APOSTLE (MESSAGE BEARER)

The Greek word translated as apostle literally means “sent one.” It is used as the carrier of an official message. These sent ones not only carried a message but also carried with it the authority of the person sending them. In this translation, we have translated apostle as “message bearer.”

BAD HEARTS AND BROKEN WAYS (SIN)

For many of our Native people, the English word sin evokes the memories of boarding school, where “sin” was often the length of our hair, or speaking in our native language, or anything related to our cultures. The biblical concept of sin is expressed in the Greek word hamartia, which means “to miss the mark” or “to fail to do what is right”—in other words, not living in the ways Creator wants us to live. All human beings are broken and fail to live in Creator’s ways. Some try but fail, some don’t even try, and others give themselves over to evil ways. We have translated sin as either “bad hearts,” “wrongdoings,” or “broken ways,” depending on which one best fits the context.

CEREMONIAL FESTIVALS

The tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) were given three primary annual festivals to remind them of Creator’s goodness when he set them free from slavery in Black Land (Egypt) and made them into a holy nation. We will list them here, with a short explanation.

Passover Festival (Passover). This festival is celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It commemorates the time when Creator delivered the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) from slavery in Black Land (Egypt) through Drawn from the Water (Moses). The highlight of this story is when the blood of a slain lamb was put on the doorposts of each home for protection from a destroying spirit-messenger, who would “pass over” the house with blood on the doorposts. According to 1 Corinthians 5:7, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) is the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb we now celebrate in the bread and wine of the ceremonial meal of the Chosen One in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (see Deuteronomy 16:1-8; Leviticus 23:4-8).

Festival of Weeks (Pentecost). The word Pentecost means “fifty,” and is called that because it was celebrated seven weeks from the Passover Festival, on the fiftieth day. The Festival of Weeks was a harvest festival when the people would bring the firstfruits of the harvest to Creator’s sacred lodge in the Village of Peace (Jerusalem) to give thanks for his provision and remember how he provided for them in the desert wilderness. This festival found its fulfillment in Acts 2 with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (see Deuteronomy 16:9-12; Leviticus 23:15-22).

Festival of Shelters (Feast of Tabernacles). This festival was celebrated at the end of the harvest. The tribes were instructed to make temporary shelters made from tree branches. They were to live in these shelters for seven days. In this way, they remembered the time after they had been set free from slavery in Black Land (Egypt) when their ancestors migrated in the desert wilderness under the care of Drawn from the Water (Moses) and lived in temporary shelters. It was during this time in the wilderness that Creator gave them water to drink from a rock (Exodus 17:5-7). Creator Sets Free (Jesus) announced himself as the fulfillment of this during this festival when he said, “The ones who thirst must come to me and drink” (John 7:37). Small Man (Paul) confirms this in 1 Corinthians 10:4 (see Leviticus 23:33).

CHOSEN ONE (CHRIST)

Creator spoke to the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) through many prophets. These prophets spoke of a coming deliverer called Messiah, which means “Anointed One.” In the Greek language of the New Testament, Messiah is translated as Christos and then in English as “Christ,” which means “Anointed One.” This Messiah, or Christ, was to be Creator’s Chosen One to set his people free. In this retelling of the story of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), we use the term Chosen One in place of Christ, since few English-speaking people understand the meaning of the word Christ. Scripture uses the term Chosen One to refer to Jesus in many English translations (see Luke 9:35).

CREATOR SETS FREE (JESUS)

The name Jesus was a common name in first-century Palestine. The name Jesus finds its roots in the Hebrew language. His name in Hebrew is Yeshua (pronounced yeh-shoo-wah). The name comes from two words. The first is Yah, the shortened form of Yahweh, the Hebrew name for Creator. The second comes from a word that means “to rescue, deliver, save, or simply set free”—Yah Sets Free. From the Hebrew to the Greek of the New Testament, Yeshua became Iesous (pronounced yeh-soos). From the Greek to the English, Iesous became Jesus.

The Jewish people in biblical times gave names that had meaning. For example, Abraham means “Father of Many Nations.” This is similar to the traditions of our First Nations people, so we decided to follow this practice in the First Nations Version. We have chosen to call Jesus by the translated meaning of his name, which is Creator Sets Free. This is one possible rendering of his name in English as it would have been heard and understood in the language of his own people. We have also done this with all other names found in the New Testament.

