The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come

By John Bunyan and Mike Wimmer

Thirty all-new, full-page, color illustrations and edited text for ease of reading make this the edition of John Bunyan's classic allegorical tale to own and to give.
For more than three centuries both Christians and non-Christians, young and old, have been fascinated by the characters and story of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come-regarded as one of the most significant works of English literature. While keeping the dignity and beauty of Bunyan's language, editor C. J. Lovik has updated words and phrases for today's readers.
This deluxe edition of Pilgrim's Progress, brought to life in forty all-new, full-page, color illustrations by award-winning illustrator Mike Wimmer, takes readers on a visually stunning journey with protagonist Christian as he seeks the Celestial City. Along the way, readers encounter Evangelist, Mr. Worldly Wisdom, the Interpreter, Hypocrisy, Watchful, Faithful, Talkative, Hopeful, Ignorance, and others. Through word and picture, readers will better understand the obstacles and encouragements they will face as they live out the Christian life this side of heaven.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crossway Books
• Release date: Sep 14, 2009
• ISBN: 9781433518805

John Bunyan

John Bunyan (1628–1688) was a Reformed Baptist preacher in the Church of England. He is most famous for his celebrated Pilgrim's Progress, which he penned in prison. Bunyan was author of nearly sixty other books and tracts, including The Holy War and Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. 

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THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

From This World to That Which Is to Come

JOHN BUNYAN

C. J. Lovik, editor

Illustrated by Mike Wimmer

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The Pilgrim’s Progress

Updated text copyright © 2009 by C. J. Lovik

Illustrations copyright © 2009 by C. J. Lovik

Published by Crossway Books

a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers

1300 Crescent Street

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.

Cover design: Josh Dennis

Cover and interior illustrations: Mike Wimmer

First printing, 2009

Printed in the United States of America

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4335-0699-4

PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-0700-7

Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-0701-4

ePub ISBN: 978-1-4335-1880-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bunyan, John, 1628–1688.

The pilgrim’s progress : from this world to that which is to come / John Bunyan ; updated by C.J. Lovik ; illustrated by Michael Wimmer. — (Updated version).

p.  cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-0699-4 (hc)

1. Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages—Fiction. 2. Christian life—Fiction.

I. Lovik, Craig John, 1946–      . II. Title.

PR3330.A2L68     2009

823'.4—dc22                 2009004765

LB      19   18   17   16   15   14   13   12   11   10   09

15   14   13   12   11   10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1

CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PUBLISHER’S FOREWORD

EDIT’S NTRODUCTION by C. J. Lovik

Chapter One

PILGRIM’S GREAT DISTRESS

Chapter Two

THE WAY OF THE WORLD OR THE NARROW WAY

Chapter Three

A BURDEN LIFTED AND A JOURNEY BEGUN

Chapter Four

A FIERCE BATTLE AND A DARK VALLEY

Chapter Five

A FAITHFUL FRIEND

Chapter Six

A FAITH BEYOND WORDS

Chapter Seven

ON TRIAL FOR THE GOSPEL

Chapter Eight

CONFRONTING WORLDLY ATTACHMENTS

Chapter Nine

REFRESHMENT AT GOD’S RIVER

Chapter Ten

PRISONERS OF DESPAIR

Chapter Eleven

SHEPHERDS’ WARNINGS, DANGERS AVOIDED

Chapter Twelve

FAITH UNDER ATTACK

Chapter Thirteen

FLATTERING ENEMIES AND RENEWED TRUST

Chapter Fourteen

STUBBORN IGNORANCE

Chapter Fifteen

HOME IN THE CELESTIAL CITY

THE CONCLUSION

EDITOR’S NOTES

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

1. Christian looks for a way of escape outside the City of Destruction.

2. Evangelist points Christian to the sheep gate.

3. Help rescues Christian from the Swamp of Despond.

4. Mr. Worldly-Wiseman directs Christian out of the way.

5. Christian is terrified under Mount Sinai.

6. Christian knocks on the sheep gate.

7. A brave pilgrim battles his way into the Celestial City.

8. Christian’s burden comes loose at the cross.

9. Formalist and Hypocrisy trespass over the Wall of Salvation.

10. Christian begins his journey up the Hill Difficulty.

11. Christian sleeps in the arbor on the Hill Difficulty.

12. Christian is terrified by the lions.

13. Christian is greeted outside the House Beautiful.

14. Christian is entertained at the House Beautiful.

15. Christian examines the records contained in the House Beautiful.

16. Christian views Immanuel’s Land from the House Beautiful.

17. Christian battles Apollyon.

18. Christian walks through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

19. Evangelist, Christian, and Faithful approach Vanity Fair.

20. Christian and Faithful enter Vanity Fair.

21. Faithful is on trial in Vanity Fair.

22. Faithful departs to the Celestial City.

23. Christian and Hopeful escape Vanity Fair.

24. Demas invites Christian and Hopeful into the silver mines.

25. Giant Despair captures Christian and Hopeful.

26. Giant Despair harasses Christian and Hopeful.

27. Shepherds comfort Christian and Hopeful.

28. Christian and Hopeful gaze at the Celestial City.

29. Christian and Hopeful cross over the River of Death.

30. Ignorance is deposited in Hell.

PUBLISHER’S FOREWORD

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THE BUNYAN LEGACY

2 xcept for the Bible itself, The Pilgrim’s Progress is widely recognized as the most influential, beloved, and widely distributed book in the English language. First published in 1678, it became instantly popular throughout English culture, irrespective of education, economic status, or social class. It is widely regarded as a work of genius, though the author, John Bunyan (1628–1688), had only a limited, grade-school education and made his living at the tinker’s trade, going from house to house repairing pots and pans.

Bunyan’s achievement is all the more remarkable, given the fact that he was the object of extended religious persecution as a result of his call to preaching. From 1655 to 1660, Bunyan preached regularly at the local Bedford Baptist congregation and in the surrounding towns. But because he had not been licensed to preach by the established Church of England, he was imprisoned in the primitive conditions of the Bedford Jail beginning in early 1661, where he languished for the next twelve years. It is during this period, however, that Bunyan most likely wrote the original draft of The Pilgrim’s Progress, with a copy of the Bible providing his only reference material.

Written in the form of a highly imaginative allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress tells the unforgettable story of Christian and the extreme, soul-threatening dangers he encounters on his journey to the Celestial City. But it is also much more than an allegory; in a sense, it is both the personal story of Bunyan and the universal story of anyone who undertakes the same eternal pilgrimage. The result is a masterpiece of literature as well as spiritual truth—a book that at one time was loved and read in nearly every home in England and North America, a book that has endured as a classic for more than three centuries.

ABOUT THIS EDITION

The purpose in publishing this edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress is to carry forward this treasured legacy for a new generation. With this as the objective, the text of this edition has only been lightly edited. Thus the intention of both the editor and the publisher has only been to update highly archaic words and awkward sentence structure, while retaining the beauty and brilliance of the original story. Likewise, the intention of this edition has never been to simplify or to change Bunyan’s original story, but to let the story unfold with all the power, truth, and remarkable creativity of the original. It is our hope and prayer, then, that the following pages will fascinate and captivate the hearts and minds of this generation today, as was the case when The Pilgrim’s Progress was first published more than three centuries ago.

It should be noted further that this new edition has become a reality only through the vision of the editor, C. J. Lovik. As the publisher of this edition we are deeply grateful to Mr. Lovik—for his lifelong love, from the age of nine, for John Bunyan and The Pilgrim’s Progress; for his literary skill and great care in editing the text; and for his painstaking labor of love in doing the editorial work over more than a decade. It is indeed a privilege to be entrusted with the publication of The Pilgrim’s Progress, which we seek to carry out in a manner worthy of Bunyan’s legacy.

