A Conversation with Eugene Peterson 2007

[317taylor86]

After watching this interview, it makes me wonder if Eugene Peterson is more interested in "story" in general or in the soul-saving gospel story.

[gpbakalov]

"Everything matters! ....There are no throw away lines." Powerful!

[techlover2213]

I <3 Eugene Peterson especially his Bible

[ennisel]

the comments @ 22:46 & 23:30 are powerful!!!

[MidnightFlower13]

wait so what the hell does this have to do with different states dialect.....?

WHAT THE FEATHERS.

[JakeyJake247]

two thousand years later from when something has been written ALOT has changed. culture change, people change, words and meanings change, language change everythings different. so i feel like if something has been written such a long time ago it has gone through so many translations and reproductions that i see the Message bible is just as legitiment as the NIV of the KJV becuase the bible and the letters has go through so many translations over such a long period of time. this is my thought.

[toddholden]

Gene Peterson saved me from a downward spiral in 1989, when i sought his counsel after a tragedy hit my family...we chatted in his study many times,...and one day he said, "Why don't you come and see what I really do?"

So I went to church on Sunday and heard him preach for the very first time...after working with him, knowing him...chatting with him....and in reverse order, learned what a great man he is....and he's still going strong.

[atomxheart]

wow yawn

[atomxheart]

wow yawn

[kingpins9]

If Bono quotes from his book (it's not a Bible based on manuscirpts), you know it's anathema to the Lord.

[MrRunningwolfe]

I am not a King James Only person, and I have many versions. But I have took a look at the Message (bible). I feel very uncomfortable when I read it. It almost seems Blasphemous somehow. I could never speak well of it. Thats my thoughts--I have spoken.

[ennisel]

@MrRunningwolfe can you give any reference to your feelings?

[sasquatchmudflaps]

I have compared versus between N(ew)KJV & the message. I stopped because He (E.P.) is always dead on. But then again, didn't he translate it from the original Greek/Hebrew? Thats a translation, not a paraphrase. Thats all, Bye!

[317taylor86]

@sasquatchmudflaps Two problems with your analysis. First, you spelled "verses" as "versus". That doesn't make your insight very respectable. Second, if you genuinely want to see if "E.P." is "dead on" then you need to go back to the original text, not a translation. Peterson wrote his paraphrase with the intent of making it culturally understandable; thus there is little doubt that most would find his version "dead on".

[paulsu27]

8:57 There are no heroes in the Bible??? What??? David as a boy slew goliath with 5 small stones? Samson tears the city gates of their hinges with his bare hands and caries them uphill. Moses delivers the Israelites from the slavery of the Egyptians. Are these not heroes? Yes they were! And they were sinners (like us) but they worked under the Power of God. The Bible is so painfully honest as to include Davids sworded story of his affair with bathsheba AND the fact that he became King too.

[mrsgrout]

Mr. Peterson must not be saved. @ 3 minutes he talks about stories about god(s) not relating to people, and then talks about the God of the Bible relating to people. AS IF god(s) and God are one in the same. Quite a deluded "professing christian" hurting weaker christians who get seduced with this error. ... Are you wanting to read a paraphrase rather than a translation, read the NIV. "the message" is for new age/new spirituality people. TEST THE Spirits..... to see if they are of God.

[hairyreasoner]

We're a telling-stelling people.

Indeed.

The bible is a story. That's true.

[apologiamixer]

If this is the same guy that gave his stamp of approval to "The Shack" he is a rather mixed up character.

[comingreadyornot]

"The Shack" was responsible for my daughter coming into faith in Jesus Christ.  It somehow flicked on a light that allowed her to see past old hurts suffered at the hands of well-meaning Christians. God uses many things that we sometimes think are 'inappropriate".

[hairyreasoner]

Of course it had nothing to do with your previous indoctrination of her.

[comingreadyornot]

You're right. I had brought her up in the tradition of my own beliefs, but as an adult she was free to go her own way - which wasn't my way. However I let the matter rest there - I had no desire to manipulate of force her. However it was The Shack that answered her main objections to the Christian message - amazing how God works huh?

[hairyreasoner]

God does indeed work miracles. Or so I'm told.

If she changes her mind, kill her.

[hairyreasoner]

With stones, I might add.

Then again, you could just sell her.

[paulo1149]

Would someone tell me what the Isaiah quip was? I can't make it out. Thanks.

[asmith1230]

The Isaiah joke was in reference to Bono being revered in cult status. Peterson points to Isaiah as being more important than Bono in humor... but in all seriousness it's good to see a Christian that truly says what he believes. Peterson really is excited about the Bible's truths more than he is about Bono!

