The Heavenly Man: The remarkable true story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun

This is probably the most profound bio of "suffering for the gospel" that I have every read - and I've read a few. This book will awaken anew in your heart - go and make disciples - in every circumstance. It will encourage you to be bold to reach out to everyone you meet - to introduce them to Jesus and His saving grace - putting aside all fear and reaching out with love for the lost. Most of us live in a "comfy" Christianity that I don't think the Lord intended. This book will give you a humbling perspective of what it means to give all for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Of all the bios I have read of Christians who have truly suffered for the gospel - this man has gone the absolute limit in using every harrowing circumstance to reach out in Christ's love to everyone he came in touch with - fellow prisoners - jailers - those who tortured him - his whole life is consumed with reaching the lost. This man will walk you thru New Testament living - like Paul and Peter - who suffered much for the Gospel. But it is not all about suffering - but also about miracles. How God gave revelation to Yun and to his wife repeatedly. How, after being beaten so severely that both his legs were shattered and fellow prisoners had to carry him to his many beatings - yet was able to walk out of prison in front of all the guards thru gates that opened for him to walk out of that prison - and many other miracles and God's grace and protection were manifested over and over again. It is also about a man who walked humbly before the Lord and with every heartbeat, in every trial, looking to be obedient to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As always where Christians are persecuted - how precious even one page of the Bible can be - how out of such love for the Word of God, many books and passages were memorized so that even in the darkest prison, Brother Yun carried much of the Bible with him to share with others. I labeled this "Required reading for every Christian" and so should it be. Even though we may not be called to suffer as Brother Yun - it encourages us to look at our lives and to assess our part in "go and make disciples" in our part of this world wherever we live - to "suffer" to move from the pew, from the couch - into living the passion and focus (and probably with miracles) of the New Testament. Give yourself a blessing – read it. And this from my husband – a total NON-reader: Once you pick it up you will not be able to put it down. I was encouraged by my wife to “just read one chapter” and I have to say I have never been so absorbed in a book and at every chance continued reading for the next 3 days until I finished. An amazing testimony of God's amazing workings in one humble man given to do all for Christ.

This book is absolutely incredible. If you believe in God, and if you believe that He can -- and does -- perform miraculous signs and wonders, then you will be blown away by this story of how He has used a humble Chinese evangelist to bring many thousands of people into His Kingdom. Brother Yun has suffered mightily for his faith, and you will read all about it in uncomfortable, squirm-inducing detail. But you will also experience the overwhelming joy and blessedness of his intimate communion with his Savior, Jesus Christ. Like the Apostle Paul -- whose story "The Heavenly Man" closely resembles -- Brother Yun's walk with the Lord has an intensity and a ferver that few of us in the West can even imagine. If, however, you don't believe in God, or don't believe in supernatural miracles, this book may seem "incredible" in a different way: in the sense of "not credible"; that is, not believable. If you fall into this category, I would recommend this book all the more. It may change your mind, or it may not; but at the least, you won't be able to read it with indifference. We who are Western Christians sometimes dismiss talk of signs and wonders and visions and the like as being something that, even if it happened in Bible times, certainly doesn't happen in our modern world. Unlike Brother Yun, I have never experienced a clear-as-day vision from the Lord. But does this mean that visions therefore don't happen, or does it mean that my faith is not as strong as it should be? Personally, I would go with the latter choice. So for me, this is a great benefit of reading this book: it has strengthened my faith -- as I believe it cannot help but do, for anyone who reads it with a desire to know God more intimately. Regardless of where you stand with God, this book will have an impact on your life. Read it!