Lastly, it is important to note the new art that was created specifically for this edition—the thirty, full-color, original paintings by the highly acclaimed artist, Mike Wimmer, which appear throughout the following pages. There is a sense in which these new paintings also carry forward the Bunyan legacy, in that many of the earliest editions of The Pilgrim’s Progress also included original, engraved illustrations. As was the case more than three hundred years ago, these new illustrations—beautifully rendered in exquisite detail and faithfulness to the story—will delight a new generation of children and adults and will powerfully reinforce the timeless truths of Bunyan’s original story.

It is with much appreciation, then—first to Bunyan for his timeless allegory of eternal realities and then to all those who have had a part in carrying forward the extraordinary Bunyan legacy—that we, as the publisher, commend this new edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress, for the eternal benefit of all who read this work and for the glory of God alone.

Lane T. Dennis, Ph.D.

President and Publisher, Crossway

EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION

by C. J. Lovik

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3 he writings of John Bunyan have been an immeasurable gift to generations of English-speaking Christians. His most famous work, Pilgrim’s Progress, has provided rich nutrients to the soil out of which practical Christianity has flourished and borne much fruit. Bunyan was the supreme Bible teacher for everyman. To use an old illustration, it was Bunyan who placed the grain down on the barn floor where the little lambs could reach it, feast, and thrive.

There was nothing elitist or sophisticated about Bunyan, but there was something uniquely profound. Bunyan understood and expounded the timeless eternal truths of Holy Scripture—the miracle of redemptive grace and the battle every pilgrim must wage before he arrives at the Celestial City. And he did it in a way that even the simplest child could understand.

Since the age of nine years old, my appreciation and love for the works of Bunyan, especially Pilgrim’s Progress, has grown and deepened. There was a time when I rarely heard a sermon in which some incident from Pilgrim’s Progress was not used to illustrate a biblical truth. Many of those illustrations have guided me through my own pilgrimage. But, sadly, what was such a great benefit to me is enjoyed by only a relative few today.

In my late twenties I began teaching a class called "Pictures from Pilgrim’s Progress ," a title borrowed from Charles Spurgeon. In those days, three or four decades ago, I did not need to ask for a show of hands from those who had read Pilgrim’s Progress, as all were familiar with the book. Even the unchurched were familiar with Pilgrim’s Progress, as it was on the required reading list for every public high school student. Today things are much different, and you would be hard-pressed to find one in twenty Christians who have read Pilgrim’s Progress. For those who are under thirty, the ratio would be even higher. And among those who were familiar with the book, it would typically not be the original text they had read but a children’s paraphrase.

Many skilled authors have attempted to bring Pilgrim’s Progress to modern English readers. I applaud their efforts and respect the desire to reclaim the lost readership this book once enjoyed. But it occurred to me, after reading many of these attempts, that something very important had been lost in the translation. In short, many of the truths that Bunyan so skillfully and artfully proposed had been dulled or skipped over in an attempt to keep the modern reader’s interest. In addition much of the antiquity of the work had been lost, and with it was lost the voice and tenor of Bunyan himself.

For anyone who wishes to update the original text of Pilgrim’s Progress , the challenge is indeed great. The English language has changed significantly in the last three hundred and fifty years. Scores of metaphors and sayings that were in common use and understood by all in the seventeenth century are now antiquated or obscure, creating a major obstacle for the modern reader. But in addition to this, the modern English reader often considers Bunyan’s literary form of allegory to be antiquated and inconsequential, thereby missing the vibrant truths that are so richly illustrated in Bunyan’s allegory.

The challenge of updating Bunyan’s classic—in a way that preserves the author’s voice and respects the antiquity of the work—was daunting and arduous. For nearly a year this was my constant focus—to prayerfully and carefully discern which stones on the path to leave untouched and which stones to adjust, however slight an adjustment may be necessary, to make the path passable once more (and glorious!) for the modern English reader. Likewise, my goal throughout has always been to respect the literary style of Bunyan and the truths he unfolded in his timeless narrative. The greatest compliment that I could receive after reading this updated edition of Pilgrim’s Progress is that the reader would be able to honestly say that he has really read and encountered Bunyan and his classic work.

