Eugene Peterson, America’s foremost author, scholar and pastor is dead. He died on Monday October 22 at age 85 according to a report by Christianity Today. He is the translator of the reader friendly message version of the Bible.
Peterson had suffered declining health and had been admitted to the hospital. His son, Eric had made the announcement via email to family and friends of the admission of Peterson.
Eric explained that Peterson was admitted into the hospital for his declining health which “took a sudden and dramatic turn” in the wrong direction caused by an infection. Peterson was suffering from heart failure and dementia and according to his son, both were “advanced and progressing.”
Peterson was a well-respected member of the Presbyterian Church, biblical scholar and author of over 30 books. Relevant Magazine even called Peterson “one of the most recognized Bible scholars in America.”
The pastor was most famously known for the writing of his contemporary translation of the Bible, The Message.
Peterson is also known for founding Maryland’s Christ Our King Presbyterian Church where he was the pastor for nearly 30 years before he retired in 1991.
Peterson was born in Washington state but grew up in Montana where he attended a Pentecostal church. The pastor attended university at Seattle Pacific University where he received a B.A. in philosophy. He went on to get an S.T.B. from NY Theological Seminary before getting his Master’s in Semitic languages from Johns Hopkins and then becoming a pastor.
