Is it being published in Taiwan/Hong Kong or will there be an edition in simplified Chinese characters (this cover uses traditional, not very widely used on the mainland anymore)? Just curious. I remember when I was studying at Tsinghua University in Beijing the neighborhood bookstore carried “Purpose Driven Life” and even featured it rather prominently. It’s great to know your work will be available there too, that it would encourage Christ’s followers in all nations to follow him more closely.

Andrew,
I don’t know anything about the characters, of course. I was wondering if our Chinese readers would comment on spelling, etc.. Can you tell me more what you mean?

Is this version available to buy in the states? If so, where? My sister is getting ready to move to China and I would love for her to have a copy. If not I guess she can get one there

Well, I’m not a native speaker, but I’ll give it a shot. The Chinese government simplified most of the characters after the revolution in 1949 for a number of different reasons. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, the aim was to encourage literacy by making characters easier to read and write. Reading Mao’s literature talks in Yenan from WWII it seems like he also wanted to sever the link between the “New China” and what he considered feudal literary forms, including traditional orthography. Since Taiwan and Hong Kong/Macao didn’t go along with the “reforms”, there are effectively two different ways of writing Chinese, though in my experience as an American more comfortable with traditional characters, people who can read one version can almost always read the other, though knowing how to write with both just uses a little too much brainpower.
In any case, the text has been translated literally as: Yesu Xinjing (Jesus Creed), and then in the red box, read left to right, “ai shen, ai ren” (love God, love others).

That is cool, Scot. You (and China) will take over the world some day! Congratulations!

Exciting! I just sent the link to my friend in Hong Kong who pastors a church there of about 10,000. He’ll be thrilled to have access to such an amazing resource!

In any case, the text has been translated literally as: Yesu Xinjing (Jesus Creed), and then in the red box, read left to right, ?ai shen, ai ren? (love God, love others).
Technically, wouldn’t that be “love God, love man”?

Technically, isn’t it actually “love God, love man”?

Here’s something I have learned:
The name of the publisher is Sino Language Consultant Co., Ltd.
http://www.iepay.net.tw.
Jon Sweeney, at Paraclete Press, also said that Christian books are often available only from churches or the underground.

WoO,
Subtitle for Jesus Creed is “Loving God, Loving Others.”

Scot,
I am thrilled for your book to get into China. The powerful and simple message it gives will find an exceptionally warm reception there.

Congrats, Scot!

I think WoO is refering to the fact that Ren is usually translated “man” or what I’ve seen is “people” not others. Although I know so little Chinese I could easily be wrong.

RJS is correct (though my “three letter acronym” is WfO, rather that WoO – which would imply “Wonders OF Oyarsa” which would be a little pretentious).
“ren” means “man” in the “inclusive” sense of people or mankind or person. With translation, you often have to phrase things in a way that sound different when “re-translated” – it’s not an exact science. In this case, I kind of like the sound of the re-translated subtitle: “love God, love man” – it has a primal, elemental ring to it.

Beautiful thing! Congratulations (to you too…. for perhaps the first congratulations go to the new blessed readers. : )

Wonders for Oyarsa makes the correct point. The first thing I thought of though when I saw “airen” was the meaning of ‘spouse’ that it normally has.
And of course, using “shen” for God is just inviting a repeat of the names controversy…though using shangdi would certainly not have the necessary ring to it here.
Mr. McKnight, I think you’re right about the limited availability of Christian books. To purchase my Bible and hymnal in Beijing I had to go to the Three-Self church or the YMCA. Some illegal book vendors sell pirated copies of just about anything though, even the Bible.

I live in China and whereas traditional characters aren’t used by the common man, in the news, on signs, etc., they are almost exclusively the preferred characterization in the TSPM church, which is the government church. As such, most Christian books at the TSPM bookstores are written in traditional characters. I’m an American, and only read simplified characters, but whenever I attend the TSPM church or try to read traditional characters it’s not too hard to guess what they have been simplified to…they are really similar.
On another note, I’m glad that my Chinese friends can now read this work. I’ll definitely suggest it to them…some books don’t translate well into eastern thinking, but I think this one should!

Congratulations! That’s terrific news!

Scot, congratulations on your JC book in Chinese! I am a native Chinese living in Toronto. Just by looking at the cover and publisher, it seems that your book is translated into Traditional Chinese characters, which is commonly used in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The publisher SINO is located in Taiwan and they are currently translating Bishop Wright’s “For Everyone” series or some other works of his.
As for the subtitle, it is correctly translated as “Love God, love man”, so don’t worry

Sorry, maybe I should explain a bit more: the character “ren” can denote “man” (male) or “person” depending on the context. The phrase “Love God, love ren” is actually well-known among Chinese Christian circle as the short-form of Jesus’ great commandment.

Scott & all,
The Chinese character “Ren” is an inclusive term for both “woman” and “man” and does not have any specific gender connotations (unlike the generic term “man” in English). If you want to refer exclusively to “man,” use “Nan(male) Ren;” if you refer exclusively to “woman,” use “Nu (female) Ren.” So “Ai Shen, Ai Ren” should be translated as “Love God, Love People.”
I am a Chinese Christian in the US and am originally from Mainland China. I am presently a seminary student. I enjoy your postings alot!
Anna

If refer to “others” (other people), use “Bie (other) Ren.” But in this case, “Ai Ren” has the connotation of “loving others.”