The Holy War by John Bunyan in modern English by Thelma Jenkins (1976)
Foreword
Nothing, perhaps, provides us with a better index to the quality of life of an individual or a generation of Christian people, than their reading habits.
Many, alas, do not seem to read at all, but just spend their time in talking or arguing or in attending an endless succession of meetings. Others read nothing but exciting and dramatic accounts of other people's experiences. Still others are interested only in books and booklets which deal with the “Christians attitude” to this, that and the other.
Most significant of all, however, is our attitude to the great classics of the Christian life, the books in which our forefathers delighted, and on which, next tot eh Bible itself, they fed their souls. In this category the works of John Bunyan always stood out prominently for some 250 years, and their neglect during the past 50 years exposed the pathetic, superficiality of our generation.
It is said that the moderns find Bunyan difficult to read. Because of this, Mrs Thelma Jenkins, in her desire to introduce people to the riches of 'The Holy War' in particular, has undertaken this labour of love. Her desire is that as a result of reading it in this more modern idiom, many may be lead to read Bunyan himself directly, and thereby experience untold blessings and great enrichment of their spiritual lives.
It is my pleasure to encourage this noble effort and my privilege to pray that God will bless it to that end.
D M Lloyd-Jones
Many, alas, do not seem to read at all, but just spend their time in talking or arguing or in attending an endless succession of meetings. Others read nothing but exciting and dramatic accounts of other people's experiences. Still others are interested only in books and booklets which deal with the “Christians attitude” to this, that and the other.
Most significant of all, however, is our attitude to the great classics of the Christian life, the books in which our forefathers delighted, and on which, next tot eh Bible itself, they fed their souls. In this category the works of John Bunyan always stood out prominently for some 250 years, and their neglect during the past 50 years exposed the pathetic, superficiality of our generation.
It is said that the moderns find Bunyan difficult to read. Because of this, Mrs Thelma Jenkins, in her desire to introduce people to the riches of 'The Holy War' in particular, has undertaken this labour of love. Her desire is that as a result of reading it in this more modern idiom, many may be lead to read Bunyan himself directly, and thereby experience untold blessings and great enrichment of their spiritual lives.
It is my pleasure to encourage this noble effort and my privilege to pray that God will bless it to that end.
D M Lloyd-Jones
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