NamYong Han, 69, is the Head Elder of the Chilbo SDA Church in Jeollabuk-do, Jeongeup, in the Chilbo-myeon region of Korea. The Chilbo Church belongs to the Southwest Korean Conference. Elder Han holds a bachelor’s degree in Theology and for many years used it to serve as an agriculturist missionary in Bangladesh, the Philippines, and China. He also has served as the vice president of the Korea Organic Farming Association and professor at the Public Service Training Center. He enjoys writing agricultural topics which include ‘Secrets of Grape Therapy’ and ‘Country Life and Organic Farming’. His other passions are spreading the gospel and heading the elders of his church.
1. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO TRANSCRIBE THE BIBLE?
I worked as a volunteer in China for 8 years from 2000 to 2007. At that time, I struggled with many difficulties related to religious activities, so I had conflicting thoughts and felt disappointed. I realize that being closer to the Lord was the only solution to my problem and so I studied the Bible carefully everyday to fill myself with spiritual food. I tried to reflect the Gospel and the fragrance of Jesus through my life and behavior. Then, I was requested to support agricultural development projects from North Korea. As I cannot carry the Bible into North Korea, I started to transcribe the Bible by memory with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
2. HOW DID YOU TRANSCRIBE THE BIBLE?
I have copied the Bible six times since January 7, 2003 to today. My third transcription was the Chinese Bible. I also transcribed the series of the Conflicts of the Ages. It took me 375 days.
3. WHAT BENEFIT OR LESSONS DID YOU LEARN THROUGH THE BIBLE TRANSCRIPTION?
The most important fact is that Satan tries to deprive humans of the Word of God, while God is trying to protect it. To be a son of God or Satan depends on whether we keep and practice God’s Word or not and it is also the way of restoring the image of God. When we study the Bible, we can meet God, walk with God, see God, and talk with God. The more I read the Bible, the more I realize that God is great and holy in contrast to me who is so small. Depending on God, we can accomplish sanctification. Reading, copying, and living according to the Bible is the same way that Enoch walked with God.
4. YOU MADE A FOLDING SCREEN WITH THE TRANSCRIBED BIBLE. HOW DID YOU MAKE IT?
I made twelve-folding screens with the fifth transcription. It shows the content of Old and New Testaments at a glance. God sent me a good artist who asked me to make this screen. Many people who look at the screen were so touched and decided to copy the Bible too. The Conflict of the Ages series was also produced as a ten-fold screen.
5. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
God has aroused a Bible-transcribing movement in many countries including Korea, China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan through me. The Follow the Bible project initiated by the General Conference emphasizes the importance of the Bible to all people. If possible, I will do my best to transcribe the Bible more and to spread this movement all over the world.
6. WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU READ THE BIBLE?
I have been reading the Bible since 1959. At that time, I did not have enough money to buy a complete Holy Bible, so I read Bible books in pieces every evening. I borrowed a complete one from a church elder to copy it.
7. IN CLOSING, ANY WORDS TO CHURCH MEMBERS?
Satan deprived people of God’s Word using idols during Old Testament times. He also captures people’s minds through fame, money, pleasure, sports, TV, and computers in the present age. God’s people must practice and keep His Word until death just like the Waldensians did. As Waldensians observed God’s Word through Bible transcription movement, this movement will bring a second Waldensian age. John 17:3 says “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent”. I wish all of you could meet and walk with Jesus Christ through the Bible.
This interview comes from News & Views, July/August 2009, the Northern Asia-Pacific Division magazine. Used with permission.
