View source for The Message (Bible)

{{short description|English paraphrase of the Bible}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Message'' (Bible)}}
{{Infobox Bible translation
| title                    = The Message
| image                    = [[File:The Message cover.jpg|150px]]
| image_alt_text           = Image of a The Message Bible
| full_name                = ''The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language''
| abbreviation             = MSG
| NT_published             = 1993
| complete_bible_published = 2002
| translation_type         = Extreme Paraphrase and Dynamic Interpretive
| revision                 = 2018
| publisher                = [[NavPress]]
| copyright                = ''THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language'' copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.
| affiliation              = [[Presbyterian]]<ref name="logos-bts">{{Cite web |title=Bible Translation Spectrum |url=https://wiki.logos.com/Bible_Translation_Spectrum |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107020807/https://wiki.logos.com/Bible_Translation_Spectrum |archive-date=January 7, 2023 |access-date=January 7, 2023 |website=Logos Bible Software Wiki}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|https://messagebible.com}}
| genesis_1:1-3            = First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. God spoke: "Light!" And light appeared.
| john_3:16                = "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
}}
{{BibleHistory}}

'''''The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language''''' ('''MSG''') is a [[paraphrase]] of the [[Bible]] in contemporary English. Authored by [[Eugene H. Peterson]] and published in segments from 1993 to 2002.<ref name=info /> The initial press run for the 2002 publication was 500,000, with 320,000 of those copies sold in advance.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Laceky |first1=Tom |title=Book gets "The Message' out |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-the-message/175107310/ |access-date=June 23, 2025 |work=The Greenville News |agency=Associated Press |date=August 3, 2002 |page=4 B|via = [[Newspapers.com]] }}</ref>

A [[Catholic Bible|Catholic version]], ''The Message''&nbsp;''– Catholic / Ecumenical Edition'', was published in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Message - Catholic / Ecumenical Edition |url=https://www.themessagecatholic.com/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=The Message - Catholic / Ecumenical Edition |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031034828/http://www.themessagecatholic.com/ |url-status=live |archive-date=October 31, 2014}}</ref>

== Features ==
According to the Introduction to the New Testament of ''The Message'', its "contemporary idiom keeps the language of the Message (Bible) current and fresh and understandable".<ref name="bible-researcher">{{cite web
  | title = Introduction to the New Testament, from The Message
  | url = http://www.bible-researcher.com/themessage.html
  | access-date = 2008-06-03}}</ref>  Peterson notes that in the course of the project, he realized this was exactly what he had been doing in his thirty-five years as a pastor, "always looking for an English way to make the biblical text relevant to the conditions of the people".<ref name=bible-researcher/>

== Translation consultants ==

The publisher states: "Peterson's work has been thoroughly reviewed by a team of recognized Old and New Testament scholars to ensure that it is accurate and faithful to the original languages."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=What's Unique about THEMESSAGE|url=https://messagebible.com/about/|access-date=2020-07-17|website=messagebible.com}}</ref>

Old Testament team:<ref name=":0" />
* Robert L. Hubbard Jr., North Park Theological Seminary (chair)
* Richard E. Averbeck, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
* Bryan E. Beyer, Columbia International University
* Lamar E. Cooper Sr., Criswell College
* [[Peter Enns|Peter E. Enns]], Eastern University
* Duane A. Garrett, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
* Donald R. Glenn, Dallas Theological Seminary
* Paul R. House, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
* V. Philips Long, Regent College
* [[Tremper Longman]], Westmont College
* John N. Oswalt, Asbury Theological Seminary
* [[Richard L. Pratt Jr.]], Reformed Theological Seminary, Third Mill Ministries 
* [[John H. Walton]], Wheaton College
* Prescott H. Williams Jr., Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
* Marvin R. Wilson, Gordon College

New Testament team:<ref name=":0" />
* William W. Klein, Denver Seminary (chair)
* [[Darrell L. Bock]], Dallas Theological Seminary
* [[Donald Hagner|Donald A. Hagner]], Fuller Theological Seminary
* Moises Silva, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
* Rodney A. Whitacre, Trinity School of Ministry

=== Catholic version ===
Deuterocanonical book translator:<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-07-26|title=Catholics get 'The Message' in new edition of Bible|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/parish/catholics-get-message-new-edition-bible|access-date=2020-01-17|website=National Catholic Reporter|language=en|quote=Griffin said he used the Catholic-approved New Latin Vulgate as the basis for his translations.}}</ref>
*William Griffin, St. Lawrence Seminary

