Why I am no longer using The Passion Translation (TPT)….

This is what I wrote this week to my weekly email readers…

Sorry.

I want to set aside this weekly email for an apology. I want to say sorry to you, my reader, for not taking the time to check on the agenda and origins of The Passion Translation (TPT). I think it has only been this year that I have been including quotes from TPT in my weekly emails to you. It has come to my attention recently that this translation is not what it seems.

I assumed that since it had the word “translation” in the name that it was true to the original texts or at least a paraphrase.

Bible Translation: Where the original Greek and Hebrew texts are translated into another language.

There are 2 types of Bible translations:

1. 1. 1. 1. Literally or word-for-word. e.g. The New American Standard Bible or CSV
         2. Less literally or thought-for-thought. e.g. New Living Translation

But no, it seems TPT is more than thought-for-thought and it definitely is NOT a literal or word-for-word translation, but includes a vast amount of interpretive additions to the original.

Now all translations, even your favourite ones, have a measure of interpretations by the translators. As they have to take the Hebrew and Greek meanings of each passage and translate it into English (or any other language) and try and convey the same original meaning.

But the problem with TPT are the extra meanings that the translator (Brian Simmon’s) included that are not in the original text making it more of a commentary with his personal views than a Bible translation.

The Passion Translation is not a translation of the original, Spirit-inspired text rather it is a dynamic reading where interpretive opinions and explanatory notes are included which funnel the reader into a way of thinking that aligns with Brian Simmon’s signs and wonders theology. It needs to be regarded in the same way as any other Christian non fiction book and not as the Word of God.

I have also discovered that Brian Simmon claims to have been taken up to heaven (while sleeping) and viewed a library room in heaven where God told him to take any two books he wants. He saw a book titled “John 22” but God wouldn’t let him take that book back to earth because “it would trigger awakening in all the nations of the earth. It would bring, it would make the name of Jesus famous in the world.” Brian Simmon’s claims, Jesus is going to bring him back one day to receive the content of that book fully and he will reveal it at a later date to the rest of us. This is an extremely alarming claim. The Word of God is complete and we are not to add anything to it.

“Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will reprove and you will be proved a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6 NASB.

I have included a couple of resources below that shed more light on TPT with more details than I can go into here.

This is a good opportunity to have a personal review of what you are currently reading and basing your Christianity on.

• How much are you reading the Word compared to other books?
• Are you getting your spirit feed from God’s inspired Word first?
• Are you reading both old and new testaments and allowing God to speak through His whole Word and in context?
• Do you check up on what you are being taught in church and research it for yourself?

And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” Acts 17:11 NLT

I regularly pray that God will lead me in truth and if anything that I listen to or read that is not of His truth that he will reveal it to me and I am so thankful that God has done so in this instance.

Please do that with my writings as well – go to God and ask Him to lead you into truth and research out for yourself to check on any teachings that you read and listen to.

Keep leaning into Him!

Rachel Larkin

 

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Resources:

Article: “Burning Scripture with Passion: A Review of “The Psalms” (The Passion Translation)” by Andrew G Shead

Article: “Important Facts About The Passion Translation” by Holly Pivec

Youtube video: My Concerns About The Passion Translation and Brian Simmons by Mike Winger – this is over an hour long but well worth the watch as Pastor Mike goes into great detail comparing TPT verses with a word-for-word translation and why it is dangerous to base any theology on.

Youtube video: Exposing the Agenda and Origins of “The Passion Translation” by Mike Winger