‘Like bamboo after rain’

By John Binnington, Information Officer of the Scottish Bible Society

NANJING, China — Shortly before the 25 millionth Bible rolled off the presses of the Amity Printing Company (APC) last December, the Rev Dr Jen-Li Tsai, APC Board Chairman, reflected on how Scripture distribution is quietly sowing the seed for future church growth in China.

“Thanks to the Scriptures that Bible Society supporters have helped us produce over recent years, millions of people can now learn about Jesus,” said Dr Tsai.

He pointed out that while Chinese Christians have welcomed the provision of Bibles, non-Christians have also shown an interest in reading the Bible.

“Educated people are fascinated to find out what is in it, even though they are non-Christians,” he explained. “They are looking for something new, not just dogma and philosophy, and they are displaying a hunger after the long period of ideology during the Cultural Revolution. This is a very interesting trend.

“The seed is being sown, and some day people may be impressed and turn to understand the real meaning of the Scriptures. People are becoming more materialistic, but the new teaching from the Bible is able to act like water on dry ground in people’s hearts – there is a possibility that many Christians will spring up like bamboo does after rain.

“Although we don’t really know how many Christians there are in China, we know that their numbers are greatly increased from earlier years. The supply of Scriptures is a source of great power, a great miracle, for which we thank God.” (WR 359/28 - 4/5.01)

The Scottish Bible Society, which has been involved in Bible work in China for nearly 200 years, recently raised more than £132,000 (US$193,66) to help the funding and printing and distribution of Chinese Bibles. Please see page 29 for an update on Bible work in China.