Comments on: The emerging emergent threat from postmodern Christians

By: John

John — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:55:35 +0000

The fact that you so quickly applied Scripture to The Message and found it wanting is very encouraging to me. The Message, like The Shack, like Alcoholics Anonymous, is being used to water down our theology and prepare for the apostate church.

By: CherylAnn

CherylAnn — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:33:45 +0000

As that close relative that you spoke of John, I want to thank you for bringing “The Message”
Bible up to me. For some time I have not been comfortable with The Message Bible. I haven’t used it for awhile now. However, when you sent me that e-mail God was able to show me that I was on the fence with The Message Bible. As I thoroughly investigated Eugene Peterson I realized why I was so uncomfortable. Now I have a stand. The ‘best’ The Message could be called is a commentary. However it is so off the mark and the very “holiness” and “righteousness of God is void that I personally would not want to be Eugene standing before God knowing that I was responsible leading so many astray. He will be accountable before God one day. I personally want to thank you John for pressing through to let me know about The Message. I realize it might have been a bit of a challenge. God is on the throne my friend. God bless you.

By: thepalerider

thepalerider — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:18:20 +0000

The Monergism website has a whole lot of links of articles written by various authors about the “Emergent” church and the “Seeker-sensitive” movement. A great resource for anyone who wants to look into this subject.

http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Bad-Theology/Emerging-Church/
http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Bad-Theology/Seeker-Sensitive/

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:30:04 +0000

Thanks for the link Don

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:18:14 +0000

The MESSage is NOT a translation. Even Eugene Peterson says that it isnt. He should know, he is the one that made it! People use the Message to justify living an ungodly life. The “Coming One” is not Jesus Christ.

By: Don

Don — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:50:50 +0000

“The Message” is not a translation of the Bible. It is a paraphrase of the Bible even Eugene Peterson says it should not be used as the Bible. The best translations have a team of experts that examine many manuscripts in the original language and try to come up with the best translation possible. A paraphrase is just someone’s opinion on what the verses mean to them.

Am I suppose to care that you thought this article was not what you were looking for? I have little control over the matter.

I did not make a broad general assessment other than I know the problems in the Emergent movement. I gave you a link in the post that explains what the Emergent Church is about and I also said that not everything about the Emergent Church is wrong. Some claim there is a difference between those who identify with the emerging Church and the Emergent Church you might take note of that when you do your research.

Your correct that the study was about teens in Britain. I should have caught that but I did not. I actually added the study to the article after I orginally posted it. I will correct it.

By: Don

Don — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:29:34 +0000

Justin try this link

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/themessage.htm

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:40:49 +0000

Strangely enough I arrived here via twitter, of all spooky post-modern places! Hate to remind you, but the Bible wasn’t written in English, and it doesn’t give us guidelines re: how to translate it. So what are the criteria you use to judge translations? And on what authority do they rest, if not biblical?

Also, I thought this would be an article about the emerging church, but it’s not–it’s just about some vague “post-modernism” that you are seeing in a wide range of places (and I don’t necessarily disagree with you). “Emergent” is a much more specific movement than the broad, general assessment you’re making. To really understand these things, one needs a bit more precision with one’s terms.

Finally, the study you quoted about teenagers is a BRITISH study! You can’t use it to decry the church in America, that’s absurd. Great Britain has been for a long time a much more secular society than the US, so it’s unsurprising there. I’d be shocked and amazed if even 1/4 of American teens didn’t believe in God.

I can’t decide if you’re serious and intellectually honest or not, so perhaps these critiques are wasted time. But these are important issues, and it’s worth thinking seriously (and well) about them.

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:58:54 +0000

Hey Don. Do u know a website that I can go to that gives info about “the message” and Eugene Peterson?

By: Don

Don — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:07:38 +0000

From my own experience I know “The Message” is popping up more and more at Bible studies and quoted as if it was God’s word. Not to mention that it is often quoted in evangelical pulpits. In a Bible study when someone reads a passage often someone will read from “The Message”. Bible study leaders need to lay down the law and tell people that paraphrases of the Bible will not be read to the group as if it where the Bible.

Those who quote “The Message” from the pulpit often pick that paraphrase of God’s word because it supports their own message when God’s own words will not. When I hear The Message from a pastor/teacher/author I get the feeling that they are picking quotes from various translations and paraphrases to manipulate or snow me to agree with what they are saying. A prime example is the “Purpose Driven Life” and other teachings of Rick Warren.