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The Fourth Dimension: Discovering a new world of answered prayer
by David (Paul) Yonggi Cho

David (aka Paul) Yonggi Cho is someone you should definitely be familiar with. Converted from Buddhism as an adolescent and beginning in ministry as an evangelist in the poorest neighborhoods of post-war Seoul, Korea, Yonggi Cho has seen his congregation grow from virtually nothing to a current memberhip of over 750,000 members, making his church the largest in history. He is credited with pioneering the Cell Group of which his church now contains over 25,000. His charismatic faith and his ability to expound Scripture has made him an unparalleled impetus for the continuing revivial throughout Korea, Asia and the 10/40 Window.

The Fourth Dimension is Cho's first widely-received book and has been available for several years, published first in 1979 and reprinted several times since. I first read this book on the late 80's as an unergraduate student at Moody Bible Institute. At that time (and even now?) the Moody profs explicitly advocated a "Cessationist" theology -- the view that the charismatic gifts of tongues, healing and prophesy had ceased following the apostolic era. Thus reading Cho was both exciting and adventurous, as if I were indulging in soe sort of theological contraband. But Cho's book quickly became buried beneath the many other books I was required to read, and it has not been until very recently that I have picked it up again.

If you are truly interested in reading a biblically sound exploration of the power and potential of Spirit-filled prayer, then I whole-heartedly recommend this book to you. Having now re-read Cho through the grid of four theological degrees, I can honestly say I have nothing but the utmost respect for his ministry and his gifts of preaching and teaching. He presents to Western and Eastern audiences alike an exciting hope and demonstration that the Jesus Christ continues to work mightily through his Body of believers. But the real strength of Cho's ministry is that it is not about "gifts" or "manifestations", but about the presence and power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of ordinary believers like you and I if only we give our lives over to prayer.

As I have said elsewhere, I have recently repented from a very dry and empty walk with the Lord and am striving toward that dynamic relationship with the living Jesus which I once knew. But I am neither "charismatic" nor "pentecostal" by affiliation and I now come to the table with years of very sound theological education and criteria. And so I hope you'll trust me when I say that Yonggi Cho's ministry is one which even the staunchest mainliners will find biblical and refreshing.

The Fourth Dimension is a simply written and highly readable book about the power of prayer and the reality of the Holy Spirit (yes, He is really there with you right now!). Much of it is biographical in nature, drawing illustrations from Cho's own remarkable experiences and difficulties in ministry. THere are six chapters, each of which focuses on a simple yet profound truth which not only biblically makes sense but which also points to an experiental reality wherein you the believer recognize and appreciate the living relationship with the Spirit of Christ you currently stand in as a believer.

I encourage you to check out this highly readable book for the encouragement and vision it will provide. If you want to get a taste for Yonggi Cho's ministry and treatment of the Word, you should visit his Online Full Gospel Television site which streams a huge number of his messages (including this week's) in several different languages. For those of you who didn't know, there is in fact a revival spreading throughout Korea and Japan (!) due in large part to the ministry and message of Yonggi Cho. And while this unfortunately goes on undre the blind gaze of the Western Church, I encourage you to familiarize yourself with it and hopefully tap into the Grace and Ministry of God being poured out as we speak.

Seeing God at work in Korea, Japan and other parts of the World can only excite us into recognizing what is currently available yet nearly forgotten to us in the Western Church. One need only consult American history texts to realize huge revivals also swept over this same nation. Undoubtedly we in the West need to pray for another, continuous wave of spirit-shaking revival. We could simply "catch the wave" which is currently sweeping Asia and the 10/40 Window! (Kowabunga!)

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Author: David (Paul) Yonggi Cho
Publisher: Bridge-Logos Publishers (March 1, 1987)
ISBN: 0882703803
Paperback: 156 pages

Reviewed by Scott David Foutz

Chicago-North Shore Therapy.com