Rating: 
Summary: A Refreshing New Translation
Review: I don't get why some are so up in arms over this book. There are some mild flourishes taken with the text but it's merely for theatrical emphasis on what's already there. The Message maintains biblical accuracy as far as I can see. No one will come away from the MSG believing in a god other than the God that the KJV or the NIV maintain in their interpretations which, by the way, also have their critics.I still prefer my NIV, though I do think The Message is a good opportunity for those who have trouble following the versions currently available. I'm not so pontifical that I assume that everyone must read or understand the written word at my level in order to have access to scripture. However I only gave it 4 stars because I really wish that the book had chapter and verse numbers to make it easier to follow along in a group study or to look up passages on your own for comparison. Otherwise I think The Message is a great starting tool or companion to the versions already available.
Rating: 
Summary: Yes, it is a Bible. This is something you will read.
Review: All this chit-chat: what are all these people talking about.
Consider yet another review which requires reading a few verses of the Gospel of Matthew, which appear far below. Let the writing do the talking, so to speak.
But first, I find it intersting that our opening peer reviewer, Allen Smalling, is upset about the vernacular usage in The Message. Surprising, given that it is known that the original Greek transcripts were indeed written for the common man, in common vernacular language. Many of the negative reviews of The Message have to do with it's lack of lofty language. As is inherent in our New Covenant with Jesus, you can imaging that Jesus and his disciples used common, everyday language to connect with the commoners they preached to. Of course they did not use lofty highbrow language!!!
The forth reviewer, a "Senior Chaplain", is disgruntled because The Message does not specifically mention 'homosexuality' or adultery in Corinthians 6:9; it would interest our chaplain to know that there is no Greek word for 'homosexuality' written in the original Greek text of the New Testament. Alas, many of the other negative reviews of The Message involve this lack of 'moral clarity'. Remember, many among us Christians have a moral agenda, and such of us need these divisive terms handed down from out-of-date earlier translations to throw around at the fellow sinning heathens. A good Christian, in the words of C.S. Lewis, is in some degree a theologin. Thus it is worth knowing that some of the prior translations (the King James, the American Standard, and so on) had a moral-political agenda to push, and that those 'translators', who could not find directly equivalent words in our language, or in some cases, could find no definition for those original Greek terms at all, designated, for example, the word 'homosexual' for the Greek term 'malakoi arsenokoitai', which really, nobody knows what it means!
Indeed this is the crux. Many of our reviewers here write for pride's sake (one of the seven sins of course!). They are upset over common language, or the lack of 'damning' verses we hear so often quoted in the media. These quotes we hear on the radio and on TV- telling us where we're headed. For many, the Bible is scarry, given our sins. Attempts to read it bring disappointment, as the language is not easily understood and does seem to represent an angry, vengeful God.
The Message will redeem you.
From The New American Standard Bible (verses 27-32):
27"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,
29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
30"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
31"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'
32"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
And now, The Message:
"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion--do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best--dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to 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.
These verses from the Message could bring me to tears in a way the first passage never could.
Rating:
Summary: What a refreshing view of the Bible we all know.
Review: I could not be happier I found this Bible. I have tried to read the KJV and the NIV and with both there are so many times I have said 'What does that mean'. Now when I read and I don't understand I reach for the Message and get an easier to understand version. I have actually read the entire Message Bible because it is using language I understand and can appreciate.
All version of the Bible are just translations of the original - the Bible was not written in English. It may sound silly but not everyone knows that. And when translations are done, they use the language of the day. The Message is just another one that I find very refreshing. And I am not a scholar who can understand the Bible easily. I am just a lay person who wants to have my faith grow.
We have used the Message bible in our church, our Women's Discussion Groups and my Bible Studies. Obviously, I am not the only one who likes this Bible version if our pastor and other leaders will read and quote from it.
BONUS::: there is a great NIV/Message parallel bible in both Hardcover or the Leather Bound (which I have and love..see my review there for that item). No longer do I carry around 2 seperate books..it's the same size as my old Bible which is awesome to have both.
Rating: 
Summary: Good addition - POOR Bible replacement
Review: I was first attracted to the Message because of my evangelistic and counseling work and ministry; especially since many on the street have varying levels of comprehension and reading ability. After reading it and doing just light research I agree it has a new way of jazzing up the Bible and gives new perspectives in expounding on Scripture. However, I'm concerned of using the Message as a main Bible because it's not consistent and paraphrases certain passages dangerously.
Even the author Eugene Peterson has been quoted saying that it is for "first-time readers," and that these readers should quickly "get weaned from it." But then in contrasting in the foreword of the Message he doesn't give these warnings but tries to justify his treatment of the original text with an argument about historical and comparative language use.
I hear some sing it's praises that it's purported to use today's language of the common person. But are phrases such as "the prophet's embryonic sermon" (Matt 1:22) or "God-flavors of this earth" (Matt 5:13) in everyday speech? Other problems come as with Romans 9:27-28 the entire paraphrase is different than the main point of the original scripture passage! In the Message 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 doesn't mention adulterers, drunkards or homosexuality at all, just those "that abuse sex, use and abuse the earth".
