What In God's Name Are We Feeding Our Children?

How 'The Message' Lacks the Nutrients and Vitamins of Sound Doctrine

Why pick on The Message by Eugene Peterson when there are so many other Modern/New-Age "bibles" that corrupt God's Word equally well?

The answer is simple - the other paraphrase "bibles" have lost traction - they are no longer taken seriously and pose little threat to our children; whereas The Message
has become one of the most heavily promoted and marketed "bibles" of our time. The Message is targeted to both our youth and those "young in Christ" with
attractive products such as My First Message and The Message//REMIX. The persuasive marketing (claiming endorsements from famous musicians and
Evangelicals alike) has created a false perception that this is a more readable "bible", solidly based upon Greek and Hebrew sources [which you will find is clearly
untrue].

This study is not against translation. Far from it. We as Christians are empowered to "talk in tongues" - to bear witness to the world - and one of the best and lasting
ways to do this is through earnest, God-fearing translation into other languages. Christians must reach out to the world, but without dumbing down the true message.
God's Word does not need editing in order to produce a more palatable or believable or marketable story. God's Word only needs passionate believers who will share
the gospel to a deprived world and a lost generation.

Most will not agree with this declaration. The goal of this study is not to logically debate the validity of the truth, but to proclaim it. We as Christians are tasked to be
discerning and rebuke error by holding fast to sound doctrine. This study is nothing more than a reminder to parents to feed [teach] their children well - by only
accepting "our daily bread" and not mock-gospel junk food as a substitute.

CONTENTS
The Study of Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd
The Study of Matthew 11:28-30 - Come unto me
The Study of Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer
The Study of Psalm 19 - The Works and Word of God
The Study of Mark 15:31-39 - Jesus' final cry on the cross
The Message Studies - Epilogue

The Study of Psalm 23 Back to CONTENTS

Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)

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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23 New International Version (NIV)

A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Footnotes:
[a] Psalm 23:4 Or through the darkest valley
Psalm 23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The LORD, the Psalmist's Shepherd.

A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the [a]valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no [b]evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will [c]dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Footnotes:
[a] Psalm 23:4 Or valley of deep darkness
[b] Psalm 23:4 Or harm
[c] Psalm 23:6 Another reading is return to

Psalm 23 Jewish Tanakh (Masoretic Text) K'tuvim (Scriptures) - Tehillim (Psalms)

Mizmor Kaf Gimmel (Psalm 23)

Psalm 23 The Message (TM)

A David Psalm
1-3 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.

5 You serve me a six-course dinner

right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

6 Your beauty and love chase after me

every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.

Good thing I don't live in California

"Even when the way goes through

Death Valley, ..."

The "valley of the shadow of death" is a place that sheep would fear, because wild animals lurk in the shadows and darkness - waiting to pounce upon the vulnerable
flock. The true poetry and vivid imagery of Psalm 23 reveals that the "valley of the shadow of death" stands for the perils of life, from which God protects believers.

You mayfind yourself in the "valley of the shadow of death". It's a moment in your life not a [proper noun1] physical location. A time of fear, helplessness and
hopelessness. A time when you cry out to God for guidance and protection. A time when you become dependent and trusting in His overabundant and comforting
grace.

On the other hand you would not just happen to find yourself in Death Valley - not unless you're driving in the American south-west, without a map and cursed with a
terrible sense of direction.

Normally you would feel safer walking down a main street in broad daylight than an unlit alleyway on a dark moonless night. Darkness has always been symbolic of evil
- something to be afraid of. Light has always symbolized glaring truth, justice, warmth and protection. It would be hard to find a darkening shadow beneath the
unrelenting sun in the middle of Death Valley. "Death Valley" is an equally glaring American mistranslation for "the valley of the shadow of death" in the 23rd Psalm.

Notes:
1
Hebrew letters have only one case. Replacing an emotionally descriptive "place" with a proper noun [mixed-case] physical location such as Death Valley [California]
cannot be justified when one reviews the original Hebrew text.

Side-by-side

"... when you walk at my side"

God is not a partner or brother who walks beside you. This rendering puts man on an equal footing with his Creator.

God is our refuge and strength. The righteous run into Him and are safe. He is our guiding light. He embraces us. He uplifts us. He saves us. He is with us.
He is not a travelling companion.

