I watched an interview the other day on Sid Roth’s television show entitled It’s Supernatural.  Sid was interviewing Bill Morford (you can watch that interview HERE).   I provided Rev. Morford’s bio below, but what I discovered in the interview is that he published a version of the Bible called The One New Man Bible.  (One New Man is the term Sid often uses when describing the joining of Jewish and Gentile believers.) 

Ephesians 2:14-16
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.  (NKJV, but underline emphasis is mine.)

As Rev. Morford shared his findings concerning the difference (or loss) in translation from the original texts, I was hooked.

Since Sid is a Jewish believer in Christ, he brought up the question about the book of James in the New Testament.   He said he always wondered where the name James came from since it was not a Jewish name.  Rev. Morford pointed out that when the texts were translated into the King James Version, the book of JACOB was changed to the book of James.  Interesting isn’t it?  Jacob is a Jewish name.

When writing this One New Man version, Rev. Morford made an effort to keep the texts as free from denominational biases and doctrinal interpretations as possible.   Doesn’t this make you a bit curious if the scriptures appear a little different?  What if entire doctrinal beliefs were founded on a scripture that lost some of its direction in the translation?

The One New Man Bible has a preface explaining some of the differences that were discovered when creating this version.  On page ii of the preface, it states: One early surprise is in Genesis 12:1 when God does not say “Go” to Abram, but “Get yourself out of here!”  Later He tells Moses to order Pharaoh to “Send My people away!” instead of pleading “Let My people go.”  These passages are the literal translation.

Wow, makes a difference doesn’t it?

Ok, so if this isn’t shaking up some religious bones in your body, <smile> this might.  I had this new Bible sitting on my couch and my friend picked it up last night.  She started thumbing through the pages and immediately wanted to see what the original texts said about women pastors.  (Ut ohs … I know … I had to go there.)   Well, it is Katherine’s fault, she went there — I’m just sharing what she read in the texts.

This is how the scripture reads in this version:

1 Timothy 2:8-15
Therefore I desire that men every place would pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.  And likewise I desire that women would adorn themselves with modesty and decency in modest clothing, not in anything entwined and in gold or pearls or expensive clothing, but through good works, which is fitting for women professing reverence for God.  A woman must learn in a quiet manner in all subjection:  and I do not permit a wife to teach or to exercise dominion over a husband, but to be in a quiet manner.  For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but when the wife was deceived she was in transgression:  but she will be saved through bearing children, if they would remain in faith and love and holiness with modesty:  the word is faith.  (The One New Man version)

I’m not scholar, but 1 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul — the same man who scribed this:

Romans 16:1-2
And I am introducing our sister Phoebe to you, since she is also a minister of the congregation in Cenchrea, so that you would welcome her in the Lord as befitting the saints, and you would stand by her in whatever matter she would have need of you:  for she has also become a patroness of many, even of me. (The One New Man version)

In this translation, Phoebe was a minister and Paul even considered her a Patroness (a woman set over others) — even of him.   Was the scripture in 1 Timothy referring to order in marriage not ministry?  Obviously Paul didn’t have a problem with Phoebe being a woman set over others — including himself.

Interesting isn’t it?

Honestly, I’m not trying to change anyone’s views because that is between each person and the Lord.  I just wanted to share what I have seen so far.   I pray I will actually have time to sit and read like I want!

I’ll be sharing more with you as scriptures stand out to me.

Here is Rev. Bill Morford’s bio:

Rev. William J. Morford graduated from Hobart College in 1953 and was a member of the 1955 class of the University of Minnesota’s graduate school in hospital administration. Until 1989 Mr. Morford owned and operated a medical administration services company in South Carolina.

He was ordained in August 1988 by Christian International of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, served on staff as student adviser for Christian International School of Theology and is a Certified Instructor to teach Christian International’s series on the prophetic gifts.

Reverend Morford and his wife, Gwen have traveled to Israel several times and expect their ministry to take them back for extended periods.

He has written three books: The Power New Testament, God’s Rhythm of Life, and This God We Serve and has been just completed a fresh edition of the Bible, The One New Man Bible, expected to be released in 2011.

From 1993 through 1999, Reverend Morford studied Hebrew under Rabbi Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, grandson of the Eliezer Ben-Yehuda whose lifetime work made Modern Hebrew the national language of Israel.

 (This information was gathered from True Potential Publishing’s web site.   You may find it by clicking HERE.)

If you would like to order this Bible, you can find it at Sid Roth’s web site: sidroth.org or you can find it on Amazon.com (Kindle edition too at Amazon).

I have not been asked by Sid Roth’s ministry or Amazon.com to share this information nor will I be compensated.  Just sharing my latest purchase and findings with you.

Have a super blessed day everyone!