== Comparison to other translations ==
''The Message'' was translated by Peterson from the original languages.<ref name="info">{{cite web
  | title = Version Information
  |website=Bible Gateway
  | url = http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Message-MSG-Bible/
  | access-date = 2011-06-03
  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725053210/http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Message-MSG-Bible
  |url-status= 
  |archive-date=July 25, 2009
}}</ref> It is a highly [[idiomatic]] translation, using contemporary slang from the US rather than a more neutral [[International English]], and it falls on the extreme dynamic end of the [[dynamic and formal equivalence]] spectrum. Some scholars, like [[Michael J. Gorman]], consider some of Peterson's idiomatic renderings unconventional.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Gorman|first1=Michael J.|author-link=Michael J.Gorman|title=Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers|date=2008|publisher=[[Baker Books]]|page=51|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4oUe60jHm0C&pg=PA51|access-date=8 January 2016|isbn=9781441232830}}</ref> The work was awarded the [[Evangelical Christian Publishers Association]] Gold Medallion in 2003 for being the title retailers prized.<ref>"About Christian Book Award". [https://christianbookawards.com/about.html Christian Book Awards] Retrieved 5 July 2022.</ref><ref>Robert D. McFadden. (23 October 2018). "Eugene H. Peterson, 85, Scholar Turned Homespun Pastor, Dies". [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/23/obituaries/the-rev-eugene-h-peterson-dead.html New York Times website] Retrieved 5 July 2022.</ref>

=== Psalm 23:1-4 ===

[[New International Version]]:
{{poemquote|
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.}}

[[King James Version]]:
{{poemquote|
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.}}

[[The Living Bible]]:
{{poemquote|
1 Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!
2-3 He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.
4 Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.}}

The Message:
{{poemquote|
1–3 {{Smallcaps|GOD}}, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.}}

=== Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) ===
{{see also|History of the Lord's Prayer in English}}
[[New International Version]]:
{{poemquote|
9 "This, then, is how you should pray:
'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.{{'"}}}}

[[King James Version]]:
{{poemquote|
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.}}

[[The Living Bible]]:

{{poemquote|
9 "Pray along these lines: 'Our Father in heaven, we honor your holy name.
10 We ask that your kingdom will come now. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven.
11 Give us our food again today, as usual,
12 and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.
13 Don't bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. Amen.'}}

The Message:

{{poemquote|
7–13
[...] 
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best—
    as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
    Yes. Yes. Yes.}}

== Editions ==
Old Testament:
* The Pentateuch: {{ISBN|1-57683-196-5}}
* The Books of History: {{ISBN|1-57683-194-9}}
* The Wisdom Books: {{ISBN|1-57683-126-4}}
* The Prophets: {{ISBN|1-57683-195-7}}

New Testament:
* Youth Edition: {{ISBN|0-89109-793-7}}
* Text Edition: {{ISBN|0-89109-728-7}}

Entire Bible:
* With verse markings (The Message Remix): {{ISBN|1-57683-434-4}}
* Without verse markings: {{ISBN|1-57683-289-9}}
* With verse markings (The Message: The Numbered Edition): {{ISBN|1-57683-673-8}}; this edition was recognized as an [[ECPA Christian Book Award]] winner.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = 2006 Christian Book Awards Winners - Bibles category
  | url = http://christianbookexpo.com/christianbookawards/cba2006.php
  | access-date = 2008-06-03}}</ref>
* Catholic/Ecumenical Edition: 2013, {{ISBN|978-0879464943}}

== Criticisms ==
''The Message'' has faced criticism regarding its faithfulness to original [[Hebrew Bible|Hebrew]] and [[Koine Greek|Greek]] [[Bible]] [[manuscript]]s and its perceived incorporation of terminology and themes associated with the [[New Age|New Age movement]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trust |first1=Reachout |title=The Message |url=https://reachouttrust.org/the-message/ |access-date=29 June 2025 |website=Reachout Trust: Building a Bridge of Reason}}</ref>

