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MARCH - 2002 - APRIL
| News and Notes |
| 2002 ILC Delegate Convention info |
| On: Proclaiming Forgiveness |
| Beware of "The Message" |
C O N F I R M A T I O N S
OUR SAVIOR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH: Morris, IL
Douglas Erickson
Mallory Davis
GRACE EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH of New Lennox, IL
Thomas Pearce
2002
DELEGATE
CONVENTION
--- HOST CONGREGATION ---
Eternal Savior Ev. Lutheran Church
Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin
--- DATE / TIME ---
Pastors: July 10 - (11 - 12)
Delegates: July 11 - 12, 8:45 a.m.
--- MEETING PLACE (tentative) ---
Lakeland Union High School, Minocqua
For other Convention information, you may contact the ILC Vice President at: (314)-771-5447 -or- ILC Secretary at: (715)-356-2950.
Packets including lodging information have been sent to each congregation. You are urged to make reservations right away.
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According to Christ's own teaching a Christian should be ready to forgive a brother an unlimited number of times in a day. But in light of how that teaching from Matthew 18 and other passages of the Bible have been distorted, every Christian should be ready and able, in the strength of faith God has given him (or her), to give an answer to the following question, on a case by case basis, before considering the forgiveness of another: should I forgive or should I not forgive? Or to be more specific:
How and when am I to proclaim God's forgiveness?
Prepared by Pastor C. E. Clubb Jr.
Edited by Pastor M. E. Latsch
In the Lord's prayer we ask God to, "...forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us..." In answer to Peter's question: "...Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" (Matthew 18:21) Jesus said: "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:22) In other words there should be no limit as to how many times we forgive a brother.
The above verses seem simple enough to understand but how will we uphold and defend their true meaning when others– who out of ignorance or purposely by their own false interpretation of such passages– point the accusing finger at us and say: "How can you be so unforgiving, does not the Bible say we should forgive others as God forgives us? Why that's in the Lord's prayer." Or they might say something like: "Jesus Himself said we should forgive seventy times seven! Why can you not forgive this or that person, or this or that group, and overlook what they do or teach?"
By such questions they are saying in essence (again, either in ignorance, or purposely, by their own false interpretation) that Christians are duty bound to forgive, and accept, by some sort of blanket forgiveness, whoever might come into the church, or whoever claims to be a Christian, and at least to tolerate whatever sin they are controlled by, or whatever blasphemy they spew out. This would mean that we should accept in our fellowship, unrepentant– adulterers, fornicators, idol worshipers, homosexuals, backbiters, gainsayers, blasphemers, and whatever else a person might be caught up in as an "alternate lifestyle".
Given the fact that such accusers would have us practice such an abominable doctrine – that we should declare a blanket forgiveness upon repentant and unrepentant sinners alike – indicates that in addition to considering the question about how many times we should forgive our fellow man we must, before we proclaim forgiveness, also be ready to answer the question:
"HOW AND WHEN AM I TO PROCLAIM GOD'S FORGIVENESS?"
In order to come up with a God-pleasing answer to this question, or any question pertaining to the doctrines of the Christian Church, and Christian conduct, we must go to the Holy Bible. It goes without saying that the answer must not come from our own reason– no point of doctrine must ever be decided or confirmed by our reason or by popular vote. We may, of course, take a vote to decide if we agree on a point of doctrine in order to mark and avoid the heterodox (Romans 16:17). However, the doctrine itself must come from the true Word of God for "...no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20). Anyone, or any group, that teaches in the church anything that is in conflict with Biblical teaching is "...teaching for doctrines..." – not the commandments of God – but "...the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9; see also Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:7, 1 Timothy 1:6-7, Titus 1:14). In pursuit to a God-pleasing answer to the title question, this paper addresses two considerations we must ponder before deciding whether we can rightly pronounce forgiveness to another sinner:
1) To the whole world, I must proclaim God's universal forgiveness (the Gospel of Jesus Christ)
2) I must individually proclaim God's forgiveness to someone who has expressed a contrite heart (absolution)
I.
To the whole world, I must proclaim
God's universal forgiveness
The rule and directive from God is found in Mark 16:15-16 "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Indeed, we are to proclaim the good news that Jesus has paid for the sins of the world with His holy and precious blood, and we will reflect more on this momentarily, but first let us consider an often misapplied portion of Scripture.
