A BRIEF LOOK AT THE LIFE OF JOHN BUNYAN(AUTHOR OF THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS)

   

TURNING PAINS TO GAINS THROUGH WORSHIP
(A BRIEF LOOK AT THE LIFE OF JOHN BUNYAN)-By Benjamin Anabaraonye

John Bunyan (1628-1688),the Bedford tinker, was born in the hamlet of Harrowden at Elstow approximately  1.5 miles south of Bedford in Britain. He was the son of a tinker-a maker and mender of pots and kettles. Although the family was poor, they owned a cottage in Harrowden. As a child, he travelled the district helping his father and learning the trade.

CRISIS AND CROSSROADS

In 1644,when John Bunyan was 16,his mother died and his father remarried within a year. That same year, Bunyan was conscripted into the parliamentary army because of the civil war that erupted at that time. He spent most of his military service in garrison duty at Newport Pagnell. He later spoke of narrowly escaping death in one of those encounters.

Returning to Elstow in 1647 Bunyan resumed his work as a tinker. Two years later he married his wife who bore him four children, the first called Mary was born blind. The arrival of Mary made Bunyan reflect seriously on his life for the first time.

In “Grace Abounding” published in 1666, Bunyan describes this period of spiritual crisis admitting, ”Even as a child I had few equals in cursing, swearing, lying and blaspheming the name of God”.

CONVERSION AND CONVICTIONS

The  civil war was over but it left indelible marks on John Bunyan. One Sunday, Bunyan heard a sermon on the evil of breaking the Sabbath, then he heard a voice within asking, ”Wilt thou leave thy sins and go to heaven? or have thy sins and go to hell?” This marked a turning point in his life. Following his conversion, he began to preach with great conviction and received a welcome hearing.

CONGREGATION AND CONFINEMENT

In the belief that national unity could only be achieved by religious uniformity, the state attempted to restrain the developing independent congregations by forbidding preaching. Bunyan was arrested in the hamlet of samsell  just after he had begun a meeting. He appeared before the local justices the next morning and was sentenced to three months in prison.

Since Bunyan refused to give an assurance not to preach, he remained in the prison for  12 years from 1661 to 1672.He was allowed several privileges as a prisoner, since he was not a common criminal.

During imprisonment, He made shoelaces to raise support for his family and preached to the inmates. His spiritual autobiography, ”Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners” was written at that time becoming one of Bunyan’s several classics. However, his magnum opus, The Pilgrim’s Progress was also written while a prisoner, and then following his release in 1672 was published in 1678.

GAINS FROM PAINS

John Bunyan is known as one of the most influential writers in human history. Consider the fact that after the undoubted supremacy in circulation of the English Bible. Bunyan’s classic allegory ”The Pilgrim’s Progress” has commonly ranked second.This has led it to be called “The second best book in the world”.

Even secular critics have agreed that this uneducated mender of pots and pans was a writer of uncommon genius. Some eleven  editions of the Pilgrim’s Progress were published during Bunyan’s lifetime, this popularity  being stimulated by  the enthusiastic readership of the common people. Having gained extra-ordinary universal acceptance, its style being both simple yet engaging in its ability to communicate vital biblical truth.

Many believers over the centuries have expressed deep gratitude for new found enlightenment concerning what biblical Christianity is all about. Many others (which I’m one of them) have had their faith and courage boosted by simply reading The Pilgrim’s Progress.

For Further Reading on John Bunyan:

i)Heroes of faith series

John Bunyan: Author of the Pilgrim's Progress by Sam Wellman

Barbour Publishing Inc,Ohio

ii)www.bunyanministries.org

iii)www.wholesomewords.org

Other classic books by John Bunyan include:

Grace abounding to the chief of sinners, The Holy War, Visions of heaven and hell, How to pray in the spirit, The life and death of Mr.Badman.  

Copyright 2013 by Benjamin Anabaraonye. All rights reserved.

For  further  inquiries e-mail : getbenjyu@yahoo.com