John Bunyan.
-(1628 - 1688)
-Pastor and author
-Puritan
John Bunyan was an uneducated handyman (a tinker) who lived through the English Civil War, Charles I's execution, Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth, and the Restoration of 1660. He did not grow up in the church and was not concerned with religious matters. He later wrote that he had experienced both judgments and mercy, but “neither of them awaken my soul to righteousness; wherefore I sinned still, and grew more and more rebellious against God.” He married a devout Puritan woman and began attending church, reading the Bible, and preaching. Parliament established a single state-controlled church (the Restoration of 1660), and preachers with undesirable views were silenced. He was charged with holding an unlawful meeting and was locked up in the Bedford County Jail, where he spent most of the years between 1660 and 1672. It was here he wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress. In 1672, King Charles II issued a Declaration of Indulgence for Protestant Dissenters, and Bunyan was released from prison. Despite his lack of formal theological education, he became famous as a preacher in Bedford. The Puritan theologian and Oxford scholar John Owen once said, “I would willingly exchange my learning for the tinker’s power of touching men’s hearts.” John Bunyan wrote some sixty books. These included many sermons expanded into sizable treatises, poetry, and books for children. His best-known books are his spiritual biography, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, and two of his allegories, The Holy War and The Pilgrim’s Progress, all of which have been steadily in print since Bunyan’s day. Read his full biography, Grace Abounding: The Life of John Bunyan.
Legacy of Faithfulness: John Bunyan by Josh Buice (article) - We remember John Bunyan because of his faith and perseverance. Traveling to Bedford, England, you will find a giant statue commemorating Bunyan near the city center. Around the statue are scenes from his most famous book, The Pilgrim’s Progress. Bunyan was a husband, father, pastor, and author, but most importantly, he was a man who persevered in the faith.
What Does John Bunyan’s Preaching Have to Do with Twitter? (article)—Apparently, John Bunyan tweeted differently before Twitter, of course. He was pressing upon people's souls to see the value of Christ Jesus! Unfortunately, many preachers believe preaching directly to people's souls is counterproductive to growth. What would happen today if men preached like this uneducated tinker from history who has not faded away?
The International John Bunyan Society (website) - The International John Bunyan Society was created in 1992 to promote scholarship devoted to the life, works, and influence of John Bunyan (1628–1688) and to the literature, culture, history, and heritage of British Nonconformity and Dissent.
The Pilgrim’s Progress: Themes and Issues by Reformed Forum (audio)—Dr. Barry Horner discusses his book. His Doctor of Ministry degree from Westminster Seminary in California focused on the biblical/theological content of The Pilgrim’s Progress and its validity as an appropriate means of communicating the Word of God.
John Bunyan and the Privilege of Fearing the Lord by Christina Fox (article) - A Treatise on the Fear of God unpacks the often misunderstood and neglected doctrine of the fear of the Lord. Bunyan dissects this teaching in his treatise, helping believers understand the inherent connection between such fear and the Christian faith. Bunyan considered this fear our highest duty as children of God.
The ‘Pilgrim’ Who ‘Preaches’ From a Grave by Ken Ham (article) - John Bunyan was a non-compromiser - he became one of the "non-conformists." After Cromwell's famous time of the Protectorate ended, the government in England tried to stop the growth of independent churches. It forbade preaching by anyone other than those licensed to do so in the state church-the Church of England.
Five Free ebooks by John Bunyan (ebooks)
“Whatever contradicts the word of God should be instantly resisted as diabolical.”
This sermon, "Last Sermon," is the last sermon Bunyan ever preached. Preached 12 days before his death, it makes the case that we can know whether we are saved by comparing our physical lives to our spiritual ones.
Bunyan was married at 21 and was brought to Christ through the Christian books his wife got into their marriage. Charles Spurgeon was radically impacted by Pilgrim’s Progress and quoted it often in his sermons.
John Bunyan wrote more than sixty books, mostly about preaching, Christian life, and Christians' struggles. He felt compelled to preach about Jesus Christ at a time when men were not allowed to preach without a license from the government.
“I will stay in prison till the moss grows on my eye lids rather than disobey God.”
Join Steven Lawon on a journey through the life of John Bunyan, a 17th-century Puritan preacher and writer. Known for his iconic work 'The Pilgrim's Progress'’ Bunyan's life was marked by religious persecution and imprisonment for his nonconformist beliefs. Delve into his upbringing, conversion experience, and the events that led to his writing of one of history's most widely read books. Explore the cultural and historical context of Bunyan's time and the lasting impact of his work on literature and Christianity. Uncover the story of one of the fascinating figures of the Puritan era.
Often disguised as something that would help him, evil accompanies Christian on his journey to the Celestial City. Walking with him, you’ll identify today’s many religious pitfalls. These are presented by men such as Pliable, who turns back at the Slough of Despond, and Ignorance, who believes he’s a faithful follower of Christ when he only trusts himself. Each character in this allegory is intentionally and profoundly accurate in depicting what we see all around us and, unfortunately, what we too often see in ourselves. But while Christian is injured and nearly killed, he eventually prevails to the end.
John Bunyan is best known for his famous allegorical works. He was prepared to suffer the hardship of imprisonment to expound these great works. But his exposition of them was not confined to allegory. In his many other works, like 'Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ’ and 'An Exposition of the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, we find Bunyan writing as the outstanding pastor-evangelist he was. These three quality volumes, first edited by George Offor (1853 and 1862), constitute the only standard edition of his works.
This story tells how Bunyan was converted. He was troubled by sin. He fought temptation and sin in his strength and lost, and in despair, he gave up hope of ever finding God’s mercy, but the Lord Jesus Christ delivered him from the guilt and terror that so often and so viciously troubled him. In addition, a short account of Bunyan’s call to the work of the ministry is given, along with the trials and troubles he encountered, including some of the difficulties he faced while in prison. This is all taken from his writings and is now published for the encouragement and support of others who are weak and tempted and need strength, hope, and victory in Jesus.
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