The Message flat out deletes homosexuality as sin from two key New Testament passages and gives a politically correct spin to a third (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:8-11, Romans 1:25-27).
For this reason, The Message
and other ungodly imitations of the Bible will be increasingly
promoted by those who practice a “form of godliness” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
that includes acceptance of homosexuality.
Preaching and teaching from The Message rather than the Bible also makes it easier for those who are unwilling, afraid, or just too tired to resist the politically correct juggernaut of homosexuality.
I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. (Hosea 8:12)
On a homosexual website, a former evangelical pastor, now living as a homosexual man, uses
The Message to assert homosexual relations are God-honoring if performed in love rather than lust.
"The Mess calls Jesus "Master" over 400 times and the unique New Age phrase "Master Jesus" appears 76 times! The only other Bible I found "Master Jesus" in was the New Age Bible titled The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ!
The "Lord God" occurs 546 times in the King James Bible. The "Lord God" briefly appears 9 times in the Mess. The Mess replaces the "Lord God" with "Master God." I could not find the "Master God" in any other Bible version.
In Deuteronomy 32:8, the Mess also references these "divine guardians" who "care for the Earth." This is not Bible Christianity. And this is not in the Hebrew text! Notice the complete change from the King James Bible.
The Mess writes the most blasphemous and openly New Age propaganda ever recorded in a mainstream Bible. The Mess transforms the Lord Jesus from the "lily of the valley" to the mystic "lotus blossom from the valley pools."
In Micah 7:14, The Mess performs more New Age magic. It transforms "midst of Carmel" into a blatant new age phrase "centered in lotus land."
In Romans 15:13, the Mess contains the most bizarre statement ever in a mainstream Bible.
A popular New Age, Oneness-Pantheistic, teaching says, "as above, so below." New Age Journal published a book titled As Above, So Below. The Introduction says, "’As above, so below’ means that the two worlds are instantaneously seen to be one when we realize our essential unity with God. . . .
The Mess quietly transforms the hallowed "Lord’s Prayer" into a New Age "as above, so below" invocation.
In Matthew 6:10, The King James begins with the familiar, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
The mystic Mess reads, "Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best-- as above, so below." Dr. Terry Watkins
On a homosexual website, a former evangelical pastor, now living as a homosexual man, uses
Tim Evans, author of On Being Gay, relies on The Message versions of 1 Corinthians 6 and Romans 1:25-27 to make his case. He writes:
"Reading these renditions and then re-reading the traditional texts without the lens of prejudice, the point is as plain as day. Lust and abuse is wrong and destructive, but love—now that is a different matter."
Let’s compare The Message passages with those from a genuine Bible.
First, here is 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NASB):
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Now, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 from The Message:
Don’t you realize that this is not the way to live? Unjust people who do not care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it, don’t qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom. A number of you know what I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit.”
How many people
even realize what Peterson has done here? Peterson’s version claims
those who “use and abuse the earth” will not be saved! Homosexuality
has been removed, and nature/earth reverence has been added!
Homosexuality out, earth reverence in! Yet, the Lord tells us:
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2) CN
The "Lord God" occurs 546 times in the King James Bible. The "Lord God" briefly appears 9 times in the Mess. The Mess replaces the "Lord God" with "Master God." I could not find the "Master God" in any other Bible version.
In Deuteronomy 32:8, the Mess also references these "divine guardians" who "care for the Earth." This is not Bible Christianity. And this is not in the Hebrew text! Notice the complete change from the King James Bible.
When the High God gave the nations their stake, gave them their place on Earth, He put each of the peoples within boundaries under the care of divine guardians.Anyone familiar with New Age and Eastern mysticism knows the importance of the lotus.
Deuteronomy 32:8
When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 32:8, KJV
The Mess writes the most blasphemous and openly New Age propaganda ever recorded in a mainstream Bible. The Mess transforms the Lord Jesus from the "lily of the valley" to the mystic "lotus blossom from the valley pools."
I'm just a wildflower picked from the plains of Sharon, a lotus blossom from the valley pools. A lotus blossoming in a swamp of weeds-- that's my dear friend among the girls in the village.Notice the Mess degrades the beautiful "rose of Sharon" to a crude "wildflower picked from the plains of Sharon."
Song of Solomon 2:1-2
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
Song of Solomon 2:1, KJV
In Micah 7:14, The Mess performs more New Age magic. It transforms "midst of Carmel" into a blatant new age phrase "centered in lotus land."
Shepherd, O GOD, your people with your staff, your dear and precious flock. Uniquely yours in a grove of trees, centered in lotus land. . .
Micah 7:14
In Romans 15:13, the Mess contains the most bizarre statement ever in a mainstream Bible.
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 life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!
Romans 15:13
A popular New Age, Oneness-Pantheistic, teaching says, "as above, so below." New Age Journal published a book titled As Above, So Below. The Introduction says, "’As above, so below’ means that the two worlds are instantaneously seen to be one when we realize our essential unity with God. . . .
The Mess quietly transforms the hallowed "Lord’s Prayer" into a New Age "as above, so below" invocation.
In Matthew 6:10, The King James begins with the familiar, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
The mystic Mess reads, "Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best-- as above, so below." Dr. Terry Watkins