wfn.org | Taiwan Church News Editorial: Words with power to propel change

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

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>Taiwan Church News

>2992 Edition

>June 29~July 5, 2009

>Editorial: Words with power to propel change

>Translated by Lydia Ma

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) set aside this year to  remember the

500th anniversary of John Calvin. On July 10th five hundred years  ago, John Calvin

was born in Noyon, France. Many English-speaking churches today  have selected a

special logo this year to honor Calvin. The logo includes two  hands holding one

heart and a prayer penned by Calvin himself: “My heart I  offer Thee, Lord, promptly

>and sincerely.”

Calvin’s legacy is a church system led by elders and deacons.  He became one of

the founding fathers of Presbyterianism, Christian Reformation,  and a hero

remembered by many. Calvin used his writings to teach what he  believed and show

how to lead a godly life. His Institutes of the Christian Religion  later became a

classic work detailing what Christianity is about. He spent 24  years writing Institutes

>and edited it at great lengths five times.

Calvin began writing Institutes in 1536 because he was keenly  aware that very few

people in France had a basic understanding of Christ and wanted to  defend

Christians who were persecuted by the king of France. His motive  for writing was to

help Christians understand the foundational teachings of  Christianity.

Besides Institutes, Calvin also wrote other important works such  as Bible

commentaries and sermon series. Some of these works he penned  himself (such

as Institutes), others were transcribed by people who heard him  teach (such as his

sermons). Calvin’s words carry immense power and continue to  influence

Christians everywhere. Institutes could arguably be the first  written work that

systematically introduces Christianity with great detail.

When Presbyterianism was introduced in Taiwan, missionaries knew  very well the

power of written words. They began publishing Taiwan’s first  newspaper, later

known as Taiwan Church News, in Romanized Taiwanese to build up  the faith of

Christians and instruct the general public. Missionaries also  introduced other

Christian books to Taiwanese society later on. Their efforts began  a new era of

literacy and modernization with far reaching implications to this  day.

As we celebrate Calvin’s 500th anniversary in July, we also  remember that July is

the season when PCT churches highlight and support communications  ministries.

This is a fitting time for us to seriously examine the power of  written words in today’s

society. We confess that when it comes to communications  ministries, we lack

passion and concern. Our writings do not have the power to change  local churches

or Taiwanese society. Though PCT produced Taiwan’s first  newspaper and owned

Taiwan’s first printing press, we have to ponder: How many  textbooks published by

PCT are studied during the three years that make up a  seminarian’s theological

education? How many books on the Presbyterian faith have we  published that we

>can recommend to others?

If we echo Calvin’s prayer and sincerely offer our hearts to  God, let us not ignore the

power of written words. Let us stay devoted to communication  ministries so that we

can translate important theological works and other good books on  Christian living

so the lives of Christians can be edified and transformed through  written works.

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Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local  languages.

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