The Pilgrim's Progress
by Maxine A. Randall
(from July/August, 2008 HCG newsletter)
(from July/August, 2008 HCG newsletter)
One definition for a "pilgrim" is that it is a person on a journey; a traveler; a wanderer. The early settlers who founded the first colony in New England in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 are well know pilgrims that are important to our nation's history.
The pilgrim in John Bunyan's classic, however, is a special one. I hope you'll want your children to read about him and glean from this story the wonderful truths which will be good for their souls. You can find this book everywhere and there are many editions. Remember, next to the Bible, no book has been more widely read and the fact that it has been translated into more than 200 languages and never been out of print is remarkable. A Christian allegory, it is the story of Christian who makes his way from the "City of Destruction" to the "Celestial City." There are two parts: the first part is the journey of Christian himself; the second part the pilgrimage of his wife Christiana and their children.
People today, especially young people, love stories about the battle between good and evil; they love lots of action; they love stories with many interesting characters and places; they like distinct heroes and heroines, as well as mean and unusual villains; and they love high drama. This book has it all, but with a biblical meaning that surpasses all others that are out there for them. So why not be sure your youngsters are familiar with this story, even from an early age.
I wish I had taught my children more of the meanings of this book . I'd like to think of ways to apprise more children, in my grandchildren's generation, of the message its author had for all of us. Anyway, most of the links I had are no longer operative, but at least you and your kids can watch it at Amazon. (Hope this link continues to work but if not, go to Amazon and see what you can find. They have several editions for children.
The pilgrim in John Bunyan's classic, however, is a special one. I hope you'll want your children to read about him and glean from this story the wonderful truths which will be good for their souls. You can find this book everywhere and there are many editions. Remember, next to the Bible, no book has been more widely read and the fact that it has been translated into more than 200 languages and never been out of print is remarkable. A Christian allegory, it is the story of Christian who makes his way from the "City of Destruction" to the "Celestial City." There are two parts: the first part is the journey of Christian himself; the second part the pilgrimage of his wife Christiana and their children.
People today, especially young people, love stories about the battle between good and evil; they love lots of action; they love stories with many interesting characters and places; they like distinct heroes and heroines, as well as mean and unusual villains; and they love high drama. This book has it all, but with a biblical meaning that surpasses all others that are out there for them. So why not be sure your youngsters are familiar with this story, even from an early age.
I wish I had taught my children more of the meanings of this book . I'd like to think of ways to apprise more children, in my grandchildren's generation, of the message its author had for all of us. Anyway, most of the links I had are no longer operative, but at least you and your kids can watch it at Amazon. (Hope this link continues to work but if not, go to Amazon and see what you can find. They have several editions for children.
