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We are not here to defend the Passion Translation. In fact, we do not even own a copy. We are here to examine the author's presentation.
And that presentation is incoherent and largely undocumented. He rambles and wanders off, so much so that we have reduced the article down to a few excerpts.
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[Brian] Simmons calls his version a translation, it is not really a translation at all. It is in the category of a paraphrase. But it is not really that either, since he adds his own thoughts in expanding words in the original. (We would be careful to note that every translation of the Bible carries the thoughts of the translator in some fashion. It would be impossible for any human to be completely unbiased. And it would be impossible for any translator to be completely unaffected by factors like his schooling [which would include the world views of his teachers] by his cultural context, by his politics, and/or by the denomination which he is a part.
This does not justify whatever problems the Passion Translation might have. It simply means that all translations suffer from the same things, it's just a matter of degree.)
In a time of abundant new revelation one needs to be careful in adding what they think to God’s Word. Unfortunately Simmons is not careful.
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The Passion Translation of the Bible is not about finding the equivalent words in the English language for it revises the original words and their intent. (Did Simmons make some sort of statement that his intent was to create a word-for-word translation? It seems quite clear to us that he did not, but rather wanted to expand the explanatory nature of the Bible narrative, which unsurprisingly is colored by his doctrinal stance.
But for some reason the author of this article wants to judge the Passion Translation according to a word-for-word standard.)
What is implied is that the Bible does not mean what it says, it needs to be changed (This is not the standard for any translation of the Bible. What the Bible means is often different from what the translator tell us it means.)
and Simmons has decided what it should say. If this were him commenting on the word it may be more acceptable (Perhaps true. Again we would say that other translations are also interpreted according to other doctrinal positions, so the problem isn't unique.)
but instead he says
Mark 1:15 KJV: “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
The Passion Translation: “At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for the realm of God’s kingdom to be experienced in fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!” underline mine
His additions changes the texts meaning. Clearly presenting an over-realized eschatology, that what God has promised for the future are readily available now. (Apart from the cited text, this "over-realized eschatology" is findable in many other portions of the NT. It is not necessarily a heretical position.
Also, is it perhaps possible the author might be embracing an under-realized eschatology?)
This is found within the NAR teachings. (It is found all over Christendom.
Notice the author does not identify it as heresy or false, he simply objects to the fact that Simmons put a different way of understanding into the verse.)
Another example:
NKJV Philippians 1:1-2 “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.”
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.” Underline mine
The NAR movement believes the Apostles of today can issue “decrees,” these are authoritative proclamations that release God’s power. In other words, a decree is not a request for God to do something, it’s certainly not a prayer. This becomes a declaration that He will give grace because of the apostles authority. (We are not certain that this statement is an accurate assessment of the "NAR" position.)
While the Scripture states it is given with peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefor there is no need to add a decree to the Word. (Perhaps not, but note that the criticisms of the previous paragraph [the "NAR" wants authoritative proclamations, which are not requests, and not prayers], but neither was Paul making a request or praying.
The word "decree" is cumbersome. Nevertheless, Paul is definitely pronouncing blessings upon the Philippian church.)
Matthew 10:2 “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;” (NKJV)
The Passion Translation “Now, these are the names of the first twelve apostles: first, Simon, who is nicknamed Peter, and Andrew, his brother. And then Jacob and John, sons of Zebedee. (TPT)
He changes the word first for the succession of their calling to of the first twelve apostles, collectively as a group, which is not the meaning..
What this insinuates is that there are more than 12 apostles, (Well, yes. Because there are more than the 12. We count at least 19 in the NT.)
other apostles even today, like the first century ones that were chosen. That is a problem. (A "problem" the author will never explain.)
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"...I believe the John 22 generation will be a people that do the greater works of Jesus. They will not add to the scripture, and that's a sealed book. But it is a book that is unfolding and the works of Jesus will be replicated by an entire generation of people that believe fully in the power of God.”
https://sidroth.org/television/tv-archives/brian-simmons
And Simmons denies he is teaching the extreme neo Pentecostal/ NAR view? Really. This is exactly what Bill Johnson teaches (and others, i.e. like Bob Jones, Rick Joyner). NEW Revelation.
Exactly what are these other two books that he took from heaven? More NEW Revelation!
