Great news about bibles in China

“Our lamp is full and the wick trimmed,”

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3019026.ece

From The Times
December 8, 2007
The book they used to burn now fires new revolution of faith in China
Jane Macartney in Nanjing

In China it is known as the “sacred doctrine” and it has become one of the country’s bestselling books. Yet it has nothing to do with the thoughts of Chairman Mao and its teachings have been in conflict with the forces of Communism for generations.

Demand for the Bible is soaring in China, at a time when meteoric economic growth is testing the country’s allegiance to Communist doctrine. Today the 50 millionth Bible will roll off the presses of China’s only authorised publisher, Amity Printing, amid public fanfare and celebration.

snip
New Zealander Peter Dean, of the United Bible Societies, bustles between the humming state-of-the-art presses. Mr Dean, who has been in China at Amity since 1991, said: “This platform has been built as a blessing to the nation. It will print Bibles for China for as long as it takes to do it.” Authorities at the officially approved Protestant and Catholic churches put the size of China’s Christian population at about 30 million. But that does not include the tens of millions more who worship in private at underground churches loyal to the Vatican or to various Protestant churches.

Of the 50 million Bibles Amity has printed, 41 million were for the faithful in Chinese and eight minority languages. The rest have been for export to Russia and Africa. Sales surged from 505,000 in 1988 to a high of 6.5 million in 2005. Output last year was 3.5 million and is expected to rise in 2007.

snip
Mr Dean gestures to a new paper-sorting machine destined for the printing plant that had to be installed in the old facility recently to cope with demand. He is unconcerned about possible excess capacity. “Our lamp is full and the wick trimmed,” he said.

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Hallelujah!!

People everywhere thirst for the truth and I knew someday the Chinese people would reach out for it.

I am really pleased that the Chinese government has come to such a healthy and productive balance. I am so happy at improved cooperation with the Vatican and I hope for even more soon. Compliments to the Protestant brothers and sisters who have worked so hard to bring the Word to the Chinese people too!