wfn.org | [LCMSNews] New: 'Luther's Works' in Chinese

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	February 16, 2004 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 13

	'Unique partnership' produces
	'Luther's Works' in Chinese

	By Paula Schlueter Ross

	Martin Luther now speaks Chinese, thanks to a translation
project involving the Literature Department of the Lutheran Church--Hong
Kong Synod (LCHKS), Guangzhou University in the People's Republic of
China, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

	The first of 15 proposed volumes of "Luther's Works" in Chinese
rolled off the presses on Reformation Day, Oct. 31, and the second is
expected in March. The books are being published in China by a Chinese
printing company, and the initial press run consisted of some 2,000
copies that will be made available to Chinese people outside mainland
China.

	Another version of the first volume, featuring the more
simplified script used within China, is undergoing final editing and
will be printed very soon, according to Dr. Henry Rowold, a member of
the project's editorial committee. Rowold is mission professor of
practical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

	Translators from inside and outside mainland China worked on the
project, which included a two-step editing process -- "one with an
emphasis on theological accuracy and one with emphasis on current ...
literary clarity" within China, Rowold said.

	Rowold called the project "a unique partnership between the
scholarly and the churchly worlds, and between the Chinese worlds inside
and outside the People's Republic of China." LCMS World Mission provided
some funding for the project.

	The first volume features 14 essays, many of which were not
previously available in Chinese, according to Rev. Kelvin Li, director
of the LCHKS Literature Department.

	"We are sure this series of books can provide our Chinese
Christian community with an insight into the thinking of Luther," Li
said.

	Many Chinese people, especially the academic and cultural
leaders of China, are fascinated by Martin Luther, according to Rowold.

	Since the translation project is sponsored inside China by those
in the academic world, "Luther's writings will have access to schools,
libraries, governmental agencies and bookstores throughout China, and
his voice will be heard in places where the church is not represented,"
Rowold said.

	"Along with his voice for social and cultural reform will be his
vigorous Christian faith, which permeates and drives all his writing ...
and that faith will be there, as well, wherever these books go."

	The first volume of the Chinese edition of Luther's Works is
available for purchase from the Literature Department of the Lutheran
Church--Hong Kong Synod. For information, send an e-mail to
litdept@lutheran.org.hk .

	****************************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

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