In 1649, the tinsmith of Elstow, Bedfordshire, John Bunyan, married at the age of twenty. Though an unbeliever at the time of his marriage, he was blessed with a wife whose father was considered pious. This union, though humble, was enriched by the inheritance of two significant books from her late father: The Plain Man’s Pathway to Heaven by Arthur Dent (1601) and The Practise of Pietie by Lewis Bayly (1613). These books would later play a crucial role in Bunyan’s spiritual journey.[1] Though he would occasionally read these books with his wife, he remained unconverted. He did enough to conform to “the religion of the times,” attending the parish church in Elstow and even singing with the congregation all the while “retaining my wicked life.” However, after the birth of Mary (1650), the Bunyan’s first child, blind from birth, a profound change began to take place in John. As a result of his hearing some poor women in Bedford speak of their religious beliefs, he started to attend the separatist open-communion Baptist congregation in Bedford where John Gifford pastored. A few years later, in 1655, Bunyan moved his family to Bedford where he became a church member after his conversion and baptism. There he also began to preach the gospel not only to the Baptist congregation in Bedford but throughout Bedfordshire.[2]
1. Sadly, none of Bunyan’s remaining documents provides the name of his first wife who bore four children before dying young in 1658.
2. For a chronology of Bunyan’s life see W.R. Owens and Anne Page, “Chronology of John Bunyan’s Life, Publications and Times,” John Bunyan Society. Bunyan’s earliest preaching and publishing of tracts was against the Ranters (Some Gospel-Truths Opened According to the Scriptures, 1656, and A Vindication of the Book Called, Some Gospel Truths Opened, 1657), and an exposé of professional clergy and the rich (A Few Sighs from Hell, 1658). That same year his first wife died.
Late in 1660, Bunyan was (1) arrested for preaching illegally, (2) tried in January 1661 under an Elizabethan statute of 1593 that outlawed preaching at “conventicles,” worship meetings not authorized by law, (3) found guilty and sentenced initially to three months in prison, and (4) held for the following twelve years, his sentence extended because he refused to cease preaching if released.[3] John Bunyan’s twelve years of imprisonment were marked by resilience and steadfastness. He was released for short periods on parole only to return to prison. When not engaged in writing, he made shoelaces to support his family, a testament to his unwavering faith and determination.
On December 21, 1671, the Bedford congregation elected John Bunyan as pastor. The next year, he received a royal pardon and was released from prison in early 1672. On May 9, Bunyan applied for and received a license to preach in a Bedford barn which the congregation purchased as its meeting place. Then, in 1675, Charles II withdrew the Declaration of Indulgence, effectively canceling Bunyan’s license to preach and rendering him an outlaw. Bunyan was arrested in December 1675 and imprisoned until June 1677, liberated likely by John Owen’s influence with the Earl of Nottingham, who directed the Bishop of Lincoln to release Bunyan.
3. Bunyan wrote a series of five letters to give an account of his trial and imprisonment (A Relation of the Imprisonment of Mr. John Bunyan, 1765).
Though Bunyan began writing The Pilgrim’s Progress in 1668, during his first and longer imprisonment, it was not published until ten years later. Until its publication, apart from his autobiography, Grace Abounding, Bunyan’s writings were doctrinal. Nonetheless, his view of the Christian life as an arduous journey fleeing God’s impending wrath and trekking toward the heavenly city captured his mind and was regularly evident among some of his earlier writings. Thus, many of Bunyan’s experiences reported in Grace Abounding, such as his later portrayals of Apollyon’s accusations, the Slough of Despond, and the Valley of the Shadow, became objectified in The Pilgrim’s Progress. However, one tract, The Heavenly Footman, published posthumously in 1698, more than all others foreshadowed The Pilgrim’s Progress, as the expanded title suggests, “A description of the man that gets to heaven: together with the way he runs in, the marks he goes by; also, some directions how to run so as to obtain.”[4] The text that grounds Bunyan’s tract is 1 Corinthians 9:24, “So run, that ye may obtain” (KJV). The evidence shows that long before Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress, likely around 1660, the imageries, characters, settings, and plotline were already germinating in his mind. So, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Bunyan’s greatest literary achievement emerged from the dream of Grace Abounding and the journey of The Heavenly Footman.[5]
4. John Bunyan, The Whole Works of John Bunyan, ed. George Offor, reprinted 1977 Baker Book House (London: Blackie & Sons, 1875), 377-94.
5. See Daniel Gibson, Jr., “On the Genesis of Pilgrim’s Progress,” Modern Philology 32, no. 4 (May 1935), 365-82.
With that brief background in view, I will spend what remains of this article examining why this remarkable book has had such a lasting influence. Indeed, despite its inauspicious origins in the prison cell of a poor separatist pastor, this story has stood the test of time. I attribute its continued success to its literary excellence, cultural influence, and its enduring relevance as a tale of persevering faith.