[paulo1149]

Yes, I did get that. But I don't understand exactly what he said at 14.08. Sounds like, "Dean, it was Isaiah", which makes no sense.

[antlerscowboy]

Peterson was saying in essence, "How could I go visit Bono when I can stay here and transelate Isaiah!" He was more excited about the power of the word of God then meeting a modern superstar.

[paulo1149]

A ha! Ok, I got it. It was funny. Thanks a lot for explaining!

p.

[bke274]

"Who's Bono?"

haha

[iloess]

Eugene Peterson has been my "menthor" through his books, his books are helping my spirituality because he enphasizes prayer and reading bible.

[iou1968]

I like it.  am a writer myself in Chiangmai, Thailand

[mwxtodd]

Thank you very much for posting this interview. I am inspired to write.

[Thunderblade2]

The Message is one of my favorite translations.

[Deferio]

You are not going to be able to "study to show yourself approved"...with The Message.

It is a paraphrase and not a translation.

You need a real Bible.

[BarneyMac10]

While there is a difference between a strict translation and a paraphrase,the original languages need to be interpreted, and brought into a modern context. All translations are in some form a paraphrase, because there are numerous places where the bible does not translate word for word, though the NASB comes close. BTW do you that 2 Timothy 2:15 in the Greek? You should before you misrepresent a man that knows the original language.

[Deferio]

Are you telling me that anyone who does not know the original languages is wrong and that anyone who does know them is right?

Maybe you are in favor of substituting "Lucky" for blessed...hey why not...he knows the original languages, what's not to trust?

dividing is: Orthotemeo..to handle correctly, to guide on a STRAIGHT path.

This words usage presupposes there is one right and straight way to handle Gods word.(true)

Not to handle according to cultural whims or ones own experiences.

[stephendverner]

Define "real" Bible. Peterson implies in the interview his purpose for writing the Message; to whet the appetite of those who are seeking, but have not yet found the truth. Of course, if your goal is in-depth Biblical study, then you'll want a translation. However, i see the Message as a great tool for evangelism.

[antlerscowboy]

You are one of those KJV or nothing people, right?

[Deferio]

No.

[CANAMarcia]

What?? He wanted to use the word "lucky" because of some unbelieving hippie woman in his church? "Lucky" is based on belief in luck, which is antithetical to Christianity. He says this is why he wanted to put it in the Bible.

[777jordan]

CANAMarcia, I think you missed the heart of what he was saying. He wanted a translation that the modern-day person would find relevant. "Blessed" sounds religious and churchy. If you look at the definition of blessed, it is, "highly favored or fortunate". If you were to ask someone, "Give me a word for this definition, 'highly favored or fortunate'." They would probably say "lucky". Props to Eugene for making a great paraphrase!

[CANAMarcia]

I appreciate the point you are making but I do not think "lucky" is biblically a good word. We should not have to go to the lowest common denominator. I also think "lucky" sounds rather weak - and certainly it gives the idea of happenstance, which is not what Jesus is talking about. I think people are more intelligent than they are getting credit for here. They can deal with "favored" or "blessed" and not freak out.

[stephendverner]

God always works in the vernacular, or the common tongue. First it was written in Hebrew, then Greek, Latin, and English. As the dominant language changed, there was a need to communicate the gospel in an easily understood way. Thus, the need for putting the message of the Bible into the common tongue - modern English. As the English language has changed, as languages do over time, there is and always will be a need for a rewording of the text to communicate the message.

[Deferio]

Blessed is NOT JUST..."highly favored and fortunate"...in the Bible it is -Makarios- (Matt 5:3-11)...receiving GODS favor...which results in FEELINGS of fortune. God is the point of the Bibles use of blessed...God makes nobody Lucky. Luck has no person behind it. to suggest using "lucky" is an impersonal ambiguous term in place of the word "blessed" which is a God specific and God centric term...is nothing short of dumb.

The Bible does not need to be dumbed down...

people need to smarten up!

[paulsu27]

Hallelujah!!! Somebody said it!

Deferio! The Bible doe's not need to be dumbed down, people need to smarten up!

Excellent! Well said.

[antlerscowboy]

He is not trying to take God out of it. Fortune, Happy (alternate translation), and favor are all feelings, same as "lucky" is a feeling. Feeling is not the pursuit of following Christ in the first place, but in essence there is nothing to feel bad about if you assume there postures.

[bke274]

I feel "lucky" for having seen and heard this.

[VeiledGlory]

14:00 - "It was Isaiah!" ROTFL

[Lopps]

Love what Peterson says about Pastors should read more fiction. "You have to wait and let the story teller tell the story. Impatience is the besetting sin of pastors."  Thank you Peterson.

[Deferio]

Actually, pornography and adultery are more popular with pastors these days.