It is my hope and prayer that Pilgrim’s Progress might once more be a blessing and inspiration to a new generation. Clearly Christians today are in great need of understanding, guidance, and encouragement. Thus it is my dream that in the pulpits of the English-speaking world Pilgrim’s Progress might once again come into prominence and popular understanding—and likewise in the hearts of individuals and the homes of families around the world. What a tremendous thing it would be if a whole generation were to rediscover the deep, eternal truths of Bunyan’s allegory—as an alternative and antidote to the lurid diet of Vanity Fair that is everywhere today in movies, videos, literature, and the Internet.

I have dedicated my efforts on this work to my gracious Lord and Savior, who is the author of all that is good and true. And having said this, I feel an obligation to add one more thing: As wonderful as Pilgrim’s Progress is, it is not the Bible, nor is it equal to the Bible in any way except as a brilliant commentary on the only Scriptures—the Old and New Testaments. Bunyan wanted his readers to understand that fact; and so, in his absence, I am compelled to pass this along to you—the Scriptures stand alone!

Finally, one cannot read much of Bunyan without coming into contact with his poems and rhymes. When Bunyan’s character Christian lost his burden at the foot of the cross, Bunyan exuberantly voiced the unimaginable joy of the event in a poem. This has inspired me to do the same. And so I offer my own poem to you, the reader, in hopes that it might be enjoyed by you and pleasing to my Lord.

The shadow of a wooden cross

A rising Son displayed.

In that place and on that day

An ancient debt was paid.

Prophetic Word merged with flesh,

With love bound to a tree.

There justice met with mercy

For all the world to see.

Divine the name of Him who hangs

With emblem wounds of glory,

Page of light that turned the night

Into a different story.

Joy was mixed with agony

That day upon the tree.

Reflecting on the Book of Life

My Savior thought of me.

Love deep and wide and full and free,

Love priceless and apart,

Love stained with crimson hues and tears

Has entered human hearts.

Look up, dear soul, and fix blind eyes

Upon the Savior’s tree

And you will find as others have,

He makes the sightless see.

An unexpected resting place

Was found beneath that tree,

Where all my burdens came undone

And I found liberty.

Now, as you immerse yourself in the following pages, may Bunyan’s timeless story come alive for you in all its rich allegorical power and beauty.

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Christian looks for a way of escape outside the City of Destruction.

Chapter One

PILGRIM’S GREAT DISTRESS

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9781433506994_ebook_0020_007 s I walked through the wilderness of this world, I came to a certain place where there was a cave;¹ and I lay down in that place to sleep. As I slept, I dreamed a dream, and in this dream I saw a man clothed in rags,² standing in a place with his face turned away from his own house. He had a book in his hand and a heavy burden upon his back.a

I looked and saw him open the book and begin to read; and as he read, he wept and trembled. Not being able to contain himself, he cried out in a loud voice, What shall I do?b³

In this condition he went home and tried to keep to himself for as long as he could, so that his wife and children would not see him in distress. But after a short time his anguish had increased so much that he could not remain silent. So he began to share with his wife and children what was on his troubled mind; and this is what he told them:

"Dear wife and children, I am greatly troubled by this burden that torments me and grows and weighs so heavily upon me. Moreover, I have received information that the city in which we live will be burned with fire from Heaven.⁴ When this happens, all of us will be destroyed, unless (by a way I do not as yet see) some way of escape can be found, so that we may be delivered."

Hearing this, his family was greatly amazed, not because they believed what he said to them was true, but because they thought that he was losing his mind. So as the evening approached, hoping that sleep might settle his mind, they quickly put him to bed.

