Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

224 pages, Paperback

Published July 17, 2024

About the author

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Reviews

[Josh Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the insight from one who self-professed to have read Pilgrim's Progress over 100 times in his lifetime. If you have read many of Spurgeon's sermons, you no doubt have come across his many references to characters in the Pilgrim's Progress.

I enjoyed reading his comments on how Bunyan fleshes out the characters presented in the Pilgrim's Progress. I also found it refreshing that Spurgeon corrected Bunyan's order of salvation in the story of Christian still having the burden on his back when he went through the Wicket Gate and THEN went to the cross. Spurgeon said that Bunyan should have had the cross be the FIRST thing that Christian goes to in order to gain salvation and lose his burden. I agree with Spurgeon but was interesting to hear Spurgeon correct Bunyan. However, the correction was with kindness and grace.

Another tidbit that I was unaware of is that this book was published by Spurgeon's son, Thomas, in 1903. It appears that Spurgeon had been writing this book toward the end of his life but never published it before he died in 1892. His son pulled together the writings and published it eleven years after his death.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your favorite book is commented on by your favorite preacher and theologian, it's a recipe for a blessing in your Christian walk.

[Jordan Litts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging.