Though sometimes a refreshing read, it is, on balance, a [[liberal]] rendition. On the positive side, it translates silent aftermath of the Apostles' argument about which of them was the greatest as "the silence was deafening." The Message is more [[conservative]] than the [[NIV]] with respect to describing the unborn child, as in Romans 9:10.<ref>See [[Disputed Bible Translations]].</ref> But an illustration of its liberal bias can be found in the all-important John 3:16: "... by believing in him anyone can have a whole and lasting life" (rather than "eternal life"). | Though sometimes a refreshing read, it is, on balance, a [[liberal]] rendition. On the positive side, it translates silent aftermath of the Apostles' argument about which of them was the greatest as "the silence was deafening." The Message is more [[conservative]] than the [[NIV]] with respect to describing the unborn child, as in Romans 9:10.<ref>See [[Disputed Bible Translations]].</ref> But an illustration of its liberal bias can be found in the all-important John 3:16: "... by believing in him anyone can have a whole and lasting life" (rather than "eternal life"). |