But the night was as troublesome to him as the day. Instead of sleeping, he spent the night in sighs and tears. So when morning came, his family came to find out how he was doing. Worse and worse, he told them. He started speaking to them again about his fears and concerns, but they became cold toward him. They tried to change his outlook by treating him rudely. Sometimes they would deride, sometimes they would chide, and other times they would just ignore him.⁵

So he began retiring to his private room to pray for them and to pity them, and also to try to find consolation for his own misery. He would often walk alone in the fields, sometimes reading and sometimes praying; and for a long time this is how he spent his days.⁶

Then one day I saw the man walking in the fields (which he often did), reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his mind. As he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, What shall I do to be saved?c⁷ I noticed that he looked this way and then that way, as if he would run; yet he stood still, because he could not decide which way to go. Just then I looked and saw someone named Evangelist coming toward him.⁸ Evangelist came up to the man and asked, Why are you crying out?

He answered, "Sir, I understand from reading the book in my hand that I am condemned to die and after that to come to judgment.d I am not willing to do the first,e nor able to do the second."f

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Evangelist points Christian to the sheep gate.

Then Evangelist asked, Why are you not willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils?

The man answered, "Because I am afraid that this burden that is on my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Hell.g

And, sir, continued the man, if I am not ready to die, then I am not prepared to go to judgment and from there to execution. Thinking about these things distresses me greatly.

Then Evangelist said, If this is your condition, why are you standing still?

The man responded, Because I do not know where to go.

Then Evangelist gave him a parchment and unrolled it so that the man could read, Flee from the wrath to come.h⁹ When he had read it, the man looked at Evangelist very carefully and said, Which way should I run?¹⁰

Then Evangelist, pointing with his finger to a very wide field asked, Do you see the distant narrow gate?i¹¹

No, the man replied.

Then Evangelist asked, Do you see the distant shining light?j

I think I do, the man answered.

Then Evangelist said, Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly toward it, and soon you will see the narrow gate. And when you finally come to the gate, knock and you will be told what to do.¹²

So I saw in my dream that the man began to run. He had not run very far from his home when his wife and children, realizing what was happening, cried after him to return.k But the man put his fingers in his ears and ran on crying, Life! Life! Eternal life! So without looking back, he fled toward the middle of the valley.

The neighbors also came out to see what was going on, and when they saw who it was that was running, some mocked him, others yelled out threats, and some cried after the man to return. Among those were two who decided to bring him back by force. The name of the one was Obstinate, and the name of the other was Pliable.¹³

Now by this time the man was a good distance away. But Obstinate and Pliable were determined to pursue him, which they did. Soon they caught up with him, and he asked them, Why have you run after me? The neighbors answered, To persuade you to go back with us.

But that is not possible, the man replied. You live in the City of Destruction, the place where I was born; and I believe that if you stay in that city you will die sooner or later, and then you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone. Please consider, good neighbors, coming along with me.

What! said

Reviews for The Pilgrim's Progress

[pepys_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Yes, I liked this book. Although I am not normally interested in this kind of Christian literature, I own that it is cleverly written, with plain and simple words which make you feel in peace. Perhaps the best way to enjoy this book would be to read it aloud for the musicality of the sentences.

[nathan7c7moore · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Read the children's version half a dozen times as a child. I believe this is the first time I have read the original... I'm sure it isn't the last.

[kwmcdonald_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the old Christian classics that I thought was going to be tedious but I ought to read...instead within a few pages, I found it extremely engrossing and wound up loving it. It presents an amazingly colorful allegory of the Christian life.

[theologicaldan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a classic for good reason. While it was written three hundred years ago, the characters come to life and shed light on the struggle of living as a Christian. This is a must read.

[wynnemrabbits · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A Must Read...sure to entertain and enlighten, read slowly, savor every word. A true life study guide...the perfect heirloom gift for parents to give to their children...as they graduate in life. *Plus in the back there is included, a fold out Color Historical Time-line and a chapter on The Life of John Bunyan...what an insightful. timeless dream!I want this book with me everywhere and always...wish it was hardcover. ... thank you so much Mr Hazelbaker!