Those who teach that God requires us to forgive, universally, the sins of another apparently misinterpret the word "brother" in Matthew 18:21. "Brother" (adelfov) in the Greek is defined virtually the same as the word "brother" in our own English language today. In both languages "brother" refers to a man having the same parent(s) as someone else; a man belonging to the same group, organization, nation, or race of people; two men of the same faith; a brother of Christ by faith (here the Greek and English definitions may not agree); etc. If we read verses 15 through 18 of Matthew 18 (copied below) we can readily see, according to the context, that the conversation between Peter and Jesus was directly related to dealing with an erring brother in the faith – an erring Christian – who has repented of his sins and has asked for forgiveness.
These verses, as most of you already know, describe the steps Christ commands us to follow when dealing with an erring member of the Christian church. In other words a fellow believer or a brother according to faith in Christ. God's Word nowhere even hints that we should pronounce some sort of actual forgiveness of sins to all men alike, apart from repentance and faith in Christ.
However, every believer is to proclaim Christ and Him crucified for the sins of the whole world! We should consider it our great privilege and delight to declare that, "...God so loved (hgaphsen) the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of a virgin, Jesus was born without sin. During His entire visible sojourn here on this earth He never once sinned against God or man. In His own perfect righteousness He suffered ridicule, pain, and torment as no other human being has ever suffered. Why? Because Jesus suffered the full punishment for all sin! He shed His own righteous blood to cover the sins of, not just the believers, but all mankind. By Jesus' resurrection and ascension up into heaven we are assured that He has conquered sin, death, and hell for us (all men). To put it another way, Jesus alone has earned the forgiveness of sins for all sinners in all generations. Romans 3:23-24 declares: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus".
Christ has won for us the victory over death, and earned for us eternal life in heaven, as 1Corinthians 15:55-57 relates: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Yet, not all will receive the forgiveness of sins, because not all will believe in the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18 clearly informs us:
Those who will not repent of their sins and believe in the only begotten Son of God as their Savior, will not receive forgiveness but are condemned.
So then, we are to proclaim God's grace to all men, that is, the fact that "...God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:19-21)
Christ commands us in Matthew 28:19-20,
Granted, we are not all public ministers and we dare not preach publicly unless we have a legitimate call to do so, but in the faith God gives us in Christ we are all of that "chosen generation", of that "royal priesthood" , of that "holy nation", of that "peculiar people", that "should shew forth the praises of him who hath called" us "out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). This means that, even though we are not all public ministers, we are each privileged to do our part in proclaiming the grace of God in Christ – the forgiveness of sins Jesus earned for the whole world – by using the gifts and talents He has given us in our faith. This is done by private confessions of the Gospel (witnessing), by our actions (Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."), and by our support of the church and public ministry – either financially or by our labors, etc.
This then, is the only proclamation of universal forgiveness that we are to practice according to Biblical teaching. The Bible tells us in many passages that God is ever willing to forgive the sins of mankind and has indeed done so, but the forgiveness must be received by the individual. God never promises that all will receive His forgiveness apart from faith! For example, David says in Psalm 86:5 "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee." Again, God says to Israel in Jeremiah 36:3 "...return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin." That we might believe His willingness to forgive was not limited to the Old Testament believers alone, the New Testament tells us in 1 Timothy 2:3-4 "...God our Saviour; ...will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
Those that refuse to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as the only Savior of the world will not, by their own unbelief, receive the forgiveness of God for their sins as long as they remain in unbelief. Consider just a few of many proof passages from Scripture: After the Israelites had made the golden calf, God said to Moses in Exodus 32:33: "...Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." And in Ezekiel 18:4: "...the soul that sinneth, it shall die." In Jeremiah 18:23, Jeremiah prays thus concerning his unbelieving enemies:
Matthew 18:17: "...if he [the erring brother] neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." Matthew 12:31: "...the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." Titus 3:10-11:
It is by faith in Christ alone that we lay hold on the forgiveness of sins, and true faith is always accompanied by contrition. So, while payment has been made in full for the sins of all men by the Savior's atoning sacrifice and we are indeed to proclaim to the world the truth that full forgiveness by the blood of the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, is an accomplished fact; the impenitent reject that forgiveness because they are not sorry for their sins and do not truly believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior from sin, death, the devil, and hell. With that in mind, let us consider in more detail the fact that:
II.
