Can I buy a Bible in China?

Various articles in the media and news over the last week have reported that the Bible has been withdrawn from sale or banned in China. It’s understandable that we would be alarmed at this news and wonder what this might mean for our friends in China. Thriving Turtles thought it would be good to give a summary of the situation as we understand it, and make some comments and suggestions:

We should start by pointing out that since the reopening of churches in the late 1970s, the Bible has never been legally available for free sale and distribution in China. The Bible does not have a Chinese ISBN number and is only available for distribution and sale through the government sanctioned Three-Self Church bookshops. It is officially listed as an “internal publication”. In 1987, the Amity foundation started legally printing Bibles in China and to date has printed and distributed around 150 million copies through these official channels[i]. It has always been illegal to sell or distribute Bibles in any other way[ii].
In recent years, online shopping has become very popular in China and sales have increased faster than the government has been able to find ways to regulate. Online stores provide all kinds of products and many of them are not legal, or not fully legal. For example, many online stores sell fake or pirated goods that are clearly illegal but difficult for the government to control. The Bible is only one of these less than legal products that have been freely sold through online bookstores. Christians and seekers all over China have been able to easily purchase copies for their own use, or to give or sell to others. This open market was of course greatly appreciated and made the Bible very easy to obtain, but it was never legal and simply a grey area of rules that were not enforced.
The current events (crackdown) are a case of the government now applying existing laws to bring practice into line with official policy. These are not new laws or policies but ones that have existed since the Churches reopened in 1978. The government wants to again restrict sales to only the official church bookstores so they can monitor and control the sales.
The good news is that the Bible is still available from Three-Self bookstores[iii]and to the best of our knowledge, these have stock and do not require registration in order to purchase a Bible (although this could change in the future). If you have friends in China who want to purchase a paper Bible then we suggest they go to a Three-Self Church and purchase one there.
At this time there are many Bible apps available inside and outside China (it is possible that this may change in the future). Because young people use technology so easily we strongly recommend that they get a Bible on their phone which they can take with them and use anywhere. If you have friends in China, or returning to China, we suggest recommending a Bible app for them. For information on Chinese Bible apps see this article: https://thrivingturtles.org/2016/06/20/chinese-bible-apps/

The news of access to God’s word being restricted is never welcome, but we should give thanks that the Bible is still available in China. We should continue to pray that people will have the opportunity to meet God through reading his Word and that God will protect and use the Bible for the building of his kingdom.

[i]John Sandeman, ‘150 Million Bibles Printed in China – Eternity News’, Eternity, 5 October 2016, https://www.eternitynews.com.au/archive/150-million-bibles-printed-china/.

[ii]Joann Pittman, ‘Bibles in China: The Gray Zone Shrinks’, Chinasource, 9 April 2018, http://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/bibles-in-china-the-gray-zone-shrinks.

[iii]Paul Wu, ‘China’s Ban on Online Bible Sales May Result from Regulation of Bookselling Online, Not Religious Persecution’, China Christianity Daily(blog), 13 April 2018, http://chinachristiandaily.com/news/Society/2018-04-10/china-s-ban-on-online-bible-sales-may-result-from-regulation-of-bookselling-online–not-religious-persecution-_6993.

October 10, 2016March 4, 2019

Bible Readings for the first month back home

Strength to Stand: 31 Daily Bible Reading Notes for Chinese Returnees

The first month back home can be the most challenging time for returnees to read the Bible regularly; they lack routine and can struggle to find time alone. However, it’s also one of the most important times to be constantly reminded of God’s truth and to establish good patterns of regularly listening to Jesus in their life back home.

LINC Ministries has produced this pack of 31 daily readings going through the book of Ephesians, aimed to help form a habit of Bible reading for the first month back home. Ephesians was written to Christians who had to go against the flow in order to follow Jesus, and who were tempted to feel insignificant and weak as a result. Like many returnees, they needed to be strengthened by knowing God’s big plan for the universe, for all of eternity!