In my opinion contextualization or the contemporizing of the Bible is a good target for outreach but not at the cost of watering down the truth; that may change the message. The Message is good for what it started out to be originally for the book of Galatians - an addition to the Bible as a possible devotional literature. But I'd be careful in thinking of using it to supplant the Word of God.
Rating:
Summary: I have come to understand Jesus
Review: First off, I want to apologize about my naivety regarding the bible. I have read some of the reviews, and many of the people that have written reviews have much to compare to in their understanding of the bible, and the translation.
I can only speak from my heart on this. I was never exposed to Christianity or the bible. My Grandmother was a Christian Scientist and she gave my mother her bible as a gift before she passed away. My mother then passed it down to me. I attempted to read it, and found it intimidating, scary, and "weird". I never understood this love people had for Jesus. It never made sense, and I found it frightening.
I decided I wanted to understand this whole Christian thing and was recommended to the Message. When I started reading, the format that it was written was so incredibly understandable and amazing that I haven't been able to put it down since. I actually started to quote things from the Message and began to see a new way of life. I found faith in Jesus' life. Maybe I am not scholarly in biblical history, or format or teachings, but I know this book has altered the way I think about God, Jesus, and life in general. This sounds incredible coming from a person that never believed in that stuff. I can find all ways to live a "right" life with meaning in the Message, and I can understand what I am reading. Maybe this book isn't for everyone, but if it can save a few hearts that never knew, it is worth every earned 5 stars. God has blessed the message.
Rating:
Summary: So that's what God meant...wow.
Review: "So that's what God meant...wow," is what I continually find myself thinking when I read "The Message", Eugene Petersons's paraphrase bible. Reading the Gospels in "The Message" blew me away. I love this bible. I wasn't as happy with the paraphrasing of Proverbs as I was with the other books. When I compared them to my NIV I didn't agree with Peterson's paraphrase. The rest is beautiful, though. I would recommend this bible to anyone with an open mind who is truly seeking God.
Rating:
Summary: I love this version!
Review: I should have checked out the inside before buying, the verses aren't numbered in this one! It's AWESOME for reading, just not so great for looking up particular stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: The Bible In Deceptive New Age Terminology
Review: The Message is not a translation of biblical scripture. True translation is taking the original Greek and Hebrew texts, being very careful to preserve their true meaning as much as possible, word by word and phrase by phrase, while translating them into another language so that the exact meaning is kept intact, nothing is removed or added, and there is no discrepancy about what God is actually saying in the text. Anything outside of this is changes the true meaning of the Bible, and is re-wording God's Word.
Please allow me to illustrate to you several terms that Mr. Peterson has used in his paraphrase that show that he did not directly translate the Greek and Hebrew text, and thus has changed not just God's actual meaning of key phrases and verses, but has removed key phrases from his paraphrase that directly change the actual words, phrases, and true message of God. This then makes The Message one man's interpretation and paraphrase rather than God's direct Word.
Example 1: Please compare Matthew 6:9-13, the Lord's prayer, below with Mr. Peterson's version:
Matthew 6:9-13 from the NIV:
"Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
From The Message:
"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!
Now, most people will not see what I am about to point out, until they see it explained for themselves.
Let me extract from Mr. Peterson's words here, the phrase "As above, so below." This is the key phrase here that is not a direct translation of scripture, and it does not even come close. Here is why:
This is a classic new-age term and phrase used widely in the new-age realm. It got its start, and has its main domain, in the new-age movement. It does not represent Christianity. If you do a Google search on the phrase you will see how many Wiccan, pagan, and new-age sites come up that use this phrase and its meaning. "As above, so below" agrees with the "immanent" new-age view that God is not only outside of creation, but also within creation. It means that God is "in" everyone and everything, and denotes the new-age concept of "One-ness." It is a pantheistic term. Pantheism has no place in Christianity or the Bible. And when new-agers speak of heaven, it is not the heaven that Christians know of and believe in. The term "as above, so below" is used for the new-age idea and terminology of their view of heaven. It is not the biblical view. It is a metaphysical new-age connotation that substitutes "heaven and earth" with "above and below" as being the same and one in unity, and therefore it represents a pantheistic view. It says all of the universe (the heavens and heaven), the cosmos, and the earth---everything existent in creation---is part of God, is one with God, and one with everything, in a form of new-age unity that opposes scripture and the true nature of God.
From the new-age book written by Ronald S. Miller and the editors of "New Age Journal" titled "As Above, So Below": ..." 'As above, so below; as below, so above.' This maxim implies that the transcendent God beyond the physical universe and the immanent God within ourselves are one."
Mr. Peterson should not be using this terminology to paraphrase the Bible when Christianity and God's terms and meanings are as opposite to the pagan new-age movement and their beliefs as night-time is to day-time, and as good is to bad.
This term "as above, so below" existed before Mr. Peterson chose, for whatever reason, to use it when putting the Bible into his own words. So, Mr. Peterson did not get his words from the original Greek and Hebrew text of the Bible, and therefore his words cannot qualify or be considered as a translation of scripture. If he had gotten his words from the original texts then he would not have used this phrase, because the original texts do not refer to heaven in this manner, and he also would not have removed key parts of actual scripture from his paraphrase.
