Friday, November 5, 2010

Currently Reading: The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

This is one of all-time favorite novels, The Pilgrim's Progress.  I first heard of it when I read Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, when I was 9 or 10 years old.  I have read it over twenty times since, and it is such a sweet story that I just had to find out what The Pilgrim's Progress was all about, since it seems to be so entwined with it.


I have my own journey, and it has been at times easy, and at times very difficult.  Maybe you, too, would like to see what it's about?  This is what it is all about, and I hope you like it.


River



The Pilgrim’s Progress 

John Bunyan was a man unafraid to proclaim the authority of God’s Word without compromise, even when it came at great personal risk. His refusal to conform his preaching led to multiple incarcerations. On one such occasion, he was asked to simply stop and be set free. He replied, “If you release me today, I will preach tomorrow.”

Those now famous words led to a nearly twelve year imprisonment. It was during this time that he began to pen his classic work. Published in 1678, it quickly became one of the most popular stories of all time. Over 100,000 copies were sold within his lifetime alone, and today it is believed to be the second-most widespread book in existence, surpassed only by the Bible in number of copies distributed. It has been translated into over 200 languages, and it has never been out of print.

The Pilgrim’s Progress is a spiritual allegory that follows the path of Christian, a man weighed down by his burden of sin. He leaves the City of Destruction and learns that nothing can remove his burden other than the cross of Christ. But that is only the beginning of his journey through life to the Celestial City.

2 comments:

Lois Evensen said...

Ah, yes, it is a wonderful story. :)

BearyAnn said...

That is one of my favorite stories. I have it in an audio version so I can "read" while I crochet. I can't hear it too many times. Very inspiring story.