== New Age undertones ==
Critics argue that ''The Message'' exhibits New Age undertones, drawing parallels to concepts influenced by [[Hermeticism]] and other [[Metaphysics|metaphysical]] philosophies propagated by figures like [[Helena Blavatsky]] and the early [[Theosophical Society]], which significantly shaped New Age spirituality.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hao Chin |first=Vicente |title=Hermeticism |url=https://theosophy.world/encyclopedia/hermeticism |work=Theosophy World Encyclopaedia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Prophet |first=Erin |date=4 April 2018 |title=Hermetic Influences on the Evolutionary System of Helena Blavatsky's Theosophy |url=https://brill.com/view/journals/gnos/3/1/article-p84_84.xml |work=Gnosis: Journal of Gnostic Studies,3,1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bevir |first=Mark |date=1994 |title=The West Turns Eastward: Madame Blavatsy and the Transformation of the Occult Tradition |url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6p8071k4 |work=Journal of the American Academy of Religion,62,1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hammer |first=Olav |date=2013 |title=Theosophical Elements in New Age Religion |url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup? |work=Handbook of the Theosophical Current}}</ref>

One notable point of contention is Peterson's inclusion of the Hermetic phrase "[[As above, so below]]" within the [[Lord's Prayer]] in Matthew 6:9–13. Warren Smith, a former New Age follower, highlights that this phrase, widely used in New Age circles with metaphysical connotations, replaces the traditional "heaven and earth" in ''The Message''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Warren |title=Deceived on Purpose The New Age Implications of the Purpose-Driven Church |date=2005 |publisher=Mountain Stream Press |location=United States |page=30}}</ref> The passage reads:
{{poemquote|Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best—
    '''as above, so below.'''
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
    Yes. Yes. Yes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Matthew 6:9-13 |url=https://messagebible.com/scripture/?text=Matthew+6%3A9-13 |website=The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language}}</ref>}}
Furthermore, ''The Message'' consistently translates the Greek word ''Kyrios'' as "Master Jesus" instead of [[Jesus|"Lord Jesus"]] throughout the [[New Testament]].<ref>Shown using the Keyword Search facility at: [http://www.biblegateway.com https://www.biblegateway.com]. Compare searches for [https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=%22Master+Jesus%22&version=MSG Master Jesus] and [https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=%22Lord+Jesus%22&version=MSG Lord Jesus] in ''The Message''.</ref> In Theosophical and New Age thought, "[[Master Jesus]]" is frequently understood as one of many [[Ascended master|"ascended masters"]]—enlightened beings believed to offer guidance to humanity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ascended Master |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/legal-and-political-magazines/ascended-master |publisher=[[Encyclopedia.com]]}}</ref><ref>Bailey, Alice A, ''A Treatise on Cosmic Fire'' (Section Three - Division A - Certain Basic Statements), 1932, Lucis Trust, 1925, p. 1237.</ref>

The phrase "the One" is also used approximately one hundred times in ''The Message'' to refer to Jesus and [[God]].<ref>Shown using the Keyword Search facility at: [http://www.biblegateway.com https://www.biblegateway.com]. See for example a search for [https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?qs_version=MSG&quicksearch=%22the+One%22&begin=50&end=50&resultspp=25 the One] in John's Gospel in The Message.</ref> In various New Age belief systems, "the One" commonly denotes a [[Pantheism|pantheistic]] concept of God, where [[divinity]] permeates all things, implying a single interconnected unity.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Groothuis |first1=Douglas |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/_/cYg6H2aa3-4C |title=Unmasking the New Age |date=1986 |publisher=Inter-Varsity Press |location=United States |page=19}}</ref>

Several passages in ''The Message'' have been identified as potentially reflecting a New Age pantheistic view of God. For instance, its rendering of Ephesians 4:6 states:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Ephesians 4:6 (emphasis added)
!Literal translation
!The Message Bible
|-
|one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all<ref>{{cite web |title=Ephesians 4:6 Interlinear |url=https://biblehub.com/interlinear/ephesians/4-6.htm |website=Bible Hub}}</ref>
|one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. '''Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Ephesians 4:6 |url=https://messagebible.com/scripture/?text=Ephesians+4%3A6 |website=The Message Bible: The Bible in Contemporary Language}}</ref>
|-
|}
While traditional [[Christians|Christian]] interpretations of Ephesians 4:6 typically refer to God's presence in Christian believers through the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Ephesians 4:6 Commentaries |url=https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ephesians/4-6.htm |website=Bible Hub}}</ref> ''The Message's'' addition of "Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness" is seen by Smith (2019) as aligning with a pantheistic understanding of God's presence in all things.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Warren |url=https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/new-booklet-eugene-petersons-mixed-message-a-subversive-bible-for-a-new-age |title=Eugene Peterson's Mixed Message Subversive Bible for a New Age |date=2019 |publisher=Lighthouse Trails |location=United States}}</ref> "Oneness" itself is a term frequently used in New Age contexts to describe a pantheistic view of God.<ref>New Age works that incorporate the term "Oneness" in their titles include: Rasha (2008) Oneness, Earthstar Press; E. Tolle (2018) Oneness With All Life, Penguin Books; J. S. Goldsmith (1967) Realization of Oneness: the practice of spiritual healing, Citadel Press.</ref>