References:
Tehillim Perek 23: Mizmor L'David
Mizmor Kaf Gimmel Studying Psalm 23 in Hebrew

How can there be a kingdom without a King?

" Your trusty shepherd's crook

makes me feel secure."

Rhetorical Question: Is it a coincidence that this is a psalm about a Shepherd who is our heavenly King - composed by a shepherd who became an earthly king?

Simple Question: What is the difference between someone who simply tends to a flock of sheep and someone who is Lord over all His dominion?
Simple Answer: Power and recognized authority.

A sign of power and authority in biblical times was a scepter or rod. Egyptians had their flail [and crook] and the Roman Empire had its fasces (bundle of rods
wrapped around an axe1) symbolizing power through unity2. The United States House of Representatives is adorned with fasces on both sides of the Speaker's chair
and even the Seal of the U.S. Senate includes bundles of rods with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM3 as a sign of power and authority. Many Parliaments today still
parade a scepter or mace into their chambers to equally signify the government's right to govern and power to rule.

Modern translators have disgracefully removed "the rod" from Psalms and Proverbs, in a misguided attempt to cleanse the Bible of references to an antiquated and
abusive device used to assault children as a form of punishment. In effect these modern editors have thrown the baby out with the bathwater, since they have also
removed the symbolic power and authority that the rod represents. The Bible does NOT condone the use of the rod for abusive purposes, any more than the 23rd
Psalm would have the good shepherd beat his sheep. The rod of the 23rd Psalm is a weapon to protect the flock from anything/anyone who would prey upon the flock
- now THAT is truly comforting! By removing the rod of the 23rd Psalm God is also stripped of His infinite power and authority. Left with only a staff/shepherd's crook
He can only influence and love His flock; in effect - reducing a King who reigns over all His creation to an impotent shepherd of vulnerable souls.

Trivia
1 Fascism got its name from the Latin word fasces.
2
Aesops's Fables - The Old Man and His Sons
3E PLURIBUS UNUM is Latin for "Out Of Many, One"

Reference:
Tehillim Perek 23, Part 3: Loving Rebuke

Where else in the Bible can we find the rod to describe power, authority, chastisement, discipline and correction - as well as mortal and divine will?

l Leviticus 27:32 - NOTE: Where the 10th animal that passes under the rod is tithed and holy unto the Lord.
l Job 9:34
l Job 21:9
l Psalm 89:32
l Proverbs 10:13
l Proverbs 13:24
l Proverbs 14:3
l Proverbs 22:8
l Proverbs 22:15
l Proverbs 23:13
l Proverbs 23:14
l Proverbs 26:3
l Proverbs 29:15
l Isaiah 9:4
l Isaiah 10:5
l Isaiah 10:15
l Isaiah 10:24
l Isaiah 10:26
l Isaiah 11:4
 l Isaiah 14:5 - NOTE: NIV refers to this "staff of the wicked" as the "rod of the wicked"
l Isaiah 14:29
l Isaiah 30:32 - NOTE: NIV and NASB refer to this "grounded staff" as the "punishing rod" or "rod of punishment"
l Lamentations 3:1
l Ezekiel 7:11
l Ezekiel 20:37
l Micah 5:1
l Micah 6:9

Fine Dining

"You serve me a six-course dinner ..."

A lot can really be said about the obvious lack of grandeur for this line, but this will be better dealt with in the study of The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6). Suffice to say
that this modern "translation" is not only cheeky and unpoetic, but disconnects itself from Psalm 78:19. In Psalm 23 by God's grace He willingly prepares a table for
one of His flock - In Psalm 78 by man's rebellion they mock "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?".

Is this even English?

"You revive my drooping head;"

This line reads like "You place a cool cloth upon my brow". By trying to modernize the translation it removes the historical and spiritual importance of having one's head
anointed in oil - a sacred and ceremonial act found in both the Old and New Testaments. Anointing someone with oil signifies devotion, consecration and sanctification.
A mother or nurse can "revive your drooping head", but when God anoints your head with oil you are more than blessed - you are one of God's elect.

The Study of Matthew 11:28-30 Back to CONTENTS

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)

28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30 (TM)

28-30 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company
with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Burned out on religion? Unforced rhythms of grace?

