Davet: I went to China in the gospel in the summer of '07, and before I went, I read "The Heavenly Man", by Hattaway. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I met with a brother who knew Watchman Nee, and T. Austin Sparks, hoping to get some leads into the underground church, and also this testimony. I was shocked when this elderly man, still in ministry, vehemently opposed Brother Yun, as a liar and a charlatan.
I soon discovered that he was of a stream that rejects all of the supernatural power that moves through men as heresy and evil. I have had some direct and personal experiences with God, and each time I shared anything about these, he rose in anger. I was with him 3 days in this interview. I also was amazed when I learned of the splintered factions of the Nee movement in China, and around the world. It appears that some are super-conservative, some are very elite, and some more towards the "Spirit-filled " line. This is important to understand, as Nee made a monumental impact, and still does, in China.
He evidently started to read "Heavenly Man", but only got to the first testimony about miracles, before he refused to go on. His theology, and Nee denomination [world-wide] cried " anathema" {cursed].
On my trip I determined to go to the rural areas and cities where Brother Yun traveled, to seek out the true "underground" church, and wash their feet. This came to pass, in miraculous ways. [I went alone, no contacts, not speaking a syllable of Chinese.]
I entered through Hong Kong, and met some good brothers smuggling bibles, who knew of this controversy, and it seems that one of the major detractors of Brother Yun, lived nearby, in mainland China. He wrote articles swearing that Yun lied, etc, ,etc. It just so happened, that these brothers were also leaders of the church who denounce the supernatural through man as demonic. They believe that the gifts died with the 12 Apostles, and the bible is our only rock and faith.
I didn't see this man, as I believe they chose to undermine and accuse Yun, simply because to receive him would nullify their lifetime belief that the holy Spirit no longer manifests Himself in these ways, and their faith would crash as a lie, and their lifetime of teachings would be obviously false, so they chose to crucify him.
Paul Hattaway went out of his way, to verify the sometimes fantastic experiences Yun often experienced. His reputation was at stake. Yun is just like us, I believe; A weak, and failing brother that God never let down.
The legal evidence of the veracity of this testimony far, far, out-ways it's opponents. My desire is the hope that in my life, I too could attain a favor with Jesus to live a life of such dependence. Brother Tom.