DAY OF RESTING (SABBATH)

The instructions from the law given by Drawn from the Water (Moses) included a day of resting called the Sabbath, which means “rest.” This was to honor the Great Spirit, who created all things in six days and then rested on the seventh. It was also given as a reminder to the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) of their time of forced labor in Black Land (Egypt), where they had no day of resting (see Deuteronomy 5:15). From sunset Friday evening until sunset Saturday evening, no work was to be done (see Exodus 20:8-11). Also, how far a person could walk on that day was limited by this law. Its proper interpretation and practice became a point of controversy between the spiritual leaders and Creator Sets Free (Jesus) (Matthew 12:1-8) and later by his first followers.

GATHERING HOUSES (SYNAGOGUES)

In the time of the gospel story, the Jewish people in most villages had a meeting place called the synagogue, which simply means “gathering place.” The synagogue was used primarily for religious purposes, such as the study of the Scriptures and prayer, but also for local village council meetings. We have chosen to call synagogues simply “gathering houses.”

GOOD ROAD (KINGDOM OF GOD)

Today, many First Nations people speak of the “good way” or “red road” as a way to understand a way of life that seeks to live in harmony with the Great Spirit’s plan for all of creation. To live in harmony with fellow human beings and all of creation could be called “walking the good road.”

With the advice of some of our Native American friends and insights from prominent American Indian theologian George E. Tinker, we have chosen to translate kingdom of God as “Creator’s good road.”1 Creator Sets Free (Jesus) came to call us to walk in a new way, a way of beauty and harmony, that reflects the government of God/heaven. To walk the road with Creator Sets Free (Jesus) is to be on this path.

HOLY MEN (PRIESTS)

According to the law of Moses, only men were permitted to be priests. By this same law, priests could only be chosen from the tribe of He Brings Together (Levi). We have translated priest in the following ways: for the high priest we chose “chief holy man,” for the chief priests we chose “head priests,” and for priest we chose “holy man.”

OUTCASTS (SINNERS)

The Separated Ones (Pharisees) identified certain people as “sinners.” This word carries a more disturbing meaning than just someone who sins. These “sinners” were the outcasts of Jewish society and designated as such by the Pharisees’ oppressive interpretation of the law of Moses. These outcasts were not permitted to enter the gathering houses and were despised by the Separated Ones (Pharisees). Outcasts included tribal tax collectors, prostitutes, people who ate and drank too much, those with diseases that made them ceremonially unclean, and all Gentiles (non-Jews).

OUTSIDE NATIONS (GENTILES)

The members of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) called all people from other nations Gentiles. No Gentile was permitted to enter the sacred lodge under the penalty of death. There was a Court of the Gentiles in the temple where they could learn about the Great Spirit. In this translation, for the word Gentiles we have used “Nations,” “other nations,” “Outside Nations,” “Outsider,” and in certain contexts “People of the Village of Iron” when referring to the Romans, who were also Gentiles.

PURIFICATION CEREMONY (BAPTISM)

In the time of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), baptism in water was a cultural and spiritual practice among the Jewish people. Baptism was a sacred ceremony symbolizing purification or cleansing. It also was used as an initiation rite into the spiritual and social community. To be baptized in the name of someone was to accept their teachings and become identified with them. Baptism was most often practiced by immersing a person in flowing water, which is why rivers were often used. In this translation, we have chosen to call baptism “the purification ceremony.”

SACRED FAMILY (CHURCH)

Most English translations translate the Greek word ekklesia as “church.” This word literally means “called-out ones” and was used for community gatherings, whether religious, social, or governmental. We have chosen “sacred family” for this translation, highlighting the relational aspect of this sacred gathering of the followers of Creator Sets Free (Jesus). This meaning is reflected in several Scriptures where the ekklesia is called a “household,” Greek oikos, meaning a family member or one living in the same house. First Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:19; and 1 Peter 4:17 are examples of this. We have also used sacred family members in many places where “brothers” is used. This was a familial term referring to both men and women as believers in Creator Sets Free (Jesus), making them members of the ekklesia or “sacred family members.”

