More "Questionable" Bible "Translations"

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JaneFrances

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Not wanting to hijack a previous thread on the Amplified Bible translation, but sort of along those same lines. . .

I recently was given a “translation” of the Magnificat in Luke which concerned me. This was given to me by a Protestant with whom I am in a discussion about the Blessed Mother. I was shocked at the content and context of this “translation.” It doesn’t seem to be AT ALL what the original text says.

Any ideas where this may have come from? I asked for which Bible it came from, but still no response. I’m quite curious, though, because it may explain a multitude of misunderstandings that keep arising in our conversations.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. . .Here’s the quote:

Luke 1:46- And Mary said,
I’m bursting with God-news;
I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me , and look what happened-
I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all
others.
 
The message isn’t a real translation; it is merely one man’s paraphrase of the words…
As with any paraphrase, the writer’s own ideas have taken precedence over the literal meaning of the words.( I personally have found this to be one of the most annoying versions of scripture, since it is–as this passage demonstrates–not only a paraphrase, but a badly written one!)
I would ask this person, to use an actual translation for further discussion. It is impossible to use “Message” for any serious thinking or study.
God bless.
 
Oh, thank you so much for the information! Though I am by no means a scripture scholar, this “translation” was OBVIOUSLY not a viable one by my estimation. I presumed it was from some sort of interpretive bible, rather than being from an actual translation, but I had no idea how to find it since I’ve asked the question and it has yet to be answered.

You are very kind to enlighten me.

My curiosity was piqued, however, why anyone who believes the Bible is the sole source for authority would choose to use an interpretive version.

This is all very interesting to me.
 
I had a Bible prof who thought that the Message would be a good way for us to read our assigned readings and make them more readable… um yeah right - even as a Protestant I couldn’t stand the Message, LOL…

but then I don’t like paraphrases - I think “whats the point?!?!?”
 
I found that “Eugene H. Peterson served as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Md., for 29 years and as professor at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, for six years.”

pentecostalevangel.ag.org/conversations2004/4718_peterson.cfm

It is possible that he is “high church” and thus may believe some of the catholic teachings on Mary. You may want to contact him.

His other books,
shop2.gospelcom.net/epages/RegentCollegeBookstore.storefront/4358d9a20485bc4b271d45579e7c06d2/Catalog/1163
 
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JaneFrances:
My curiosity was piqued, however, why anyone who believes the Bible is the sole source for authority would choose to use an interpretive version.
Click to expand...
Ah, now that is a very good question!! (Maybe it translates something in a way that supports a particular position he wants to take on a passage?? OK, that is not the most charitable guess, but I have to wonder, myself!..)

The one good thing I will say about it, is that when I had open heart surgery, I could barely hold a book, much less read the Bible, & I did enjoy it then. (I had picked up the NT at a yard sale a couple of years before, for about a quarter & never read it). Anyhow, it did make it possible for me to read something.… But I have not picked it up since–and don’t expect to.
 
Hi Daniel.

I’m not sure it is entirely accurate to equate translation with interpretation, espcially in the case of Scripture and other documentary texts. Of course, when one is a “translator” their primary goal is one of “interpreting,” however these are not interchangeable terms when considering literary or textual translation. The aim of scholarly Scriptural translators, such as St. Jerome, is to render the actual meaning of specific words and phrases from one language to another NOT to give a meaning in the light of an individual’s personal understanding or judgement.

From what little I have read of The Message (see the article I cited above for the extent of my knowledge of this text), I would consider The Message a personal interpretation based on theological constructions and the individual judgements of one man. This is entirely different from the broad translational consensus of most of the mainstream English Christian Biblical texts (NAB, RVS NIV, KJ, etc.).

I really do appreciate your help in providing me information on The Message. It has been most enlightening!
 
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