It’s been quite a while! We’ll chalk that up to the joys of school holidays… and perhaps a bit more!
That notwithstanding, I did get up to some reading, one of which is the subject of my book recommendation for this month –The Pilgrim’s Progress; from this world to that which is to come – by John Bunyan.
A shared experience
The Pilgrim’s Progress, an enduring classic first published in the 17th century, is regarded as a significant piece of religious English literature. Written in an allegorical format, Bunyan sets forth the journey of Christian, an ‘everyman’ character, from the City of Destruction (this world) to the Celestial City (that which is to come). It fittingly depicts and chronicles the reality of the Christian life, regardless of the day and age, such that readers are able to relate to the exhilarating experiences of persevering faith.
Words of hope, encouragement, rebuke and guidance, all laced within a biblical framework, are in ample supply, as we encounter tales of seeming defeat as well as triumphs. No surprises at all, seeing that Christian’s ordeal started the moment he opened the book (i.e., the Bible) in his hand to read. It is not unlikely that Bunyan wrote from his personal experience, even though this account was conveyed as a dream he had as he lay down in a county jail to sleep.
Reading this book was an absurd experience of duty and delight; it seemed like it would take forever to read through. But as it turned out, the unhurried pace was just what I needed to savour the author’s genius of expression and imagination in storytelling. Page after page, as the narrative unfolded, the lucid imagery and language transported me from the realm of a reader far removed from the scene, right into the shoes of the protagonist, Christian. Without doubt, there were also moments when the’ hat’ of other featuring characters fit so well, both the good and not-so-good alike!
Oldie but a goldie
Modern pilgrims need not despair at the trials and temptations that line the path from this world to that which is to come; we have, in the Pilgrim’s Progress, an example and forerunner, a fellow pilgrim who has walked the same road, made the most of the ever so ordinary means of grace, and safely arrived the shores of the Celestial City. Slowly but surely, there remains a sure hope of transformation into the image of Christ, from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Without tampering with the author’s original intent and message, what started out in antiquated old fashioned language is now widely available in refreshingly easy-to-read formats. Modern readers are therefore without excuse if ever they miss out on such valuable treasure!
Thanks for reading!
Sike Osinuga.