Literary Excellence
Allegorical Depth
Bunyan’s literary genius greatly exceeds his level of formal education as evidenced by how he weaves complex theological and moral themes into a cohesive and engaging narrative. Essential to The Pilgrim’s Progress is its well-crafted allegorical structure. As an allegory, everything earthly—the plotline, characters, settings, conflicts, and conquests—is representative of the heavenly dimension. The allegory progresses by following the journey of its central character, Christian, beginning at the City of Destruction and climaxing at the Celestial City. Bunyan’s detailed account of his own conversion to Christ and the obstacles he encountered on his own pilgrimage gave him penetrating insight to assist his readers in their pilgrimages. So, for readers, when Christian encounters various characters who are friends or villains and obstacles that symbolize spiritual and moral challenges, it is evident that Bunyan experienced the internal conflict of leaving loved ones and friends to follow Christ Jesus. Likewise, it is apparent that Bunyan intimately knew what it was to be mired in the Slough of Despond, to strain at climbing the Hill of Difficulty, to revel in the joys found at Palace Beautiful, barely to escape Apollyon’s attacks in the Valley of Humiliation, to avoid the deathtraps flanking the narrow path through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, to find himself and his Faithful companion persecuted in Vanity Fair for their godliness, to yield to By-Path Meadow’s seductive shortcut, to be imprisoned in Giant Despair’s dungeon, and to allow the Flatterer to ensnare him.
Likewise, it is apparent that Bunyan knew well the many characters Christian encounters throughout his pilgrimage. Christian’s primary companions are Faithful and Hopeful, signaling to readers the need for the rich fellowship of engaging friends. He comes upon numerous pretend-pilgrims who are unreliable, fickle, and misguiding—Obstinate, Pliable, Mr. Fearing, Mr. Worldly Wiseman, Talkative, Lord Fair-Speech, and many others. Christian is assisted by many trustworthy allies such as Mr. Goodwill, the Interpreter, Piety, Prudence, Charity, and Evangelist. Foes who would impede Christian seem innumerable—Apollyon, Lord Hate-Good with his handpicked auspicious jury of twelve, each aptly named, three false witnesses (Envy, Superstition, and Flatterer), Giant Despair and his wife Diffidence.
Each of Bunyan’s brilliantly conceived pretenders and foes and aptly situated obstacles represent different aspects of Christian’s encounters that test his belief in the good news as it is in Christ Jesus. Thus, Bunyan’s allegory portrays the wonderful biblical teaching concerning a Christian’s persevering journey from sin’s darkness to climax with the attainment of salvation at his death. The vividness of the representational characters and the symbolic obstacles invite readers to grasp the spiritual lessons being conveyed. The universality of these themes has secured the enduring relevance of The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Stylistic Mastery
Bunyan’s prose is noteworthy for its clarity and simplicity, making the allegory accessible to a wide readership. Its 17th-century English remains approachable to modern readers, and for those who find the text somewhat difficult, there are contemporary renditions that simplify reading.[6] Plenty of children’s versions are also available, ensuring that the book can be enjoyed by readers of varying ages and backgrounds.[7] This accessibility is one reason for its widespread appeal and inclusion in the canon of great world literature.
6. See John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress: A Readable Modern-Day Version, ed. Alan Vermilye (BrownChair Books, 2020). Alan Vermilye, The Pilgrim’s Progress Study Guide (BrownChair Books, 2020). I used these two when I taught The Pilgrim’s Progress for our adult class at Christ Bible Church from January to May 2024.
7. Andy Naselli provides a detailed list of many editions and media formats of Bunyan’s classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress for Children (and Adults). Also, this year from August 29–October 6, the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., will feature a stage performance of The Pilgrim’s Progress.
The story’s episodic arrangement, with its steady progression of Christian’s journey, creates a compelling narrative that beckons readers onward. Bunyan’s skillful use of dialogue and description further enhances the narrative, making the abstract concepts of faith and redemption tangible and relatable. He did not arrange his book with chapter divisions. Instead, he brilliantly structured The Pilgrim’s Progress around conflicts, one conflict after another. This is essential to his message that Christians are never finished navigating obstacles and engaging threatening foes who would allure them away from laying hold of Christ Jesus, to be found in him on the Last Day. Conflict follows conflict. Thus, Christians would be presumptuous to think the worst has passed.
