New Testament Recovery Version

[NHInsider]

2 Maccabees gives the first hint of the immortality of the soul.

This is not quite accurate. The understanding of the immortal soul developed slowly in Judaism, but by the time of the Maccabees it was very well established. (One of the earliest mentions is when King David affirms that he will see his son again (2 Sam. 12:23) - this is essentially unheard of at that time.

The 2 Maccabees theology which is usually cited as unique is its support for resurrection of the body (as compared with only the soul).

These books were written by Greek educated Hebrews and thus the very important contribution of Greek philosophy to western science entered the Hebrew canon.

It was at one time generally been accepted as true that the books were written in Greek, but there are some chinks in the theory, such as the copies found in Qumram which were in Hebrew. I think your phrase “Greek-educated Hebrews” skirts that question rather nicely. . . . (and keep in mind that both Luke and Paul would also be considered “Greek-educated Hebrews”).

 

[Church_Militant]

Getting back on topic…

I went to their site and got a copy sent to me for free. Here are the facts that I have found thus far as to why I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone else, especially Catholics.

As with most of the translations from the Reformation that were opposed by the Church, this one’s problems are not so much the translation (from the Chinese no less), but from the grossly anti-Catholic notes throughout. In fact, it seems to be more notes than scripture.

Now let’s take a look at who Life Stream Ministries really is.

In the early 1900’s there arose a man who called himself Watchman Nee. He was a convert to Christianity in China and wrote and taught pretty extensively. He was arrested in March 1952 by the Chinese and sentenced (in 1956) to 15 years in prison and died in 1972 in prison.

Some of his books were actually pretty decent.(The Normal Christian Life, & Not I but Christ), but there is a great deal of odd teaching couched in his writings, not the least of which is the seeds of the “local church” movement, which is where we come to Life Stream Ministries and Witness Lee.

Lee was a friend of Nee’s and was handed his torch.

Early in his service, Witness Lee met Watchman Nee, a renowned preacher, teacher, and writer. Witness Lee labored together with Watchman Nee under his direction. In 1934 Watchman Nee entrusted Witness Lee with the responsibility for his publication operation, called the Shanghai Gospel Bookroom.

Anyway… to make a long story short.

This New Testament is not something that I will use for much of anything unless I need something to prop up a table leg or something…or maybe a paper weight (if I lack even a simple stone), Here is the best reason of all.

"The Lord is not building His church in Christendom, which is composed of **the apostate Roman Catholic Church **

and the Protestant denominations. This prophecy is being fulfilled through the Lord’s recovery, in which the building of the genuine church is being accomplished."

       [RIGHT]Witness Lee in *The New Testament Recovery Version*,
        note 184 (Matthew 16:18)
        (Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1991), p. 99
        [online.recoveryversion.org/FootNotes.asp?FNtsID=639](http://online.recoveryversion.org/FootNotes.asp?FNtsID=639)[/RIGHT]

And further…

“In every denomination, including the Roman Catholic Church, there are real, saved Christians. They are God’s people belonging to the Lord. But the organization of the denominations in which they are is not of God. The denominational organizations have been utilized by Satan to set up his satanic system to destroy God’s economy of the proper church life.”

Witness Lee, “Message Thirty-Four” in The Life-Study of Genesis
(Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1987), Vol. 1, p. 464
​

"We do not care for Christianity, we do not care for Christendom, we do not care for the Roman Catholic church, and we do not care for all the denominations, because in the Bible it says that the great Babylon is fallen. This is a declaration. Christianity is fallen, Christendom is fallen, Catholicism is fallen, and all the denominations are fallen. Hallelujah!"

Witness Lee, The Seven Spirits for the Local Churches
(Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1989), p. 97​

I think that sums up why this is not something I would recommend to any of my Catholic brethren, (or even you n-Cs…).

As to the copy itself. Meh…the pages are very thin, which is the only way they could get all those copious notes in along with the New Testament text and the margins are badly cluttered with scripture references. The whole thing is not well done and hard on the eyes. The free edition is adequate at best but aside from the neat little slide box it comes in doesn’t seem very durable at all.

Want something better that is Catholic. Get a copy of **Ignatius Catholic Bible, Revised Standard Version; Pacific Duvelle™ Compact Edition. I did.
**

 

[zach_dunn]

Getting back on topic…

I went to their site and got a copy sent to me for free. Here are the facts that I have found thus far as to why I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone else, especially Catholics.

As with most of the translations from the Reformation that were opposed by the Church, this one’s problems are not so much the translation (from the Chinese no less), but from the grossly anti-Catholic notes throughout. In fact, it seems to be more notes than scripture.

Now let’s take a look at who Life Stream Ministries really is.

In the early 1900’s there arose a man who called himself Watchman Nee. He was a convert to Christianity in China and wrote and taught pretty extensively. He was arrested in March 1952 by the Chinese and sentenced (in 1956) to 15 years in prison and died in 1972 in prison.

Some of his books were actually pretty decent.(The Normal Christian Life, & Not I but Christ), but there is a great deal of odd teaching couched in his writings, not the least of which is the seeds of the “local church” movement, which is where we come to Life Stream Ministries and Witness Lee.

Lee was a friend of Nee’s and was handed his torch.Anyway… to make a long story short.

This New Testament is not something that I will use for much of anything unless I need something to prop up a table leg or something…or maybe a paper weight (if I lack even a simple stone), Here is the best reason of all.And further…I think that sums up why this is not something I would recommend to any of my Catholic brethren, (or even you n-Cs…).

As to the copy itself. Meh…the pages are very thin, which is the only way they could get all those copious notes in along with the New Testament text and the margins are badly cluttered with scripture references. The whole thing is not well done and hard on the eyes. The free edition is adequate at best but aside from the neat little slide box it comes in doesn’t seem very durable at all.

Want something better that is Catholic. Get a copy of Ignatius Catholic Bible, Revised Standard Version; Pacific Duvelle™ Compact Edition. I did.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut Church Militant! I agree with what you say, it now simply collects dust in my bedroom, thanks again for your thoughts and information!

 

[Church_Militant]

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut Church Militant! I agree with what you say, it now simply collects dust in my bedroom, thanks again for your thoughts and information!

You’re welcome Zach. All praise and glory be to God if I have been of some small service to the Body of Christ.