A painting exhibition presenting Bible stories was held on Bible Day in a church in Shanghai.
Sponsored by CCC&TSPM and co-organized by Allen Memorial Church, the 2022 Bible Day event themed ‘Draw the Bible Out’ was held on December 10-11 in Allen Memorial Church, Shanghai, according to CCC&TSPM.
To show Bible stories and Christian culture through traditional Chinese paintings, more than 50 pictures were selected from above 200 ones by believers from all over the country and were displayed on the first floor of the church from December 10 to 14.
In the opening ceremony on December 10, Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice president and general director of CCC, introduced the annual "Bible Day" activities with different themes in the past four years.
"Copying the Bible in Chinese Character" in 2019 raised a small upsurge in scripture copying; "Reading the Bible From the Perspective of Chinese People" in 2020 encouraged believers to understand the Bible from the perspective of Chinese culture; "Singing the Scriptures with Chinese Rhythm" in 2021 involved believers to sing songs in Scripture with various national melodies; "Draw the Bible in the Way of Chinese Painting" is the theme of this year.
Subsequently, Yu Jiade, a well-known Chinese painter, shared his journey of creation in the salon session as a representative. He created a new type of painting - Chinese Christian holy paintings, which integrates "Chinese elements".
During the Sunday service held the next day, Rev. Shan delivered a sermon titled "We are God's masterpiece" based on Ephesians 2:10. He urged attendees not only to appreciate God’s creations but also to live an outstanding life to testify that they were God’s masterpieces.
In his speech, Rev. Wu Wei, president of CCC, emphasized the importance of the Bible for the spiritual growth of Christians, citing Psalm 119:105. Expressing their beliefs through calligraphy, recitation, music, and painting, believers could let more people know the truth of Christ and understand God's words.
Based on 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Rev. Geng Weizhong, chairman of the Shanghai Christian Council, shared in his speech how to read and love the Bible. He said that to love the Bible was to seek God's will through the scriptures and to practice the teachings of the Bible.
On behalf of CCC&TSPM, Rev. Wu gave the custom-made Bible with the design of Allen Memorial Church to the church.
After the service, believers visited the Bible Day-themed exhibition of paintings in the forms of freehand brushwork, fine brushwork, splashing ink, line drawing, and boneless. At the same time, many kinds of bibles and "Tianfeng" magazines published by CCC&TSPM were also on display.
Apostle Church in Suzhou also celebrated Bible Day on December 11, and two pastors read verses from Matthew 11:2-11 in Suzhou and Yancheng dialects respectively, reported Apostle Church.
In the early 1990s, CCC&TSPM set the second Sunday (including Saturday) in December as Bible Day for Chinese churches, aiming to awaken Chinese Christians to attach importance to Bible reading, support the Bible ministry, and care for impoverished people’s needs of the Bible. Relevant activities, such as holding Bible-themed services, seminars on theology or the Bible, exhibitions of Bible paintings and calligraphy, theme concerts, prayer meetings, and special offerings are conducted accordingly.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
