What do I mean write your own Message Bible? First, The Message Bible is a paraphrase Bible written by Eugene Peterson. I’ve often found myself gently saying, “It’s not a translation it’s a paraphrase” when references to The Message would come up.
Many folks like The Message. To a point that’s fine if it’s used for what it is, a paraphrase. People have told me that it’s great to use during devotions though I wouldn’t recommend it for deep Bible study. Actually, I don’t think you need to use The Message at all. Let me explain.
Let’s look at why Peterson wrote The Message.
“While I was teaching a class on Galatians, I began to realize that the adults in my class weren’t feeling the vitality and directness that I sensed as I read and studied the New Testament in its original Greek. Writing straight from the original text, I began to attempt to bring into English the rhythms and idioms of the original language. I knew that the early readers of the New Testament were captured and engaged by these writings and I wanted my congregation to be impacted in the same way. I hoped to bring the New Testament to life for two different types of people: those who hadn’t read the Bible because it seemed too distant and irrelevant and those who had read the Bible so much that it had become ‘old hat.’” (Source)
He wanted his adult students to feel in English what he did from New Testament Greek. More life and connection. I understand that and it’s a good motive. But why rely on someone else’s paraphrase? We have some pretty very good Bible translations available today. Good in the sense of translation from Greek to English. Good in the sense of being fairly easy to read. So here’s my challenge to forgo The Message.
There are many challenges in life. Learning the Bible so we can know God better is no exception to life’s challenges. Some passages in Scripture require harder work to understand than others. People are different and have different levels of understanding. This doesn’t stop all of us from working hard at other areas in life. Pick your category of hard work: family, marriage, parenting, friendships, career, crafts, hobbies, sports, etc.
Take your passion and focus it towards knowing God. Depending on where you are in your understanding it may be wise to first go to your pastor(s) and get guidance. Instead of The Message, study the Bible yourself to better understand the meanings of words and phrases. Take that understanding through prayer and journal your own paraphrase of the verses you choose. Don’t we all paraphrase Scripture at one time or another during conversation? You may also grab a book to help you understand more of how to understand what you’re reading. How about a break down of suggestions?
Suggestions for Study
- Go to your pastor(s) for guidance explaining your study desires and ask that he be available for when you get “stuck”.
- Use a translation like the NIV or ESV. Or possibly start with the NIV then move to the ESV or NASB, for example.
- Get a how to study book like How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.
- Set aside time to study whether your devotional time or another time.
- Journal your own paraphrases on selected passages as you pray and work through the Bible.
- Memorize Scripture too as you work through understanding it.
- Other resources – Online study tools at Studylight – ESV Study Bible – New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition – New Bible Dictionary – The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made – The Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept.
- Again, keep your pastor(s) close.
Of course, there are many more resources, especially, as you advance in knowledge. These suggestions are just a start. Of course, my message isn’t as much about The Message as it is about encouraging Bible study to experience the richness of Scripture as you grow and know God better. So study, learn and make your own paraphrase. Who knows, you might even take up Greek and Hebrew next!
Work hard, it’s worth it…
Mark
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