This book was recommended to me by a Christian friend who was reminded of it after we started discussing the connection that suffering has with true spirituality. Not being, at all, familiar with such deep persecution for Christ's sake that Brother Yun experienced, my mind was telling me that what I was reading was fabrication, not an account of God's many promises that tell us that one man can put ten thousand to fight, that He is a very present help in time of trouble, and that no evil will come nigh thee. In fact, this biography states just the opposite. I am obliged to admit that the gospel we live in the US is a far cry from the reality of what it means to serve the Lord with all our hearts. If they hated Him, they will hate us, we are told, but such evil torture has not touched any of our lives as it did Brother Yun and those who served with him in China and throughout that region. It was a real eye opener that which caused great division among Chinese Christians: additional materials from the United Pentecostal and Word of Faith/prosperity groups. Their interpretation of Scripture discovered in those materials did nothing for the church but to set one brother against the other. Finding unity in all that mess was a true challenge, and one that the body of Christ here in America should undertake prayerfully. Keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace is imperative if we are to maintain a witness to this world. If we do not decide, in our country, to press into the kingdom of God with all our might, we might as well consider ourselves nothing more than a club. Our message should be to the furtherance of the gospel, a witness to the only true God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and nothing less. But instead, we are establishing huge churches where there are countless personality idols who rob the members of funds so they can build gold plated faucets in their bathrooms. Exactly as I have been saying for years, the church should refuse building large facilities and seek converts by borrowing attractants from the secular world. Instead, our meetings should be home based and our study of Scripture so deep that we are able to quote entire books of the Bible. The pressures to achieve; and for others, the need to keep their families fed, clothed, and educated, are what most of us live for, not the cultivation of a profoundly inspiring and edifying walk with the Living God that is willing to go into all the world to preach the gospel in the most evil areas. In comparison, what we seek here are comforts, not discomfort, and so, we make ourselves willing to sacrifice the quality of our walks with the Lord. My heart is heavy with the conviction Brother Yun has brought to me. Where do I go from here? How do I live that life that is more than mere Christianity? Help me, Lord, to learn and apply, and truly give my whole body, as a living sacrifice, in service to You.

Someone gave me this book or I might never have read it, but I'm so glad I did. I have no way of knowing whether it is true, but I will say that the "heavenly man" knows the bible, and as far as I can tell is fully devoted to its message and teachings. I have long believed that the age of miracles ended when the last of the apostles, and those upon whom they laid their hands to transmit miraculous powers, died. However I'm not sure of that, so I read this book with an open mind. The author claims to have been affected by, and to have witnessed, many things that had to have been supernatural. All for the apparent furtherance of Christ's church in China under the harshest and most inhumane conditions imaginable; exactly where I think that miracles would occur in this day and age, if indeed they do. Many things have changed in China in the last few years—the brutality of the communist regime which the writer lived through is explicitly described in its repression of these struggling Christians, as well as the unmistakably miraculous aid they may have received. Their stories are at times sad, joyful, amazing, pitiful, hopeless, inspiring--and yet believable. I will say this; the effect of reading this book was, for me, increased faith and love of God. My love of people all over the world who believe in and love the God of heaven and his son, Jesus, also increased. I have since purchased and given copies of the book to friends, who had similar reactions.

This searing testimony of one man's experience of persecution for his decisions to be part of the underground Christian movement in China is likely the most moving and unusual you will ever read. In fact, the account is virtually impossible in the natural to have happened so it must be taken as a testimony of supernatural intervention and protection. Make no mistake, the central figure plainly makes it clear this is not a book on theology (he gives examples late in the book) rather an account of his experiences. For some, this may be a weakness of the book (it was for me in some way). But by the time you finish the almost 350 pages you have had a rich journey into the mind and mentality of Brother Yun, whether you always agree with him or not. You have to admire and respect his tenacity and committment. My favourite part of the book was at the end when he addresses the West and the state of Christian faith in the West. For me it was accurate and worth the entire read. His wife's and family's willingness to stay with him after all his ordeal is as much of a tribute to their Christianity as his, if not more. This book is one of a kind and for anyone wishing to know from the inside the goings on of the underground Christian faith in Asia and how they think and practice their beliefs. It will challenge you to examine and reflect on how you are living your faith, whatever level your faith is.

