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John Bunyan on "How to Get to Heaven"

Why read old books? Pastor Oliver shares with us the value of reading old books and the precious gems he discovered from John Bunyan's book "The Heavenly Footman".

CS Lewis writes the following on the value of reading old books: “Every age has its own outlook. It is especially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books. All contemporary writers share to some extent the contemporary outlook—even those, like myself, who seem most opposed to it."

There is value in the reading of old books. They help inform and correct the bias of our perspectives. Our perspectives are often influenced by our times, sometimes in ways in which we do not see. CS Lewis goes on to encourage that we read one old book for every new book or at least one old book for every three new books. I find books written in 'older' English sometimes challenging to understand and slow-going, but I do heed the advice of reading old books. I have a shelf (or three) of older books, mainly written by the Puritans, which I occasionally will pick up and read. And often times I will find beautiful insights and encouraging gospel reflections by pastors and theologians from earlier times. A recent book that I am reading through is The Heavenly Footman: Or A Description Of The Man That Gets To Heaven by John Bunyan.

But first, who was John Bunyan? John Bunyan was a Baptist pastor who lived from 1628-1688 AD and ministered in Bedford, England. He was a tinker (someone who mends pots and pans) by profession and was not formally trained in a theological institution before he was called into the ministry. John Owen (acknowledged as one of the finest Puritan theologians) is to have said of him, after hearing John Bunyan preached, that he would gladly exchange all his learning for Bunyan’s power of touching men’s hearts. John Bunyan was best-known of all the writers – he is best known as the author of the book Pilgrim’s Progress. Bunyan was one of the most famous Puritan writers, no doubt because, while possessing the word-centeredness and depth of doctrine and experience of other Puritans, he presented truth with a warm simplicity (Beeke & Pederson, 2007).

The Heavenly Footman, while less well-known and published 4 years after Bunyan’s death, nevertheless has echoes of Pilgrim’s Progress. In The Heavenly Footman, Bunyan writes of a traveller on foot with heaven as his goal. After anchoring his teaching on 1 Corinthians 9:24 (“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”), he tells his readers why and how to run, gives motivating thoughts that should set and keep the man running, and writes to jolt us out of any complacency or laziness. He writes all this so that a man might run to obtain heaven.

So how then should a man run? John Bunyan gives nine directions how to run:

The first direction. If you would run to obtain the kingdom of heaven, you need to be sure that you are first in the way that leads to it. Which is the way? The right way is in Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV). You need to run in the right way, making sure that you have received Christ and can be found in him.

The second direction. You should study Jesus Christ. Think much on Jesus Christ who is the way. Reflect on who he is and what he had done. Meditate on the gospel.

The third direction. Strip away anything that hinders you from the way to heaven. Remove covetousness, pride, lust or whatever else your heart may be inclined to that weighs you down.

The fourth direction. Beware of all secondary ways that lead you out of the way to heaven. Avoid any speculations and opinions that claim to be the way, especially those covered over with a few external acts of morality and respectability by the standards of the world.

The fifth direction. Do not be involved in theological speculations and pursue religious fads. Take heed not to follow that proud and lofty spirit, but be content with the running of the way lest you stumble and fall.

The sixth direction. Do not be distracted by men. Bunyan writes, “take heed that you do not have an ear open to everyone that calls after you as you are on your journey.” Do not let the temptations of worldly pleasures distract you.

The seventh direction. Do not be discouraged but press on. Expect discouragements on your journey, but refresh yourself with the gospel promises. Remember the tender-heartedness of Christ and what He has done for you on the cross.

The eighth direction. Realised that the cross comes before glory. You must understand no man goes but by the way that includes suffering and the cross. Bunyan writes, “Christ is that way; into him you must go, into his righteousness, to be justified. And if you are in him, you will see the cross; you must go close by it… and you must take up the cross and follow him.”

The ninth direction. Pray for understanding on how to run to obtain heaven. And pray for resolve to run well. Ask God to stir up your affections and your will to run in such a way to get heaven.

My friends, how are you running in your way to obtaining heaven? Read and reflect on the nine directions that John Bunyan gives us. And in the words of Bunyan, “I wish our souls may meet with comfort [of heaven] at the journey’s end”!

 

Bibliography:

Beeke, JR, & Pederson, RJ (2007). Meet the Puritans: With a guide to modern reprints. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books.

Bunyan, J, & Packer, JI (2002). The heavenly footman: A Puritans view of how to get to heaven. Fearn: Christian Focus Publications.

 

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We will be in 1 John 2:1-6 for our message this Sunday (2 Sep). Take some time to read through these verses before Sunday. Pray for our hearts to hear and heed God’s Word preached.

Pray for the Christian Parenting group. They will be meeting 11am Sunday (2 Sep) at room 310A-B. Pray for their discussions and that they will learn to apply the gospel to their parenting.

Pray for our teachers: school teachers, children’s church teachers, teachers of the Word as we observed Teachers’ Day on 1 Sep 2018. Pray that they will be encouraged in Christ as they seek to represent Jesus Christ in their various areas of responsibilities.

Pray for our students going back overseas for their new academic year: Chris, Nathan, Jolene, Miriam, Clarice and Jillian. Pray that they will be continually rooted in the gospel and to grow in Christ.

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