Therefore, though its characters and narrative have prompted some to acclaim The Pilgrim’s Progress as the forerunner of the novel, the characteristic rising and falling plotline would work against Bunyan’s portrayal of the true nature of being a Christian in this present world. Instead, Bunyan develops numerous miniature plots to show how Christian’s progress through each conflict, whether faltering or steadfast, develops trust in the Lord of the Country to which he was headed. This is Hopeful’s appeal to Christian in Doubting Castle when he was despairing of life itself. Hopeful reasoned that through faith in the Lord, they had already endured and survived so much, how could one more challenge end their pursuit of salvation? So, Bunyan’s work is different from a novel. Instead, he crafted his narrative to replicate the real life of any Christian reader with its obstacles, conquests, and routine daily faithful endurance.
Cultural Impact
Religious Influence
Bunyan’s allegorical portrayal of the Christian life in The Pilgrim’s Progress has significantly influenced and shaped Christian thought and practice across denominations. It has influenced sermons, religious education, and devotional literature. The storyline’s portrayal of faith’s journey, with its trials, tribulations, and ultimate triumph, resonates deeply with believers around the world, providing encouragement and instruction.
Beyond influencing individual believers, The Pilgrim’s Progress has played a significant role in shaping Protestant theology and identity. Its emphasis on personal belief, perseverance in holiness, and the importance of Scripture highlights crucial Protestant doctrinal principles. Bunyan’s own role as a nonconformist preacher imprisoned for his beliefs contributes authenticity and conviction to the narrative.
Worldwide Influence
Despite John Bunyan’s modest education, his work transcended national borders and languages, becoming a global literary phenomenon. Published in 1678, the book not only secured its place in the English literary and cultural canon but also found resonance in Dutch (1681), German (1703), Swedish (1727), and eventually in over 200 languages, with eighty languages in Africa alone.[8] His enduring classic, published in countless editions, has never been out of print. For over 200 years, only the King James Bible outsold Bunyan’s masterpiece. The worldwide reception of The Pilgrim’s Progress can be attributed to multiple factors, but perhaps the most significant is Bunyan’s intimate understanding of his subject (salvation in Christ Jesus) and his readers (fellow pilgrims on the narrow way). This profound insight is a result of his own spiritual journey, where he encountered every pitfall and snare along Christian’s path, as he vividly recounts in Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners (published 1666).
8. Part 2 of The Pilgrim’s Progress was published in 1684, telling the story of Christiana, Christian’s wife, and their four sons taking the same journey to the Celestial City. Until 1728, the two parts were published separately.
The Pilgrim’s Progress has influenced various art forms, including literature, music, theater, and visual arts. It has inspired countless adaptations and references in other works, from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter to C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. Bunyan’s characters and imagery have become part of the cultural lexicon, reflecting its deep and lasting impact.
Enduring Relevance
While rooted in the religious and cultural milieu of Bunyan’s 17th-century England, the book’s themes transcend its historical context. The Pilgrim’s Progress addresses fundamental questions Christians must face concerning the nature of faith, the challenges of living a moral life, and the hope for redemption. Bunyan’s portrayal of the inner conflicts Christians encounter, such as fear, despair, and temptation, appeals to the experiences of readers throughout this world’s cultures and across different eras. The allegory provides a framework for understanding one’s own spiritual and moral journey, offering insights that are both timeless and deeply personal.
Contemporary readers can appreciate the book not only as a religious and literary classic but also as a penetrating exploration of the human experience in need of redemption in Christ Jesus. The journey motif, with its trials and ultimate goal, continues to resonate in an age when people seek purpose and direction in a complex and often challenging world.
The praise C. S. Lewis ascribes to Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress effectively captures the book’s enduring significance.
God is no fonder of intellectual slackers than of any other slackers. If you are thinking of becoming a Christian, I warn you, you are embarking on something that is going to take the whole of you, brains and all. But, fortunately, it works the other way around. Anyone who is honestly trying to be a Christian will soon find his intelligence sharpened: one of the reasons why it needs no special education to be a Christian is that Christianity is an education itself. That is why an uneducated believer like John Bunyan was able to write a book that has astonished the whole world.[9]
9. C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics (New York: HarperCollins, 2002), 48-49.
Conclusion
The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan is rightly considered one of the 100 greatest books for its profound allegorical narrative, literary achievement, cultural impact, and enduring relevance for everyone who seeks to “flee the wrath to come” upon the City of Destruction in quest of finding salvation in the Celestial City. Its ability to convey complex spiritual and moral themes through an engaging and accessible story has ensured its place in the canon of great literature. The book’s influence on religious thought, its broader cultural reach, and its universal resonance with human experiences contribute to the story’s enduring status. As readers continue to find wisdom, insight, and encouragement in its pages, The Pilgrim’s Progress remains a testament to the usefulness of Christian literature to captivate and admonish perseverance in loyalty to Christ Jesus, eagerly anticipating the consummation of salvation in the Celestial City.
