From the Author of The Pilgrim's Progress

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. By John Bunyan. Audiobook by christianaudio. Read by Simon Vance. 2013.

---

Next to the Bible, John Bunyan’s classic The Pilgrim’s Progress is probably one of the most widely read books of all time. Generations have been encouraged by this allegory of the Christian life, but few know much about its author. Bunyan was a Baptist minister in the 1600s who spent much time in prison for operating outside the authority of the state-supported Church of England. During this his imprisonments he wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress. Sometime before, in 1666, he wrote an autobiographical account of his journey to faith, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.

Bunyun’s autobiography touches on his life both before and after placing his faith in Christ, and he gives an explanation as to how he came into the ministry and ended up in prison for preaching the Word. Much of what he writes centers on his struggle to accept Christ, believing that his sins committed after coming to a knowledge of Christ were unforgiveable. He hoped that his struggle, as well as his ultimate rest in Christ, would be an encouragement to others who may have similar worries about becoming a Christian.

Reading a book written three hundred fifty years ago would pose some challenges because of archaic spelling and language, but listening to it read by Simon Vance eliminates or reduces most of these. The spoken word is much more intelligible, and gives a more contemporary feel to the book than you get from just reading it.

Christians should become familiar with the lives of faithful believers from times past. Bunyan’s autobiography is a rich resource giving insight not only into the events of his life, but also his thought processes and inner struggles as well. A welcome insight into the man who wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Disclosure of material connection: I received a review copy of this work from the publisher.

Anselm of Canterbury (Christian Biographies for Young Readers)

Anselm of Canterbury (Christian Biographies for Young Readers). By Simonetta Carr. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Reformation Heritage Books. pp. 64. 2013. (List Price $18.00 Hardcover)

---

4.5 Stars out of 5

Simonetta Carr's history series, Christian Biographies for Young Readers, is primarily about telling a story. To capture the attention of children aged 7 to 12 with the written word requires a compelling story, and this entry in the series is compelling.

Anselm’s story is fascinating both because of the details of his life, from early childhood conflicts with his father to his years as an archbishop in conflict with the King of England. Anselm lived during the Middle Ages, a time that is usually associated with spiritual darkness and superstition, yet he stands out as a reminder that God has always had faithful followers throughout the history of the Church. It is refreshing to learn about an often-neglected period of history, and given my lack of prior knowledge, a children’s book is an encouraging way for parents and kids to learn something new.

Prior to reading this book, all I knew about Anselm of Canterbury was that he lived in England, and that’s only because I know where Canterbury is. Yet that's not where he grew up, and his experiences as a young man, and later as a monk and bishop, touch on themes that most kids can identify with. The illustrations help carry the story along and stimulate the desire to keep reading almost as much as the story itself.

The target audience of this book is children aged 7 to 12, although the younger side of that range may appreciate mommy or daddy reading it to them instead of doing it by themselves. Even as an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and wanted to know more after I was done. I recommend it.

I received this book in exchange for a candid review. The opinions expressed are my own.

John Newton (Bitesize Biographies): a book review

John Newton (Bitesize Biographies). By John Crotts. Faverdale North, Darlington, England: Evangelical Press. pp. 128. 2013. (List Price $11.99 Paperback)

---

4 out of 5 stars

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” John Newton’s hymn is so well known in the English world that believers and unbelievers alike could quote at least the first few lines, if not the whole song, from memory. Yet the song represents the extent of most people’s knowledge of the man. His life and testimony deserve wider recognition. Thanks to the Bitesize Biographies series of books, more people will have access to a readable, and hopefully memorable, account of how a man who rejected God’s grace for most of his young adult life could become a preacher of that same grace to others.

Crotts’ biography of John Newton is very accessible and a quick read. He dedicates five chapters to his life and influence, and one apiece to his hymns and letter-writing. All seven are a joy to read. It was perhaps the section on William Cowper, a friend of Newton, that I found most moving. Cowper had struggled for a long time with depression and mental illness such that he had attempted suicide multiple times and had been admitted to an insane asylum. Still struggling with depression, he moved in with John and his family for a brief period of time, which was followed by a deep and enduring friendship. Cowper was a poet, and together with Newton they wrote hymns for the church where Newton preached. Unfortunately, Cowper had a mental relapse that he never quite recovered from. Still, their friendship endured up until Cowper’s death in 1800. Newton would remark that, though Cowper had not been able to find comfort for his mental anguish, he has certainly given it to others.