I must individually proclaim God's forgiveness to someone who has expressed a contrite heart
As we learned above, God has forgiven all men, but not all will believe on the only-begotten Son of God, accepting such forgiveness by faith. Just one example from the Old Testament and the New Testament will suffice to show God's willingness to forgive. In the Old Testament when the Israelites were under hard bondage to Pharaoh king of Egypt, God would have forgiven Pharaoh his past sins when he cried for relief from the various plagues God was sending upon the land – God even removed the plague of frogs in answer to Moses' intercessory prayer, but Pharaoh had no change of heart – even hardened his heart more, both against Moses and against God.
By contrast, in the New Testament, when Christ confronted Saul of Tarsus – a persecutor of Christians – and said (Acts 9:1ff): "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Saul, after Christ had identified Himself, said: "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" These words indicate Saul's ignorance, for he persecuted Christians in the name of the Jewish church, thinking he was doing God a service. Also by these words, Saul indicates his sorrow for his past persecutions and his willingness to serve the true Lord – "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" He was converted to faith and was afterward just as zealous to preach (by the name Paul which the Lord assigned to him) the Gospel of Christ as he was to persecute Christ earlier! Paul himself explains it this way – and this was not a boast of his own good or of something he had accomplished, it was rather a boast of how great and complete the grace of God is – in 1 Timothy 1:12-15:
Did you notice the words "counted me faithful" in this passage? God's plan of salvation was never intended to include the reception of the forgiveness of sins by those who refuse to repent and believe the Gospel.
Notice how in Hebrews 11:4-39: "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world [not FORGAVE but CONDEMNED the world in his God-given faith in the Savior who was to come], and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith..."
The only difference between us and the godly in the Old Testament is that we are counted righteous by faith in the Savior who has come, whereas they were counted righteous by the faith they had in God's promise of the Savior that was yet to come – Old and New Testament believers have the same Messiah, the same Christ, the same Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are assured in Genesis 15:6 concerning Abraham, that "...he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." So, the New Testament assures us that it is "by faith" that we stand (2 Corinthians 1:24), and that God purifies our hearts "by faith" (Acts 15:9). Faith in Jesus Christ alone is the sole means that God has provided whereby we might receive the forgiveness of sins. Where there is faith in Christ there will be outward evidence of it, either by confession, by a show of humility, or by some indication of contrition for past sins.
Conclusion
God only can forgive sins, however He has given Christ's Church the authority to proclaim forgiveness to those who repent of their sins. This power is known as the "Office of the Keys and Confession", which Luther's Small Catechism describes as follows:
"What is the Office of the Keys? It is the peculiar church power which Christ has given to His Church on earth to forgive the sins of penitent sinners, but to retain the sins of the impenitent as long as they do not repent.
Where is this written? Thus writes the holy Evangelist John, chapter twentieth: The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whoseoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whoseoever sins ye retain, they are retained.
What do you believe according to these words? I believe that, when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, especially when they exclude manifest and impenitent sinners from the Christian congregation, and, again, when they absolve those who repent of their sins and are willing to amend, this is as valid and certain, in heaven also, as if Christ, our dear Lord, dealt with us Himself." The power of the keys is what is referred to in Matthew 18:18 quoted above.
Luther's Small Catechism has the following to say on confession:
But what about the Christian's forgiving of a brother who has sinned against him (or her) personally? Ephesians 4:32 says to believers: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Likewise, Colossians 3:13 says we are to be "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Christ forgave us freely!
How did God and Christ forgive us our sins? By Christ's atoning death and by His holy life. This forgiveness was then transmitted to us by the Gospel. After this, by God's mighty power, we appropriated this forgiveness by an act of faith. Yes, it is by grace through faith that we are saved– without any merit or worthiness in us.
But remember: where there is no confession of sins there is no forgiveness nor are we to proclaim it; for where there is no confession of sins there is no faith. In Matthew 18:3 Jesus declares: "...Except ye be converted [faith], and become as little children [humility], ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." In Isaiah 2:9 God says of those who worship idols: "...forgive them not".
We are, then, never to pronounce forgiveness on those that will not seek forgiveness with a contrite heart. But for an erring brother or sister who repents of his or her sins we must forgive many times over if need be, either privately, if the sin is not publicly known, or publicly if the sin is generally known and the individual has repented and confessed his sin; or, in the worship service after the general confession of the congregation (confession and absolution). For someone outside the church we are also to forgive in like manner if he repents of his wrong doing in secular matters.
