The National Evangelical Church of Beirut has deep roots in Lebanon, first established in 1848 and later creating the first evangelical Arabic-speaking congregation in the Middle East. It has a long history of serving as a center for publishing and other communication among Arab Christians. In June, the tradition of this church continued as it hosted the book-launch event for Langham scholar Riad Kassis’ latest publication to an enthusiastic crowd that included many local and national dignitaries.

Riad’s book Why Don’t We Read the Book That Christ Read? Towards a Better Understanding of the Old Testament (Beirut: Clarion Publishing 2008) was released in Arabic and supported in part by a grant from the Langham Literature program. Riad is the first Langham writer to publish in the Middle East and the first to publish in Arabic.

The main objective of the book is to approach the difficulties that an Arab reader may face when reading the Old Testament, to provide an appropriate methodology on reading the Old Testament, and to show the relevancy that the Old Testament has for the ethical, social, and political issues of the Arab world today. The book launch was sponsored by Clarion Publishing and the educational and spiritual ministry committee of the National Evangelical Church of Beirut.

Among the attendants of the event were following: the president of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Churches in Syria and Lebanon, the president of the Evangelical Alliance in Lebanon, many pastors, school principals and teachers, as well as the presidents of several theological institutions in Lebanon.

“I was also pleased to see the most influential writer and biblical scholar in the Maronite/Catholic church of Lebanon, and perhaps in the whole Middle East, Father Dr. Boulos Feghali,” Riad said. “Even Father Feghali, who was not scheduled to speak, insisted to say a few words on the importance of my work.”

Riad was honored and thrilled with the excitement from the people who attended. One leader from the Lebanon chapter of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) wrote, “Allow me to thank you for yesterday’s ‘classy’ signing event. I liked all of its parts, especially your word! … May the Lord bless you and keep your pen running for His glory!”

Crews from local media–including SAT-7 (the evangelical satellite television) and Noursat (the Catholic satellite television)–were also present. SAT-7 will be broadcasting the book-launch event on July 2 and 3, 2008, and will feature a special interview with Riad on July 10. It is expected that the event will also appear in several major newspapers in Lebanon and the Middle East.

Please join Riad in prayer that the success of his book release will help promote the need for the publication of more books written by and for Arab Christians.

Read the recommendations for Why Don’t We Read the Book That Christ Read?

View more photos of Riad Kassis’ historic book launch.

Revd. Dr. Saleem Sahouny
President of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical churches in Syria and Lebanon

“This book represents a great academic and reference value to be added to our Arabic Christian library. Revd. Dr. Riad Kassis is an example of a believing Christian scholar who, on the one hand, has a distinguished academic wealth and on the other hand carries the burdens of his fellow Arab Christians. These Arab Christians were overwhelmed with various difficulties to understand the Old Testament. They were also subject to illegitimate interpretations of the Old Testament that mixed up the message of the Old Testament with the complexities of the political situation. All this have contributed to widen the gap between the Arab reader and the text of the Old Testament and to build a strong wall at the edge of the gap.

In this interesting book, Dr. Kassis attempts to build bridges of reconciliation between the reader and the text of the Old Testament that was regarded by the church throughout the centuries as an integral part of its holy heritage revealed by God. Have Dr Kassis succeeded to build the bridges? I would like to invite the readers to accompany our writer in this journey to enjoy bridging the gap and to be able to see what is behind the wall.”
Revd. Eng. Atef Gendy, Ph.D. (Aberdeen University)
President of the Evangelical Presbyterian Seminary, Cairo, Egypt

“This is an interesting, deep, and documented book. It deals with dilemmas and questions that an Arab, particularly the Christian who is committed to his/her faith and to the issues of his/her country, faces as he/she reads the Old Testament. Although I do not agree fully with Dr. Kassis’s perspective on the text, I do find the book to be helpful to the reader to have his/her own conviction in understanding the Old Testament based on sound hermeneutical foundations that builds up his/her spiritual life.”
Engineer Jiries Habash
President of the Higher Council of Evangelical Churches in Jordan and Director of Bible Society in Jordan

The evening opened with a time of sung worship led by the Souled Out band. Chris then held out the challenge to another generation of God’s people to remember that church growth needs the element of maturity and depth built in if we are going to continue to honour God in all we do. The evening closed with the band and a chance for those attending to come forward for prayer.

