Mercy Booklets Published in Tamil

REPORT ON THE TAMIL TRANSLATION OF "THE MERCY BOOK" RELEASE BY PRESIDENT SAMUEL ON DEC.02, 2010.

The Concordia Press and Training Institute witnesses yet another historic event on December 2, 2010 at 11.00 a.m. when the President of India Evangelical Lutheran Church, Re. Dr. J. Samuel released the Book in Tamil titled “Irai Parvayil Irakkam”, meaning Theology Mercy. This Book in Tamil is the translation and compilation of five Mercy Booklets published by LCMS World Relief & Human Care, namely Theology of Mercy, Church’s Role of Mercy in the Community, Church is a Mercy Place, Walther on Mercy and Löhe on Mercy. Two of these are authored by the President Rev. Matthew Harrison.

The Book Release Program was chaired by Rev. Fredrick Prasad, President of Ambur District Synod. Rev. Solomon Siddharth, Gospel Works Committee Secretary. The event began with the opening prayer. Mr. J. Williams, Director, Concordia Press welcomed the gathering. He lauded the efforts of LCMS World Relief & Human Care and President Dr. Samuel in bringing out this very useful book in Tamil on Mercy. He himself got a better insight on “Mercy” after going through this book in Tamil, he said. He felt the need to reprint this book in large numbers and distribute to all the families in IELC.

Rev. T. Samuel, who translated this book in Tamil, told the audience, which included the Election Commissioner of IELC, the Deputy Director of the Press, the Treasurer of Ambur Synod and dignitaries that this Book is very useful in understanding the importance of the work of mercy in Churches and by individuals. He also said the delay is due to the difficulty in bringing the high value and high language theme into simple terms in Tamil. He deeply appreciated the efforts of LCMS World Relief & Human Care in bringing out this very useful book, not only for theologians but also for the laity.

President Rev. Dr. Samuel in his address before releasing the book emphasized the need of the work of mercy in Churches. He said the ‘Great Commission’ of our Lord is not only to go to the nations, preach and baptize but also to teach everything He commanded, which includes ‘to Love God and to Love your neighbor.’ Showing Lord’s Mercy to others is not a one-time event, but a continuous process, he nuoted. ‘These mercy works by churches are not a new concept but the continuation of apostolic work started by the early Church. This book contains valuable input and theological insights by scholars like Rev. Matthew Harrison, Walther and Lohe’, he said. He very much appreciated the initiative of LCMS WR & HC in bringing out this Book and suggested to seek permission to reprint this book and to distribute to each and every Tamil speaking Lutheran home in India. He also suggested that this book could be sold at a subsidized rate and the proceeds can be used for publishing VBS material for Children.

President Rev. Dr. Samuel blessed and released the book. The first copy was received by the President of Ambur District Synod, Rev. Fredrick Prasad. Rev. Prasad thanked LCMS WR & HC and President Samuel and all who are involved in bringing out this Book. ‘The two Tamil speaking Synods of IELC, Ambur and Nagercoil would be much benefitted by this Mercy Book in Tamil’, he said.

The program concluded with the closing prayer by Rev. C.E. Prasad, Deputy Director, Concordia Press, Vaniyambadi and benediction by President Rev. Dr. J. Samuel.

Report by: Ravi Jesupatham, Country Coordinator- India, LCMS WR & HC.