SACRED OR CEREMONIAL LODGE (TEMPLE)

Under Chief Much Loved One (King David), Creator instructed the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) to build a sacred lodge in Jerusalem. This sacred lodge was a permanent structure to replace the tent also called the tabernacle, which was used when Israel was wandering in the wilderness. Creator did not allow Much Loved One (David) to build the sacred lodge because he was a man of violence and warfare.

The first sacred lodge was built by Chief Stands in Peace (King Solomon) and was later destroyed by the People of the Village of Confusion (Babylonians) who defeated the tribes and took most of the people into exile in a foreign land. When they returned from their exile, they built a second sacred lodge, but it was smaller and much less impressive. Leading up to the time of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), Chief Looks Brave (King Herod the Great) had used his fantastic wealth to further rebuild the sacred lodge in an attempt to restore much of its ancient glory. The sacred lodge built by Looks Brave (Herod) contained four courtyards—the Court of the Holy Men, the Court of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel), the Court of the Women, and the Court of the Gentiles. Many biblical scholars agree that it was in the Court of the Gentiles that Creator Sets Free (Jesus) drove out the moneychangers. In the FNV we have translated temple as “lodge,” “sacred lodge,” and “ceremonial lodge.”

The Holy Place was another inner chamber within the sacred lodge. The Holy Place was entered often by holy men who performed daily ceremonies and offered morning and evening prayers.

The Most Holy Place, also called the Holy of Holies, was the innermost chamber of the temple, a small room separated from the Holy Place by a thick double curtain. It contained sacred objects from Israel’s tribal history. No one was allowed to see behind this curtain except the chief holy man, and then only once a year, when he entered for a special ceremony. It was this curtain that was torn in two, from top to bottom, when Creator Sets Free (Jesus) gave up his Spirit.

SPIRIT-MESSENGERS (ANGELS)

In the Greek of the New Testament, the word most often translated as “angel” is angelos. The primary meaning of this word is “messenger.” It can refer to human messengers or spirit-messengers, which are spirits sent from Creator to help humans in distress or simply to convey a message. In the FNV we have translated this word as “spirit-messenger” or “messenger” depending on the context.

SPIRITUAL LEADERS

In the time of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel), were divided into many different religious groups with differing beliefs. The members of these religious groups had set themselves up as the spiritual leaders of Israel.

Separated Ones (Pharisees). Pharisees are mentioned most often. The title Pharisees means “separated ones.” The Pharisees were the most vocal and influential of the spiritual leaders and held a very strict and oppressive interpretation of the law of Moses. As their name indicates, they separated themselves from those they deemed to be sinners and pressured others to do the same. They also banned people from participating in their local synagogues or gathering houses. We have translated Pharisees as “Separated Ones.”

Upright Ones (Sadducees). Sadducees, which means “righteous or upright ones,” were a sect of the high priests who were often rich and held positions of power within Israel’s religious and political establishments. They differ from the Pharisees in several ways. Most significantly, they did not believe in spirits or in a resurrection from the dead. We have translated Sadducees as “Upright Ones.”

Scroll keepers (scribes and lawyers). Scroll keepers are mentioned quite often in the Gospels, and both titles describe the same group. The scribes were the keepers of the sacred scrolls, the Scriptures. Since they knew how to write, they became scroll copiers, making copies of the Scriptures. Since they spent so much time reading and writing the Scriptures, they became experts in the interpretation of the law of Moses. We have translated scribes as “scroll keepers.”

Friends of Herod (Herodians). These are believed to have been a small group of Jews who supported the family dynasty and political interests of King Herod. We have translated Herodians as “Friends of Herod.”