== Inaccuracies ==
Critics also point to instances where ''The Message'' significantly deviates from original biblical texts, leading to what they consider inaccuracies.

An example is its interpretation of Galatians 5:22–23:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Galatians 5:22-23 (emphasis added)
!Literal translation
!The Message Bible
|-
|But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.<ref>{{cite web |title=Galatians 5:22-23 Interlinear |url=https://biblehub.com/interlinear/galatians/5-22.htm |website=Bible Hub}}</ref>
|We develop willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and '''a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Galatians 5:22-23 |url=https://messagebible.com/scripture/?text=Galatians+5%3A22 |website=The Message Bible: The Bible in Contemporary Language}}</ref>
|-
|}
''The Message's'' addition of "a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people" is argued to contradict the biblical perspective on human sinfulness.<ref>Reachout Trust, Ibid.</ref>

Another example is Romans 15:13, where ''The Message'' uses phrases like "the God of green hope" and "life-giving energy":
{| class="wikitable"
|+Romans 15:13 (emphasis added)
!Literal translation
!The Message Bible
|-
|And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.<ref>{{cite web |title=Romans 15:13 Interlinear |url=https://biblehub.com/interlinear/romans/15-13.htm |website=Bible Hub}}</ref>
|Oh! May '''the God of green hope''' fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the ''<u>life-giving energy</u>'' of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!<ref>{{cite web |title=Romans 15:13 |url=https://messagebible.com/scripture/?text=Romans+15%3A13 |website=The Message Bible: The Bible in Contemporary Language}}</ref>
|-
|}
These phrases have been suggested to reflect New Age beliefs in nature deities, such as [[Gaia]], often associated with the color green and believed to provide 'life-giving energy.'<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scofield |first1=Joseph |title=Elements from other faiths |url=https://online.fliphtml5.com/xjecp/dffi/#p=16 |website=The Message Bible and the New Age Movement}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Gaia Staff|title=What Does Gaia Mean? |url=https://www.gaia.com/article/meaning-of-gaia |access-date=29 June 2025 |website=Gaia.com}}</ref>

== Reactions to criticisms ==

The [[Christian evangelicalism|Christian evangelical]] organization [[Reachout Trust]] advises against the use of ''The Message'' for "all Bible-believing Christians and anyone exploring or studying Christianity."<ref>Reachout Trust, Ibid.</ref> Conversely, theologian [[Michael Frost (minister)|Mike Frost]] suggests that while ''The Message'' is not an accurate translation, its contemporary style can serve as a useful gateway to more serious Bible study.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Frost |first1=Michael |title=Is The Message as bad as they all say? |url=https://mikefrost.net/is-the-message-as-bad-as-they-all-say/index.html |access-date=29 June 2025}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080819201637/http://navpress.com/Message/HistoryAndFaqs/ Publisher's History & FAQ] (most recently available archived version)
* [http://www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?version=MSG&passage=all&language=english ''The Message'' text online]
* [https://www.themessagecatholic.com/ The Message, Catholic version]
* [https://bibleinterpretation.org/ Bibleinterpretation.org] Bible Interpretation by Rev. Abraham Mutholath.
*[https://bibleinterpretation.ai/ Bibleinterpretation.ai] AI Bible Interpretation by Fr. Abraham Mutholathu Foundation NFP.
*[https://biblereflection.org/ Biblereflection.org] Bible Interpretation with reflection by Rev. Abraham Mutholath.
*[https://christianhomily.com/ Christianhomily.com] Sunday and Feast Homily Resources in English and Homily Videos in Malayalam.

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