Learn more about the Bible Society of South Africa | General | AgBlogs
Introducing The Bible Society of South Africa
Christianity has played a significant role
throughout history in the rich tapestry of South Africa’s religious landscape.
The Bible is at the heart of this faith, a sacred text that has inspired
countless individuals as it guided them to Jesus Christ.
For over 200 years, The Bible Society of
South Africa has made this transformative book accessible to all, ensuring that
the Word of God reaches every corner of the country in every language.
The Bible
The earliest portions of the Bible date
back to around 1500 BCE, with the composition of the Hebrew Scriptures, also
known as the Old Testament. The New Testament section details the life,
teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The process of combining the
text into a single volume was a gradual and complex one. In the 4th century CE,
Emperor Constantine catalysed the gathering of the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE,
which kicked off the process to formalise the canon of the Christian
Scriptures. The Bible, as we know it today, was settled mainly by the end of
the 4th century.
As Christianity spread, translations of the
Bible into various languages became more widespread, making it accessible to
multiple cultures and communities.
Bible Societies around the world
The Bible Society’s origin story traces
back to 1800's, when a young Welsh girl named Mary Jones walked a 40km journey to
buy her first Bible. When she reached her destination of Bala nearly six days
later, all the Bibles had been sold out. However, resident minister Thomas
Charles was so touched by her enthusiasm for God’s Word, he gifted her with a
Bible.
During a Religious Tract Society meeting in
1802, Thomas Charles then relayed the young girl’s story to his peers, and
whilst plans were being made to make more Bibles available in Wales, Joseph
Huges, one of those present, cried out, “If for Wales, why not for the whole
world?”. On the 7th of March 1804, at a meeting of 300 people in the London
Tavern, the British and Foreign Bible Society was born. The fledgling Bible
Society soon spread its wings and expanded to other countries.
The Bible Society of South Africa (BSSA)
The South African branch of the British and
Foreign Bible Society was founded in Africa on the 23rd of August 1820. On the
1st of November 1965, the Bible Society of South Africa gained independence
from the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Today, the Bible Society of South Africa is
a non-profit company comprising five regions in South Africa. Multiple church
denominations form as members of the BSSA, which exercises sound business
principles directed by Christian values, to render effective and efficient
service.
The BSSA Mission
Like all other Bible Societies, the task of
the BSSA is to make affordable Bibles available to all South Africans. The
organisation’s commitment to Bible translation has been a cornerstone of its
work. South Africa’s diverse linguistic landscape presented a unique challenge,
as the country is home to 11 official languages. The Bible Society of South
Africa has risen to this challenge, translating the Bible into all 11 languages,
and they are currently in the process of translating the Bible into several
indigenous languages, such as !Xun, Khwedam, and TjiHlanganu. The dedication to
linguistic diversity has ensured that people from all walks of life can engage
with Scripture, deepen the understanding of their faith and share the Gospel
with others.
Part of the BSSA’s mission is to make the
Bible available in various formats to suit every need. The catalogue includes
braille Bibles, digital Bibles, audio Bibles and the Bible for the Deaf. The Bible Society’s efforts have extended
beyond translation, production and distribution of Bibles. They have facilitated
Bible-based literacy programs, Bible study groups, and various initiatives to
promote biblical values to the most vulnerable members of society.
For more on the available Bibles from the
Bible Society, visit the AgMarket Online store to explore their offerings.
Click here to see the range.
And he said to them, “Go into all the
world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” Mark 16:15 (ESV)