Teaching a Spiritual Classic in a Selfie World
PROFESSOR PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
ABOUT THIS SITE
Reflections on a Spiritual Classic and its Contemporary Reception
This website is designed to engage contemporary readers of The Pilgrim's Progress in thinking about its contents, its promise and problems, and its continued place in twenty-first century life. So if you read, study, preach on, or teach The Pilgrim's Progress, this site is for you.
The professor of the title is Dr Andy Draycott. Check out the Blog for how John Bunyan used the term 'professor' differently. Andy was read adaptations of The Pilgrim's Progress when he was young. He remembers the pictures. He chose the book for an elective high school English Literature assignment. The book seemed to fit well with his English baptist family formation. When asked by a colleague in the English department at Biola University to co-teach a class he volunteered John Bunyan's classic as a the key text. Out of that one off experience was born a class based entirely on The Pilgrim's Progress and its reception. For more formal qualifications check out his CV.
Deeply committed to the integration of faith and learning, and open to input from all perspectives, Andy is delighted that he gets to teach an entire class on The Pilgrim's Progress. The course reflects on this spiritual classic from the perspective of our selfie world. Check the Teaching section of this site for more on course content. Andy is available for virtual or in person talks in church and fellowship, homeschool and book club settings. Do get in touch.
The site logo is what happens when a not arty professor picks up some chalk in order to not have to buy an image.
Andy teaches courses at the undergraduate level at Biola University with the Talbot School of Theology. Alongside the class on The Pilgrim's Progress, he has a more generic class on 'Pilgrimage:The Christian Life as Journey'; he also teaches classes on the life and theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, on Christian Ethics, and he co-teaches on Psychology and Christian Thought, and Interdisciplinary Studies. His systematic theology survey class covers the doctrines of Salvation, Holy Spirit, Church and Last Things.
UNDERGRADUATE COURSE OUTLINE
Pilgrim’s Progress: A Spiritual Classic for a Selfie World
Studying John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress towards spiritual formation, from civil war through culture war by way of engaging theology, missions, history, literature, philosophy, psychology, politics, economics, adaptation theory, art, musicals, movies, opera, prog rock, graphic novels, board games, computer games, and theme parks, to the celestial city.
One of the most fruitful aspects of teaching is the element of creativity that students bring to a class. This section describes class assignments and showcases examples of student projects from the class.
A COURSE FOR YOU?
Descriptions of the kinds of classes that I can offer you and your church, fellowship, book club, homeschool co-op, or small group.
SOME OTHER GREAT SITES
Christian Classics Ethereal Library: Full Text (Stage division is not Bunyan's, Bible References are hyperlinked, does not include Bunyan's Marginal Comments)
Professor Pilgrim's Progress' Favorites
GET IN TOUCH
Contact Andy Draycott at Professor Pilgrim's Progress to discuss published work, teaching, collaboration opportunities or for any other inquiries.