[atimco-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan is a landmark work in both Christian theology and English literature. Since its publication in 1678, it has encouraged countless Christians on their journey from this world to the next, and its impact on the literary tradition of England has been profound.Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory in the purest sense of the word; everything in the book has a one-to-one correlation with a spiritual principle. In part one, a man living in the City of Destruction becomes troubled by what he reads in a book (the Bible) and leaves his home, warning his scoffing family and neighbors that their city is going to be destroyed. He carries a heavy weight on his back and initially undertakes his journey to find a way to take it off. Along the way he meets a man named Evangelist who speaks truth to him, but not all fellow travelers are so congenial. He meets with characters with names like Mr. Worldly-wiseman, Formalist, Hypocrisy, Timorous, Mistrust, and Wanton, as well as Apollyon (an archdevil) and the Giant Despair, among others. Through a landscape of theological traps and oases Christian (for that is now his name) must make his way ever onward to the Celestial City, sustained on his travels by the Lord of Pilgrims.The second part recounts the story of Christiana, Christian's wife, who eventually follows her husband's path from the City of Destruction to eternal life in the Celestial City. In terms of sheer dramatic effect, part two is far inferior to part one; instead of fleeing her city in despair over its coming destruction, Christiana receives an invitation from the Lord of Pilgrims to join Him and her husband in His city. She takes along her four sons and her handmaid Mercy, and they are aided on their journey by a Mr. Great-heart. There seems to be less action and more catechizing in this section of the book, but there are some valuable theological refinements as well. There are some pilgrims who probably wouldn't have been considered worthy of pilgrimage in the first part, like Mr. Fearing, Mr. Despondency, and his daughter Much-Afraid. These pilgrims are characterized by fear and weakness, but they are still loved by their Lord and they too eventually come to the Celestial City.Nowadays I think there is an attitude of amused condescension that many feel toward Pilgrim's Progress because of its theological themes sticking out in plain sight under the see-through fictional covering. I know I felt that way... oh Bunyan, my dear man, you mean well but must you be so hamfisted? Can't you cover things up a little more artistically, add some adornment to your catechismic dialogues? Don't you know that straight allegory is far, far out of fashion just now? But this was before I read it, before I understood the narrative power that can come from an author being completely honest about his themes and intentions. By stripping away every non-essential, Bunyan can get down to the theology while still working within his fictional frame. The result is rich doctrine with the immediacy of a gripping story — a heady mix that is very rarely imitated successfully.And you can't doubt the man's sincerity. Bunyan knew what it meant to be persecuted; he started the book from a prison cell where he ultimately spent twelve years of his life, imprisoned for holding church services outside the bounds of the Church of England. His imprisonment was costly not just to him, but to his family. His message is given weight by his experiences — here is a man who knows what it means to be on pilgrimage through lands ruled by the enemy. Persecution is inevitable; Christians will suffer in this world. But equally true is our reward in the Celestial City, where our Lord Himself will welcome us home. What a hope, what a joy on our journey!I have said that Pilgrim's Progress is stripped down, but maybe a truer statement would be that our conceptions of the Christian life are covered in needless accretions that both complicate and hinder our journey. Vanity Fair, the Slough of Despond, Doubting Castle, the Valley of the Shadow of Death — these are universal places we all visit. Bunyan's characters also have their counterparts in our world. Bunyan dramatizes the Christian life not to change it or present it as something it's not, but to show us where our experience is deceptive. Things are clearer in the realm of allegory. If we have never had pilgrimage experiences like those of Christian, we ought to check that we're on the right road and that we've come in through the right gate.The language is beautiful and not at all hard to understand. It has its quaint 1678-isms, but for me they added to the flavor. In many places I just stopped to savor it. I read this with my adult Bible fellowship, and most people read a version that was updated with modern English. I wouldn't advise that. The original writing is not that difficult, and while the updated version isn't terrible, it does lack Bunyan's indefinable force of language. Also there were some odd additions in the new version, theology I agreed with but that was not part of the original text. Hmm.I had read an abridged version as a child which didn't really grab me, but now I'm a pilgrim and have had some experience of the road. And now I see how powerful this story is and why it has informed the Christian imagination for centuries. In some sections I would just stop and marvel at Bunyan's fantastic theology and fertile imagination. And it doesn't hurt that the narrative is soaked in Scripture! Of Bunyan, Charles Spurgeon said, "'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 couldn't get enough of it; who knew that Pilgrim's Progress could induce late-night reading vigils? I will certainly be rereading this!In the "apology" poem at the beginning, Bunyan writes, "this book will make a traveler of thee." Indeed it will.

