Christian Bookworm

The Heavenly Man is “the remarkable true story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun” and is probably one of the most powerful books I have ever read. I heard about this book for the first time in church a few months ago, as our Pastor Mark Brazee had begun reading it. Then a few weeks later his wife, Pastor Janet Brazee began talking about it and I knew I had to read it.

Although I knew this book is a true story, it read like a fiction novel. We all know that China is not a Christian nation, nor a nation of religious freedom, but it’s truly hard to imagine the things that Brother Yun went through for the sake of the Gospel.

He has been beaten, abused, broken, threatened and yet never once did he renounce Jesus as the Chinese government suggested in order to have his sentences reduced. With complete honesty he admits that he missed it sometimes, and that in his arrogance caused some of what happened to him. He is also honest about getting mad at God and whining to God about his suffering but as with all of us, God never gives up on us and he’s big enough to handle our temper tantrums and self pity, and loves us no matter what.

Something else amazing about The Heavenly Man is the miracles that Brother Yun and other believers in China experienced. The first one is how Brother Yun came to know Jesus at the age of 16. China was a Communist country by the time of Brother Yun’s birth. However, before the Communist government took over in 1949, his mother had heard the Gospel of Jesus and pledged her life to follow Him.

Many years later when Yun’s (born Liu Zhenying) father was dying of stomach and lung cancer, Yun’s mother heard a “very clear and tender, compassionate voice tell her that “Jesus loves you”.” She repented of her sins and rededicated her life to Jesus. She then called the family together and told them that Jesus was the one who could heal their father and they all prayed to Jesus, crying out in a simple prayer “Jesus, heal Father.”

By the next morning Brother Yun’s father was much better and continued to improve and was completely healed of his cancer. This is the first of too many miracles to count.  Miraculous healings, escapes from prison (he flew over a large pond during a prison escape), provision and divine connections are all in The Heavenly Man.

Obviously I loved this book. At times I could barely read due to the tears in my eyes over the suffering Brother Yun experienced. He was very matter of fact in his telling, and that made hearing it all even harder.

It wasn’t only Yun that suffered, for his wife did also. She was raising their children (wait until you read about the birth of their daughter Yilin), trying to feed her family and not sure if or when her husband was going to be able to return to her.

We take so many things for granted here in America. That fact was really evident while reading The Heavenly Man. As bad as things are here, and seem to be getting worse, it is nowhere near as bad as other nations. At least here we can worship where and how we choose, without being beaten or tortured.

I’d love to hear your favorite part of the book.