paraphrase feeling like i will get through the whole Bible a lot more easier now, with some help from a guy who wants more people like me get to know Gods' word. i will write further reviews on this as i get through the reading. so stay tuned in.

Understanding Jesus' Heart
I believe that the reason God left His Word written is that we all understand it and ENJOY it while we're applying the truth to our lives.

It's so sad that we still face those people who remind me of old time Pharisees' elitism that God's Word should not be easy to comprehend for all. God will honour Eugene Peterson's efforts and dedication to making God's Word more approachable for those who desire to get closer to Him. Our God is full of flavours and colours. He loves diversity. And He will use every possible means (such as Eugene Peterson) to help us get to know him better if it takes Him speaking in our contemporary languages. God sent His only Son to DIE for us, why wouldn't he do that?

It opens up my eyes whenever I read the Message Bible and realize how much intimate our God is to me and us. Our God is the God for all His children to love. Why should our contemporary language be considered less holy or less pious? Holiness doesn't come from using 'big' words that sound old and difficult.