Mr. Peterson again presents a similar use of this new-age phrase in place of "in heaven" and "in earth" in Colossians 1:16: "For everything, absolutely everything, above and below..."
Example 2: Mr. Peterson has directly removed key phrases and meanings from a lot of the scripture he has paraphrased. Let's look again at the Lord's prayer for a key example:
KJV:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
The Message:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
"Hallowed be Your name" has been totally removed, and not even rephrased and added back in with the rest of his words. "Your kingdom come" has also been removed. This essentially takes the actual words and meaning which the Lord Jesus spoke and changes what He actually said. It removes the expressed, exact meaning, and therefore it removes the value of the written text. "Reveal who you are" and "Hallowed be Your name" are not even close to having the same distinct meaning to each other. "Your kingdom come" and "Set the world right" do not even come close to having the same distinct meaning. Jesus was speaking directly of the Father's kingdom; Mr. Peterson is talking about the world in his paraphrase.
This re-phrasing of the Lord's prayer changes the Lord Jesus' spoken words and teaching into flimsy "requests" that He did not say. He was not making requests, He was teaching us, sinful people, how to we are to approach a pure and holy God in prayer. Mr. Peterson has changed the true meaning and character of the scripture here. This is not a translation of true text. No man has any right to do this. The Bible is clear about that.
Real translations do not remove key meaning and they do not change complete words, phrases, or the meaning of phrases. Otherwise, we end up with something the Lord never said, and it is being passed off as the Bible in churches all over this country. It is confusing people who are in the new-age movement when they see their exact terminology and idea of heaven being used by Christians, so that now they think that there is really little, if any, difference between their beliefs and those that we Christians have. The difference between the new-age movement and Christianity is night and day, and we all know there is enough scripture to back that up. God was very careful when he dictated to the original manuscript writers what He was saying. Mr. Peterson's paraphrase robs the meaning God intended, and this is dangerous.
This is why calling Mr. Peterson's paraphrase a Bible translation becomes very concerning. Many new Christians who have come out of the new age movement, who now know Jesus Christ as their savior, are quite shocked to see this new age term, very familiar to them, showing up in a "Bible translation."
There is plenty of warning in the Bible about removing from or adding to God's words and His distinct meanings. For example, Deuteronomy 4:2 "You shall not add to the word which I command you to observe, nor take anything from it..." Deuteronomy 12:32 "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." Proverbs 30:5-6 "Every word of God is pure...Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar." Mr. Peterson has both added meanings that are not being represented by actual scripture and he has removed key phrases and meaning from the actual scripture, thus greatly changing the meaning in many parts.
It is very simple to end up with a very different meaning that what was originally being said by removing one or two word phrases from the Greek or Hebrew text. There are other verses that Mr. Peterson has done the same thing with as the examples above, but time does not allow for that here. Anyone can compare Mr. Peterson's words to the actual Word of God and see for themselves as a personal study. For those who are less discerning, whether because they are new to Christianity or just searching for greater meaning in life, there is the risk of serious confusion and for people to be very mislead, as some already have been.
These are just a few examples of why Mr. Peterson's The Message should not be even referred to as a translation of the Bible.
The reason I am taking the time to point this out is because many just do not know about it. It is easy to accept and believe everything that comes along that is labeled "Christian", but the new-age movement is creeping into the Church and many Christians can't see it. This illustrates how very clever our Adversary, the Devil, is at pulling the wool over our eyes when we are least expecting it. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
What I would like to know is, if Mr. Peterson is a Christian then why did he choose to use the new-age phrase "as above, so below" and from what source did he get it from?
Rating:
Summary: This shouldn't be called a bible
Review: This bible is a mistranslation luring christians into new age thinking and preparing them for a world religion. It mistranslates the lords prayer. It even uses new age terminology. Don't read this bible, if you own it throw it out. I urge you to please take me seriously. I'm only 15 and realize the deception in this book. If you compare the verses in this bible to other translations you will see it too. The only message this bible is teaching is the new age message.
Rating:
Summary: Understanding what God is saying has never been more clearer
Review: This Bible (paraphrased) is awesome! I own several versions of the Bible and The Message is a great addition! What intrigues me the most is that it is written in book form...there aren't any verses. Your forced to read the entire chapter in order to get the full meaning. Rather then selecting a single Scripture and trying to understand what the writer of a given book is trying to convey, I read each book of the Message Bible in it's entirety. I liken it to reading a letter from a friend. You wouldn't read just one sentence of the letter and get the whole meaning of the entire letter, would you? Also, Eugene Peterson uses modern language, correct in context with the original Scriptures, and brings the Bible to life. Compatible with a Strong's Concordance? No. Use a KJV for that. Is the Message Bible easy to read yet able to convict, encourage, and provoke thought,change,faith and hope? Absolutely! God is all over it! I enthusiastically recommend The Message Bible as an awesome tool for spiritual growth and truth.
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