The Bible used by most Chinese Protestants today, known as the Chinese Union Version (CUV), is the vernacular translation. The Revised Chinese Union Version of the Bible, which made tweaks to the original CUV, was completed only a few years ago in 2010, and was consecrated at St John's Cathedral in Hong Kong that year.
The most popular Chinese Bible in mainland China remains the older Chinese Union Version, and secondly the legally produced Today's Chinese Version.
The CUV, since its release in 1919, has been the most popular translation in the Chinese-speaking world.
The Studium Biblicum Version (Chinese: 思高本; pinyin: Sīgāo Běn; Jyutping: si1 gou1 bun2) is the predominant Chinese language translation of the Bible used by Chinese Catholics. It is considered by many to be the Chinese Catholic Bible.
In China, Bibles are allowed, but have been coming under increased scrutiny and regulation. In Saudi Arabia, it's fine to bring in a Bible if you're a foreigner—but if you do something like read it in public, or it's suspected you have any intention with speaking publicly about your faith, that could mean prison.
The government recognizes five official religions – Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism.
There are both Protestant and Catholic versions available. Electronic versions of the Bible are also available. The website of the China Christian Council/Three-self Church provides access to the Bible in three formats: a downloadable version, a Bible app, and one that can be read online.
The whole of Orthodox Christianity is named Zhèng jiào (正教). Christians in China are referred to as "Christ followers/believers" (Chinese: 基督徒; pinyin: Jīdū tú) or "Christ religion followers/believers" (Chinese: 基督教徒; pinyin: Jīdū jiào tú).
The term used commonly in Protestant Chinese bibles for God is Shén (神).
The Catholic Church is allowed to operate freely in Macau and Hong Kong. In fact, Donald Tsang, the former Chief Executive of Hong Kong, is a Catholic.
Most of the Bibles printed are the Chinese Union Version (Chinese: 和合本, 1919), the Chinese Bible translation used by the Protestant churches, or the less commonly accepted but more modern Today's Chinese Version.
At the celebratory event, Amity Foundation secretary-general and APC chairman Qiu Zhonghui said that of the 200 million Bibles printed so far, over 85 million have been supplied to churches in China, with the rest exported to 147 countries and regions.
Chinese Union Version and other Protestant versions
Three versions were planned—two classical Chinese versions and a vernacular Mandarin Chinese version. The project was completed in 1919, culminating in the Chinese Union Version. Lu Zhenzhong translated a version in the 1950s.
The New American Standard Bible is a literal translation from the original texts, well suited to study because of its accurate rendering of the source texts. It follows the style of the King James Version but uses modern English for words that have fallen out of use or changed their meanings.
King James Version and derivatives
The King James Version of 1611 (in its 1769 amended Oxford edition) still has an immense following, and as such there have been a number of different attempts to update or improve upon it. The English Revised Version and its derivatives also stem from the King James Version.
Chinese Cantonese Bible, Brown Hardcover, New Cantonese Bible, Traditional Script Includes both the Old Testament and the New Testament, 6 1/8” X 8 5/8” X 1 1/8”, Standard Print, 1057 pages Double-column text; Chapter and section headings; Maps; Bible reading plan; Chronology.
Shangdi was considered to be the supreme deity during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 century bce), but during the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 bce) he was gradually supplanted by heaven (tian). This article was most recently revised and updated by Matt Stefon.
Thus, the name Shangdi should be translated as "Highest Deity", but also has the implied meaning of "Primordial Deity" or "First Deity" in Classical Chinese. The deity preceded the title and the emperors of China were named after him in their role as Tianzi, the sons of Heaven.
Tudi Gong, (Chinese: “Lord of the Place,” “Earth Lord,” or “Earth God”) Wade-Giles romanization T'u-ti Kung, in Chinese religion, a god whose deification and functions are determined by local residents.
Confucianism and Taoism (Daoism), later joined by Buddhism, constitute the "three teachings" that have shaped Chinese culture.
Over the past four decades, Christianity has grown faster in China than anywhere else in the world. Daryl Ireland, a Boston University School of Theology research assistant professor of mission, estimates that the Christian community there has grown from 1 million to 100 million.
Taoism (also called Daoism) is a Chinese religion that developed a bit after Confucianism, around two thousand years ago. In contrast to Confucianism, Taoism is mainly concerned with the spiritual elements of life, including the nature of the universe.
The Bible is printed in China but legally available only at church bookstores.
History of Translating the Bible into Chinese
The earliest record of the Chinese Bible translation was the Nestorian Monument in China, founded in Xi'an in 1625. During the Yuan dynasty, the Italian Franciscan missionary John of Montecorvino translated the Bible into the Mongolian language.
Missionaries from the Church of the East, traditionally called the “Nestorians,” were the first Christian group that set foot in China. In 645, missionaries from this group traveled along the Silk Road and arrived in Xi'an, the Capital City of China at the time, and built multiple churches in China.