False Gospels and False Bibles, Part 2C

False Gospels and False Bibles, Part 2C
Wednesday, August 4, 2021 by Dr. James W. Walraven

Categories: Apologetics / Apostasy / Contemporary issues / The church / Thought for Today

Is “The Passion Translation” a viable translation? Are textual changes minor or significant? After all, in order for a Bible to be copyrighted, a certain percentage of words need to use different words in translation compared to other versions. Perhaps that is all that is taking place. Space will limit us to looking at only two examples. According to their website, as with other viable translations, any words added or changed from the original manuscripts—something typically done for clarity—are italicized. It is not done for emphasis, but to clearly delineate words that help with translation from the original language.

Let us start by looking at 2 Timothy 3:16–17. Here it is in the NAU:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Here is 2 Timothy 3:16–17 in TPT:

“God has transmitted his very substance into every Scripture, for it is God-breathed. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.”

First, notice that no words in TPT are italicized, so according to TPT, all the words are in the original manuscripts. Notice that the text in TPT is almost twice as long compared to the NAU. Even at twice the length, the TPT is missing a key component: reproof. What else is changed? Almost the entire verse: instead of being about Timothy’s teaching, reproving and correcting others, the verse is now about how the Scriptures will impact him. Righteousness is reduced to taking the right direction, how we are to be becomes a way of walking, of going on a deeper path. Instead of being equipped for every good work, we become perfectly prepared to do an assignment. The scope God requires us to operate is significantly narrowed. The verse as recorded in TPT has almost nothing in common with the actual original text.

Let us look at a second example: The Lord’s Prayer, Luke 11:2–4 (churches typically recite the version found in Matthew):

Here it is in the NAU:

“When you pray, say, ‘Father, hallowed by your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

Here it is in TPT:

So Jesus taught them this prayer: “Our heavenly Father, may the glory of your name be the center on which our life turns. May your Holy Spirit come upon us and cleanse us. Manifest your kingdom on earth. And give us our needed bread for the coming day. Forgive our sins as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us. And rescue us every time we face tribulations.”

Again, no words are italicized in TPT, meaning that all the words trace back to original manuscripts. Once again, TPT is much longer than common Bible translations. Does TPT resemble the original? Only partially. How does “may the glory of your name be the center on which our life turns” relate to “hallowed by your name”? Instead of being about God, TPT is about us and how we live.

The second sentence: “May your Holy Spirit come upon us and cleanse us” has no counterpart at all in the original text, though that addition fits well within NAR beliefs. “Manifest you kingdom on earth” is yet another NAR code phrase. According to NAR, before Christ can return, God’s kingdom must first be manifested to the world through believers. That is different from asking for God’s kingdom to come.

Both versions ask God to forgive us our sins. Note the differences between the two about forgiving others. The original asks God to forgive us as we have already forgiven others. TPT does not mention our having forgiven others, but our “releasing forgiveness.” “Release” is an NAR code word meaning to declare or decree. It is something that arguably takes place in the spiritual realm, for example releasing an anointing, healing, or some aspect of God’s power. It is far easier to declare a releasing of forgiveness as opposed to doing the hard work of truly forgiving someone. Once again TPT has little in common with the original manuscripts.

A consistent pattern is emerging. Simmons was not truthful about his qualifications as a linguist or translator. The website for TPT gives false impressions about the origin and nature of TPT. Instead of a “translation team” it is the work of one person. The “translation” itself is not honest about what words are part of the original text and what words have been added. Do we really want to be reading a “translation” that appears to be founded upon lies?

More questions arise: What does Brian Simmons believe? What does he teach? We will look at a few examples of his teachings, recorded on various podcasts in the next entry.

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