Lutheran
Heritage Foundation:
THE WORD AT WORK
Volume 28 Number 1 ■ January/February 2021
Taiwanese Christians embrace Book of Concord
A major LHF translation project more than 5 years in the making is nearing completion: the Book of Concord (BOC) in the Traditional Chinese language.
“There’s something amazing going on right now in Taiwan in our partner church (China Evangelical Lutheran Church - CELC),” said Rev. Michael Paul, LCMS theological educator in Taiwan and editor of LHF’s traditional Chinese translations. “There’s kind of a revival in confessional Lutheranism, meaning the Book of Concord and the Lutheran Confessions.”
Rev. Paul recently taught a class on the BOC at a CELC congregation, where about 70 people worship each week. Twenty-four members signed up for his BOC class, and to Rev. Paul’s amazement, more than half of them read the entire book.
It was a feat even more impressive when considering that the class read from an older translation of the BOC that uses difficult language for modern Chinese readers.
“That’s why we’re doing a new translation,” he explained. “But these members read this very difficult translation, with difficult theology to begin with, and they really got into it!”
While Chinese is a well-developed language and there are many theological books written in that language, “unfortunately, there aren’t nearly enough Lutheran books,” said Rev. Paul. “The Chinese Christian church is so influenced by Reformed theology that a translator will read what it says in English - good, Lutheran, Biblical theology! - but they default to language that is not Lutheran. The Chinese, especially
with the influence of Confucianism, have a very strong, ethical, moral foundation. They’re just very Law-based; that’s kind of their culture.
“What we Lutherans can bring to the table is that we are saved completely by God’s grace, by what Jesus has done for us, not by our works.”
Already, the influence of LHF’s good Lutheran books, in combination with faithful teaching from Rev. Paul and other missionaries, is bearing fruit in Taiwan.
A woman named Sharon graduated from China Lutheran Seminary, but by her own admission, she graduated without a good understanding of Lutheran theology and practice. She began serv
Taiwan cont. on page 2
The genesis of the traditional Chinese translation of the Book of Concord: Back in 2016, Rev. Matthew Heise (center with books), LHF executive director, met with editor Rev. Michael Paul (to Rev. Heise’s right), staff members at China Lutheran Seminary, and other area missionaries.
ing in a liberal Lutheran synod, preaching regularly.
Then she took one of Rev. Paul’s classes.
“I was teaching straight theology - the Small Catechism and others of Luther’s writings - and she was just eating up our good Lutheran theology,” Rev. Paul recalled. “Sharon became convinced that she was in the wrong synod and that she shouldn’t be preaching as a woman, so now she’s a member of the CELC.”
The woman whose faith was fanned into flame by LHF books is now giving back by serving as an editor of Lutheranism 101,
Reading the Bible with Understanding and Handling the Word of Truth.
“Sharon’s clearly been set free by the Gospel, and a lot of it is LHF’s work,” Rev. Paul said. “In the future, she’ll be 100% committed to getting LHF’s stuff out, because she sees how incredibly valuable it was for herself, and she wants to share it with as many people as possible.”
Once the Traditional Chinese BOC has been printed, LHF will undertake the Simplified Chinese edition. To read more about LHF’s Chinese translation work, go to www.LHFmissions.org.
RUSSIA: “Almost like magic”: In just 3 years, 100
LHF’s books seem to be intricately woven throughout the faith life of Rev. Evgeny Raskatov, pastor of St. Anne’s Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Born into an atheist family, Evgeny was introduced to the Christian faith by a friend who invited him to a Salvation Army youth camp, where Evgeny received his first Bible. After years of unsuccessful attempts to make his way through the large volume, as well as visits to many different churches in search of Truth, he received a book that would change his direction in life: LHF’s Russian translation of Christian Dogmatics, by J.T. Mueller.
“Before, my mind was a mess [when trying to understand what the Bible teaches],” said Rev. Raskatov. “But Mueller put many things in order for me.”
After attending a Finnish Lutheran church for a few
years, Evgeny decided to start taking courses at the Theological Institute, the seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia, to become a deacon.
There, he again found more LHF books.
“We studied at the institute for perhaps 8 different weekends, and each time, we would be given one or two books to take with us,” Rev. Raskatov recalled. “By the end, we had a full library provided by LHF. For me, this was like a treasure! I still use these books and have them on my bookshelf. They are not books you read and forget; they are books you actually use!”
And use them he has. After completing seminary - now to be a pastor, not simply a deacon - Rev. Raskatov has gained a reputation in his community for leading Christian information classes at St. Anne’s.
“It’s actually difference is that “You are welcome are atheist; some As students Raskatov gives I want to give each day, some I might commentary. After Small Catechism Catechism.” As In just 3 and have been confirmed the observer,” Rev. is doing it; it is Read more
Taiwan
cont. from page 1
A GLIMPSE INTO ASIAN LUTHERAN MISSIONS
It’s been a privilege to see firsthand in my travels throughout Asia both the great NEED for Lutheran materials, the great DESIRE for Lutheran materials, and the great IMPACT of Lutheran materials.