Strength To Stand is available in Chinese and English. It can be found at http:// www.seaturtles.org.uk/bible-studies/ along with lots of other resources. The link is under “Quiet Time Notes” use “Ephesians” for English and “????” for Chinese.

July 24, 2016March 4, 2019

Bible Studies for Chinese Students

Bible Studies in English and Chinese from the UK

The Sea Turtles UK website has Bible study materials in English and Chinese. Go to the link below:

http://www.seaturtles.org.uk/bible-studies/

Two Ways to Live

This is a simplified Chinese version of a well known gospel outline. The link below is to a web version. It’s also possible to buy printed versions in English and Chinese from Matthias Media

https://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl/chinese_s/

Christianity Explained

This is a 6 part presentation of the gospel message and the materials are available in English and Chinese.

http://www.christianityexplained.com

Bible Storying

Telling Bible stories is a good way to share the gospel as well as to train new believers. This website has Chinese bible stories in Chinese that you can share with students.

http://storyingthescriptures.com

Seekers Class Bible Studies

This is a series of 4 studies designed by a Chinese worker. The materials include English, Chinese characters and some Pinyin.

July 24, 2016March 4, 2019

Purchasing Chinese Bibles & Books in Australia

Updated 24 August 2018

We suggest the following options for purchasing Chinese Bibles and resources in Australia:

The Wandering Bookseller

They have a Chinese language section on the online store. They sell bibles and other Christian books in Chinese. They are well connected with student ministries and stay up-to-date on Chinese Christian literature.

https://wanderingbookseller.com.au/c/chinese-resources

Koorong

Koorong is the largest Christian bookseller in Australia and they have a range of Bibles and Christian books available in Chinese. They are the main agent for the Bible Society resources including Bibles, Bible portions and other resources. Search the store for “Chinese” or “Chinese Bibles”.

https://www.koorong.com/

Fountain of Grace

This website provides a wide selection of Christian Bibles, books, CDs, and DVDs. It has materials in Chinese and English. This web-based store is in Perth, Western Australia. The website is available in English and Chinese.

https://www.fountaingrace.com/

OMF International

OMF sell a parallel English/Chinese New Testament with the CNV Chinese version. They produce and sell small booklets in simplified Chinese that deal with different topics like “Faith and Science” and “Relationships” etc. In recent years they have translated and published missionary biographies in Chinese as well as children’s books and other resources. Some items can be found directly in their online bookstall if you search under “Chinese” http://www.omfbooks.com.au/shop/

However many items are not listed on the website so it’s best to call them on 02 9868 4777 or contact them via their website here: Contact OMF International

If you know of any other suppliers of Chinese Christian resources in Australia please let us know via the contact page.

June 20, 2016March 14, 2019

Chinese Bible Apps

Written by Jane Updated 21 December 2017

There are many Bible apps available for smartphones. There is a huge variety in what features different apps have, but a few considerations to help get someone started are:

(Obvious) Check the app has the Bible version you want.
Does the app allow for switching between Bible versions? A big advantage is that if you have multiple versions downloaded, you can switch to the version being used by the group you are currently with.
Do you want the ability to have parallel Bibles open on the one screen, or to swipe between screens? This is useful when, for example, two languages are being read simultaneously. Simultaneously open Bibles usually scroll together.
Cost – many apps allow free Bible downloads, some allow in-app purchases of different versions.

The choice of apps is very much according to platform and personal preference, and the available options are constantly changing, so a detailed listing is not warranted here.