In order to give a younger audience more ways to engage with the core message, Souled Out hired a local painter (Mike Samson) who painted his understanding of what “depth, discipleship, maturity and church growth with depth” looks like. He was very visible to all present as he painted on a large canvass placed up front. The event attendees were each given sketch paper and pencils so that they could create their own images of the theme and then place them on blue board walls along the side of the hall. Another canvass wall was also set up in the front for any brave young people to come forward and paint their own understanding of the theme whilst the evening unfolded.

Chris’ message to those attending echoes the passion of Langham Partnership whose mission is to help churches in the Majority World to grow in maturity. See more information on Chris’ message to the Souled Out crowd here.

The objective of the SABC, according to the editors and advisors, is to “equip Christian leaders at the grassroots level – pastors, students and lay leaders – who under the guidance of the Holy Spirit can be instrumental in the establishment and nurture of a vibrant church in this region.”

Project Editor Jessica Richards
“The only commentaries that an untrained pastor, lay person or a theological student, without access to a good library would go to…are dated and not contextual,” said Jessica Richards, the SABC project editor. “They tend to concentrate more on the technicalities of the text and contentious academic questions on authorship and dating rather than on contextual application to realities and issues in the South Asian context.”

Jessica worked on several long-term projects such as the Dictionary of South Asian Christianity (DSAC) before joining the SABC team. Her experience with the editorial process, combined with her work on social issues in India, has primed her with the ability to take on the large project:

“My theological involvement and articulation are grounded in my multiple identities as an Indian/Asian Christian woman living in a gloriously pluralist fabric; a fabric which is also permeated by discrimination on the basis of caste, class, creed and gender,” she shares. “[I am] also constantly informed and influenced by the fact that I theologize from and in a context of globalization that has widened gaps – economically, socially and in religious terms.”

Jessica is working with several contributors and six general/theological editors, all from the South Asia region. “The opportunity that such a project affords to work with some of the best biblical scholars and theologians in this region is something that cannot be quantified. I know I will gain immensely in working with all of the contributors to the SABC,” Jessica says.

Langham Scholars as Theological Editors
Of the six theological editors, five are Langham scholars: Jacob Cherian, Finny Philip, J. Jesudason Jeyaraj, Havilah Dharamraj, and Paul Swarup. These scholars know firsthand the importance of getting an affordable Bible commentary distributed in this area of the world.

The general editors and developers of the South Asia Bible Commentary

“The one-volume SABC is a critical tool much needed for the numerous grass roots level pastors and evangelists who have had little or no formal theological education,” says Paul Swarup. “It can be likened to giving a huge number of assembly-line workers in a car manufacturing plant, the appropriate tools to put the parts together to bring out a beautiful and powerful car!”

“I am excited to think about the significance and impact this commentary will have for the church in South Asia,” says Jacob Cherian. “With the Indian subcontinent as the birthplace of key religious faiths of our world (especially Hinduism and Buddhism), and with India having the second largest population of Muslims in the world, topics such as “Jesus among other gods” and the legal and social (not to mention theological and communal) implications of ‘religious conversion’ are bound to serve the Church in a major capacity.”

The SABC is projected to sell 10,000 copies in the first year, with the Hindi edition expected to have similar sales goals. It is the latest in a series of Bible commentaries co-sponsored by John Stott Ministries-Langham Partnership International, beginning with the award-winning Africa Bible Commentary which has sold more than 75,000 copies to date and is in the process of several translations.

Look for more details about this exciting project in JSM’s upcoming newsletter, In the Gap.

Help partner with LPI to sponsor the SABC and other much needed projects…Visit the Get Involved page for more information.

Several Latin American leaders have expressed that a single-volume commentary is a project they have been hoping for. The discussion is at its infancy stages, and questions of expense, project management, distribution, and process details are continuing.

