As is the earthy one, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly one, so also are those who are heavenly. 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.

BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author. The writing style is quite unique and simplistic and it's obvious at once that Yun has a heart for the Lord. His personality is obvious throughout and centers on being hopeful and joyful in dire circumstances. Part of the problem is that around the world the Chinese house churches are usually presented in all their glory, as great men and women of God who live in perfect harmony. It is thought that some leaders have suffered in prison for so long that they are practically sinless! The reality is a little more down-to-earth. It has been said "The Chinese Church has a New Testament kind of Christianity." I agree! But in the New Testament we read not only of miracles and revival, but also of personal conflict, jealousy, opposition, and "false brothers." A glance at the messages the Risen Christ gave to the seven churches in the early chapters of Revelation will soon reveal the early Christians were just like us - with many weaknesses and failings. Although the term 'friendly fire' may be relatively new, sadly it has been practiced among believers since the Church was birthed in the Book of Acts. All throughout Christian history we can find God's revival fires being quenched by church leaders, many of whom did so out of ignorance and zeal to 'protect' the Gospel. More often than not, however, they were persecuting that which they didn't understand. Here are the problems. 1) The larger fellowship of Christian leaders in Henan Province have distance themselves from Yun and his claims. Many of the independent churches in Henan first learn about Yun from Yun HIMSELF, during their testimony time. They just assumed that Christians do not lie (And just how many people has Benny Hinn healed through his anointed ministry?). 2)This is the second Chinese autobiographer that claimed a miraculous life akin to Paul in the Book of Acts. The first Chinese pop author to do so was Nora Lam. Her miraculous escape was made into a movie, "China Cry." Alas she was exposed and admitted her lies. 3)Those more familiar with the present situation in China say the Chinese tend to exaggerate to make for a better story. Claims about Watchman Nee made outside of China do not accord with the testimony of those attending the Shanghai Christian Assembly in the 1940'a and 50's. One I spoke to attended his trail in 1956. There are indeed great stories from China about faith in the midst of suffering. Yet they are without mighty power miracles. They read more like "The Hiding Place," than "The Heavenly Man." They are published by small Chinese presses. A further caveat: Christians need to remember the Bible requirement of witnesses. The greater the claims, the greater the need for evidence. Two witnesses for some things; 500 for the more wondrous.A portion of these Gnostic teachings, when combined with Persian and old Babylonian mythology, furnished Manes, or Mani, with his particular doctrine of the original man. He even retains the Jewish designations "Insan Kadim" (= ) and "Iblis Kadim" (= ), as may be seen in the Fihrist. But, according to Manes, the original man is fundamentally distinct from the first father of the human race. He is a creation of the King of Light, and is therefore endowed with five elements of the kingdom of light; whereas Adam really owes his existence to the kingdom of darkness, and only escapes belonging altogether to the number of demons through the fact that he bears the likeness of the original man in the elements of light concentered in him. The Gnostic doctrine of the identity of Adam, as the original man, with the Messiah appears in Manes in his teaching of the "Redeeming Christ," who has His abode in the sun and moon, but is (as Kessler, in Herzog's "Realencyclopädie für Protestant. Theologie," 2 ed. ix. 247, has pointed out) identical with the original man. It also appears in this theory that Adam was the first of the sevenfold series of true prophets, comprising Adam, Seth, Noah, Abraham, Zoroaster, Buddha, and Jesus. The stepping-stone from the Gnostic original man to Manicheism was probably the older Mandæan conception, which may have exercised great influence. Of this conception, however, there remains in the later Mandæan writings little more than the expression "Gabra Ḳadmaya" (=Adam Ḳadmon; Kolasta, i. 11). Mohammedan Sects. Christian biography is one of my go-to genres for encouragement and refreshment; my delight, with the Psalmist's, lies with the Saints who are in the land (Ps 16:3). Consequently, I was excited when The Heavenly Man, the story of Brother Yun, was glowingly recommended to me. Perhaps here was another book to add to my list of greats--to place alongside Brother Andrew and Corrie Ten Boom on my shelf of Saints. However, as I worked my way through Yun's story a strange cadre of emotions followed me; this was a book that left me... uncertain. Let me see if I can explain why. As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. this book is powerful. it's probably the most single, powerful story i've ever come across. it has challenged me more than any other book i've ever read.

The book Living Water was released in 2008 and, as with his previous book, The Heavenly Man, it is also co-written and translated by Paul Hattaway. It is published by Zondervan Publications. [10] Indeed, I was incredibly impressed with Brother Yun's humility in admitting his mistakes and missteps. He even shares occasions where the LORD supernaturally directed him (through visions and/or prophecies of others) but he disregarded the leading and went his own way. He talks about making ministry an idol in his life and trying to balance his responsibilities as pastor with the legitimate claims of his wife and children. He shares about challenges, struggles and imperfections of the house church movement in China, as well as his difficulties in understanding the church of the West. These honest, and seemingly fair, assessments give his accounts of the LORD's miraculous interventions a greater weight. He talks about healings, miracles of many kinds, and the joys and sufferings of the Chinese church, including his own imprisonments and torture. He shares his personal struggles with God, his anguish and questioning of the LORD and his experience of finding Him faithful, again and again. Brother Yun is one of China’s house church leaders. Instead of focusing on the many miracles or experiences of suffering, however, Yun prefers to focus on the character and beauty of Jesus. Interspersed with his personal account are contributions from his wife, Deling, made mostly during her husband's frequent periods of imprisonment. You will remember where you were the first time you read this life story. It's a watershed book that will turn the reader to prayer and praise.”The many thousands of people around the world who have spent time with Brother Yun have found him to be a good man, humble, loving, and always eager to bless and build up others in Christ. Those who have attended a meeting where he has spoken have made up their own minds whether this man is someone who loves Jesus Christ, or a deceptive con man out for personal gain.

As is the earthly man [the man of dust], so are those who are of earth; and as is the heavenly [Man], so are those who are of heaven.

His hunger for the Word of God

Reading this book again in summer of 2015, and interacting on Goodreads. I thought this comment I posted on a detractor's review would add substance to my review: