A New NAR Bible (Part 2)--Drastic Differences
In my last post, I wrote about a new translation of the Bible called "The Passion Translation"--released by New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) apostle Brian Simmons. In this post, I will show you three of the verses Simmons has drastically changed in his new translation to make it look like the Bible promotes NAR teachings. I will contrast Simmons' translation of the Bible with the standard English translations.
Galatians 6:6
Standard English Translations
- Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (New International Version)
- Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. (New King James Version)
- Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. (English Standard Version)
The teaching being promoted: Church members should take care of the financial and other material needs of their spiritual leaders.
The Passion Translation
- And those who are taught the Word will receive an impartation from their teacher; a transference of anointing takes place between them.
The NAR teaching being promoted: The divine authority to minister with a specific miraculous gift--such as the gift of prophesying or healing people--can be imparted or transferred from church leaders to their followers.
Philippians 1:1-2
Standard English Translations
- Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (New International Version)
- Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (New King James Version)
- Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (English Standard Version)
The teaching being promoted: Actually, there is no explicit teaching in this verse. Rather, this is simply a salutation from the apostle Paul and Timothy at the beginning of a letter Paul wrote to the Christians living in Philippi. "Grace" and "peace" was a standard Christian greeting in the early church.
The Passion Translation
- Dear Friends in Philippi, My name is Paul and I’m joined by my spiritual son, Timothy, both of us passionate servants of Jesus, the Anointed One. We write this letter to all His devoted followers in your city, including your pastors, and to all the servant-leaders of the church. We decree over your lives the blessings of divine grace and supernatural peace that flow from God our wonderful Father, and our Anointed Messiah, the Lord Jesus.
The NAR teaching being promoted: Apostles can issue "decrees," which are authoritative proclamations that release God's power. In other words, a decree is not a request for God to do something, but a declaration that He will do so because the apostle has been given the authority to release God's power.
2 Timothy 4:2
Standard English Translations
- Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (New International Version)
- Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (New King James Version)
- preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (English Standard Version)
The teaching being promoted: Preach the Word of God at all times--whether it is convenient or not--and do so with great patience.
The Passion Translation
- proclaim the Word of God and stand upon it no matter what! Rise to the occasion and preach when it is convenient and when it is not. Preach in the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit— with wisdom and patience as you instruct and teach the people.
The NAR teaching being promoted: Preach the Word of God at all times--whether it is convenient or not--and do so in the "full outpouring of the Holy Spirit" and with patience. Notice how Simmons has inserted the part about the "full outpouring of the Holy Spirit," which cannot be found in any of the other translations. Yet what does he mean by "full outpouring of the Holy Spirit?" Frankly, his meaning can be hard to pin down. But I believe that Simmons, as an NAR leader, does not want to emphasize the written Scripture alone, so he felt a need to insert something that would also allow for new revelation from the Holy Spirit outside of Scripture.
Drastically Different
I hope it is clear from these simple comparisons of verses that Simmons has changed not just a few words, but their entire meanings. But how did Simmons arrive at such drastically different interpretations? I'll address this question in my next post.Note from Holly added on 2/15/18: After I wrote this post Simmons actually changed his translations of some of the verses I drew attention to, based on my criticisms. He publicly acknowledged this. That explains why, if you look in his updated editions, you may not find the wording to be the same as I cited. To see the original wording cited above, see Letters From Heaven by the Apostle Paul, the 2013 edition published by 5 Fold Media. -- By Holly Pivec