John Bunyan Was An Awesome Free Grace Preacher

Pilgrim's Progress (written in 1675) author John Bunyan (1628-1688) was an awesome free grace preacher. I am so sick and tired of hearing neo-evangelical fools like Ray Comfort, Paul Washer and John MacArthur FALSELY claim that all of the old time preachers from century's past preached repentance from sins to be saved. Clearly, they did not, and John Bunyan is solid proof that there have been true and false preachers in every generation.

In lieu of the archived wisdom of such brilliant men of God as John Bunyan, one can only wonder what is insanely wrong with corrupt institutions like Pensacola Christian College, who wickedly adhere to a works-based plan of salvation that requires being willing to forsake one's sinful bad habits in order to be saved.

Moreover, even without the astute knowledge of such godly preachers as John Bunyan, the plain and simple Holy Bible, when taken at face value, teaches a free grace Gospel. John Bunyan saw it plainly in the inspired Word of God in his generation, and honest truth-seekers see it today in the same King James Bible.

In my humble opinion, corrupt places like BJU and PCC merely follow what they've heard taught by peers in the ministry, instead of searching the Scriptures as they ought. It is much easier and less risky to merely go along to get along, than it is to buck the trend and swim against the stream by obeying God's Word. In other words, PCC are guilty of compromising their integrity for favor and acceptance by others, but they have betrayed Jesus and the Gospel.

I have heard some naïve critics on social media falsely accuse John Bunyan of teaching the Devil's lie of Lordship Salvation in his classic book, Pilgrim's Progress. To those idiots I would like to say, OH SHUT UP!!! Listen, John Bunyan wrote a novel to personify the Christian life, showing how easily we can become sidetracked as saints by discouragement, lies, evil people, liars and other common pitfalls in the Christian life.

However, John Bunyan didn't write his book to present a plan of salvation, so it is stupid to look for the Gospel in a book that wasn't intended to show you how to get to Heaven. We have the Bible for that. The inspired King James Bible is our only authority is all matters of doctrine, morals and faith, not John Bunyan's book. Would you look in Martha Stewart's recipe book for God's plan of salvation? No, of course not. So why look for it in a novel that is admittedly fictitious?

In sharp contrast, when we read John Bunyan's sermon statements it becomes abundantly clear to see that he taught a free grace Gospel. The following is my favorite preacher's quote, from John Bunyan:

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —John Bunyan (1628-1688)

Amen and amen! I have read silly debates online by religious people, who are arguing over whether the main character “Christian” in the book Pilgrim's Progress was saved at the Wicket Gate or at the cross (when his heavy burden dropped off his back). Folks, who cares! The point to be learned is that Christian was saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ without works. That is the point John Bunyan wants the reader to learn. It's a beautiful story that personifies the Christian life's journey. My favorite movie based on the book is the 2008 film, “Pilgrim's Progress: Journey To Heaven.” Again, John Bunyan wasn't trying to present a plan of salvation in his book. He just emphasizes that biblical truth that we are saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ without works.

At what point does a person get saved? It is at the very instant that a lost sinner places his or her childlike faith (trust, reliance) in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Simply receive His sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins, believing that He was buried, but then resurrected from the dead three days later. This is the Gospel (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). You can needlessly argue over where this happened in the book Pilgrim's Progress, but you're looking for something that the author did not intend. If you want the plan of salvation, then you should be reading the inspired Holy Bible, specifically the Gospel of John (John 20:31).

Shame on anyone who falsely accuses John Bunyan of teaching Lordship Salvation, when every sermon he ever preached proved otherwise. John Bunyan faithfully preached a free grace Gospel.