The Celestial Railroad

The Christian Classic “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan has influenced believers for generations. However, it was written in a certain time period and sought to speak to a particular community of people of that time. So, getting into it has been a challenge for many, even when it was shifted to a modernized translation. Nathaniel Hawthorne, famous American writer of “The Scarlet Letter,” decided to use this ancient tale by not only updating the language, but the circumstance of the story. For two weeks we’ll consider his short version of the story (now a couple of hundred years old itself) which he entitled, “The Celestial Railroad.” Even if you are unacquainted with the original Pilgrim’s Progress, you will have no trouble engaging in this intriguing, thoughtful and stimulating story.