Dimensions: approx. 5 x 6 in.
Ages: All ages
Published: 2006
Exclusive bookends created by Creation Museum sculptor Travis Wilson
These two heavy, pewter-look bookends are based on sculpted carvings from John Bunyan’s tomb (see history behind his tomb below).
The history behind the bookends
In a day when so many young people in the church look to pagan movie stars or other non-Christians as heroes or heroines, we want to bring to your attention the type of person we feel everyone should look up to as one of the real heroes—a hero for the Christian faith: John Bunyan.
John Bunyan was a non-compromiser. In 1660, he became one of the “non-conformists.” After Cromwell’s time of the “Protectorate” ended, England’s lawmakers tried to stop the growth of independent churches.
They forbade preaching by anyone not licensed to do so by the Church of England.
Bunyan was not licensed, but he refused to stop preaching the Word of God and was imprisoned. However, what men meant for evil, God meant for good. It was during one of his jail terms that he began writing the now famous book The Pilgrim’s Progress (the first edition was published in 1678). Over 300 hundred years ater, The Pilgrim’s Progress is still a best-seller. This book came from the pen of a hero of the faith who stood on his convictions and would not compromise God’s Word.
Bunyan’s tomb stands in a London graveyard called Bunhill fields. It is alongside a path that thousands walk every day. On each side of his tomb are sculptures which sum up the message of The Pilgrim’s Progress.
One shows the book’s main character, Pilgrim, with the burden on his back, and one shows Pilgrim kneeling before the Cross with that burden falling off his back. What a summary of the gospel that is being “preached” from Bunyan’s tomb every day.
To share more about one of the heroes of the faith so that our children will not forget those who would not compromise God’s Word, AiG is thrilled to present the very special project described here!
We are making available, for the first time ever, copies of the sculptures from Bunyan’s tomb (sculpted as bookends by one of our own highly talented Creation Museum sculptors). They’re a tremendous conversation starter, and they “preach” the uncompromised truth of God’s Word—just like the sculptures on Bunyan’s tomb!