Prov. 30:6 “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” (We are happy indeed to note that Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James and others did not regard this Scripture as forbidding them from writing what became the NT. Had they interpreted this verse the same way the author does we would not have the NT.
Further, who exactly is advocating for material to be added to the Bible? Quite the opposite, Simmons writes, "They will not add to the scripture, and that's a sealed book." That seems like a pretty clear statement, but for some reason the author will simply overlook it.)
To have chapter 22 is definitely adding to the Word (The Bible) which we are told not to do. (The author simply levels the accusation.)
John wrote all his book, but now here is another chapter, that was hidden, in a heavenly library. This is what we hear from so many “other” false teachers. The only ones who see a library or anything else in heaven (along with storage buildings with body parts) is because they are false teachers, mystics, dreamers. (This is an incoherent accusation with a summary dismissal. Without evidence or discussion the author dismisses the entire thing.)
John was on his face trembling when he saw the one he laid his head on his chest when on earth, he had no tour de heaven Why would there be books for earth’s vocations in heaven? To learn from? books on science, medicine, …cancer cures.” Do you need to know of these things in heaven where no one is sick?
Instead of thinking there are only 21 chapters (not books) in the gospel of John and instead of questioning this heavenly trip which goes against so much Scripture, (Scriptures not cited...)
people believe him! Why? Because of the two examples in the Bible of Paul and John. The fact is no one is going to heaven and having these kind of extra biblical revelations. (Undocumented assertion.)
The only two who did were apostles over 1,900 years ago. (Undocumented assertion, and an Argument from Silence.)
John was permitted to write, as he was privileged to give the prophetic closure of the age with his revealing of Christ. And Paul, he said it was illegal for him to write of what he saw. Apparently 1,900 plus years later it is now legal to be interviewed on what is supposedly seen and speak of new unseen revelation in books and experiences!
The greatest revival the world will ever see is already mentioned by John in Rev.7, how would that fit in the next chapter of John? The claim that there is a chapter 22 for John is laudable. John wrote a testimony of what Jesus said and did. Johns’ book is about his witness of Jesus, in no way is it about a future revival. Did John write this in heaven? (This paragraph is a jumble. We are not confident the author is thinking clearly.)
He speaks of a realm of the spirit, which the Bible does not speak of at all. (This is incorrect.
Ep. 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ep. 1:19-21 ...That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ep. 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus..."Realms" is epouranios; heavenly, celestial, in the heavenly sphere, the sphere of spiritual activities; met: divine, spiritual.
There is the earthly realm and the heavenly, spiritual realm. We are astonished at the level of ignorance displayed by the author.)
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If you believe this experiential, mystical, supernatural story than you had better read your Bible more carefully and seriously question if you have Biblical discernment. (Irony alert.)
I cannot accept any of it.
Let’s understand what he saying here. This book, (a chapter of John not written by him on earth) would be more powerful than all the words already written; to awaken all the nations. This lying vision, or out of body journey, or whatever you want to call it continues to become more and more deceptive. And this is the person whose Bible the NAR is recommending!
The Bible is a closed book since the same author John penned the Revelation of Jesus Christ that closed it. He stated “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.” (Rev. 22:18-19) (Again the author wants to open the canon, even though Simmons expressly stated he did not want to add it to the Bible.)
This no different than others who have had Heavenly visits. Or new agers, or spiritists that have the same type experience and bring new revelation. (Undocumented assertion.)
They have convinced themselves that they have what’s true from God.
Jesus is the living Word, He will be the teacher in heaven. God watches all and knows all. The books that are mentioned in the Bible are books that document everything ever done by anyone on earth to properly judge them, to reward the righteous saints and to punish the wicked accordingly. There is the Lamb’s Book of Life, in which the names of God’s people are written in before they were born. The only other book mentioned in Heaven is when Jesus opens a scroll (Revelation 5:1, 5) that has 7 seals to begin the final years of the age. There is nothing mentioned or hinted toward Simmons new revelation, NOTHING AT ALL. (Upon what basis does the author dismiss the idea that there are other books in heaven? We know in fact there are. Indeed, Re. 20:12 tells us there are "books:"
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.The author is wrong.)
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P.2 The embellished ameliorate interpretations of the Passion Bible
p.3 The translating work Simmons was commissioned to do by a visitation of Christ
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