Jesus never said that "religion" was the problem in Matthew 11 {keeping within the context of this passage}. This additional 'Burned out on religion?' text is an
unashamed insertion of modern-day commentary.

Jesus did NOT say 'I'll show you how to take a real rest', but instead through/with/by Him we can be given rest. Translation of Greek text for Matthew 11 specifies
that He "will give rest [to] you".

Jesus NEVER said "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace". {Whatever New-Age nonsense that is2}. This single sentence is quoted as gospel at least 24,000 times on
the Internet according to a simple Google search, which is proof that the world has been infected by this What Jesus should have said... or What Jesus meant to
say... revision of the Bible.

He NEVER, EVER said that He won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on us - in fact we find in other passages that we will be hated by the world 1 and history has
shown that too many have been tortured/martyred/killed because they would not renounce their belief and trust in Christ {Now that is TRULY heavy and ill-fitting}.
What He did promise is that his yoke is easy and burden light, which means that His ways and expectations are not difficult, nor unrealistic.

And He did NOT say in these verses that we'd live freely. In fact, in Ephesians 6:6 we are to be as the servants of Christ - {Yes, there is great relief and freedom in
that, but that's another sermon for another time}. It is extremely insensitive, and a great insult, to say that 'you'll learn to live freely ' to those Christians enslaved in
human bondage and oppressed by political tyrants.

John 8:32 (KJV)   And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Now THAT'S where He promises freedom! Free in spirit, free in heart, free in mind - freed to share in God's eternal kingdom.

Notes:
1
  John 15:18 (KJV)
     If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

    John 15:19 (KJV)
     If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

    John 17:14 (KJV)
     I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

    1 John 3:13 (KJV)
     Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
2 Other unfounded text "inserted" or "exchanged" in The Message:
    Psalm 94:13 - Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil
    Ezekiel 31:4 - the primordial deep lifted it high
    Matthew 15:14 - You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
    Matthew 26:25 - Jesus said, "Don't play games with me, Judas." {World English Bible has the most concise translation = "You said it."}
    John 3:5-6 - Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation - the 'wind-hovering-over-the-water'
creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life - it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body
you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch - the Spirit - and becomes a living spirit.
    Romans 15:13 - the God of green hope
    Galatians 3:12 - Rule-keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith
    Hebrews 2:9 - with a glory "bright with Eden's dawn light."

The Study of Matthew 6:9-13 Back to CONTENTS

Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

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.

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

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 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.'

Matthew 6:9-13 (NASB)

9 "Pray, then, in this way:

'Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 'Your kingdom come
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 'Give us this day our daily bread.
12 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'

Matthew 6:9-13 (TM)

... you can pray very simply. Like this:

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.

Does this include McHappy Meals?

Every reliable translation of the Lord's Prayer requests from God to "Give us this day our daily bread" and not to "Keep us alive with 3 square meals". The context and
significance of this passage is totally lost in The Message's simple request for food in its translation.

In the Old Testament man does not live by bread alone, but by every word from the mouth of the Lord:

Deuteronomy 8:3 (KJV)

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that
man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Jesus reaffirmed this truth in the New Testament:

Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Luke 4:4 (KJV)

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Jesus is the "bread of life" (John 6:35 and John 6:48-58) and in the act of the Last Supper [an act of communion] He is offering up his [broken] body as/for the "body
of Christ".

This request for daily bread is obviously not just a simple request for sustinance; but more importantly it is a request to satiate our hunger for the Word of God and to
maintain a day-by-day communion with Christ. The spiritual nature of the request is completely stripped off by reducing this to a request for 3 square meals. Worse yet,
such a {cheeky} request and expectation for 3 square meals a day is extremely insensitive and an outright insult towards the physically starving children of God who are
lucky to see ONE meal a day [if any].

Oh No. No. No.

It's bad enough to strip the Lord's Prayer of the truly poetic and majestic "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever" and replace it with a flat
"You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty!"; but to convert a simple and reverent "Amen" to "Yes. Yes. Yes."?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines 'amen' as a word used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an
assertion). The Hebrew and Greek word 'amen' means truly or verily in English; which means that a single monosyllabic 'Yes' would suffice if one wanted to eliminate
the reverence of a holy 'Amen'. This is not the only place in The Message where 'Amen' has been replaced with a triple 'Yes'1, so this obviously can't be an isolated
cut'n paste editor's hiccup.

