Claims by the author of The Passion “translation” of the Bible – that he translated a version of the New Testament for an indigenous people in Panama – have been rejected by Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Brian Simmons has, for many years, repeated claims online and in writing that he was a co-translator with Wycliffe in translating the Paya-Kuna New Testament. He has also claimed, in freely available interviews online, to have visited a library in heaven where Jesus promised him an “extra” chapter of the Gospel of John.
Vicky Mixson of Wycliffe Bible Translators has now issued a statement to Mike Winger of online ministry BibleThinker who is working on a critique of Brian Simmons’ claims. She said: “It would be inaccurate to describe [Brian Simmons] as a ‘translator’ or ‘co-translator’ on any projected supported by Wycliffe … he was not involved in linguistic analysis or translation.”
"He had no input on the final translation," she added. "Rather, he was one of several missionaries asked to review early translation work as he was familiar with the local language, but his role was unofficial."
en understands that Simmons has no formal training in Greek and Hebrew. He has previously claimed to have been commissioned directly by Jesus to undertake his translation of the Bible.
He has also claimed that after praying in his room one day, the wall five feet in front of him “literally melted”; and that he then went to the supermarket to buy milk – and anyone who passed within a ten-foot radius of him fell over because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
en asked him for a response to Wycliffe’s statement but he has not responded.
