Customer Reviews

Back to Jerusalem: Three Chinese House Church Leaders Share Their Vision to Complete the Great Commission

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I have written a number of book reviews for Amazon and tried to make them helpful and somewhat objective. But in this case I simply want to say to any who call themselves Christians - I URGE YOU TO READ THIS BOOK! I cannot approve on the good reviews that have already been written. I can only say that those who name the name of Christ must read this book and ask themselves if the commitment of the Church in China represents their/my commitment or not. I found I had a great deal of repenting to do.

The book is well written and interesting and needed.

I've read 3 books recently about the Christian movement in the nation of China. This one is the best in my opinion. Much more than just history, but the vision of the Chinese Christian church. 1.2 Billion people, of whom approximately 100 Million are now Christians. China has been at the forefront of God's work in the late 1900's, and this will continue well into the 2000's. This book is a quick read, but is packed with testimonies, visions, and plans for the future of the Chinese missionary movement. What's really exciting is their plan to send a minimum of 100,000 Chinese missionaries into the Middle East; it's actually already begun, and this book chronicles the dream that the people believe God has placed in their heart.

A very challenging and provoking story of God's current move amoung the Chinese house church. It deeply touched me and I felt "connected" to the vision of these remarkable people. I would like to be captivated by the same passion they have. I would encourage anyone with a true love for Jesus to read this book.

Praise God for what He's doing in China, through the house churches and their zeal/passion to save the lost and proclaim the good news of the salvation of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth! The sharing from these house church leaders was extremely convicting; As a Chinese Christian in America, it's easy to lose sight of God's ultimate purpose for this world and our responsibility as a disciple of Jesus Christ to be a witness to the nations. I am so encouraged by how the Christians in China see the persecution of the Chinese government not as a thorn or something to be discouraged by; rather,they see it as opportunities and blessings to suffer for Jesus' sake, and training for the future possible persecution in the countries they desire to spread the good news to. This book was so uplifting and convicting I bought another copy and now both of my copies are being read by other fellow Christians.

The First half of this book is written by Paul Hattaway briefly tracing the origin of Christianity in China as well as the vision and earlier attempts at taking the gospel back to Jerusalem in the early part of the twentieth century. Having been spread westward from Jerusalem to Europe and to North America and then to China, the gospel must now be taken to the Muslims and Hindus of the 10/40 Window with the goal of reaching Jerusalem again in an ever-continuing westward movement along the Silk Road, Hattaway argues.

Although the passion to bring the gospel to the unreached areas in the 10/40 Window is noble and commendable, the argument that the gospel has moved more or less in one direction (westward) is less convincing. Historically, the gospel moved in all directions even eastward from Jerusalem to Syria, Persia, Central Asia, and then to China, even though the center of Christianity was confined to Europe after the rise of Islam in North Africa and Asia. Even in modern times, the gospel has moved east and southward from Europe and North America to Africa, South America and Asia.

It is true that the center of Protestant missionary endeavor shifted from Europe to North America, and now it is poised to shift to the Two-Thirds World, the indigenous missionaries are coming from all over the non-Western world, particularly from Korea and Brazil. It is also true that China will take a significant role in sending out missionaries in the future, however, the evangelization of the 10/40 Window will take more than one nation's effort. It will take an international endeavor by missionaries from Asia and South America as well as the traditional places such as North America and Europe.

The second half of the book seems to be written by the Chinese house church leaders. They are full of enthusiasm and passion for the "Back to Jerusalem" vision. Praise God for the Chinese church that is at the threshold of a missionary revival! One word of caution, though -- the Chinese church must be careful not to repeat some of the mistakes of traditional missionary endeavors by placing indigenous leadership and missionaries at a level of secondary importance to foreign leadership.

Fifty years of persecution is described by Chinese believers as "God's training for us" (57). The house church leaders in this book plead "Don't pray for the persecution to stop" but pray for us to have "a strong back to endure" (58). Such comments seem strange to many of us in the west where we have all too easily equated the American dream with the Bible. Yet, what these house church leaders describe is biblical Christianity. It is a faith that looks remarkably like that of the apostles and the early church - a faith where believers love Jesus above all, are willing to count all things as loss compared to knowing Him, and are willing to take the Gospel to people who have never heard.

All Christians should read this book to be challenged. I personally found myself convicted of too often desiring my own comfort more than God's renown, desiring ease of life rather than a life of Gospel service, and desiring friends more than being a friend of God even if it means alienation. Not only will this book give you appreciation for our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world but it will challenge you to look at your own life and figure out what it means to really love God and follow Him. Warning... this book may be a huge paradigm shift for you, may cause you to reevaluate your current involvement in missions, and may radically altar your spiritual walk - all for the better!

Hattaway has translated and edited the personal narratives of three Chinese house church leaders explaining the origin of the "Back To Jerusalem " evangelism, its status and vision. Their journies have been marked by extreme suffering and miraculous preservation. For western Christians like myself the most helpful portions of this account are those which list the characteristics and labors of the Christian "baby factories" which are the Chinese church today. House church leaders have much to say which can reawaken the American and other churches to our real opportunities and first love. Their account given through Hattaway to the western church is not condescending or preachy, but kind, careful, and constructive. The book is an important aid to Christians slowly suffocating in a materialistic culture

This is an excellent book with an inspiring message, of what the chinese church is all about. If you want to read a book about people totally abandoning themselves to a cause than this is a must read.

the most encouraging and challenging book outside of the bible i've read. this book is truly a challenge, inspiration, and encouragement to the mediocrity and staleness of the western church today. it's the kick in the pants we've been needing. acts 29 is continuing to be written upon the hearts and lives of these in china like we should all long and believe for. i highly recommend this book.

This is the follow up book to Heavenly Man. All is revealed in current movement of the Church in China today. Great spiritual insights as well as historical information. Life changing and motivating. Makes one want to go to China and experience the revival going on there.