Biography

Dr. Horner presented

"Pilgrim's Progress" and "Future Isreal"

Overview - Pigrim's Progress

John Bunyan (1628-88) was arguably one of the most influential writers in human history. Consider the fact that after the undoubted supremacy in circulation of the English Bible, Bunyan's classic allegory The Pilgrim's Progress, has commonly ranked second. This has led it to be called "the second best book in all the world."

Even secular critics have agreed that this uneducated mender of pots and pans was a writer of uncommon genius. Raised during the turbulent seventeenth century in England, following conversion from an unsavory past, Bunyan began to preach and receive a welcome hearing. His first venture at writing at this time was a vigorous response to Quaker doctrine. Staunchly nonconformist, he was imprisoned for 12 years in the Bedford County jail for refusing to remain silent.

Some eleven editions of The Pilgrim's Progress were published during Bunyan's lifetime, this popularity being stimulated by the enthusiastic readership of the common people. Then in subsequent centuries broader acceptance followed, even by such literary notables such as Cowper, Coleridge, Macaulay, Froude, etc.

In particular, The Pilgrim's Progresshas gained extraordinary universal acceptance, its style being both simple yet engaging in its ability to communicate vital biblical truth. However, as with other classic writings, modernity has taken its toll. Hence, there is a need for the communication of the truth, Bunyan so pasionately proclaimed, in a manner that, while not compromising with regard to truth or style, yet addresses this twenty-first century with clarity and timeless appeal.

Overview - Future Israel

Over the centuries, since the ministry of Jesus Christ and the birth of the Christian church, the relationship between Judaism and Christianity has been one of unending tension. Especially within Christianity, any acknowledgment of ongoing distinctive Jewish identity has been fraught with controversy and stern repudiation. It has to be admitted that, within Christendom in a broad sense, the prevailing belief has continued to be that the Jew, the nation of Israel and the land, have, on account of unbelief and disobedience, earned permanent passé status. In other words, it is declared that this ancient people has forever
forfeited its covenant relationship with God.

Such an estimate has not been without painful consequences, especially the fact that many Christians have treated the Jews as having become persona non grata in the sight of God. The only hope for such a forlorn people is said to be their ultimate absorption into the Christian church with the result being the loss of historic Jewishness. Any continued attachment to the past Old Testament legacy can only be retained in abstract, symbolic terms; to claim that God continues to recognize Jewishness, that which is ethnic, national and territorial, is said to revert to carnal, outmoded concepts with regard to the kingdom of God.

Personal Bio

However for many years Barry has also pursued serious study of the field of eschatology. His particular concern is with regard to the present validity and role of national Israel in conjunction with the coming messianic kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. While of sovereign grace convictions, nevertheless he has become disturbed at the anti-Judaic tone that has pervaded much of this broad theological environment. He is convinced that a loving attitude toward the Jewish people, notwithstanding their predominant unbelief, ought to be a spontaneous consequence of a true biblical eschatology. Such a response is difficult if the Jewish people are denied their continuing Jewishness. Hence Barry’s latest publication Future Israel, has addressed this vital concern with some detail.

He resides in Arizona, where he ministers at Christ’s Church of Tucson.