However, some useful apps are:

App Name

Platform

Comments

You Version

iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone

– allows multiple versions to be downloaded for offline use

– CNVS, CCB, ASV, ESV, KJV, NIV all free

– copyright permission obtained for each version

We Devote 微读圣经

iPhone, Android

– contains 20 licensed Bible versions, including CUVNP, CCB, NIV

Holy Bible

iPhone

– allows 2 versions to be simultaneously opened and displayed on the one screen

– allows many versions to be simultaneously opened, swiping between screens

– free download of Bibles including CUV, CNV, NIV

– copyright permission unclear

Open Bibles

Android

– allows two versions to be simultaneously opened and displayed on one screen

– free download of Bibles, offline use

– copyright permission unclear

读圣经

Android, from: 360手机助手

豌豆荚 open app store

– fast, has references that are easy to look up

– copyright permissions unclear

June 20, 2016March 10, 2019

Which Chinese Bible should I recommend people read?

Written by: Jane Updated 21st December 2017 and 17 August 2018.

Choosing a Chinese Bible involves not only choosing a version, but choosing a script and other factors as well. These are identified by a range of symbols that appear with the abbreviation for the name of the Bible translation.

Here are some of the commonly seen abbreviations:

Chinese Union Version: CUV, CUVS, CUVT, CUVMPS, CUVMPT
Revised Chinese Union Version: RCUV, RCUVS, RCUVT
Chinese New Version: NCV, NCVS, NCVT or CNV, CNVS, CNVT
Chinese Contemporary Bible: CCB
Chinese Standard Bible: CSB, CSBS, CSBT

In addition, sometimes after the abbreviation one of the following words is used:

Shangdi (or Shangti)
Shen

This document aims to explain the different symbols used, and issues to be considered, so a more informed decision can be made when recommending a Bible version.

1. Simplified (简体字) vs Traditional Script (繁体字)

The simplified Chinese script is used in mainland China and Singapore. The traditional script is used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and by Chinese communities in other parts of SE Asia and the world. When looking at the abbreviation for a Chinese Bible translation, normally an ‘S’ is added at the end to denote the simplified script, and a ‘T’ to denote the traditional script (see lists above). We recommend a person use the script that they are most comfortable reading.

2. “Shen” Edition (神版) vs “Shangdi” Edition (上帝版)

Many of the Chinese Bible translations are available in two editions, the difference being which word is used in translation for ‘God’ (‘Shen’ or ‘Shangdi’ /’Shangti’). Some protestant Christians used to have a strong preference for one or the other word, but in recent years this generally is less divisive an issue. We recommend people use the version that their home church uses.

3. Version

The most commonly used Bible in China is the Union Version, CUV, 和合本. However, this translation uses older language forms and many people who are new to Bible reading find it difficult to understand (a little like English speakers reading the King James Version for the first time). There are several newer versions that are easier to understand. In mainland China, the Union Version and Today’s Chinese Version are legally produced. Other versions need to be carried in from overseas, and may be confiscated at the border. The rise of smartphone and computer use, however, has meant that most versions are now readily available from within China. The CNV is one of the most popular newer versions.

Consideration needs to be also made for what the person’s home church uses. Many churches in mainland China have a strong attachment to the Union Version. When this is the case, we recommend that a new believer read both a newer version (such as the NCV) and the Union Version in parallel. This way they can both understand the Bible text itself and learn to read the more literary form used by their brothers and sisters.

Some details of common translations are:

Chinese Union Version, 和合本 CUV; and Revised Chinese Union Version, 和合本修订版, RCUV

The CUV was first published in 1919, and the text is now in the public domain. It is the most commonly used Chinese translation for Protestants. It “was translated by a panel with members from many different Protestant denominations, using the English Revised Version as a basis and original manuscripts for crosschecking.” (Wikipedia, 2015)

Spoken Chinese has changed since 1919 so many modern readers find this version hard to understand. In addition, many of the characters used in the original CUV do not appear in commonly available modern Chinese dictionaries. A Revised Chinese Union Version (和合本修订版, RCUV) was completed in 2006 (New Testament) and 2010 (entire Bible) that aimed at updating some of the language to reflect today’s language usage while keeping as much of the original translation style as possible. (Hong Kong Bible Society, 2016)

In addition to this, there are versions of the CUV with modern punctuation, denoted by the letters ‘MP’ (for Modern Punctuation) or ‘NP’ (for New Punctuation), e.g. CUVMPS is the Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation Simplified script

Chinese New Version, 新译本, CNV

Abbreviated CNV (originally NCV but later changed due to confusion with the abbreviation used for English New Century Version).

