It is said that the most printed book in the world, beside the Bible, is Pilgrim’s Progress. It has been translated into several hundred languages, and since it was written 330 years ago, it has never been out of print. With little formal education and no seminary degree, Bunyan had been arrested for preaching without a license. Written mostly or entirely from jail, Bunyan managed to write one of the masterpieces of the English language.

With memorable characters and mortal dangers, Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory of Christian conversion, a Christian’s journey through life (including many temptations), and the Christian’s final victory. Once you’ve read it, you’ll never forget Mr. Worldly Wiseman, Apollyon, Giant Despair, Evangelist, and Christian’s companion Faithful. The locations in the story are no less memorable. Early in the story, the Slough of Despond causes grief for our dear pilgrim. One of the high points of the story is when Christian encounters a cross by the wayside, and the results of that encounter. You will also remember the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Doubting Castle, and another of the high points of the story, the River of Death.

The town of Vanity Fair is an important stop on the journey. (Make sure to note the many similarities of that town with our own culture!) Evangelist told them of this town:

You cannot expect to travel far in your pilgrimage without having trials in some form.

You have had some of this come to you already, and more will soon follow.

The rest of Evangelist’s statement is both distressing and highly encouraging, and shortly thereafter, we read of a secret wish, held privately by both Christian and Faithful, regarding Evangelist’s prediction. It is a wish held by very few people – and the wish would come true for one of them.

Beyond the unforgettable characters and places, however, lies an astounding work of Christian doctrine. Spurgeon wrote of John Bunyan, "Cut Bunyan anywhere, and his blood is bibline." Bunyan was a man who knew the Scriptures extraordinarily well. If you poked him, a verse would come out. Being a man of sound theology (his theology was Puritan), and with a God-given ability to communicate, both in preaching and writing, Bunyan was used by the Lord to bless us with a fascinating story solidly rooted in Scripture.

Throughout the text are numerous allusions to Bible stories and doctrines. As I read it, I wonder just how many of them are simply over my head – completely missed by my own ignorance. Also throughout the text are direct quotes of Holy Writ – and as in his preaching, Bunyan pulls no punches.

One of the main points of the story is who makes it to heaven, and why, as well as who doesn’t make it, and the numerous reasons why. There is no easy-believism here (or in the Bible)!

Pilgrim’s Progress is simply a must-read. And if you’ve read it, but it has been some time ago, then it is time to read it again. It is good for private devotions, but my family just read it as a part of family worship. It is simply outstanding. Absolutely magnificent. You won’t be unchanged.

Versions:

The original masterpiece is certainly worth reading. To make understanding easier, however, a good updated edition can be very helpful. I read Pilgrim’s Progress in Today’s English, retold by James H. Thomas. It was very faithful to the original, and still kept some of the older English style. In other words, he did a good and delicate job of rewriting – he did not go overboard. There are several other updated versions, some of them shortened (which I would tend to shy away from). However, there is also a shortened version called Dangerous Journey, a large book with a number of excellent pictures (illustrations by Alan Parry). Much text is left out, but what is there is good. I used it to go along with the full version – the kids enjoyed looking at the wonderful drawings.