Notes:
1 Psalm 41:13, Romans 11:33-36, Hebrews 13:18-21

The Study of Psalm 19 Back to CONTENTS

Psalm 19 (KJV)

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great
transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 19 (NIV)
For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard. [a]

4 Their voice [b] goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,

giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Footnotes:
[a] Psalm 19:3 Or They have no speech, there are no words; / no sound is heard from them
[b] Psalm 19:4 Septuagint, Jerome and Syriac; Hebrew line

Psalm 19 (NASB)

The Works and the Word of God.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4 Their [a]line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is [b]perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be [c]blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Footnotes:
[a] Psalm 19:4 Another reading is sound
[b] Psalm 19:7 i.e. blameless
[c] Psalm 19:13 literally complete

Psalm 19 (TM)

1-2 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
Professor Night lectures each evening.

3-4 Their words aren't heard,

their voices aren't recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.

4-5 God makes a huge dome

for the sun - a superdome!
The morning sun's a new husband
leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete
racing to the tape.

6 That's how God's Word vaults across the skies

from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts,
warming hearts to faith.

7-9 The revelation of God is whole

and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.
God's reputation is twenty-four -carat gold,
with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
down to the nth degree.

10 God's Word is better than a diamond,

better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You'll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.

11-14 There's more: God's Word warns us of danger

and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.

Beyond Personification

Psalm 19 introduces us to Madame Day and Professor Night. We also find Lady Wisdom1 and other named fictional characters elsewhere in The Message. This
fanciful, proper noun [mixed-case] naming goes way beyond the intended poetic personification. The Message seems to completely misunderstand that the Hewbrew
language employs grammatical gender for nouns, giving nouns masculine and feminine attributes much like the Romance languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French,
Italian,...). Day, like the word wisdom, is feminine and night is masculine. Calling something Madame Day, Professor Night or even Lady Wisdom is truly unfounded,
since they are not based upon any recognized or even available manuscripts.

Notes:
1Contrived Characters of The Message

l Lady Wisdom - found in Proverbs 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 14

One of the most controversial characters - "wisdom" is translated as sophia in Greek and is misconstrued by feminist theologians as the 'Divine Feminine'
Goddess who was with God since the beginning. Some believe this goddess is the 'Shekinah Glory', others the 'Holy Spirit' and some believe she is both.
Refer:
- Lady Wisdom and Dame Folly at Qumran
- An Introduction to the Old Testament: A Feminist Perspective By Alice L. Laffey
- The Two Women: Madam Folly and Dame Wisdom (Proverbs 7-9)
- Australian EJournal of Theology - Lady Wisdom as the Created Co-Creator in Syriac Proverbs 8:22-31 By Alan Moss
- Wising Up to Lady Wisdom - For Dummies
l Brother Knowledge - Proverbs 2
l Madam Insight - Proverbs 3 and 8
l Madam Whore - Proverbs 9
Other like-minded translators prefer to use the safer name "Dame Folly" as the antithetical character to Lady Wisdom.
l Sir Fool - Proverbs 14
l Lady Luck - Isaiah 65
l Sir Fate - Isaiah 65
l Sir Windbag - Jeremiah 2

References:
Psalm 19 / Hebrew - English Bible / Mechon-Mamre
Psalms 18 (our Psalm 19) Greek Septuagint and Wiki English Translation
Exegesis of Psalm 19 - By Corey Keating
Ancient Hebrew Poetry - Psalm 19
Polyglot Bible: Psalm 19
TanakhML Project - Text Browser - Parallel Hebrew/English Psalm 19

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Strawberry Fields Forever.

"God's Word is better than a diamond,

better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You'll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries."

All translations, save one, echo the KJV text for verse 10:
"More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."

The odd-one-out is the Douay-Rheims Bible1 which uses the words "and many precious stones" instead of "than much fine gold".

