Ricci also considered Confucius to be a philosopher rather than the founder of a religion. Protestantism The earliest Protestant missionary to China, Robert Morrison, arrived there in 1807. Before this time, Bibles were not printed for distribution. Protestantism is colloquially referred to as (, meaning "religion of Christ") but this term can sometimes refer to all Christians, so (, literally, "new religion") is also used to distinguish Protestants as a group separate from Roman Catholics. Their translators, coming to China later and separately, chose to use the older terminology , apparently believing was a valid or preferable representation of the "Most High God". Translations A number of terms for "God" exist in the Christian Bible. For example, the first occurrence of a term for God in the Bible is in Genesis 1:1 and is rendered in the English as "God". However, many other titles (such as – usually capitalized, as a replacement for the tetragrammaton – Almighty, etc.) are also used. God The term used commonly in Protestant Chinese bibles for God is (). This term is much more generic, meaning god, God, spirit, or soul. This probably appeals to groups who are not committed to interpreting the term as a historical or spiritual equivalent to the "God Most High" of the Bible. The issue has remained controversial for over a century and Protestant organizations have published two versions of the Bible, using the two different words. Tetragrammaton In addition, the Tetragrammaton, a four letter pronunciation of the name of God from the original Hebrew, often rendered as "YHWH", is rendered in different ways. Catholics have translated this into (, literally "Elegant Powerful," cf. English "Yahweh"). Protestants originally rendered it as (, literally "(old) Gentleman of Fiery Magnificence," cf. English "Jehovah"). A modern Protestant usage is (, a phonetic translation). Some versions translate this term as (, literally "Lord Above"), similar to the translation decision that uses a capitalized "" by both Catholics and traditional Protestants. Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans particularly use in prayers of the Eucharist. Lord The term (, literally "Lord") is used by both Catholics and traditional Protestants in less formal prayers, and usually by contemporary Protestants. Other less formal terms are used, for example, (, literally "Heavenly Father"). See also Christianity in China Catholicism in China Protestantism in China Chinese Rites controversy Chinese Christian theology History of the Jews in China Islam in China Tian References