Project editors René Padilla, Milton Acosta, Rosalee Velloso, and coordinator Ian Darke

Among those who attended the discussion were LPI Literature Director Pieter Kwant, Langham Scholar Milton Acosta, Langham Partnership Regional Council member Rene Padilla, and LPI Committee Chair Mark Hunt. Also attending was Rosalee Velloso (South American Theological Seminary, Brazil), a key editor for the project and Ian Darke of Letra Viva, who will coordinate the project.

LPI will consider sponsoring as much as half the funds needed and helping with administrative needs. The project will take shape this summer as more details and editorial assignments will be set in motion in June.

In early March, I attended a Langham Partnership International Senior Management Team (SMT) meeting, held at the Hookses, John Stott’s coastal hideaway in Wales. “Uncle John” himself had been there with Frances Whitehead, his secretary of more than 50 years, and other friends, the week before. A few days after the conclusion of the SMT meeting, I had the privilege of paying Uncle John a visit at his home within the grounds of a retirement community for Anglican clergy 30 miles south of London.

At the Hookses, we faced what some British meteorologists called “the storm of the winter,” and the cold and wet weather continued during my train ride from London and short walk from the small village train station to Uncle John’s place of residence. But any thoughts about the inclement weather were quickly replaced by a sense of joyful expectation when I heard Uncle John reply to my knock on his door with a strong and cheerful, “Come in.”

It had been a few years since I had last seen Uncle John, and others who had seen him more recently had informed me of his increasing frailty and his need to use a walker to get around. While those reports were certainly true, it was just as true that his character remains intact—gracious, kind, gentle, faithful, hopeful, loving—in a word, Christlike.

We began our hour together reminiscing a bit, walking down the memory lane of our friendship of over 25 years. I also brought Uncle John the greetings of many friends from across the pond, which brought a smile to his face and some fond memories for him.

I asked how he was finding his living situation, which has been his home for about a year now. Uncle John shared that he has a number of evangelical friends in the retirement community, including one man whose friendship with John goes back 70 years when they were students at Rugby School! Uncle John related that he is often asked whether he is happy. His response is that while he would not say that he is happy (I would imagine that he misses many people, the activity of his ministry, his home in London, and the ability to travel abroad), he is content, citing Philippians 4:11, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

I provided Uncle John an update on JSM, which greatly interested him. He encouraged me to claim the promise of James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

We closed our time together, as we had done many times before, in prayer. Uncle John asked me to pray for his continued work on what he promised will be his last book. I was struck that the lone prayer request of this man of God would ultimately result in a gift and blessing to many, many people.

As I walked back to the train station, I pondered the words that he had graciously shared with me, and I gave thanks to God for the opportunity to be with Uncle John, a man who has been with Jesus and who so clearly gives off the aroma of Christ.

The workshop focused on helping participants understand their own languages in relation to English and their own vernaculars, especially as far as translation into Bislama goes. We also discussed the state of standardisation of Bislama spelling and expression. Rosemary led this portion of the workshop, since she is our linguist. It was the lion’s share of the workshop, since everyone needs both the skill and confidence to write in Bislama. It was eye-opening and exciting for the participants to get to know their own national language better from a linguistic perspective, and to have light shed on their own questions and problems with the language. About 1/4 or 1/3 of the workshop was devoted to how to write Bible commentary, and what sort of Bible commentary we are hoping to write, that is, one that is tied to the text and serves preaching biblical, Christ-centred messages.

So, thanks so much for praying, but don’t stop now! The success of the workshop raises people’s expectations, which means more intense work from the VBC team. Pray the Lord gives us wisdom for guiding the venture, and grace to all who have begun working on their commentaries. Different individuals or groups are getting started on: Psalms 1-15; Proverbs 1-10; Haggai; Jonah; Ruth; Esther; Joshua; 1 Peter; 1,2,3 John; 2 Peter; Galatians; 1 Thessalonians; as well as the works nearly completed: Philemon, Philippians, Colossians, Mark.

Thanks again for thinking of us and praying for us.

