by FotizoPhronesis | 2026-03-10 03:21:43+00:00
Given the criticisms and denunciation that Brian Simmons has suffered since coming up with his The paraphrased translation - nay The Passion Translation (TPT) - of the Holy Bible, it’s a given that the wide use and acceptance of Scripture wouldn’t have survived to this present age if authored like other publications or adulterated with the subjugating motives of some white men. That’s the outlandish claim by Pastor Tobi Adegboyega of the UK-based SPAC Nation.

The Passion Translation has remained widely unpopular. Most preachers wouldn’t even quote from it. I won’t be surprised if this is your first time hearing about that version! If the Bible weren’t true, it would have faced a similar rejection rather than being venerated as The Good Book or Holy Writ! Actually, it is because of the revelations in the Holy Bible that the world’s other major religion calls Christians Ahl al-Kitāb (People of the Book). Such a critical life manual cannot be dismissed as the product of some person’s whims and caprices.

It didn’t matter to the flamboyant Adegboyega that the Holy Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek languages. He surmised that “the white man wrote the Bible to make us (Africans) submit to him. Christianity is a social construct.” Isn’t this bare-faced heterodoxy from someone who should know better? What has this designer-wearing pastor been teaching his members all along? For someone who says he cannot but probe the Bible to reach this eventual conclusion shows how shallow and harebrained his investigation was in the first place.

Whatever the intention, there is a need to impede the back-to-the-roots poison Adegboyega is trying to inject into the Body of Christ before it metastasises on the wings of his pastoral privileges and the influence he wields on digital natives courtesy of his swashbuckling lifestyle. This is more so as “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Adegboyega’s unfounded teaching must not be allowed to shipwreck the faith of the weak. If tempted to cruise along with man’s absurd thesis on social media, let his devotees be minded of this warning in Malachi 3:13, “Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?” How heretic for Jesus - the Word - to be projected as malleable towards achieving mere mortals’ selfish agenda!

Impressionable minds are at the mercy of the unconventional pastor’s posturing and postulation because they lack an indwelling of the Spirit that guides into all truths. Indeed, there’s no believer with an active relationship with the Holy Spirit who would question the veracity of the Holy Bible. They work hand in glove as Scripture is the major means through which the Holy Ghost communicates with and comforts the Brethren. It’s most tragic that a supposed man of God would be pulling people from The Way when he should be doing the exact opposite. Let’s now go ahead to show that there’s no scintilla of truth in Adegboyega’s expressed thoughts.

Written by Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi