Preaching from "The Message" bible

[mfblume]

THE MESSAGE is awesome for really bringing out some passages with the vitality we know the apostles had in view.

[*AQuietPlace*]

I like it as a commentary. It does help clarify some meanings.

[missourimary]

I haven't used anything but KJV in church for a long time, and all my memorization is done in KJV. But the Message and other versions are excellent for reading. When I read KJV, I tend to overlook the obvious, because I've read it so often. Reading in a different version prevents this. I tend to focus on the words and study passages more accurately and more deeply when I see the words phrased differently.

[mfblume]

I just commented to the church on Sunday that sometimes we are so familiar with hearing the exact words the KJV uses when we read certain passages, having heard them over and over again, that it is hard to actually get the message. It's become a cliche that lost its meaning, and we can rattle off the words, and all we hear are those old familiar words. In such instances, a another translation causes us to stop and actually GET what the message is, instead of hearing familiar words.

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by deltaguitar

I like the message for reading and as a "commentary" to the literal translation. Still, many passages, IMO, add to much to the text. Sometimes I feel like it is a little to simple like there is only one meaning to get from the text. With the KJV or ESV every word means something and many times more than one meaning can jump out at you from the text.

Interesting approach to scripture. So the Text can have different meanings, and those meanings are subjective?

I agree The Message is on the far side of paraphrases that it can really be used as a commentary.

[Jeffrey]

The Message makes the Word come alive, trying to take the message of the verse(es) and delivering us that "message." Using it as a Bible Study tool for personal study isn't best. But I've used it many times in preaching and worship settings.

I only wish The Message was done by more than one guy. Translations done by more than person have much more credibility. Nevertheless, The Message seems to be fairly consistent with the original meaning of the Text.

[n david]

My wife doesn't like the KJV because of archaic words, but she loves to read The Message. We bought The Message: Pause, which is more of a devotional reading Bible. It has daily passages that combine a chapter or two from an old testament book with a chapter or two from a new testament book. It's great!

[Jeffrey]

I'm not a fan of the KJV either, except for the nostalgia I get. I find so many people feeling confident of understanding Old English, but yet sermon-after-sermon of poor demonstration to support their claims. It's tricky.

KJV sounds cool. So points for style.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

I'm not a fan of the KJV either, except for the nostalgia I get. I find so many people feeling confident of understanding Old English, but yet sermon-after-sermon of poor demonstration to support their claims. It's tricky.

KJV sounds cool. So points for style.

Yea, there is soo much nostalgia attached to that version. Personally I use it because there are some who only use it. Since this is the case I find it better to discuss scriptures using it so the discussion never breaks down into a kjv only discussion. I also use it because of the nostalgia.

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Interesting approach to scripture. So the Text can have different meanings, and those meanings are subjective?

I agree The Message is on the far side of paraphrases that it can really be used as a commentary.

I guess what I mean is that sometimes passages can have multiple meanings. If someone has already interpreted their meaning into the text it might be easy to overlook something that is there.

Don't get me wrong, I love the message but I read it less now than I used to. I still love to just sit back and read the message but I also have the NLT that I read too.

I am hoping to get the ESV study bible for Christmas and then have both readability and literal text.