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Dr. Derek Thomas of RTS Jackson Spoke on John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress at RPTS May 17 -- MP3's to be Made Available

On Saturday, May 17, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Dr. Derek Thomas spoke at RPTS on John Bunyan's work, The Pilgrim's Progress.

The event was hosted by The Reformation Society of Pittsburgh which recorded the messages and have made them available along with other event lectures at www.reformationpittsburgh.org/Lectures.htm.

Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory of a Christian's journey (character called 'Christian') from the "City of Destruction" to the "Celestial City". Along the way, he visits such locations as the Slough of Despond, Vanity Fair, the Doubting Castle, and the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

From his most recent posting about his work on The Pilgrim's Progress on Reformation21: 

I'm halfway through a series of sermons at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson based on John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. I decided to take twelve "locations" as the entry point (City of Destruction, Slough of Despond, Hill Difficulty, Interpreter's House etc.). It has been interesting to listen to the responses to Bunyan by those who had not read the book in a while, particularly the reason why Christian does not lose his burden upon entry through the Wicket Gate, but later, at the sight of the cross. Spurgeon accused Bunyan of "preparationism." Now, I think Spurgeon a tad unfair. In an age of "easy believism" isn't this a more biblical presentation of evangelism? I've included the sermon text in which he made this accusation below. I wonder what folk make of it today?  >>READ MORE>>

ABOUT DR. DEREK W. H. THOMAS
John Richards Professor of Practical and Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

Originally from Wales, Derek Thomas was a pastor for seventeen years in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He returned to the USA in 1996 where, along with his work at the Reformed Theological Seminary, his alma mater, he serves as the Minister of Teaching at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. In addition to serving in the pastorate, Dr. Thomas has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, a monthly denominational magazine.

A graduate of RTS in 1978, he gained a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter, in Calvin’s preaching on the book of Job. He also holds a B.S. from the University College of Wales.

Dr. Thomas has written or edited fifteen books and has contributed to commentary series by Banner of Truth and Evangelical Press. He also co-edited Give Praise to God: A Vision for Reforming Worship (P & R), with Philip Ryken and Ligon Duncan. In 2004, Dr. Thomas became Editorial Director for The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and the editor of its ezine, Reformation 21 (www.reformation21.org ). His interests include the music of Richard Wagner, Anton Bruckner, and Gustav Mahler, and he has a passion for good coffee and blue cheese!

He has been married to his wife, Rosemary, for almost thirty years. They have two adult children, Ellen and Owen, a dog called Jake, and a cat (with feline attitude), Maxamillian Beauregard!