Sincerely,
Andrew & Rosemary Williamson

There have been Arab believers since before the followers of Jesus were even called Christians (a nickname that was invented in Syria). They were there on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10-11). And the Christian church has continued in the Middle East throughout the past two thousand years. Some of the rich tradition of Arabic Christian theological writings from a thousand years ago are being rediscovered today. But a distinctively evangelical Arabic Christian voice has not been heard addressing its own theological concerns in today’s world within significant book-size publications. Until this year.

(photo: “Arabic Contemporary Theology” at left, alongside an Arabic translation of Chris Wright’s “Salvation”)

January 2008 saw the launch of the “Arabic Contemporary Theology” (ACT). Beautifully produced as an A4-size textbook of 500 pages in two column Arabic, it is the fruit of a three-year project by a group of ten Arab Christian theologians in Egypt and Lebanon, some of whom are Langham scholars. From clear biblical foundations, it tackles some of the sharp issues that Christians face especially in the Middle East, including:

• How Arab Christians understand the Old Testament
• The Old Testament concepts of covenant and land
• The meaning of Jesus’ identity as a Jew
• Understanding prophetic texts in relation to religion and politics today
• Christianity and women
• Evangelical and ecumenical relations
• Salvation and other faiths
• Arab culture and identity and their theological challenges

(photo: “Arabic Contemporary Theology” contributors)

The book was launched at a three-day seminar at a coastal resort on the Red Sea (perhaps in the footsteps of Moses?), which brought together about 70 theologians, pastors and Christian leaders from various Protestant denominations in Egypt. Langham Partnership was invited to attend, since we have invested significantly in the project from its beginning, and so Chris Wright (International Director), and Pieter Kwant (International Programme Director for Langham Literature) were both pleased to participate, and Chris Wright was an invited speaker in some of the sessions.

The book is published by Dar El Thaqafa, which is the publishing arm of CEOSS, the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Service (founded in 1950 by Sami Habib). The Director of Dar El Thaqafa is Andrea Zaki Stephanous – a Langham scholar who has driven the whole project from the beginning.

A Dream Fulfilled

“The dream started when I was doing my Ph.D. as a Langham scholar in Manchester, England,” says Andrea. “My Ph.D. was about religion and politics, a theology of minorities. I realized it was so important for us as Arabs to have our own theology and understanding of the Bible. Originally we intended to produce an evangelical Arabic systematic theology. The only one we had before is about 150 years old, it is mostly translated, and not original. But the shocking fact is that there is no single evangelical Arab scholar in the region equipped to produce such a systematic theology alone. So the idea transformed into an Arabic contemporary theology.

(photo: Andrea Zaki Stephanous seated with his wife Hala, and Amani, manager of the Dar El Thaqafa publishing operation)

“We wanted to face a whole range of challenges that come from things like: our own Arab Christian identity; the existence of the state of Israel; political Islam, which wants to marginalize Christians; ecumenism and church divisions – Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant; the identity and role of women; salvation; inspiration of the Bible – Islamic or our own? So there are many challenges facing us, and there are lots of smaller articles and leaflets on these things, but no systematic treatment.

“It was a real challenge – even just to get us Arabs to work together! Part of our culture is that we easily disagree! We had tough deadlines, and of course some theological differences. But we agreed a clear theological framework and worked hard.

“Another objective was to pull together the Langham scholars in the region and help them not to feel alone, but to cooperate in a major project. That has been a blessing for all of us.”

First of Its Kind

“I hope this book will do for its readers what it has done for the participants in this seminar this week,” said Dr. Mary Mikhail, one of the contributors to the volume. Mary has been President of the Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon for the past 14 years and on its faculty since 1984, after years in IFES work in the Middle East.

“It is the first of its kind in this part of the world. It raises questions that we sometimes don’t want to face, and drives us back to the Bible to search for answers. And even when we don’t find easy answers, or don’t agree what they are, it keeps us asking and wrestling with important issues.”

Mary’s chapter is on “Women – in the Bible and Christianity and the Middle East Today.” “It is a privilege to be included,” she said, “for I do have something to say and a textbook like this will make so much more impact on the church than articles and leaflets. It will reach more people and help more people. One of the editors told me, ‘When I read what you wrote about Mary, I felt like I was frozen holding the paper.’ Another said, ‘Nobody has tried to interpret the Bible for us the way you did. You spoke to my heart. I felt included.’

