“The Message,” “The Voice” and The Truth.

Even so, Come LORD Jesus.

Those who’ve followed the PDC or the PDL and are, were or have been interested in the “new conversation” of the quote, post-modern church, probably read from, or read in part, The Message. Now there’s another “project” in the works: The Voice.

No conspiracy theories, no alarmist voices here…  just read a few quotes from The Voice site and draw your own conclusions from what you read:

A NEW WAY TO PROCESS IDEAS
THE VOICE: A SCRIPTURE PROJECT TO REDISCOVER THE STORY OF THE BIBLE

Chris Seay’s vision for The Voice goes back 15 years to his early attempts to celebrate the beauty and truth of the biblical narrative. As western culture moved into what is now referred to as postmodernism, Chris struggled with a deep desire to preach the whole story of God. Much like the Hebrews at the time of the New Testament, emerging generations today connect with story rather than isolated facts. Too often, preaching is reduced to articulating truth statements somehow hidden in a complex, powerful, and redemptive story. Jesus taught through parables and metaphors; modern Christians have attempted to translate His teaching into a system of irrefutable fact statements and something seems to be getting lost in the translation.”

Hence, a group of writers, poets, scholars, pastors, and storytellers have committed to work together to bring the Scriptures to life in a way that celebrates both beauty and truth.  The result is a retelling of the Scriptures: The Voice, not of words, but of meaning and experience.”

Then, you might want to go and see the cast of characters in the presentation.  You won’t find names with whom you might have been familiar regarding works in translation, Bible commentary and standard Bible dictionaries.

Putting the Bible into the language of modern readers has too often been a painstaking process of correlating the biblical languages to the English vernacular. The Bible is filled with passages intended to inspire, captivate, and depict beauty. The old school of translation most often fails at attempts to communicate beauty, poetry, and story. The Voice is a collage of compelling narratives, poetry, song, truth, and wisdom. The Voice will call you to enter into the whole story of God with your heart, soul, and mind.”

Our family is continuing on in the book of Galatians for our morning Bible study at the Breakfast table.  Wes read a couple of passages a few times over and engaged the children in conversation regarding The Gospel – The Gospel and what Paul was saying and reemphasizing Galatians 1.6-10:

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

There are so many changes, so many small additions, deletions, redefinitions of truths that one must be very wary, at least, and careful to study the Scriptures—to carefully guard against the subtlety of the enemy and the ever present assault on the Word.  I’ve often thought it’s not so much that the devil wants you to follow him, but that you take your eyes off Jesus, that you question His Word, that you stop seeking the LORD fully and completely.  That you accept “another” gospel.

There is no other gospel.  There is only one Gospel.  Only one way.  Only Jesus.  There are not many roads to heaven, not many ways to God.  Acts 4.12

Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Stand up for Jesus… ye soldiers of the Cross.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2Timothy 3.12-17