Themes and Issues from Pilgrim’s Progress

An accepted classic, and a story that has provided pleasure, even inspiration, to generations of readers, Pilgrim’s Progress remains the best known of Bunyan’s writings. With what enjoyment have Christians everywhere considered the upward progress of erstwhile residents of the City of Destruction to eventual admission to the Celestial City. That a rich depth of biblical truth is contained within Bunyan’s wonderful allegory is undeniable. In his scholarly book, Barry Horner has presented us with an in depth commentary on the tale, in which he highlights the major themes running through it, and discusses important issues of relevance in the twenty-first century. He is a leading authority on John Bunyan, and this becomes apparent in the detail of his analysis of Pilgrim’s Progress, and the manner in which he extracts the issues presented therein. So much may be learned of John Bunyan from this work: his experiences in life, his characteristics and, predominantly, his theology. All are here assembled in this fascinating book, and although it is one that I hesitate to commend to readers generally, I certainly commend it to all the many devotees of Bunyan’s writings, and admirers of his life and testimony.