I give 5 stars before reading that book, but I did order it. I want to give a testimony of how Jesus Christ delivered me from multiple charges right under homicide and murder but first want to speak on the doctrine of “cessationism” there may be people who believe that God can’t operate the way He did through the apostles and first century church, Could that be why there is a “negative comment”? That doctrine of “cessationism” is a false doctrine and only Holy Spirit can change a persons mind as some people may not change their mind no matter what, we must be careful to “not bear false witness” against our brothers or sisters, and now, I will speak of my testimony for a moment, so anyone who are cessationist believers may quit doubting, God willing. I was in jail and fasted for 7 days and told no one in jail (Matthew 6) and turned from all my idols , sexual immorality, intoxicating drugs, etc. which is witchcraft and sorcery that includes POT, and instead of 25 years in prison I received 7 months time served which is a biblical miracle, (keep The commandments of God)!! And June 15, 2024 I had a dream from God of riding a motorcycle over water and a big fish swallowed me whole! (Remember Jonah) and 33 days from that dream I received 7 months time served! Both are biblical numbers! God told me showed me before I received a plea deal in that dream He was delivering me !! (From multiple charges right under homicide and murder)! On July 18 2024 I received 7 months time served! July 18 2022 two years before that just a different year I fractured my hip in a motorcycle wreck! On SAME EXACT DAY! My testimony is documented facts !!! (FEAR God)! So the doctrine of cessationism is a false doctrine and that brother John MacArthur was a false teacher My brothers and sisters.. read the Bible and ask Holy Spirit for the truth! The same day I had another dream of a Crawling hand in the dark think it was dark and the Lord so speaks in riddles (dark sayings) and the interpretation to this is, “evil was lurking around me (June 15, 2024) and the next day I had another dream of being in a den of serpents, and @ night time I shared how I repented of Anxiety Meds (I think) that’s what I mentioned, and a guy went crazy, and threw my bibles and started to scream out of the cell door while we were locked down at night, me and two other inmates, and the following night next, night I was persecuted and bullied by multiple inmates, and this one that threw my Bibles also claimed to be a believer @ least from what I knew from us speaking is my observation from the fruits, (false Christian) and I risked my life in jail and gave a permanent scar on back of one of my legs as a testimony, and Jesus Christ delivered me and now I can testify of the truth. Repent of your idols and turn to Jesus Christ! I live in the United States.. shalom

A moving, provocative story of steadfast faith through extremely painful and life wrenching challenges which would have pushed most men to second guess their faith and ultimately compromise.Brother Yun's story, and the miracles that he says that he experienced provoke Christians and those with an open mind to wonder more deeply about the possibilities of what God can do in their lives. (and perhaps start someone on their journey to examine their own faith or lack thereof) It is so difficult to imagine that a government can be so oppressive and sinister simply because a man chooses to believe in something that the secular world says is nothing more than fairy tales for the weak. What is it about Christian faith, and perhaps other faiths, around the world that so threaten world governments? Even in the United States the movement, to stamp out long standing traditions of acknowledging and celebrating 'God' and the hope that faith gives people, has been steadily eroding away at the foundation of our nation. One doesn't need to be a Christian or embrace the faith in order to see that the values taught are worthy and in deed valuable to society. Brother Yun's story of years of torment and separation from family, a young wife and children, while fleeing the Chinese authorities or while imprisoned for no reason other than his faith in Jesus, is difficult to relate to while inspirational at the same time.

If you want to be radically changed read this book! I am a Pentecostal Christian Minister who has seen God do many miracles. I have read hundreds of Christian books,my personal favorite in the past was ALWAYS anything about Smith Wigglesworth,or his teachings. Then I read this book recently. I cried,and cried,and cried as I read this book. I thought...... wow...... this is what it really means to die to the self,to surrender all,and to be a TRUE christian like the early apostles!!!! So many preachers today talk about prosperity,and make God their servant!!! It makes me want to puke! This book really inspired my life. I already believed like Brother Yun,but it just put another coal in my fire to go all the way for Jesus! I give this book a 11 out of 10!!! It really impacted my life,and made me realize how easy we have it in america preaching the gospel!!! May God help us to go all the way with Jesus,and love our enemies like brother Yun did. This book really greatly influenced my life,and I prayed to God I will never forget this book. There was so much deep meat in this book about laying down your life for Christ. I'm so impressed with this man and his life before the LORD. Yes,God get's all the glory,but doesn't mean we don't respect those who are GREAT servants of the LORD,and to me brother Yun is another Apostle Paul. But in all honesty,brother Yun suffered far more than the Apostle Paul. God bless!

A great gift for a hard to shop for person. This book is a true story that will keep you very engaged throughout the book.

Que poderoso y que “touching” el testimonio se ese hermano. Me encantó.

I believe every word, of Brother Yuns book. Through his testimony I learned that God is faithful in persecution and bestial torment. I was shocked, that a country, that produces for Germany and other western countries iPhones, iPads, Smartphones, clothes that is technically today high developed, is able to persecute Christians. In addition to that: Persecution in such a brutal manner. This fact is prove how powerful the Gospel is, because something powerless you don’t need to fear. In fact people only fight what they fear. Obvious also in the book is also how people are changed to the good, through Jesus Christ and that a spirit filled Christian is loyal to his administration and stays faithful, no matter what. Brother Yun shows us a life like in the book Acts. It is easy to read and fascinating so that time is running short. But be careful: After reading you will never be the same.

Entrega rápida bem embalado

Such a good book and so worth reading. I read this in the early 2000s and have just reread it in 2025. What this man endured is astounding! What God did - even more astounding. I highly recommend this book and couldn’t put it down.