The Tinker’s Progress: The Life and Times of John Bunyan

by Jacob Tanner

Known primarily for his allegorical work, The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan was also a preacher, a gifted theologian and interpreter of Scripture. Academically, he was not a learned man, but when it came to practical and experiential mastery of the Scriptures and their theology, he was as gifted as anyone. His writings have a beauty and practicality not often found. He teaches that the greater the Christian’s understanding of truth, the stronger their own passion for Jesus will be, and the greater their worship and doxology will become.

Jacob Tanner’s enlightening biography traces Bunyan’s life from his humble beginnings to his calling home to the Celestial City. From his debaucherous youth to glimpses of grace and eventual calling to ministry.

There are lessons here for any twenty–first century Christian. He can teach men to be mature, fathers to be loving, husbands to be faithful, pastors to be tender, saints to suffer well, Christians to be steadfast. One of his greatest lessons to modern Christians is how to live faithfully for Christ in a world that is antagonistic to God.

Genres: Biography

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2024

Reviews

[Mattie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I have formerly lived by hearsay and faith; but now I go where I shall live by sight, and shall be with Him in whose company I delight myself. I have loved to hear my Lord spoken of; and whenever I have seen the print of His shoe in the earth, there I have coveted to set my foot too. His name has been to me as perfume box; yea, sweeter than all sweet smells. His voice to me has been most sweet, and His countenance I have more desired than they that have most desired the light of the sun. His word I did use to gather for my food and for medicine against my faintings.” - Bunyan

[Zorina Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilgrim's Progress is a timeless Christian classic and if you haven't read it... it is seriously a must read for every Christian, besides the Bible! But I was only slightly aware of the man behind the Pilgrim's Progress. Did you know Paul Bunyan was a Puritan and spent many of his days in prison because he refused to stop preaching the Bible? He lived in England during the 1600s when people were supposed to preach only if they had been licensed by the state and they were required to do certain things a certain way. Bunyan wasn't always a Christian though and the book shows us a great deal prior to his conversion. He had a sordid past and he knew the great grace of the Lord. The Lord took a man who was a wretched sinner and also one who was low in societal standards (he was a tinker) and saved him and worked mightily in his life. I loved reading about Bunyan and learned so much about him and from him. But one of the things that Jacob Tanner did so well in this book, was to show the reader how we can apply so many of the things from Bunyan's life and walk with God with our own Christian walks. Rich with theological truths and historical accounts, this book was a great read. I was inspired and convicted at the same time. Bunyan wasn't afraid to stand up for the truth even when it caused him so much persecution in his life and hardship. Now I want to read more from him!

Thank you @christianfocuspublications for a copy of this book for my honest thoughts!

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bunyan has long been a source of great encouragement for me, and I am always happy to see another book designed to introduce Bunyan and his works to a wider audience.

The content here is solid, and generally follows the timeline of Bunyan’s life, though the prose is a bit dry and clunky at times. Still, it provides a helpful glimpse into a man used mightily by God.

To know Bunyan at all is to know that Jesus Christ truly saved his life, and he spent the rest of his days serving the One who loved him and gave himself for him.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Bunyan, and enjoy any book that gives me insight into his life and thinking. This biography does that, though the narrative pacing and writing style could have been stronger, at times losing its way or repeating observations unnecessarily. Still an enjoyable read.

[Logan S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting and I loved learning about Bunyan’s life. However, the amount of times that the author repeated himself became almost too much to keep going. Not sure why an editor didn’t catch all of the repetition just paragraphs and pages apart.