csblbooks

Founding Documents

CSBL in One-Page

A brief introduction to the identity, mission, vision, and proposed activities of the society.
[Read Summary] [Download PDF]

Chin Society for Biblical Literature

Scripture, Scholarship, and Service

1. Identity

The Chin Society for Biblical Literature is a proposed scholarly and ministry-oriented fellowship committed to the study, interpretation, teaching, and publication of biblical and theological literature for the service of the church and society.

The society seeks to gather Chin biblical scholars, pastors, teachers, students, writers, translators, researchers, and friends of Chin Christian scholarship into a shared platform for learning, fellowship, publication, and service.

2. Biblical Inspiration

The society is inspired by the spirit of Nehemiah 8:8.

“They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.”
—Nehemiah 8:8, Christian Standard Bible

This verse captures the threefold calling of the society:

To reading Scripture faithfully,
To explain the meaning carefully, and
To help people understand what is read.

3. Motto

Scripture, Scholarship, and Service

This motto expresses the heart of the society:

Scripture — because the Bible is the foundation of Christian faith, teaching, preaching, theology, and mission.

Scholarship — because careful study, responsible interpretation, research, writing, and publication are necessary for the growth of the church.

Service — because biblical learning is not for pride or personal achievement, but for the strengthening of the church, the formation of leaders, and the witness of God’s people.

4. Mission

The mission of the Chin Society for Biblical Literature is to promote biblical study, theological reflection, academic fellowship, publication, and service among Chin Christians and friends of Chin biblical scholarship.

5. Vision

The vision of the society is to cultivate a mature Chin scholarly community that faithfully studies Scripture, thoughtfully engages theology and culture, encourages publication, and serves the church and wider society.

6. Main Purposes

The society seeks to:

  1. Encourage serious study of the Bible and biblical literature.
  2. Promote Chin Christian scholarship, writing, and publication.
  3. Provide fellowship and networking among scholars, pastors, teachers, and students.
  4. Support theological reflection in relation to Chin culture, history, language, diaspora, and mission.
  5. Encourage emerging writers, researchers, translators, and students.
  6. Organize lectures, consultations, conferences, reading groups, and publication projects.
  7. Serve churches by strengthening biblical teaching, preaching, and theological understanding.

7. Proposed Activities

The society may develop the following activities over time:

Annual or occasional lectures
Online seminars and scholarly conversations
Research and writing groups
Publication of articles, papers, books, and edited volumes
Student encouragement and mentoring
Biblical and theological resource development
Consultation on Chin biblical, theological, cultural, and missional issues

8. Proposed Membership Categories

The society may include the following membership categories:

Founding Members — those who participate in the formation and early development of the society.

Regular Members — scholars, pastors, teachers, writers, and Christian leaders who support the mission of the society.

Student Members — students of Bible, theology, ministry, mission, culture, language, literature, or related fields.

Associate Members / Friends of the Society — individuals who support the mission of the society, including non-Chin friends and scholars.

9. Current Stage

The Chin Society for Biblical Literature is currently in the proposal and founding consultation stage. The founding document has not yet been finalized. Feedback, correction, and suggestions are welcome from those who are interested in helping shape the society.

10. Invitation

You are warmly invited to prayerfully consider participating in the founding conversation of the Chin Society for Biblical Literature.

Together, we hope to build a society that honors Scripture, encourages scholarship, and serves the church for generations to come.

Contact:
Chin Society for Biblical Literature
Email: csbl@chinsociety.org

Founding Consultation Invitation

An invitation to participate in the founding conversation of CSBL.
[Download PDF]

Dear Freind,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am writing to invite you to take part in the founding conversation of a new scholarly and ministry-oriented fellowship called the Chin Society for Biblical Literature.

The purpose of this society is to encourage serious biblical study, theological reflection, academic fellowship, publication, and service to the church among Chin Christians and friends of Chin biblical scholarship. We hope this society will become a meaningful platform where pastors, teachers, scholars, students, writers, and Christian leaders can work together for the strengthening of biblical understanding and theological formation among our people.

