Book Review: The Heavenly Footman, by John Bunyan

Synopsis: The Heavenly Footman, which comes from the pen of the man who gave us the most beloved allegory of all times, is a striking testimony to the richly varied and always impactful body of writings left for us by the Puritan John Bunyan. The book is basically an extended sermon on I Corinthians 9:24-26 – and, as befitting an exceptional sermon, it displays a keen, insightful exegetical competency, combined with a passionately heartfelt exhortation for all of us to “run so as to obtain.”

From the outset, this publication has value by reason of its introduction. J. I. Packer, the acknowledged master of meaningful book introductions, as well as a widely accepted authority on Puritan literature, has given us an insightful and inspiring glimpse into the life and works of John Bunyan. But as helpful as Packer’s introduction may be, the real value of the work lies, appropriately, in the sermonic insights and exhortations of Bunyan himself.

In this deeply penetrating homily, Bunyan vividly paints for all of us who would finally taste the pleasures of heaven, a description of the man who is ultimately successful. And he is none other than the man who is willing, for a lifetime, to run fervently, diligently, and in the right way, until he finally receives the incomparable prize. The pursuit of godliness and eternal pleasure with Christ is no insignificant matter; and, commensurate with the gravity of the reward, Bunyan is gravely earnest in his scripturally-derived exhortations.

Oh how many of us desire the riches of heaven, but would rather live our lives easily and comfortably until that time! To those spiritual sluggards, whose lives display a greater delight in earthly pleasure than heavenly reward, Bunyan asks the following insightful questions:

“Would you be willing to be damned for slothfulness? Would you be willing that the angels of God should neglect to fetch your souls away to heaven when you lie a-dying, and the devils stand by ready to scramble for them? Was Christ slothful in the work of your redemption? Are his ministers slothful in tendering this unto you? …If all this will not move you, I tell you God will not be slothful or negligent to damn you…”

How fitting is this message for our times! The reformed doctrine of perseverance is among the most neglected and eminently needful doctrines for the twenty-first century church. And this brief, simple, and clearly laid-out exhortation could not have been better designed as a necessary corrective. I pray that God would grant this remarkable volume an ever-widening influence among his people today!

Leave a Reply