Newton’s life is worth learning about. His faith is our faith, his gospel ours. Crotts’ biography was a refreshing and encouraging introduction to the life of a man I’d much like to learn more about. Fortunately, Crotts even includes a “further reading” section at the end of his book to help the curious wade deeper into the life of John Newton.

I received this book for the purposes of writing a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: Matthew Henry: His Life and Influence

Matthew Henry: His Life and Influence. By Allan Harman. Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications. pp. 208. 2012. ($14.99 Print | $9.99 Digital)

---

««««« Five Stars

Matthew Henry was a talented and intelligent man, and his voluminous writing has left a great impact on the lives of many of those who’ve influenced our own spiritual walk. Many of his works are available free online in digital formats. Yet Henry, like many other writers of bygone days, receives less attention than he should.

Allan Harman’s book introduced me to the man behind the books, and to the story behind the man. The faithfulness of Christians who lived before him influenced Henry’s spiritual walk, and he, in turn, has influenced many others. Harman’s biography renewed my appreciation for people like Matthew Henry and his father, Philip Henry, and I’m even more inspired to reread some classic Christian writings.

Matthew Henry was an interesting man and the life he lived was a full one. His family endured through many trials. His father suffered religious persecution, even spending time in prison, while the whole family mourned the untimely death of close family members. Henry himself lost his first wife to illness and was a single father for a year before remarrying. He lost children to illness, and gained children through adopting his nieces and nephews after his sister passed away. Yet through it all he remained faithful to God. This is a life we can learn from.

Not many books are made to endure. Many of the books I read as a teenager are now out of print and teenagers today have never heard of them, much less read them. And this is in less than a decade! Yet Henry’s works will still be read long after I’m gone, and I’m grateful to Harman for introducing me not just to Henry’s works, but to his life as well.

I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of review.

Book Review: The Apostle

««««

The Apostle: A Life of Paul by John Pollock is a biography of the apostle Paul written at the popular level. The author traveled through the areas where Paul lived and served and adds additional historical, geographical, and cultural details you usually have to read a commentary to find. As a whole, the book is extremely accessible and a quick read, despite its length (304 pages or 10.7 hours).

Since the New Testament only gives so much information about the life of Paul, the author made inferences and assumptions about the apostle that you may or may not agree with, but the background details on the places bring an extra layer of cognizance to readers that are unfamiliar with the eastern Mediterranean (like myself).

The narrator is clear and understandable, though I would have appreciated a little more emotion and dramatic emphasis, but it’s an audio book, not radio theater. Clarity and flow are the most important things.

In short, I’d consider this book to be on par with a professional Hollywood film like The Passion of the Christ or The Nativity Story: there’s a certain degree of artistic license, but you recognize the story well enough.

To buy the book (print), click here.
To buy the audio book, click here.

I received this book free from Christian Audio as part of their audio book review program. I was not obligated to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine.

Book Review: From Pearl Harbor to Calvary

2 Stars

The book From PearlHarbor to Calvary is about Mitsuo Fuchida, the man who led the Japanese aerial assault on Pearl Harbor, and his testimony about how he became an ambassador for Christ. It is short and reads more like a 50s-era Christian missions propaganda piece than a personal testimony. The first part of the book was interesting but devoid of any depth or detail. In a few minutes the attack on Pearl Harbor is over, as is the war, and before you know it the story shifts to a glowing commendation of the Worldwide Christian Missionary Army of Sky Pilots.

If I were reading a biography of Billy Graham, I would be sorely disappointed if his early years of ministry were scarcely touched and the major emphasis of the book was on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and how it is a great organization.

This book fails to deliver anything substantial, which is a shame because Fuchida seems to have lived a very interesting life. The bonus interview at the end of the audio book with one of the men who flew the Doolittle Raid was the most interesting part of the book—and is likely not a part of the print edition.

---

I received this book free from Christian Audio as part of their book review program. I was not obligated to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are mine.