It is staggeringly sad to see what passes for theology in many parts of Asia, even among those who consider themselves Lutheran. All too often, people are simply identifying with the concept or historicity of the Reformation, and don’t yet have a real grasp of the meaning of the Reformation, or of what Luther and the other Reformers were trying to accomplish: returning the true Gospel of forgiveness of sins, peace, and life in Jesus Christ, to the people of God.
This all changes when folks actually start reading Lutheran materials for themselves: when they read through the Small Catechism, when they open the Book of Concord and begin studying, when they hear the Scriptures presented through a true Lutheran lens, which focuses them on how it all speaks of and proclaims Christ Jesus, crucified and risen for their salvation.
after digesting the Small Catechism, they want the Augustana [Augsburg Confession]. Then they want the entire Book of Concord!
Once people begin being exposed to Lutheran materials, they invariably develop a great hunger for more. Suddenly,
Living and working out here in Asia, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that Lutheran materials can have, and I know for a fact that we will not always be able to have live missionaries on the ground in every place they’re needed. Having Lutheran materials, printed and in hands, means that Christ is being proclaimed even after our American missionaries have to depart, either temporarily or for the foreseeable future. And if/when the missionaries get to return, it means they have materials to build upon, to explain, and to spread farther.
We are so thankful out here in Asia to have the partnership and collaboration of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, and for the work being done by LHF to provide these materials, in a quality format, and to get them into the hands (and ears!) of people who need them desperately. LHF is always a joy to work with, and we appreciate very much the hard work you all put into these critical efforts.
- Rev. Charles Ferry LCMS
International Mission, Asia Regional Director
new believers join St. Petersburg church
like confirmation classes, but the that we invite everyone,” he explained. welcome even if you are not Lutheran. Some some are Muslim.”
progress through the classes, Rev. gives them LHF books. “I have plans for what each person,” he said. “The very first might give the Small Catechism with no After three weeks or so, I might share the Catechism with Commentary. Then I give a Large As Rev. Raskatov testifies, the Word works! a half years, about 100 new members confirmed at St. Anne’s. “I feel myself being Rev. Raskatov said. “I’m not the one who the Holy Spirit. It is almost like magic!” more about this work at www.LHFmissions.org
Confirmation of new members at St. Anne’s
HANDS:
DISTRICT LWML GRANTS SHARE GOSPEL WITH IMMIGRANTS
The United States has always welcomed people from around the world to her shores.
“While these immigrants and refugees come for a new life in a new country, we also recognize that many of them need one more thing: a new life in Christ,” said Rev. Matthew Heise, LHF executive director.
In 2020, a dozen district LWMLs from across the United States have pledged their financial and prayerful support of LHF translation projects, especially those that help share the Good News of Jesus Christ with immigrants in the United States.
“So many of these immigrants are people living in spiritual darkness, waiting to hear of the love of our Savior,” said Rev. Heise. “Thanks to the generous contributions of our LWMLs, LHF can provide the resources - in their languagesthat churches and evangelism teams need to bridge the language barrier and share the Gospel.”
LUTHERAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
51474 Romeo Plank Rd. ■ Macomb, MI 48042 1-800-554-0723 ■ info@LHFmissions.org www.LHFmissions.org
LHF “WORD AT WORK” STAFF:
EDITOR: Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise
MANAGING EDITOR: Jennifer Bagnall
GRAPHIC DESIGN: Jennifer Bagnall
“The Word at Work” is the official publication of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Permission is hereby granted to excerpt from this publication for not-for-profit purposes.
The Lutheran Heritage Foundation is a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces confessional Lutheran materials throughout the world so that people can be brought to Christ. LHF is not subsidized by the LCMS or any other church body. It is entirely supported by individual donations and grants.
And sometimes, as the following request to LHF illustrates, these materials can be put to use by LWML members themselves!
Dear LHF,
I am a pediatric occupational therapist in northern Kentucky. I recently began working with a little girl whose mom is from Cambodia. She lives with her mom, brother and maternal grandparents. The primary language in the home is Khmer. Her grandparents speak only Khmer and her mom has a fair command of American English, enough to allow her to maintain a job. Mom has said they are the only Cambodian family in the area and they have no church home.
I have visited your exhibit tables at several LWML conventions and not really thought twice about LHF’s work, until I read the proposal for the LWML Ohio District grant last year. Then I was blessed with this beautiful little girl and her mom at work. I would love to be able to share the Word of God with this family. If I could please get a copy of A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories in Khmer to give to them, it could be read by the grandparents (to the children) and maybe be an introduction to the Lord for the whole family. Mom and I have spoken briefly about God and Jesus.
Please let me know how I could get a copy of this book. May God richly bless your mission.
In His name, Karyl
NEW RESOURCES HOT OFF THE PRESSES
Through the generous mission offerings of thousands of churches, organizations, and faithful Lutherans in the pews, LHF has translated and published:
•Luther’s Small Catechism 101 languages
•Book of Concord 10 languages
•A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories 39 languages
•“Jesus Never Fails” devotion booklet 29 languages
A Child’s Garden of Bible StoriesTeacher Guide 1,000 copies