Simplified Chinese: 新译本, CNVS (or NCVS)
Traditional Chinese: 新譯本, CNVT (or NCVT)

CNV was completed in 1992 by the Worldwide Bible Society with the assistance of the Lockman Foundation.

“This is the first Chinese Bible translated by Chinese Biblical scholars directly from the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic languages into modern Chinese ever in the history of the Chinese churches…was a joint effort of a team of around 100 prominent Chinese Bible scholars and language scholars from around the world.” (Bible Gateway, 2016)

The CNV is one of the most popular versions of the Bible in China.

Chinese Contemporary Bible, 当代圣经, CCB

Also called the Chinese Living Bible.

Translated by the International Bible Society of Colorado Springs.

Translated from the original languages and designed for a general audience with a seventh grade education or above. Completed in October 2010. (Biblica, 2014)

Chinese New Living Translation, 新普及译本

A dynamic equivalent Chinese Bible. The base text is the English New Living Translation with comparison with the Greek originals.

Chinese Standard Bible, 中文标准译本, CSB

Produced in 2009 by Global Bible Initiative and Holman Bible Publishers. Currently, this translation only contains the New Testament.

“The goals of this translation are:

To provide Chinese-speaking people across the world with an accurate, readable Bible in contemporary Chinese
To give those who love God’s Word a text that has numerous reader helps, is visually attractive on the page, and is appealing when heard
To equip serious Bible students with an accurate translation for personal study, private devotions, and memorization

To affirm the authority of Scripture as God’s Word and to champion its absolute truth against social or cultural agendas that would compromise its accuracy. ” (Global Bible Institute, 2015)

Chinese Recovery Version, 恢复本

This is used by the “Local Church” movement in Taiwan, and contains commentary notes written by Witness Lee. It is said the translation is good, but some Christians say the commentary notes are questionable – this movement is considered by some as a cult. (Intervarsity International Student Ministry, 2016) (Lucy Hsu and Yii-Shyun Lin, 2016)

Translations we do not recommend:

Chinese Pastoral Bible, 牧灵圣经

The Chinese edition of the Christian Community Bible, published in China by Amity Printing Company. This translation has received criticism over several significant issues, and is not generally recommended for lay people. (“Pastoral Bible (Chinese),” 2014)

New World Translation, NWT

Published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, used by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

References

Bible Gateway. (2016). Chinese New Version (Simplified) (CNVS) – Version Information – BibleGateway.com. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Chinese-New-Version-Simplified-CNVS/

Biblica. (2014). Chinese Contemporary Bible (2010). Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://www.biblica.com/en-us/bible/bible-versions/chinese-contemporary-bible-2010/

Global Bible Institute. (2015). Chinese Standard Bible. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://chinesestandardbible.com

Hong Kong Bible Society. (2016). Revised Chinese Union Version> Revision Principles and Process. Retrieved August 13, 2016, from http://www.hkbs.org.hk/en/content/14-revised-chinese-union-version3

Intervarsity International Student Ministry. (2016). Analysis of Various Translations of the Chinese Bible. Retrieved from http://ism.intervarsity.org/resource/analysis-various-translations-chinese-bible

Lucy Hsu and Yii-Shyun Lin. (2016, January 21). An Explanation of the Different Chinese Bibles. Link to article: An Explanation of the Different Chinese Bibles

Pastoral Bible (Chinese). (2018). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastoral_Bible_(Chinese)

Wikipedia. (2015, June 18). Chinese Union Version. In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Union_Version