Of course the message is not really a translation as much as it is a paraphrase.

It has more in common with a bible commentary than any English version of Scripture that qualifies as a "translation". Chris's use of it here against an actual translation just proves that.

The message is good as an easy to read encouragement and it can give some perspectives on Scripture one may not have considered before... but I myself personally am reluctant to call it Scriptrue.

Blessings
Cat.