Andy Sanders, Ed. D.
Formerly 5 Fold Media, LLC
Harbor Light Content Group, LLC
Harbor Light Content Group founders Andy and Cathy Sanders, through their former company 5 Fold Media, served as the original publishers of early editions of The Passion Translation before the project later moved to another publisher.
As the original publisher (at the time with 5 Fold Media, LLC) involved in the early release of several volumes (From February 2011- August 2014 we produced: Song of Songs: The Most Amazing Song of All; Psalms: Poetry on Fire; Letters from Heaven by the Apostle Paul; Luke: to the Lovers of God; John: Eternal Love; Proverbs: Wisdom from Above, and Psalms-Proverbs combined; most of these with at least one revised version) connected to The Passion Translation project, I believe it is appropriate to offer a measured, professional, and historically accurate perspective regarding our experience with the project, the editorial concerns raised during that season, and our future direction in Bible publishing.
Over the years, we have found that discussions surrounding The Passion Translation often generate strong and deeply divided opinions within portions of the Christian community. Some readers and ministry leaders have embraced the work enthusiastically, while others have expressed significant theological, translational, and scholarly concerns regarding portions of the project. In our opinion, however, disagreements surrounding Bible translations or paraphrased works should never become a source of division, hostility, or personal attacks within the body of Christ.
Whether an individual prefers the King James Version, New King James Version, NASB, ESV, NIV, The Passion Translation, or another Bible version altogether is ultimately a matter of personal conviction, study preference, and theological perspective. While we personally do not use The Passion Translation as a primary study Bible, that position reflects our own editorial and scholarly preferences and should not be interpreted as a condemnation of individuals who choose to read or appreciate the work devotionally.
From our perspective as publishers and editors, the primary concerns surrounding The Passion Translation center on its translational methodology and the incorporation of devotional interpretation into the biblical text itself. We do not view The Passion Translation as an accurate translation or paraphrase of Scripture. Based upon our editorial review and understanding of biblical translation methodology, we believe portions of The Passion Translation contain interpretive expansions and theological conclusions that extend beyond what many scholars and translation committees would regard as a direct rendering of the underlying Hebrew and Greek source texts.
Our company helped bring several of the initial Passion Translation volumes to publication (From February 2011- August 2014 we produced: Song of Songs: The Most Amazing Song of All; Psalms: Poetry on Fire; Letters from Heaven by the Apostle Paul; Luke: to the Lovers of God; John: Eternal Love; Proverbs: Wisdom from Above, and Psalms-Proverbs combined; most of these with at least one revised version) before the publishing rights were later transferred to BroadStreet Publishing Group. That transition occurred unexpectedly and without any warning, from our organization’s perspective, which resulted in substantial financial and operational loss and challenges for our company during that period. Nevertheless, we have chosen to move forward professionally and personally in peace, grace, and forgiveness, and we sincerely wish Brian Simmons, his team, and BroadStreet Publishing continued success in their future endeavors.
During our involvement with the project, our editorial and publishing team worked extensively alongside Brian Simmons through multiple editorial review cycles involving the books we participated in producing. Throughout that process, we repeatedly raised concerns regarding translational philosophy, interpretive expansion, manuscript handling methodology, editorial transparency, and the critical distinction between biblical translation and devotional commentary. We consistently recommended stronger editorial restraint, greater accountability, and a clearer separation between the biblical text and interpretive material. Despite numerous discussions and repeated editorial concerns, significant differences remained between our editorial perspective and the direction ultimately taken by the project. As publication continued, our concerns regarding the distinction between biblical translation,
commentary, and interpretive expansion were not resolved to our satisfaction, and the project continued in a direction that we believed increasingly blurred the line between Scripture and the author's interpretations. Our concerns were never rooted in opposition to charismatic Christianity, Pentecostal theology, or spiritual passion. Rather, we believe readers deserve to know when they are reading Scripture, when they are reading commentary, and when they are reading devotional interpretation. In our view, maintaining those distinctions is essential to the faithful handling of God's Word.
During the period in which The Passion Translation was published under 5 Fold Media, LLC, our professional editorial and publishing team participated in the development, production, and release process of the original seven early volumes referenced above from initial manuscript preparation through final publication stages. Since the conclusion of our involvement with the project more than a decade ago, it is our understanding that the materials connected to those original editions have undergone multiple subsequent revisions, updates, editorial modifications, expansions, and reworkings. As a result, the versions presently circulating publicly differ substantially from the original editions our team directly participated in producing. Accordingly, we believe it is important to clarify that the currently available editions and revised materials associated with those early seven projects should not be interpreted as representing the exact editorial content, formatting, translational presentation, or production work originally developed under our direction during our period of involvement with the project.
Translation work carries extraordinary spiritual, theological, scholarly, and historical responsibility, particularly when materials are presented publicly as Bible translations. Reasonable scholars, pastors, theologians, and publishers may disagree on methodology, translational philosophy, and interpretive approach, and we recognize that such discussions have existed throughout church history.
We also note that Bible Gateway publicly removed The Passion Translation from its platform in 2022 following public criticism and ongoing debate from various pastors, theologians, Bible scholars, and ministry leaders concerning aspects of translational accuracy, interpretive additions, and overall methodology. Public reporting and commentary at that time reflected concerns from critics who viewed portions of the work as more devotional or paraphrastic in nature than comparable to traditional scholarly translation models. We simply acknowledge these publicly documented events without assigning motive or intent to any individual or organization.
Over the years, we have also been asked questions regarding the broader scholarly translation oversight connected to the project. We are not in a position to make definitive statements regarding all current contributors, advisors, or internal review structures associated with The Passion Translation today. Based upon our direct involvement with the project during our period of participation, we did not observe what we would personally describe as the type of broadly recognized, multi-denominational, academically accredited, and extensively peer-reviewed translation structure historically associated with many major Bible translation committees.
For readers seeking reliable and spiritually enriching Bible translations and study resources, we do not recommend The Passion Translation and do not encourage its use. Based on our direct involvement with the project, our editorial concerns, and our understanding of biblical translation standards, we believe readers are better served by translations that faithfully represent the original Hebrew and Greek texts without blending those texts with extensive interpretive expansion. We strongly encourage readers, pastors, and ministries to examine translational philosophies carefully, study Scripture contextually, and remain grounded in historically responsible biblical scholarship.
For additional perspectives regarding The Passion Translation, viewers may find the following video informative. Harbor Light Content Group encourages independent evaluation of all claims and conclusions presented.: https://youtu.be/k9--owgBjtA?si=68onrBLVUP1qIK3y
To be absolutely clear, Harbor Light Content Group does not endorse, recommend, promote, publish, distribute, or utilize The Passion Translation in any capacity. While we were the original publishers of the early Passion Translation volumes through our former company, 5 Fold Media, LLC, we do not use The Passion Translation in our editorial process, do not accept it as a primary source for books published through our company, and do not intend to incorporate it into any current or future Harbor Light Content Group publication. Authors who wish to build their projects around The Passion Translation should seek another publisher whose editorial standards and publishing philosophy align with that approach.
This statement is provided for transparency and historical accuracy. Harbor Light Content Group is not affiliated with, involved in, or responsible for the current publication, marketing, editing, or distribution of The Passion Translation.