A Chinese Christian has completed copying the entire Bible with a Chinese brush pen. Now, the scan is ready for large format printing and publication.
Wang Mianli, who lives in Liaoning Province, wanted to complete the effort before Chinese Bible Day which was in December 2023. He did so, producing both the Old and New Testaments in Chinese calligraphy. He was awarded an honorary certificate in November during a celebration held for him at his church in Liaozhong District Church in Shenyang City. Pastor Ren Chuanyu, chairman of the Liaozhong District TSPM and head of the Liaozhong District Church, presented him with a bonus of $1,300, or 10,000 yuan, funded totally by the pastor.
For over a thousand days, Wang copied eight chapters of the Bible every day, totaling more than 3,100 pages. Over these three years, he lived in the church, leaving his home and business. During that time, according to the church, he experienced three strokes and cerebral hemorrhages, “healed by the Lord each time” according to China Christian Daily. To concentrate on the project he canceled his original phone number and cut off contact with the outside world.
“God” translated into Chinese.
Wang says he has been practicing calligraphy since his youth, and since his baptism in 2011, intended to write the Bible on large rice paper rather than using pens or pencils like others to spread the gospel in this form.
He was provided with rice paper, ink, and a room from the church for the project, thanks to Pastor Ren’s support. Wang’s goal was to complete the project in five years, but he completed it two years ahead of schedule.
He also wrote calligraphic scrolls of biblical verses for those in need.
Upon seeing the project, an entrepreneur from Shandong was impressed by a copy of the Chinese character “神,” which means God. Wang told him that he had practiced writing this word over ten thousand times.
Now, Wang says he plans to spend a few more years re-copying the Old and New Testaments with regular script in small characters to facilitate others’ reading.
Wang’s effort mirrors others around the world who are using calligraphy to republish the Bible.
–China Christian Daily | Wu Zhongyi