“I know I am standing in a minefield, and that some of the other contributions will be controversial in this part of the world, too. But I hope the book will lead to a greater openness in the churches to read the Bible afresh. I chose to get involved in the project because it really is the first of its kind, and it is high time we produced some solid evangelical theology in the Arabic context – not just translations.”

Building a Different Environment

(photo: Nabil Abadir (left) with Andrea Stephanous at the launch of the “Arabic Contemporary Theology”)

Nabil Abadir is the Director of CEOSS, which is the umbrella Christian development agency under which Dar El Thaqafa functions. CEOSS is dedicated to blessing all the people of Egypt with the practical love of God that flows from the gospel. It serves among the most impoverished communities in health and literacy work, micro-enterprise, and sustainable development. CEOSS is also involved in cultural and inter-faith issues and stands in a high position of credibility and trust with the government as a result of 50 years of transparent integrity.

Nabil is delighted with the arrival of the ACT, and with the role of CEOSS in sponsoring it.

“It fits with all that CEOSS tries to do in building a different environment,” he said. “We live in the midst of a very tense situation here, and this book will help to develop new leaders who have a different attitude. Instead of an ignorant and aggressive stance, we want to relate to others in our country as human beings made in God’s image and sharing with us in God’s creation, and loved by God. We will want to develop forums for dialogue around the issues addressed in the book.

“This book comes at a very opportune time, in a region with such potential for causing world-wide trouble. We want to help Christians have the courage to develop positive programmes that build up society, to work with the rest of our society, and yet keep their Christian faith and identity very clear.”

A Very Practical Help
(photo:Basheer Anwar Nody)
But what about the ordinary pastor? Basheer Anwar Nody is pastor of a Coptic Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Gezer, Cairo, in the shadow of the pyramids. He felt that the contents of the book were addressing very crucial issues, but not in a merely academic way. The book would also be very helpful in all the practical matters that fill his life as a pastor, both in helping his own congregation, and in relating to the majority religious community around him and their spiritual leaders, and especially in the sphere of ministry he gives himself to most of all – peace-building and conflict resolution. He was very glad to be participating in the seminar.

The Dream Goes On

For Andrea, it is clear that this is just the start of the fulfilment of his dream.

“Our whole hope for a reference book like this is to create a debate, to open Arab Christians to the challenges around them, and to strengthen the church’s spiritual life,” Andrea said.

“But this book is not limited to the church alone. It is for Arab society – for Muslims and even Jews. I will be sending copies to intellectuals and some politicians even, to say, ‘Look how evangelical Arabs in your midst are thinking.’ We are saying, ‘Look, you have Arab Christians living among you. We are a minority, yes. But this minority is part of the region and they have their own theological understanding and identity. We are part of the region. We have our own cultural and social contribution to make. Please be aware that there is an evangelical voice, a faith, to be heard in this region.’

“We also hope that we can produce an English translation to make it available in the west,” Andrea continued. “I find some American and British Christians are astonished. They don’t know that there are so many Christians in Egypt and the Middle East. And they are your brothers and sisters, a solid community.”

The publication of the ACT is a vital first step, but only the first. Andrea and his colleagues are planning a 5 – 10 year programme. They plan further volumes in this series – an Arabic applied theology (addressing issues such as HIV-AIDS, the environment, nationalism, the arts, etc), another volume on theological issues not covered in the present volume (inspiration and authority of the Bible, the sacraments, inter-faith dialogue, etc), and eventually a full-blown Arabic systematic theology.

In addition, with Langham Literature’s further assistance, a five-volume “Arabic Contemporary Commentary” on the whole Bible is planned over the next 5-6 years. This will be a huge project. But Andrea is undaunted! And his confidence and competence combined with Langham’s continued investment and God’s gracious help, will bring it to fruition.

“Without the support of Langham Partnership and the help of God,” Andrea concluded, “this book would never have happened.”