Firebrands (Zealots). This group is indirectly referred to in the Gospels. Zealot means “one who is on fire or full of zeal.” In practice, however, the Zealots were insurrectionists using violent terrorist methods. Many of the Zealots were openly rebellious and wanted to lead a violent uprising against the People of Iron (Romans). Son of His Father (Barabbas) was most likely a Zealot, and one of Creator Sets Free’s (Jesus’) own followers appears to have been a former Zealot (Simon the Zealot). Some historians speculate that Speaks Well Of (Judas), who betrayed Creator Sets Free (Jesus), may have also been a Zealot. We have not offered a translation other than for Simon the Zealot, referring to him as One Who Listens (Simon)—the Firebrand.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

In Ephesians 6 there is a section on the “war garments of Creator,” also called the “armor of Creator.” It is important to understand that this warfare is not a physical battle or a contest of brute power between the Great Spirit and the Accuser (Satan), even though it affects things in this natural world. Rather, it is a war of methods and ideals (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). The powerful weapon Creator gives us is the word of truth that Creator Sets Free (Jesus) reveals about who the Great Spirit is and about his great love for all humankind.

TRIBAL MEMBERS (JEWS)

The people of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel) were also called “Jews” in the Bible. The name Jew comes from the time when Israel was divided into two nations. The northern nation was called Israel and consisted of ten tribes. The southern nation was called Judah and consisted of two tribes. The name Jew is simply a reference to Judah and became a way of referring to all the people of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). We have simply used “Tribal Members” and “Tribal People,” or, when the context seemed appropriate, “Spiritual Leaders” or “Tribal Leaders” to translate Jews.

TRIBAL TAX COLLECTORS (TAX COLLECTORS)

Tax collectors were often Jewish Tribal Members who contracted with the Roman government for the procurement of taxes. They could force the people, under the threat of violence, to pay them. They often became extremely rich off the suffering of poor people and were hated by everyone. We have chosen to call them “tribal tax collectors” of the colonial Roman government.

TRUE HUMAN BEING (SON OF MAN)

Creator Sets Free (Jesus) most often referred to himself as the Son of Man. This title is full of meaning from the Old Testament Scriptures. In the book of Ezekiel it is used over ninety times and simply means a human being. There it is not meant to be a title of prestige but of humility. In using this title, Creator Sets Free (Jesus) is presenting himself as a common human being, as one of us.

In the book of Daniel, the title “Son of Man” takes on an expanded meaning. Daniel sees a vision of one like a Son of Man coming before the Ancient of Days (Creator) on the clouds of heaven. This person is given authority, glory, and sovereign power from the Great Spirit. His rule is over all peoples and languages and his chiefly rule will never come to an end. Even though he is a human being, he will be worshiped (see Daniel 7:13-14).

So Creator Sets Free (Jesus) as the True Human Being shows us that the good road or the kingdom of God is a kingdom of humility, love, and service to others. He is a common man and at the same time the almighty Creator who alone is worthy of worship. As Son of the Great Spirit, he is divine. As Son of Man, he is a True Human Being.

We have used the title “True Human Being” for “Son of Man.” For he is one of us and what a human being should truly be like. As we walk the road with him, we are on the path to becoming true human beings.

WISDOMKEEPER (RABBI)

In the time of Creator Sets Free (Jesus), there were spiritual leaders who traveled about gaining followers. These leaders were often called rabbi, meaning “teacher.” They functioned as a sage or wisdomkeeper as they taught their interpretation of the written and oral Torah (Jewish laws). Creator Sets Free (Jesus) is called “rabbi” in the Gospels. It is a title of respect and honor. Rabbis were held in high esteem, even though they held no official status. In our translation, we have used “wisdomkeeper” for “rabbi.” When appropriate we also used this title for “Lord” when people addressed Creator Sets Free (Jesus) in this honorable way.

THE WORD (LOGOS)

Just as many English translations have done, we have translated the Greek word Logos found in John 1 and 1 John 1 as “Word.” The word logos has great cultural and theological depth and meaning. In the time of the New Testament, it was used by both Jews and Greeks. It was understood as the means by which Creator revealed himself to the world. It was also understood as the unseen power that held the universe together. The Jewish people understood that there was a wisdom persona that came from the Great Spirit and created all things (Proverbs 8:22-23). In the time of the New Testament, the term Logos took on a similar meaning. Even though logos can be translated as “word,” that does not mean it indicates a single word in a sentence. It is better understood as “message” or “communication” or as “reason.” Creator Sets Free (Jesus) reveals the entirety of who Creator is, what he has done, and what he will do. He is truly the Word or Story of the Great Spirit and embodies the message Creator is revealing through him.