From This World to That Which Is to Come by John Bunyan

Endorsements

“This classic has refreshed my spirit time and again when my soul has longed for Christ-centered guidance through a maze of modern detours and diversions. I’m so grateful this special edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress is now available to not only a new generation of Christians but to believers like myself who need direction and refreshment along our journey toward Home.”

- Joni Eareckson Tada, President, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

“If any smoothing of Bunyan’s seventeenth-century language plus new colored pictures can set Pilgrim’s Progress aglow in the hearts of today’s young readers, this lovely book will surely do it.”

- J. I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College

“Every generation is heir to John Bunyan’s timeless allegory, and to each generation falls the task of commending this tale anew. The collaboration of editor C. J. Lovik and illustrator Mike Wimmer has yielded a book that could well be a classic for our time. With great care, Lovik has combined the best elements of Bunyan’s rich, evocative prose with accessibility for the modern reader. And in Wimmer, Bunyan has met his illustrator for the twenty-first century. The thirty illustrations that grace this edition are a world in themselves-the equal of any that appear in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books.”

- Kevin Belmonte, lead historical consultant for the motion picture Amazing Grace

“If you are looking for a classic edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress, with a simplified form of Bunyan’s original text, traditional color illustrations, and explanatory notes, this is undoubtedly the version for you.”

- Timothy Dowley, author of The Christians

“For two centuries following its publication (Part 1 in 1678, Part 2 in 1684), The Pilgrim’s Progressgained the status of best-read book (apart from the Bible). This magnificent production by Crossway with stunning illustrations by Mike Wimmer should help reinstate Bunyan’s classic allegory to the status it belongs. It should be a question we ask ourselves: Have I read The Pilgrim’s Progress? If not, repent immediately, for in taking up this volume you will find pastoral insights from a pastor of souls to help you discover the biblical way of salvation and aid you in the journey home.”

- Derek W. H. Thomas, John E. Richards Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson); Minister of Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi; Editorial Director, reformation21.org

“C. J. Lovik’s new edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress almost takes one’s breath away. The text is readable, the notes are clear, and the illustrations are absolutely beautiful. This is a book to be in everyone’s library and will definitely occupy a prominent place in the libraries provided for Rafiki’s children and adults in Africa. It is a joy to know that Lovik’s edition of the Bunyan classic will be read by and to thousands of children throughout the world.”

- Rosemary Jensen, Founder and President, Rafiki Foundation; author of Praying the Attributes of God and Living the Words of Jesus

“This is one of the best books I’ve ever read.”

- Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church

“The Pilgrim’s Progress has long been a favorite of many. Now there is even more to love with this beautiful, updated edition. Editor’s notes clarify the ideas in John Bunyan’s classic allegory, while footnotes show where in Scripture Bunyan found them. The detailed color illustrations will delight both new readers and long-time lovers of this beloved tale.”

- Starr Meade, author of Keeping Holiday and Training Hearts, Teaching Minds

“Like countless others, I have been greatly influenced by The Pilgrim’s Progress. Charles Spurgeon called it ‘next to the Bible, the book that I value most.’ It has already inspired generations, and I am confident that this new edition will inspire the rising generation. It is refreshingly readable while remaining true to this timeless classic. The illustrations, Scripture references, and study notes make it a superb resource for family devotions and study groups.”

- Susan Hunt, author of Spiritual Mothering

“The longer I journey through our dear Immanuel’s land, the more grateful I am for John Bunyan’s ‘dream’ and the cruel imprisonment that occasioned it. What a gift weary travelers have been given in this precious, timeless classic-and what beauty, insight, and encouragement was borne out of his suffering! Unafraid to challenge the outward trials of moralism, materialism, and persecution, humble enough to confess his own doubts and despair, Bunyan leads us on our way to the Celestial City we long to see. And what a gift modern readers have been blessed with in C. J. Lovik’s careful editing and Mike Wimmer’s luminous illustrations! This book is beautiful! The Pilgrim’s Progress has always been a cherished treasure, but this edition makes Christian’s story-our story-sing! I’m so thankful for it!”

- Elyse Fitzpatrick, author of Because He Loves Me and Comforts from the Cross

“If a picture truly does speak a thousand words, this version of Pilgrim’s Progress will be the best of all. Combining the beauty of Mike Wimmer’s illustrations with this timeless classic is a stroke of genius.”

- Steve Murphy, Publisher, Homeschooling Today magazine

Before the year ends, I wish also to make my own list of favorite books in my library. It could be a list of 12 or 10 books or more as long as I see them as must-reads, have read or still waiting to be read. The order of the list does not necessary reflect a scale of best to good.

Tchividjian, Tullian, Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different

Sweeney, Douglas A., Jonathan Edwards and the Ministry of the Word: A Model of Faith and Thought

Horton, Michael, Gospel-Driven Life, The: Being Good News People in a Bad News World

Keller, Timothy, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters

Ware, Bruce A., Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God

Lane, Anthony, A Reader’s Guide to Calvin’s Institutes

Ryken, Philip, Luke (2 Volumes) (Reformed Expository Commentary)

Miller, Paul, A Praying Life: Connecting With God in a Distracting World

Van Genderen, J.; Velema, W. H., Concise Reformed Dogmatics

Doriani, Daniel M., Matthew (2 Volumes) (Reformed Expository Commentary)

And Mary said,

God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision by N. T. Wright

Endorsements

“For some time now, I have watched in puzzlement as some critics, imagining themselves as defenders of Paul’s gospel, have derided Tom Wright as a dangerous betrayer of the Christian faith. In fact, Paul’s gospel of God’s reconciling, world-transforming grace has no more ardent and eloquent exponent in our time than Tom Wright. If his detractors read this book carefully, they will find themselves engaged in close exegesis of Paul’s letters, and they will be challenged to join Wright in grappling with the deepest logic of Paul’s message. Beyond slogans and caricatures of ‘Lutheran readings’ and ‘the New Perspective,’ the task we all face is to interpret these difficult, theologically generative letters afresh for our time. Wright’s sweeping, incisive sketch of Paul’s thought, set forward in this book, will help us all in that task.”