The Message's use of diamonds and emeralds is a bit of a stretch (especially when GOLD is definitely specified at least once in EVERY translation and source), but
the use of strawberries is totally unacceptable. Some may think - "Berries/Honey - much the same intent - not a doctrinal big deal". But they would miss the reason why
honey is used in this psalm. In Exodus the children of Israel ate Manna ("bread from heaven") in the wilderness - which tasted "like wafers made with honey". It was
honey that enlightened Jonathan's eyes in 1st Samuel. It was a book that God gave Ezekiel to eat, that was as sweet as honey in his mouth, enabling Ezekiel to speak
God's words to the house of Israel. It was John [The Baptist] who, in Matthew and Mark, ate locusts and wild honey while preaching in the wilderness of Judea. It was
the author of Revelation who was given a book by an angel to eat, as sweet as honey in his mouth, to prophesy before many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.

God's sustenance - His Word - is as sweet as honey2, not strawberries.

Notes:
1
The Latin Vulgate (the source for the Douay-Rheims Bible) Chapter 18 verse 11: "desiderabilia super aurum et lapidem pretiosum multum et dulciora super mel et
favum redundantem"
2 Psalm 119:103 (KJV)
   How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 
  Proverbs 24:13-14 (KJV)
   13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: 
   14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. 

References:
Biblos Psalm 19:10 Text Analysis
Biblos Psalm 19 Interlinear Bible

The Study of Mark 15:31-39 Back to CONTENTS

Mark 15:31-39 KJV

31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me?
35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take
him down.
37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Mark 15:31-39 (NIV)

31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! 32
Let this Christ,[a] this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus

33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama
sabachthani?" - which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"[b]
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."

36 One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take
him down," he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and[c] saw
how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son[d] of God!"

Footnotes:
[a] Mark 15:32 Or Messiah
[b] Mark 15:34 Psalm 22:1
[c] Mark 15:39 Some manuscripts do not have heard his cry and.
[d] Mark 15:39 Or a son

Mark 15:31-39 (NASB)

31 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save
Himself.
32 "Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!" Those who were crucified with Him were also
insulting Him.
33 When the [a]sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the [b]ninth hour.
34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" which is translated, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU
FORSAKEN ME?"
35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, "Behold, He is calling for Elijah."
36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, "Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down."

37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last.

38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
39 When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"

Footnotes:
[a] Mark 15:33 i.e. noon
[b] Mark 15:33 i.e. 3 PM

Mark 15:31-39 (TM)

31-32 The high priests, along with the religion scholars, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: "He
saved others—but he can't save himself! Messiah, is he? King of Israel? Then let him climb down from that cross. We'll all become believers then!" Even the
men crucified alongside him joined in the mockery.
33-34 At noon the sky became extremely dark. The darkness lasted three hours. At three o'clock, Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, "Eloi, Eloi,
lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
35-36 Some of the bystanders who heard him said, "Listen, he's calling for Elijah." Someone ran off, soaked a sponge in sour wine, put it on a stick, and
gave it to him to drink, saying, "Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down."
37-39 But Jesus, with a loud cry, gave his last breath. At that moment the Temple curtain ripped right down the middle. When the Roman captain standing
guard in front of him saw that he had quit breathing, he said, "This has to be the Son of God!"

Name That Tune

The Message's use of "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?", even though inadequate, is not terrible. The use of the word "abandon" is inadequate
because to abandon is to leave someone/something with no intention to return. To forsake someone is to renounce him, turning away from him entirely. Kittens and
cars can be abandoned; but it is more shameful and personal when God turns His face1 [countenance] away from the one He forsakes. The use of abandoned versus
forsaken is not a doctrinal biggie - what is at issue is that the prophetic context and significance of this passage is totally lost in The Message's modern day translation.

Jesus knew who was in the crowd. It was clearly stated in verses 31 and 32 that the chief priests and scribes were there - mocking Him, goading Him, inciting others to
disbelieve in Him. Jesus also knew that the religious elite proudly memorized scripture - in fact they could recite (quote) verses with nothing more than a snippet to start
with - kind of like our "Name That Tune". Jesus intentionally cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"2 not because He had lost faith or trust in His
Father (far from it), but because the priests and scribes would recognize the prophetic words of Psalm 22. Psalm 22 foretells of Jesus being despised, scorned,
mocked, insulted, laughed at, encircled, poured out like water, bones disjointed, heart waxened (melting in the midst of His bowels), strength dried up, mouth dry
(tongue sticking to roof of His mouth), surrounded by "dogs", pierced hands and feet, people staring and gloating, clothing divided and lots cast for His garments. Pretty
bang-on description of Christ crucified!

