The Message

The New Testament in Contemporary Language

By: Eugene H. Peterson

Narrated by: Kelly Ryan Dolan, Carol Nix

Length: 19 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need to be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."

Those familiar with any part of the Bible will recognize John 3:16, with a mind-altering difference. The words are fresh, new, and sound like the 21st century. That's because they are from The Message, a presentation of the Word of God crafted for a modern age. Eugene Peterson, translator and editor, learned from his years of teaching and pastoring that most people, through familiarity or frustration with the Bible, were missing the whole message of Scripture: the Word that God uses to create and save us, heal and bless us, judge and rule over us. So he set out to give us that word in language we use every day, a reading Bible that would enable the Word to penetrate our hearts and minds, transforming us day by day into the person God desires us to be.

©2003 Eugene Peterson (P)2003 Oasis Audio LLC, Under Arrangement With NavPress, Publisher Of The Original Book Version

Critic reviews

"Acclaimed biblical language scholar Peterson has paraphrased the original Greek and Hebrew of these most popular books of the Bible into vibrant, easy-to-read modern English." (Ingram)

A Bible that Makes You Laugh?

If you don't think of the Bible for "casual listening" or "pleasure listening", this version of "The Message" will challenge that opinion. "The Message" has to be among the best - if not the best - English version for listening. The prose is contemporary and engaging and Eugene Peterson does an exceptional job providing continuity of the text where other, more literal versions do not. He captures the spirit of the text well, unafraid to use emotional terms and colloquial phrases to express the points. I have found myself laughing and smirking on multiple occasions at his choice of words - well-capturing the emotional tone (funny, serious, sarcastic, etc.) of the original authors.

While I would never use "The Message" as my exclusive study Bible, it is exceptional for my lengthy daily commute and I find it easier to track with than the New International Version to which I have listened. And it makes the Bible very approachable to anyone who considers it intimidating or too complicated. Peterson makes it clear in the introduction that he's aiming at a thought/sense translation, not a literal one. He absolutely hits the mark.

Kelly Ryan Dolan's reading is exceptional and nearly right-on; I have found few phrases or sentences that I would have emphasized differently. (He is consistently good with his reading of John Eldredge's "Waking the Dead".)

I would recommend this version to those who have never considered the Bible approachable; this version will change your mind. I can also recommend it to those who have read the Scriptures for years as this version will give you a fresh perspective. And for those who are convinced there is only one "real" version? Please remember that God expressed them through men in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek - not English - and that same Holy Spirit works to interpret the Scriptures for people of all tongues today - even contemporary English! God bless all who seek the truth.

Real Life Bible

This paraphrase is the first Bible that speaks to my every day real life. It is a Bible that I feel I can actually do, not just read or listen to and try to figure out how do I do that in my everyday life. I'm a PK (preacher's kid) and attended Bible college and reading this is the first time in 40 years that I feel like I'm truly understanding God's word .

Not For Study, But For Illumination

Simply the best modern translation of the Bible in existence. Not for detailed study of the scripture, but the translation was written to be read like a novel, and it succeeds. Many scriptures I'd been confused over became clear with this translation. I'm eagerly awaiting the Old Testament.

Perfect translation for listening to.

By using current idioms Peterson brings the Bible to the 20th (and 21st) century. But this translation is also very easy on the ear. We should remember the original texts were supposed to be received by listening, not an individual sitting quietly and reading. I have found changing the "input" to the ear and not the eye, has added more meaning to already familiar texts. It is read in an interesting and at times exciting way, which fully captures Petersen's intent. A perfect example of the "change" from past translation: Instead of "Verily, verily I say to you..." is now " Are you listening to this? Really listening?"

The Message

This is the finest paraphrase of the Bible that is in existence. Eugene Peterson makes the Bible come to life in our modern times. Highly recommended for Christians and non-Christians alike.

Absolutely fantastic!

I am a new Christian. I got the King James version and it was good but kept putting me to sleep. The Message on the other hand is so good it's hard to stop listening! The reader narrates with all the enthusiam of Tony Robbins which I think is a good thing. This version of the Bible truely breaths new life into stories and letters I've heard since I was a child. The language is easy to understand without changing the story. It is powerful and wonderful and an absolute joy to listen to! This one will stay on my IPOD for life!!!

Excellent!

I disagree with some of the other reviewers. I think they have missed the point. This is an excellent translation that would be a great part of any bible study series. King James, on the other hand, is excellent poetry. I have gotten much more spiritual enlightenment from this document than I ever could from a more formal version. I find it hard to believe that Jesus or Paul actually spoke as formally as King James, but I find it quite plausible for them to speak in the manner found in The Message. Anyone could benefit from this book. Lighten up guys.

Good Audio but Needs Indexing

Would you listen to The Message again? Why?

Yes. I listen to it when I can for a better feel of the history of the early church and their teachings.

What three words best describe Kelly Ryan Dolan and Carol Nix ’s performance?

good, consistent, understandable,

Any additional comments?

Listening to the audio is a good experience with a great message and very good narrator.