- Richard B. Hays, Duke University

“Tom Wright has out-Reformed America’s newest religious zealots–the neo-Reformed–by taking them back to Scripture and to its meaning in its historical context. Wright reveals that the neo-Reformed are more committed to tradition than to the sacred text. This irony is palpable on every page of this judicious, hard-hitting, respectful study.”

- Scot McKnight, North Park University

“Like Paul himself writing to the Galatians, in this book Bishop Tom expounds and defends his interpretation of the apostle’s teaching on justification with passion and power. At the same time, he seeks to move beyond divisive categories (old perspective versus new; soteriology versus ecclesiology; justification versus participation) so that Paul can speak from within his own context and thereby to us in ours. The result is an extraordinary synthesis of the apostle’s–and the Bishop’s–views that should be read by the sympathetic, the suspicious and everyone else.”

- Michael J. Gorman, St. Mary’s Seminary & University, Baltimore

“N. T. Wright provides yet again another fresh and exciting exposition of the apostle Paul. Here Wright shows how Paul proclaimed justification by faith as part of the Bible’s theodramatic story of salvation, a story that stretches from creation to Abraham to Israel and all the way through to Jesus the Messiah. Wright responds to many criticisms including those of John Piper, and regardless of whether one gravitates toward Wright’s or Piper’s unpacking of Paul, you cannot help but enjoy the sparks that fly when these two great modern pastor-scholars cross swords over the apostle. Moreover, Wright artfully brings readers into the narrative world of Paul, and he sets before us a stirring portrait of the apostle to the Gentiles and his gospel.”

- Michael F. Bird, Highland Theological College, Scotland

“Frank theological table talk is sometimes a necessary endeavor. Tom Wright’s Justification is his substantive reply to critical work by many, including John Piper, on the New Perspective. Wright correctly reminds us that this approach should be better called New or Fresh Perspectives. The goal is to open up the text concerning what it originally said in the first century, not change it. This book sets up a meaningful and significant conversation between the camps in this debate through its direct interaction with the critique. It should be read and reflected on, just as work on the other side should be. So I recommend this book and say, pull up a chair to the table and pay careful attention to the conversation. In the dialogue, all of us will learn more about what Paul and Scripture say about justification (and a few other things as well).”

- Darrell Bock, Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

“I find it quite stunning that a book dealing with the subject of justification could be this compelling of a read. Along the way you find yourself getting caught up in the momentum and energy of the book which pulls you into the momentum and energy of THE BOOK–which is, of course, Tom’s point.”

- Rob Bell, author Velvet Elvis

“John Piper, it turns out, has done us all a wonderful favor. In writing the critique that invited this response, he has given Bishop Wright the opportunity to clearly, directly, passionately and concisely summarize many of the key themes of his still-in-process yet already historic scholarly and pastoral project. Wright shows–convincingly–how the comprehensive view of Paul, Romans, justification, Jesus, and the Christian life and mission that he has helped articulate embraces ‘both the truths the Reformers were eager to set forth and also the truths which, in their eagerness, they sidelined.’ Eavesdropping on this conversation will help readers who are new to Wright get into the main themes of his work and the important conversation of which it is a part. And it will give Wright’s critics a clearer sense than ever of what they are rejecting when they cling to their cherished old wineskins of conventional thought.”

- Brian McLaren, author A Generous Orthodoxy

“This is a sharply polemical book, and N. T. Wright occasionally rises to Pauline heights of exasperation at his opponents. At bottom, though, it is about Pauline basics–about Abraham and Israel, eschatology and covenant, courtroom and Christology. With debates about perspectives old and new swirling around him like a cyclone, Wright does what he always does–he leads us carefully through the text. Some will doubtless remain skeptical about the Copernican revolution Wright proposes, but we are all indebted to him for reminding us once again of the breadth of the gospel of God and the majesty of the God of the gospel.”

- Peter Leithart, author Solomon among the Postmoderns

“This sprightly and gracious yet robust work is Tom Wright’s carefully argued and scripturally based response to those who think that he has deeply misunderstood Paul’s doctrine of justification. Although it is intended especially for those familiar with the debate between the various scholarly perspectives on Paul, it is in fact a straightforward and reasonably succinct exposition of Tom’s interpretation that incorporates a defense of his approach to Paul in general and his exegesis of specific passages in Galatians and Romans in particular. This is definitely one of the most exciting and significant books that I have read this year. Like all of the author’s work, I found it hard to set down once I had started to read it. Strongly commended!”

- I. Howard Marshall, University of Aberdeen

It is December once again, and as we remember Christ’s birth during the advent season, let us reflect from the Gospel according to Luke the four hymns.

Mary’s Magnificat (1:39-55)

Zechariah’s Benedictus (1:56-80)

The Angels’ Gloria in Excelsis Deo (2:8-20)

Simeon’s Nunc Dimittis (2:21-38)