Read more about Langham scholar Andrea Zaki Stephanous

View the LPI photo gallery of the January 2008 Egypt gatherings

“God seems nearer to a people when he speaks their language.”
–Augustine of Hippo

On November 18, 2007, in Dar Es Salaam, WordAlive Publishers officially announced the launch of the Africa Bible Commentary Kiswahili, in the Tanzanian market. This celebration marks the first of many translations for the first-ever single volume Bible commentary written by Africans, for Africans. It also marks the beginning of many milestones recently achieved on the ABC project:

1. ABC was written by African theologians for African pastors as a commentary on the whole Bible adding dozens of relevant articles on issues specific to the church in Africa. This volume will enter in Kiswahili a market of more than 50 million Swahili natives that has comparatively nothing for pastors in their language.

2. Langham Literature is funding the Kiswahili translation and production with USD $130,000 over three fiscal years (WordAlive publishers in Nairobi are managing the project and will cover printing and distribution). The final published work is due out in late 2009.

3. Langham with Serving In Mission (SIM) are sharing sponsorship of the ABC translation into Portuguese (total Langham commitment of USD $64,000 over two fiscal years) for Portuguese-speaking Africa plus Brazil, Portugal, etc. The project is underway and being managed by MundoCristao in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to be distributed in Africa by Langham and partners beginning 2010.

4. ABC English provides Western pastors and students of the Bible with unique and helpful reading on Scripture and issues in the church from an African perspective. The book has won honors in the Western publishing trade and its production was managed by Langham Literature International Director Pieter Kwant.

5. As of December 2007, the following translations for the Kiswahili edition have been completed:

• Joshua
• Judges
• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• James
• Titus
• Philemon
• All 70 Articles

Reviewers will begin looking at edited work in April 2008.
Read more about the launch of the Kiswahili edition of the Africa Bible Commentary

The Langham Partnership Regional Council for Southern Africa met for the first time in September in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Representatives came from Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Among them were Langham scholars, including Fidelis Nkomazana and Lazarus Phiri. For them, it was a time of re-union, and re-connection with Langham after (for Fidelis) more than a decade of serving back in their home countries.

Fidelis Nkomazana completed his doctorate in Church History under Professor Andrew Walls in Edinburgh in 1993, and warmly remembers the fellowship and support he received from Charlotte Chapel. Since then he has been teaching in Botswana University, and is now Head of Department of Religious Studies. That, however, is only part of his many-sided ministry as a significant evangelical leader there. He is on the board of the Prison Fellowship, contributing to its ministry of rehabilitation and help for prisoners. He leads youth camps and speaks in schools with Scripture Union. He has written a whole series of textbooks for Religious Education and runs a programme of training for Sunday school teachers.

Fidelis is certainly a Langham Scholar making a difference! He found the Regional Council a great experience of fellowship with others in the region, and was appointed to its Executive Committee as Secretary and Co-ordinator for the regional Fellowship of Langham Scholars.

Fidelis Nkomazana, Langham Scholar, with Mark Hunt, Chair of the Langham Partnership International Council.	LP Regional Council, Southern Africa.

Evangelical support. The Regional Council was an opportunity for Mark Hunt (LPI Chair), Gene Green (a member of the Scholar Committee of John Stott Ministries in the U.S.) and Chris Wright to visit the Evangelical Seminary of Southern Africa (ESSA), with Bill Houston, former Vice-Principal. ESSA runs a post-graduate seminar for evangelical students studying at Masters and Doctorate level in the Theology Department of the nearby University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, in Pietermaritzburg. This group includes some Langham Scholars, and we are grateful for the fellowship and encouragement they receive from ESSA in this way. It was encouraging for Langham staff and board members to meet with Scholars during one of their seminars. Afterwards the group were very impressed with a visit to the ESSA library, which (partly with support from Langham Literature) is one of the best-equipped seminary libraries in Southern Africa.

Meeting with the post-graduate seminar at ESSA. Standing back row are: Chris Wright, Mark Hunt, Gene Green and Bill Houston	Abiola, Langham Scholar from Nigeria tudying in Pietermaritzburg, with Gene Green (JSM Scholar Committee).