John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress. Abottsford, WI: Aneko Press, 2015. 385 pages. (aff)
Over the course of this past year, I have made a concerted effort to read Christian classics I neglected in my youth. Milton’s Paradise Lost and Dante’s The Divine Comedy are sitting in queue. But first I tackled one of the most endearing, widely read of all standard Christian books, The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. I am ashamed to confess I had never read it before, though the story and many of the characters and place names are household words. Perhaps its use of allegory puts off present-day readers. Or maybe the seventeenth-century language or Puritan theology makes it appear more ponderous than it really is. I am not sure why I avoided it until recently. I can say, I am delighted that I have now read it.
John Bunyan joined the Roundhead Army during the English Civil War when he was only 16. In 1660, however, after the restoration of the monarchy, he was arrested for preaching without authority. He had become involved with an independent church in Bedford and also did itinerant speaking. He was a tinker by trade. At the time of his arrest, he had recently remarried after his first wife died. He had four children by his first wife, one of whom was blind. His second wife was expecting her first child when Bunyan was sent to jail. She delivered her child stillborn while her husband was imprisoned. The authorities would have released him sooner, but Bunyan would not agree to cease from preaching. He famously said, “If I am freed today I will preach tomorrow.” Hence, he remained in jail until 1672, causing great suffering and labor for his young wife who was left to raise her four stepchildren.
It is thought that Bunyan began writing his classic novel while in the Bedford prison. The first part of the book was published in 1678, the second part in 1684. The book was enormously popular and became perhaps the second most published book in English, after the Bible. The allegory deeply impacted Charles Spurgeon, and he re-read it often. Though Bunyan was not formally educated, he wrote several books, including, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, Defense of Justification of Faith, and The Holy War.
The society in which Bunyan lived had a profound impact on him. He had fought on the side of Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans against the monarchy’s domination and its subjugation of the Church. Catholicism was widely viewed at that time as an oppressive agent against the true Church and glimpses of this view are evident in Bunyan’s writing. He suffered much for his beliefs and yet held fast. Ironically, because the authorities jailed Bunyan in order to prevent him from spreading his unauthorized message, he had time to write his classic, which untold millions would read.
I will not attempt to retell the story, as it is well known. The first half of the book tells the tale of Christian, who departs from the City of Destruction on a pilgrimage to the Celestial City. Despite pleading with his wife and four children to accompany him, they all thought he had gone mad and refused to go with him. So Christian left without them. I struggled with this aspect of the book. For, as much as we cheer for Christian as he proceeds to the Celestial City, we can’t help but think of his five family members left behind in the City of Destruction. Perhaps to rectify this issue, Bunyan later wrote the second part of the book, which describes his wife Christiana and her four sons making their own pilgrimage to join Christian.
Though self-taught, Bunyan addresses a number of issues that are as applicable to today’s Christians as they were in his own age. For example, he talks about the Slough of Despond, which uses past sins to hold well-intentioned pilgrims back and prevent them from ever finding the freedom God offers. He also makes much of the fact that, to properly begin the pilgrimage, people must first enter the wicket gate. Various characters attempt to become pilgrims but do not begin their journey properly. As a result, if they arrive at the gates to the Celestial City, they will not have the necessary admission papers. Bunyan makes it clear that some who profess to be Christians but have never been properly admitted into the Christian faith will be supremely disappointed at the end of their life.
Vanity Fair has become famous over time. It is designed by Beelzebub to appeal to carnal lust. Even though Christian and his companion, Faithful, are simply seeking to pass through, the townspeople are offended by them. The Valley of Humiliation and the Valley of the Shadow of Death hold much symbolism. The Enchanted Ground does as well, for as Bunyan explains, it is found near the end of the trail to lull pilgrims into a stupor before they reach their destination. The final river pilgrims must cross before reaching the celestial City is also highly picturesque. Christian struggles to cross it and is fearful. Yet, in the second part, Christiana and many others cross it with confidence. It is a powerful picture of death and trusting God to greet people on the other side.
Many of the characters have become beloved through the years. Mr. Great-heart is, of course, heroic. He patiently guides Christiana, her family, and various other stragglers. He bravely fights several giants and vanquishes them all. Interestingly, Christiana learns that because she did not initially request Great-heart’s assistance, he was not provided. Once she asked for his aid, however, he journeyed with her and her party for the remainder of their travels and gave them invaluable assistance. Bunyan makes many important, practical points about how God would provide far more assistance to believers if only we would ask for His help and claim His promises.
As I read, I was pleased by the wide range of characters on the same pilgrimage. This diversity shows that, though the journey is essentially the same, each person experiences the pilgrimage through the unique lens of their own character and previous experience. I was encouraged by the various people along the path who aided the pilgrims. It was inspiring to consider that God might use us, too, to assist people along their journey to Him. The two parts of the book also provided some different emphases. Christian and his companions are all men, bravely facing their trials and dangers. Christiana and her children are much more vulnerable, yet they, too, are legitimate pilgrims. When pilgrims who are simple minded or must use crutches join the party, the other travelers do not leave them behind—even when the weaker pilgrims urge the party to continue without them. These instances provide a compelling, beautiful picture of the Church and how all Christians journey together, regardless of each person’s strengths, talents, or contributions.
I was surprised at how frequently Bunyan references Scripture throughout this book. He exposes readers to many of the major Scriptures and doctrines of the Christian faith. The pilgrims discuss theological issues on several occasions. While some of the issues might seem dated, others are still extremely relevant. Bunyan even includes some interesting discussions on topics such as whether we will know people in heaven or why some people commence their Christian journey strongly but fall away. Bunyan also highlights the numerous types of people who can discourage or mislead pilgrims. The book acknowledges that people face numerous decisions that can lead them away from God’s will. It also makes clear that Christians are not perfect or sinless. Even Christian loses heart at times. The characters are all the more beloved as a result.
I was interested that at the end of the book, Bunyan writes a defense of his literary decisions and acknowledges that some had criticized him for its content or style. He defends his use of allegory, citing examples from Scripture. Though we are not as familiar with allegories today, I am impressed with Bunyan’s creative imagination in sharing such deep and important Christian truths. Seeing Christians use their artistic skills to glorify God is inspiring. Bunyan was one of the first to do so using the English language.
I am now more certain than ever that every Christian ought to read this book. It will inspire you and give you hope, even if you are currently going through a difficult time. It will certainly give you comfort when thinking about death. It may also help you reconsider some of your current travelling companions and their spiritual help or hindrance to you. Remember that the author knew suffering. He did not write this book from an ivory tower but from a grim English prison. His faith was not theoretical. It sustained him in some of life’s most difficult moments, which is perhaps why his book continues to bless and inspire people almost 350 years later.
Rating: 5
