Heralding the Publication of the Special Edition of Bible for the Olympics

The sky will be bluer, the city will be more beautiful, and the Olympic flag will be brighter in Beijing in August, 2008. The drum-beat will be heart stirring, the flame shining upon the east. The century-old dream of the Olympics is being realized. The world’s attentions will be focused upon Beijing. Chinese people are ready to write a fabulous chapter with confidence and smile in the Olympic history.

China knocks on the gate of the world once again with sports. The long history from Qin brick and Han tiles and the splendid civilization accumulated through years will be exhibited to the world through this great sports event. Varied civilizations will encounter with each other on this great land. The inspiring Olympic spirit will impel people of all nations to move forward. Athletes are ready to break records on this vast land.

The Olympics was a great invention of human beings. It is a common fortune shared by different countries, different beliefs, different colors, and different nationalities. As a great event in the world, the Olympics carry the common dream of world’s people and manifest the pursuit of peace and advancements. The Olympic spirit and the humanistic Olympic idea, as an ecumenical value, has been deeply rooted in people’s hearts. The development of the modern Olympics reflects that varied civilizations are on the way towards understanding, respect and advancements through communications.

The success of Olympic Games with feature and high quality will be an illustration of the cohesiveness of the Chinese nation and a sincere promise made to the world by a responsible country. How happy we are to have friends from afar! This is an old saying which represents our sincere wish. Chinese Christians have always given strong support to the Olympics along the history. The modern Olympic Games were introduced into China through YMCA. Mr. Wang Zhengting, the Father of Chinese Olympics, and Mr. Zhang Boling, the Pioneer of Chinese Olympics, have both made great contributions to the Olympics in China.

Today, Chinese Christians are welcoming the Olympics with ardent fever. We will rejoice with cheers and we will also pray with one accord to wish the Beijing Olympics a great success. Meanwhile, Chinese Christians look at the Beijing Olympics as a rare opportunity to serve God. It’s a great opportunity for Chinese Christians to share their testimonies， to enhance friendship with people from all nations. We are ready to make our efforts.

According to the international practice, especially the host countries of recent Olympic Games have published special editions of Bible like memorial version or sports version. To serve the Olympics, CCC/TSPM have published special edition of Bible, which will be put in the Olympic villages, religious service centers, Christian prayer rooms and other public churches in assisting cities. It has become a special ministry of the church in the host country of the Olympics. CCC/TSPM are grateful to God for this holy service.

Each year, CCC/TSPM publish more than 3 million Bibles with more than 30 editions (with different sizes and for different purposes) to meet the different needs of Christians all over China. The special edition we have published this time is one among the many publications we’ve already made. It is Chinese-English bilingual Bible. (Full Name: Special Edition for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games). The publication is in accordance with the international practices, especially similar to the Bible published for the Olympic Winter Games, Torino 2006. The Four Gospels Portions being published this time is Chinese-English bilingual with Today’s Chinese Version and Good News Translation whose copyrights were provided by United Bible Societies. These two versions’ translations are easy to understand and are suitable for young people to read. At the back of the Four Gospels Portions, there listed the address and timetable for the main churches in Beijing so that people won’t have difficulty to find them and attend the worship services. In addition, when the cover of this version was being designed, an application of using the Olympic emblem was submitted to the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee through normal procedure and was granted the right to use it free of charge. To print the Olympic emblem on the Bible specially published for the Olympic Games is a common practice.

The publication of the special edition Bible for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games has attracted interests and attention from churches all around the world. Most of the overseas churches and organizations admire the opportunity and praise the ministry that has been done by CCC/TSPM. United Bible Societies and the American Bible Society do not only provide the copyright but are also willing to offer other help. On May 15, when the delegation of the American Bible Society saw the cover designed and knew that the emblem of Beijing Olympic Games can be printed on it, they started to applaud for long time.

Other organizations and individuals praises the publication of the Four Gospels Portions for the Beijing Olympic Games through different ways, like Mr. Cris Doornbos, President of Cook Communications, Rev. Makoto Watabe, General Secretary of the Japanese Bible Society, Dr. Walt Winters, Director of the International Ministries of Lutheran Hour Ministry, Dr. Danny Yu, President of Christian Leadership Exchange, Hong Kong Christian Council and The Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union, etc. They think that the publication not only eliminate some overseas doubt that there will be control over carrying Bibles during Olympics, but also demonstrate the religious freedom enjoyed by Chinese citizens. Up till now, many media have already made reports about the publication of the special edition of Bible for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. There was an article with the title of China gives Blessing to Olympic Bibles, reporting that The Bible Society described the Chinese Government's co-operation in the distribution of the Bibles by branding it under Beijing 2008, as a breakthrough for the Church in China.

The publication of the Olympic Bibles will not only be an important chapter in the history of the Bible Ministry in China, but will also be a historical witness of the success of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.