The proposed motto of the society is:

Scripture, Scholarship, and Service

This vision is inspired by the spirit of Nehemiah 8:8:

“They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.”

At this stage, the society is still in the proposal and formation stage. Nothing is final yet. Therefore, I am not asking you for a formal commitment at this point. Rather, I would like to invite you to prayerfully consider becoming part of the founding consultation process by offering your wisdom, feedback, and encouragement.

I have attached a one-page summary of the proposed society for your review. If you are interested, I would be happy to share the full founding document proposal with you for further feedback before the society is formally launched.

Your participation would be deeply appreciated as we seek to build a society that serves the church, honors Scripture, encourages scholarship, and contributes to the future of Chin Christian thought and ministry.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

With respect and gratitude,

Hrang Zel, ThD
For the Founding Initiative
Chin Society for Biblical Literature
Email: csbl@chinsociety.org

From Future Projects

Research Groups

1. Chin Biblical Hermeneutics Group

This group studies how Chin history, culture, language, suffering, migration, and communal life shape biblical interpretation. It explores distinctive contributions that Chin experience brings to the reading of Scripture and engages broader debates in hermeneutics and contextual theology.

2. Bible Translation and Chin Languages Group

This group supports research related to Bible translation, revision, terminology, literacy, and the use of Scripture in Chin languages. It serves both scholars and translation practitioners and maintains awareness of current translation projects and needs across Chin-speaking communities.

3. Scripture and Diaspora Group

This group explores how migration, exile, minority life, and immigrant church experience inform the reading of Scripture. It connects diaspora theology with biblical exegesis and attends to the particular hermeneutical challenges and gifts of the Chin diaspora context.

4. Biblical Preaching and Teaching Group

This group connects biblical scholarship with preaching, Christian education, discipleship, and pastoral ministry. It develops resources that bring rigorous biblical study into the life of the church and supports the training of expository preachers and Bible teachers in Chin congregations.

5. Student Biblical Research Group

This group supports students in learning research methods, writing academic papers, and presenting scholarship. It is the Society’s primary mentorship community, designed to cultivate the next generation of Chin biblical scholars.

An open Bible lies on a wooden surface, displaying the books of 2 Chronicles and Ezra. The pages have a white background with black text, and the edges of the pages are stained red. A brown leather cover borders the Bible, and two maroon ribbons are visible.

Educational Programs

Workshops and seminars designed to equip Chin students and pastors with rigorous biblical knowledge.

csblbooks

Publications

The Society should develop publication platforms serving both academic and church audiences. All publications shall be reviewed for quality, accuracy, attribution, and usefulness before distribution.

1. CSBL Newsletter

A regular newsletter sharing Society news, member updates, short essays, calls for papers, announcements, and resources for biblical study.

2. CSBL Working Papers

A digital series for early-stage research papers that invite feedback and development. Working papers make scholarly work accessible before formal publication and encourage dialogue within the Society.

3. Journal of Chin Biblical Studies

A future peer-reviewed journal devoted to biblical scholarship, Chin contextual interpretation, translation studies, and related disciplines. The Journal shall follow recognized standards for peer review, citation, editorial independence, and academic integrity.

4. Book Review Forum

A platform for reviewing important books in biblical studies, theology, ministry, and Chin studies, making scholarly assessments available to both academics and church leaders.

5. Student Research Series

A publication space for excellent student papers, revised and refined under faculty or mentor guidance, providing students a pathway to academic publication.

6. Church Resource Series

Short, accessible resources for pastors, Bible teachers, Sunday school teachers, and church leaders, making biblical scholarship available in clear and useful forms for non-specialist readers.

A close-up of a stack of various books, showcasing their colorful spines. Titles include 'Judges and Ruth', 'Come, Holy Spirit', 'Elegantissima', and 'What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur'an'. The spines display diverse fonts and colors, contributing to a vibrant and intellectual atmosphere.

Educational Programs

Partnerships with international scholars fostering dialogue beyond borders and cultures.

Latest Insights

Join Us

Become part of a community advancing Chin biblical scholarship worldwide.

join us

Scroll to Top