To God alone the Glory!
c.e.c
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Beware of "The Message"
Yet another paraphrased perversion of the Holy Bible is hitting the market. Already issued as a series of books, the complete "bible" titled "The Message" is scheduled to be on bookstore shelves this coming July.
"The Message" is the work of a pastor by the name of Eugene H. Peterson, who states in the preface of his New Testament work: "This version of the New Testament in a contemporary idiom keeps the language of the Message current and fresh and understandable in the same language in which we do our shopping, talk with our friends, worry about world affairs, and teach our children their table manners. The goal is not to render a word-for-word conversion of Greek into English, but rather to convert the tone, the rhythm, the events, the ideas, into the way we actually think and speak."
So, Eugene Peterson is not concerned about "a word-for-word conversion of Greek into English", apparently he feels that he can convey God's thoughts with better words than God the Holy Ghost gave to us! Such arrogance! Such blasphemy! God Himself says in the real and true translation of the Bible, the King James Version, Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Without the God-given Words one does not have God's thoughts and "ideas" at all!
Take a look at what pastor Peterson's philosophy on translating has produced as we compare his "bible" with the Holy Bible KJV in several passages:
KJV Matthew 1:24-25, "Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."
THE MESSAGE Matthew 1:24-25, "Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus."
Comment: Note how the words of God have been changed, added to, and taken away from, which has certainly changed the real message which God gave. For instance the word firstborn is absent, thus a different idea and thought is conveyed to the reader.
KJV Matthew 6:9-13, "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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."
THE MESSAGE Matthew 6:9-13, "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."
Comment: The utter disregard for the words and thoughts of God, and total lack of reverence toward God, is readily apparent.
KJV Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men".
THE MESSAGE Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him."
Comment: The addition of words in "The Message" is, as usual, evident. Note how the meaning of the passage which teaches God's good will toward man- God's grace, is changed to men and women pleasing God and thus earning peace! Again, "The Message" gives the wrong MESSAGE!
KJV John 1:14, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
THE MESSAGE John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish."
Comment: The addition of some words and deletion of others is rather obvious, along with the continued attack on Christ's deity. Naturally, the phrase "only begotten" is missing from "The Message" as it is in most of these new books which misguided men call bibles.
KJV Acts 2:27, "Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."
THE MESSAGE Acts 2:27, "I know you'll never dump me in Hades; I'll never even smell the stench of death."
Comment: Behold the clear and plain everyday language of "The Message"! "Hades" is more understandable than "hell"? It is again painfully obvious how little the words given by the Holy Ghost mean to pastor Peterson.
KJV Colossians 1:13-14, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
THE MESSAGE Colossians 1:13-14, "God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating."
Comment: "The Message" gives no message of the redemption we have in Christ Jesus. The word "redemption" contains the word "red", the color of blood. Jesus paid for our sins with His blood and delivered us from the power of the devil, not from "alleys" and "dungeons".
KJV 1 Timothy 3:16, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
THE MESSAGE 1 Timothy 3:16, "This Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear enough: He appeared in a human body, was proved right by the invisible Spirit, was seen by angels. He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory."
Comment: "The Message" says He? Who he? What is mysterious about a man appearing in a human body? Nothing. However, GOD being manifest in the flesh is a mystery that we cannot comprehend! "The Message" is based on a false Greek text and even adds words not found in any Greek text. The KJV is based on the true God-given and preserved Greek text!
KJV 1 John 5:7-8, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."
THE MESSAGE 1 John 5:7-8, "A triple testimony: the Spirit, the Baptism, the Crucifixion. And the three in perfect agreement."
Comment: "The Message" has seen fit to take away from God's Holy Word and delete the message which God has given us about Himself: the doctrine of the Holy Trinity!
CONCLUSION: Eugene Peterson's "Message" shows a most blatant disregard for the Scripture given by inspiration of God. "The Message" is a mockery of the Bible. "The Message" is a paraphrased perversion which has Satan's fingerprints all over it: stay away from it!
May we with the help of God continue to cling tenaciously to the only true and faithful translation of God's Word in the English language: the King James Version. The KJV teaches us of the true God, the triune God. The KJV shows us our sin and our need for a Savior, and, who that Savior is: the Lord Jesus Christ. The KJV gives due honor and glory to Jesus. Thank God for His only begotten Son. Thank God for preserving His true Word for us to read, to study, and to learn– that our faith may grow thereby.
Soli Deo Gloria.
m.e.l.
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