WORDsearch Bible Software, Bible Study Tools & Christian Software

The Message (MSG)

In Contemporary Language

by Eugene Peterson

published by NavPress

find this book filed under Bibles

No customer reviews yet. Be the first.

$29.95

Add to Shopping Cart

This product is an electronic book for your WORDsearch or Bible Explorer program. This is not a physical book or a stand-alone program. Click here to get Bible Explorer for FREE!

A Paraphase with a Unique Perspective

“The Message is the boldest and most provocative rendering of the New Testament I've ever read. If you've become so comfortable with your Bible reading that the Scriptures no longer excite you, then this book is what you need. ”

—Warren Wiersbe, Author, To Be Series

“The Message is certainly destined to become a devotional classic not to mention a powerful pastoral tool ”

—Jack Hayford, Pastor, Church on the Way, Van Nuys, CA

“Opening The Message is like reading the Bible with fresh eyes. Whether you've read the Scriptures through a hundred times or are just starting out, The Message is a wonderful tool for understanding God's Word! ”

—Bill McCartney, founder and president of Promise Keepers

“There's a translation of the Scriptures that this guy Eugene Peterson has undertaken. It has been a great strength to me. He's a poet and a scholar, and he's brought the text back to the tone in which the books were written. ”

—BONO, lead singer of the music group U2

“There is so much that is fake about our society. My generation is craving something that is real, honest and true. The Message is straight up! It's modern, relevant, and direct. ”

—Rebecca St. James, recording artist, author

“The Message is one of the most dynamic recent versions of the New Testament that I have seen ... Children can easily understand it, and veteran Bible readers will see Christ's words in a fresh light. ”

—Billy Graham, Evangelist

“In this crowded world of Bible versions Eugene Peterson's blend of accurate scholarship and vivid idiom make this rendering both distinctive and distinguished. The Message catches the logical flow, personal energy, and imaginative overtones of the original very well indeed. ”

—J.I. Packer, author of Knowing God and professor of theology, Regent College

“We should thank the Lord for the ministry Eugene Peterson has performed in The Message. He has given the church an opportunity to read the Bible afresh. ”

—Christianity Today

“The Message is exegetically sensitive yet speaks in the language of today—with the special flair for English style that has come to mark Peterson's work. ”

—Gordon D. Fee, author, and professor of New Testament, Regent College

“At last, a translation of tone. I read not only the words, but I hear a voice behind them speaking—as, in fact, all these documents were originally experienced. Peterson's translation transforms the eye into an ear, opening the door of the New Testament wider than perhaps it has ever been opened. ”

—Michael Card, singer, songwriter, and author

In 1992, after 29 years of service at Christ our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. Eugene Peterson began his translation of The Message. Today more than 10,000,000 people are readers of this inspiring version of the Bible.."

A feature of the original writings of the New Testament is that it was done in the street language of the day. At that time in the Greek-speaking world, there were two levels of language: formal and informal. Formal language was used to write philosophy, history, government decrees, and epic poetry. Some people suppose that language dealing with a holy God and holy things should be elevated —stately and ceremonial. However, Jesus preferred down-to-earth stories and easy association with common people

The followers of Jesus in their witness and preaching, translating and teaching, have always tried to get the Message—the "good news"—into the language of whatever street they happened to be living on. In order to understand the Message right, the language must be a rough and earthy one that reveals God's presence and action where we least expect it.

This version is in a contemporary idiom that is current, fresh, and understandable in the same language that we use in all of our activities. The goal was not to render a word-for-word conversion of Greek into English, but rather to convert the tone, the rhythm, the events, and the ideas into the way that we actually think and speak. There is an introduction to each book.

Many people ask is The Message a translation or a paraphrase?

It is probably most accurately called a "translation of tone" or a "paraphrase from the original languages." It is a bridging of the gap between the original languages and English, and between centuries of time and language change, to bring to us the New Testament as it originally sounded

Customers who own this also bought: