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The Relevance and value of the Bible During Covid-19
The Bible: Hope for the World
Source: The Bible Society of South Africa
Date Added: 2020-04-24
Category: General News, Media News, Covid-19,
Date Added: 2020-04-24
Category: General News, Media News, Covid-19,
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused drastic changes to the world and its operations in the past couple of months. Many people have had to look for a way of coping with the endless notifications inundating mailboxes with how this plague has negatively impacted developed and developing countries globally.
Yet, when one looks at religion, that very same pandemic has strengthened the belief of Christians around the world. Images showing empty bookshelves of Bibles, sold out on the eve of the many lockdowns that have been imposed in different countries, can only attest to the value and the relevance of the Bible, even in the 21st century.
“That is why the Bible Society of South Africa (BSSA) has not deviated from its mission of providing affordable Bibles for all people in their mother tongue,” says CEO Rev Dirk Gevers. “Alongside the vital efforts to address hunger and material poverty, it is our responsibility and mandate to ensure that Bible poverty is alleviated as well. There is a need for 23 million Bibles in South Africa. We have recently launched our 2 Million Bibles project to make a dent in the scarcity of Bibles in our country. It is in this light that we advocate for the Word of God as it is a tool to bring transformation to the lives of many who find themselves in squalor and abject poverty, and who have no sense of hope or direction.
This year, the BSSA is celebrating 200 years of Bible work in South Africa. This journey has been one of sheer grace, faithfulness and resilience. Apostle Paul’s example (2 Timothy 4:7-8) inspires us to fight the good fight, to stay the course, and to keep the faith in order to ensure that this wonderful journey continues for generations to come.
As a result, we, as an organisation, make it our responsibility to focus more on the Bible as a tool for moral regeneration and the plumb line to help all of us in doing what is right and good to build a better South Africa for all who live in it. It was Martin Luther King junior who said, “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bible Society has experienced an increase in requests for Bibles that are needed by organisations that are providing food parcels. Another humbling moment was when we could provide Bibles for the South African citizens that were repatriated from Wuhan in China and were quarantined in Polokwane. The BSSA has also provided Bibles to shelters for the homeless in Durban. This is proof concurs Rev Gevers that, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,” as stated in Matthew 4:4.
The relevance of the Word has seen Bible Societies complete Scripture translations for more than a fifth of the world’s population within just five years. Translations in 270 languages used by over 1,7 billion people have been completed since 2015.
First Scripture translations were completed in 154 languages used by 186 million people, including 57 million people who saw the complete Bible in their language for the first time. Another 116 languages received new or revised translations, with a potential audience of 1,5 billion people.
“The generosity of supporters across the world and the dedication of Bible translators, many of them working in difficult circumstances, has made Scripture available in the languages of an incredible 1,7 billion people over the past five years,” said UBS Director General Michael Perreau. “That’s a big number. But what really excites and motivates us is how God will use his Word to transform the lives of individuals, churches and communities.”
Today, the translation, production and distribution of the Bible remain pillars of Bible Society work in South Africa. Thus far, we have translated the Bible into all 11 official languages and are working on other translations so that everyone can hear God speak to them individually in their heart language.
Ultimately, we do not just help to distribute any book: we distribute the living Word of God that gives countless people hope. In fact, since 1950, when detailed records started to be kept, we have distributed more than 44 million Bibles. South Africa and the international community are staggering under the burden of the many challenges we face and the Bible is there to guide and give hope in trying times.
In conclusion, as revealed in the passage of Scripture in Psalm 119:105, the Bible provides enlightenment. Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
About the Bible Society of South Africa:
For the past 200 years here in South Africa, and 215 years worldwide, Bible Societies have been privileged to play a role of making Bibles available, accessible and affordable to all people, everywhere and in all circumstances. The Bible truly does represent hope for all. The Bible Society of South Africa (BSSA) was founded by the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) in 1820 at Government House known as “Tuynhuys”, now the office of the President of South Africa.
As an organisation, the BSSA has grown in fulfilling its missional cause of making Bibles available in suitable formats for most South Africans in their heart language and also for other Bible Societies on the African continent.
The BSSA is part of a global Fellowship of more than 150 other Bible Societies known as the United Bible Societies (UBS), working in over 220 countries with a global footprint second only to the United Nations.
Yet, when one looks at religion, that very same pandemic has strengthened the belief of Christians around the world. Images showing empty bookshelves of Bibles, sold out on the eve of the many lockdowns that have been imposed in different countries, can only attest to the value and the relevance of the Bible, even in the 21st century.
“That is why the Bible Society of South Africa (BSSA) has not deviated from its mission of providing affordable Bibles for all people in their mother tongue,” says CEO Rev Dirk Gevers. “Alongside the vital efforts to address hunger and material poverty, it is our responsibility and mandate to ensure that Bible poverty is alleviated as well. There is a need for 23 million Bibles in South Africa. We have recently launched our 2 Million Bibles project to make a dent in the scarcity of Bibles in our country. It is in this light that we advocate for the Word of God as it is a tool to bring transformation to the lives of many who find themselves in squalor and abject poverty, and who have no sense of hope or direction.
This year, the BSSA is celebrating 200 years of Bible work in South Africa. This journey has been one of sheer grace, faithfulness and resilience. Apostle Paul’s example (2 Timothy 4:7-8) inspires us to fight the good fight, to stay the course, and to keep the faith in order to ensure that this wonderful journey continues for generations to come.
As a result, we, as an organisation, make it our responsibility to focus more on the Bible as a tool for moral regeneration and the plumb line to help all of us in doing what is right and good to build a better South Africa for all who live in it. It was Martin Luther King junior who said, “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bible Society has experienced an increase in requests for Bibles that are needed by organisations that are providing food parcels. Another humbling moment was when we could provide Bibles for the South African citizens that were repatriated from Wuhan in China and were quarantined in Polokwane. The BSSA has also provided Bibles to shelters for the homeless in Durban. This is proof concurs Rev Gevers that, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,” as stated in Matthew 4:4.
The relevance of the Word has seen Bible Societies complete Scripture translations for more than a fifth of the world’s population within just five years. Translations in 270 languages used by over 1,7 billion people have been completed since 2015.
First Scripture translations were completed in 154 languages used by 186 million people, including 57 million people who saw the complete Bible in their language for the first time. Another 116 languages received new or revised translations, with a potential audience of 1,5 billion people.
“The generosity of supporters across the world and the dedication of Bible translators, many of them working in difficult circumstances, has made Scripture available in the languages of an incredible 1,7 billion people over the past five years,” said UBS Director General Michael Perreau. “That’s a big number. But what really excites and motivates us is how God will use his Word to transform the lives of individuals, churches and communities.”
Today, the translation, production and distribution of the Bible remain pillars of Bible Society work in South Africa. Thus far, we have translated the Bible into all 11 official languages and are working on other translations so that everyone can hear God speak to them individually in their heart language.
Ultimately, we do not just help to distribute any book: we distribute the living Word of God that gives countless people hope. In fact, since 1950, when detailed records started to be kept, we have distributed more than 44 million Bibles. South Africa and the international community are staggering under the burden of the many challenges we face and the Bible is there to guide and give hope in trying times.
In conclusion, as revealed in the passage of Scripture in Psalm 119:105, the Bible provides enlightenment. Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
About the Bible Society of South Africa:
For the past 200 years here in South Africa, and 215 years worldwide, Bible Societies have been privileged to play a role of making Bibles available, accessible and affordable to all people, everywhere and in all circumstances. The Bible truly does represent hope for all. The Bible Society of South Africa (BSSA) was founded by the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) in 1820 at Government House known as “Tuynhuys”, now the office of the President of South Africa.
As an organisation, the BSSA has grown in fulfilling its missional cause of making Bibles available in suitable formats for most South Africans in their heart language and also for other Bible Societies on the African continent.
The BSSA is part of a global Fellowship of more than 150 other Bible Societies known as the United Bible Societies (UBS), working in over 220 countries with a global footprint second only to the United Nations.
Source: The Bible Society of South Africa
Date Added: 2020-04-24
Category: General News, Media News, Covid-19,
Back to News IndexDate Added: 2020-04-24
Category: General News, Media News, Covid-19,
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