The Message COMPLETELY misses this prophetic connection with its rendering of Psalm 22:
 God, God...my God! Why did you dump me
     miles from nowhere? 
If The Message had used the word abandoned in Psalm 22, as it did in Mark 15, the prophetic connection between the two passages would be there; but instead
The Message uses the COMPLETELY disconnected "Why did you dump me miles from nowhere?" for Psalm 22. Another study could be done for Psalm 22 alone
- how The Message removes being reproached and despised, how it adds buffalo, a black tongue, a cage and a wallet. Such a study is not necessary when we
consider that Jesus' final cry was a fulfilment of prophecy and not just the futile groanings of a dying man as The Message would have us believe.

Notes:
1
2 Chronicles 6:42 (KJV)
   O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.

   Psalm 132:10 (KJV)
   For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
2 cf. Matthew 27:46

The Message Studies - Epilogue Back to CONTENTS

It is pretty safe to say, after reviewing the previous studies, that The Message, by Eugene Peterson, is nothing more than one man's rewrite of the books of the Bible.
It is not God-breathed. It is not inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is not Scripture. Passages within The Message intentionally omitting, adding-to or misinterpretting
original Biblical sources cannot be justified.

The original authors of the books of the Bible were overwhelmingly compelled to pass on their testimony. Others have dutifully passed down God's Word through the
generations with great care not corrupt the authentic message for our spiritual nourishment. Modernized wording - sanitized to reach today's policitally correct
audience - is clearly worldliness, which were were warned to guard ourselves against (2nd Timothy 4:1-5 and 2nd Peter 2:1-3). Rewriting, instead of humbly
translating, scripture is akin to saying that the original authors were NOT directed by God or that God's Word is insufficient and dated - begging to be replaced. Sound
doctrine is not attractive, but instead it is the greatest Inconvenient Truth for people who would rather believe in another God, follow a different Christ and be led by
a disingenuous Spirit.

In closing I repeat John 8:32 (KJV):

  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

That is why we must discern between that which is of God and that which is written to be pleasers of men. If we do not base our faith upon sound doctrine, then
we shall never be free in Christ our Lord. The Message totally lacks sound doctrine and is not solidly based upon Hebrew nor Greek manuscripts. It is a distortion
and corruption of God's Word. It is, in today's speak, an "alternative lifestyle" bible.

The Message is NOT milk for the new lambs in Christ; instead it is soda-pop for the "I just want to find my inner child" crowd.

Luke 17:1-2 (NASB)

1 He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come!
2 "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of
these little ones to stumble.

  
Reference Websites
The Product:
NavPress (Publisher of The Message): I lost count - Are there really 60 product variants of "The Message"?
Regent College Bookstore: Eugene Peterson Books and Audio
Wikipedia: The Message (Bible)
YouTube video: A Conversation with Eugene Peterson 2007
  Special Note - To learn how Mr. Peterson's "translation" was overruled by editors watch the section between 18:40 and 20:45 !!!

Critiques:
Seek God: Research - The New Age of Christianity
Seek God: The Message: Eugene Peterson's Opinion of The Bible
Life-Everlasting: Why The Message should not be used: It is not the Word of God!
Crossroad: What kind of message is THE MESSAGE?
Dial-the-Truth Ministries: The Message Bible: A Mystic Mess
Watch Unto Prayer: The Message: The Mystical Bible
Christian Research Journal: A Summary Critique: The Message
Way of Life Literature: Eugene Peterson and The Message
Bible-Researcher: 20th Century English Versions - The Message
Bible-Researcher: Against the Theory of 'Dynamic Equivalence'

Bible Study Aids:

Bible Gateway: Search various Bible versions
Biblos: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages
Christian Classics Ethereal Library: CCEL.ORG Christian writings
NET Bible: bible.org’s new NET Bible Learning Environment
Mechon-Mamre: Parallel Hebrew - English Bible

Paul K. Johnston 2009-12-23