Of all the books that have ever been printed, John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress stands second only to the Bible itself. And with good reason: Bunyan’s writings were filled with Scripture. Princeton scholar, Emile Caillet states:
In my own estimation, next to the Bible which in is a class by itself, Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress rates highest among all the classics … the reason I have put The Pilgrim’s Progress next only to the Bible is that as I proceed along the appointed course, I need not only an authoritative book of inspiration and instruction; I need a map. We all do. My considered judgment … is that Bunyan’s masterpiece has provided us with the most excellent map to be found anywhere.
His Life
John Bunyan was born in 1628 in Elstow, England. He came to faith around the age of twenty-five (An account of his life and conversion can be found in his autobiography, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners). His eventually joined John Gifford’s church in Bedford where he was encouraged to preach. The beginning of his preaching ministry coincided with the Stuart Restoration of 1660 which punished all preaching not sanctioned by the Church of England. Bunyan was arrested in 1660 for preaching illegally and sentenced to three months in prison. His continual refusal to assure the authorities that he would refrain from preaching upon release prolonged his imprisonment for twelve years until 1672.
During that time, he made shoe laces (to support his wife and children), preached to prisoners and crowds outside his prison, and wrote many books and pamphlets. He was so trusted by his jailers that they often permitted him to leave his cell to go and preach to illegal gatherings in the woods! Afterwards, he always returned voluntarily to his jail cell.
After his release from prison, Bunyan became the pastor of a church in Bedford. Crowds thronged to hear this man take the truths of heaven and bring them down to earth. Once, after the great Puritan scholar John Owen returned from hearing Bunyan, the king, Charles II, ridiculed him for hearing such an “illiterate tinker”. Owen replied: “May it please your majesty, could I possess that tinker’s abilities for preaching, I would most gladly relinquish all my learning.”
After riding on horseback in a heavy rainstorm, Bunyan contracted a fever and died in the home of a friend on August 31, 1688. Though Bunyan died at the age of sixty, his writings continue to preach his message. When China’s Communist government printed Pilgrim’s Progress as an example of Western cultural heritage, the initial printing of 200,000 was sold out in just three days!
While Pilgrim’s Progress continues to have impact on readers, in America, little attention is presently given to it inspite of the fact that it has the ability to impart doctrine and practice to both children and adults alike. In Pilgrim’s Progress, the same great theological truths taught by Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Edwards come to life right before our eyes. As one author puts it: “Bunyan turns theology and doctrine into an exciting adventure, and imaginations are captured as these truths are personified. A person who thoroughly understands The Pilgrim’s Progress is an accomplished theologian.” (Maureen Bradley, The Pilgrim’s Progress Study Guide).
Pilgrim’s Progress can also be a great help in preaching. Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” said, of all the authors he read, Bunyan “is my great favorite.” During his life time, Spurgeon records that he had read Pilgrim’s Progress as least one hundred times. Speaking of Bunyan, Spurgeon said,
Read anything of his, and you will see that it almost like reading the Bible itself. He had read it till his very soul was saturated with Scripture; and though his writings were charmingly full of poetry, yet he cannot give us his Pilgrim’s Progress — that sweetest of all prose poems — without continually making us feel and say, “Why, this man is a living Bible!” Prick him anywhere; his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his very soul is full of the Word of God. I commend his example to you, beloved.
My family has greatly benefited from the study of Bunyan. Below I have listed some resources that may help you in this endeavor. My hope is to provide a series of articles in future issues related to this great book that will stir greater interest in it. But, regardless of the outcome of these articles, read Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress; you’re in for a great adventure in theology and life.
Copyright Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International
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