But finding the book, chapter and verse is abysmal. There needs to be some type of indexing and navigation to at least find the beginning of the books of the bible and preferably the chapters as well. The only thing you can do now is guess which Part and Chapter a book of the bible begins in and listen until you can confirm it.

This system makes it useless for specific reference bible study.

LOOSE paraphrase too obsessed with idioms

I spent many hours listening to this VERY LOOSE PARAPHRASE of the Bible. I tried to like it, but the more I listened the more it bothered me. It is so full of 21st century American idioms that it is distracting. I find myself listening for the next with-it cool idiom, instead of hearing the message.
Although it is very easy to understand it often isn't even close to what the original text said,. and sometimes (surprisingly) harder to understand than the original for example John 1:1 reads "The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one." The New Living Translation reads, "In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God."
Many readers are not aware that the Bible warns 3 different times that we are not to add to it or take away from it. This Bible does both on a regular basis. One odd example is in 2 Timothy 4:6 it has Paul saying to Timothy, "You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar" (2 Tim. 4:6). YOU TAKE OVER????? Where'd he get that? It's nowhere in the text. The NLT says, "As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God."
If you are concerned with something easy to understand (and could care less what the text really says), this one's for you. If you want something easy to understand AND ACCURATE try the NIV or the NLT.

Hard to Navigate

What would have made The Message better?

The story and performance are great, but navigating this book was very difficult! The chapter heading music was much too long, and there was no way to view what chapter you are in (eg., Mark, Chapter 1). Thus, I bought it, but rarely listen.

Brilliant

I love having this in audio book form, it means you can listen to scripture whilst carrying on with your day. I often found it hard to find time to sit down and read my Bible. Although I would make sure to try and do so everyday, often it would mean my time would be cut short. Being able to listen to this is great as it allows you to fit reading the word of God in to your day to day life, journey to and from work, cooking, house work, anywhere. As "The Message" translation is more fluid compared to others; this has helped when listening to it whilst on the move.
In this format, from Audible, it comes in 3 parts. Titled Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. This means its not easy to find particular books, chapters or verses. If this was an important feature for you, then I would suggest getting it in CD format, which would make it easier to find specific books and chapters. Otherwise I would definitely recommend getting a copy of this! Beautifully read and easy to listen to, but be warned its not so easy to put down! You may find you have spent the whole day absorbed in the word of God!

Brilliant!

The words, the voice, the introductions to each chapter, it's all simply brilliant. I really do recommend this version of the bible. It has helped me 'rediscover' the bible.

Easy listen

Would you consider the audio edition of The Message to be better than the print version?

Great for listening when walking the dog

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Message?

Language makes the bible readable as a story

What about Kelly Ryan Dolan and Carol Nix ’s performance did you like?

Easy to listen to

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

The Bible Makes Sense

If you could sum up The Message in three words, what would they be?

Understandable, inspiring, listenable

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Message is full of characters! Essentially, it is about God himself, and he is the reason for my wanting to read it.

Have you listened to any of Kelly Ryan Dolan and Carol Nix ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many spots, particularly the stories of Jesus and his passion, death and resurrection.

Any additional comments?

The Message is more than "a book": it is an experience. And because it is in modern English - albeit very American in vocabulary and style - it speaks to the heart even of an Englishman.

wonderful true story!

Would you listen to The Message again? Why?

Again and again

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jesus

Have you listened to any of Kelly Ryan Dolan and Carol Nix ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Not yet

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Already has ....... The Greatest Story Ever Told :-D

Any additional comments?

You will NOT be disappointed!!!

Well narrated but not user friendly

The narration is excellent and it is really easy to listen to, however it is a shame that the “chapters” in this version do not correspond in any way to the books and chapters in the Bible. It renders it virtually useless if you want to listen to a particular portion of the Bible.

Problem Area

I found it very unhelpful that I could not ask for the bible book or chapter and verse that I wanted to listen too. Instead the Message seemed to broken up into unusable time spans as the chapter markers, so if you ask for chapter 2 or some other number it will just start in the middle of some book of the bible somewhere, without telling you where.
To make this a good buy it would need to be able to take you to the book you ask for such as 'read Luke' or read 'James' and it would also be of great help to be able to say, for example 'read John chapter 8' and also 'read John chapter 8 from verse 12'.

Great Bible Experience

What did you like most about The Message?

Peterson's poetic version of the New Testament is simply wonderful, either when read on its own or when read alongside other versions (I read alongside one or more of the following: NLT, NET, NIV & NASB). I bought my first paper copy of the Message some years ago (1993 or 1994) and fell in love with it immediately. I still feel swept away when reading it and many of Peterson's translations have given me new and fresh and vibrant insights into passages I know well from other versions. The Message is inspired and this audio version is an amazing way to experience it. Try and make time to listen to whole books at a time. Discover and experience God's revelation through a new encounter with the living Word.

A masterful and fresh rendering of the New Testament

I have used this version for over twenty years and feel that it is the perfect be that has brought the Bible alive to me in more ways than any other I have read. I am so grateful that Eugene Petersen took the many years of hard work to produce this version. All of us who love the Bible are forever in his debt.