Flame for God: John Sung and Revival in the Far East Paperback – January 1, 1976

John Sung was a man with a mission. He nearly didn't find that mission though. Having seen God move in revival in his home town of Hinghwa, while just a boy of nine, and having experienced God answering prayer in extraordinary ways while still in his minority, he came to America at about the age of 18. In America he studied chemistry at the same time as studying theology.A brilliant academic, achieving a doctorate in Chemistry, he finally burnt his liberal theological books, as being "demonic", withdrew himself from lectures and waited on God until God met with him. So great was the transformation of the gloomy John Sung, that the principal of Union Theological College had him committed to a sanatorium for 193 days. While there he read the bible over and over again (though it is hard to see how he could have read it 40 times as this book claims - but check out Holman's "Light Speed Bible", which claims you can read the full bible in 24 hours!).John had seen enough to turn him off of religion altogether, but he was not deterred. Back in China, he got involved in Christian ministry, but at first he said, it comprised largely of "going around in circles in the atmosphere of talk about 'movements' and 'education', 'sacrifice' and 'service'. All my work up to this time had been lacking in direction and purpose. I had been trying to serve God within the framework of liberal Christianity. I did not fit in but I saw no way out!" (page 60).Of course, at this stage he wasn't really in liberal circles - or was he? Note that phrase: "the framework of liberal Christianity". How many of us feel as he did, when he said, "I did not fit in but I saw no way out!"?But John Sung found a way out. It was a way of preaching in the power of the transforming Spirit of God. Some men are made for revival times, and John was one such. In the last months of his life and ministry, before tuberculosis took him, he would prop himself up in the pulpit as he preached. He knew that his life and ministry would be short (he was dead at 43) and he knew that the time for China was short: first the Japanese invasion and then the Communist take over. He preached to a lukewarm church and to the lost millions and God worked with him.Probably your pastor wouldn't invite someone like John Sung to preach in his church. These sorts of men aren't liked by those who just want to keep the ship on an even keel. John Sung was a boat rocker.John Sung was a man of God. This is his story. More than that, it is part of God's story.P.S. Good news for anyone who has read John Sung's life and wondered about those missing diarys John gave so much time to writing. Amazon have just posted an advert on this site for "The Journal Once Lost - Extracts From The Diary of John Sung" by Levi Sung. I cannot comment upon it since I have only just ordered it but though not many people in the West have even heard of this man, he is up there with the John Wesleys. Also, Timothy Tow (FEBC) has translated Dr. Sung's sermons; maybe with the release of this latest book Amazon might start selling those too? (PS added 2nd October 2007.)

I just ordered this book after hearing only the name of John Sung. I am picky about my books, and this one I could not put down. I tore through it in 2 days. The man was a true Christian....obeying the call of God to win souls to the very end of his health and life. What God can do through one man is amazing and challenged me all the more to pursue His plan. Get this book and let it challenge you.