[vibrantminds · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Written in the 1600's while John Bunyan was in prison for his criticism of the "Church". The book however, supports the "Church" ... maybe he had a change of heart while in prison? It begins with the author entering into a dream where Christian foresees the destruction of his city and desires to travel to the Celestial city. He longs for his family to join him but they aren't convinced and refuse to go. Along the way he meets many different characters which try to distract him and convince him to turn back. Some of whom he comes in contact with are: good will, faith, by-ends, hope, ignorance, giant despair, etc. All of which teach him a different lesson. Eventually he does make it to the Celestial city and is welcome in. Part two is Christian's wife Christiana who decides she was foolish to stay behind and longs to join her husband. She sets off with her 4 sons along the same journey with Mercy accompanying her. They come across some of the same challenges as Christian but have more help along the way. An interesting read on the struggles in life and the desire to live with God again.

[bradkautz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

By reputation John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress is one of the classics of English literature, being in print continuously since 1678 and being translated into over 200 languages. In its essence it is the story of Christian faith, following a person of faith as he journeys through life until he arrives at his heavenly home. It is told from the vantage point of a dream and makes excellent use of the method of allegory. Bunyan wrote this masterpiece in two parts, the first being the story of the journey of a pilgrim, Christian, from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. The second part is the story of his wife, Christiana, and their four children taking the same journey several years later. Christiana had mocked her husband when he left and she delights in learning the details of his travel as she finds herself being led along the same road. I found Christiana's travels more compelling, perhaps due to the way in which vibrant faith was also expressed in the children.While Bunyan used allegory to tell this story everything about it comes across as something he knows first-hand, either from his own personal experience as a Christian who was jailed for his faith, or that he learned while serving as a pastor. The struggles that Christian and Christiana go through, although written over 300 years ago, are the struggles of Christians today. And so are the joys and delights that are found in the Christian life. I received this book three years ago as a gift from someone who said he read from it often. And now, having read it myself, I am beginning to understand why, and I anticipate I will follow his habit.

[edmundane · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Honestly, I love Christian Allegory, but I felt this was a diluted rip off of the Everyman moral play. I was looking forward to a provocative tale but this came up short with blatant imagery pulled together with the smallest bit of finesse. Sorry to be so scathing Mr. Bunyan. I get that it was to be accessible to the common man, but this is more a pamphlet than a serious piece of literature.The only reason I think I'll keep reading it is so that I know the references and allusions people take from it. It's an easy enough read.

[jvioland_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I started it once and put it down. Too boring. I picked it up a few years later and found it interesting - the tedious journey no longer seemed so. A puritanical pursuit of the good.

[jwhenderson_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Bunyan begins his allegory with an interesting argument that fiction can be used to strengthen Christian faith. By giving examples from the Bible he demonstrates a need to silence critics of fiction who apparently would limit spiritual training to reading the Bible. He also inoculates the reader by stating that the book was written primarily for the author's own spiritual development.Beginning the story in the wilderness brings Dante to mind at the start of the allegory. Christian seems to learn various things in the course of his pilgrimage, but throughout it he hardly appears to change at all. This was just one aspect that disappointed me. I did not find the book as impressive an argument for spiritual growth as other more personal memoirs from writers like Augustine or Thomas Merton. Perhaps this classic may be best appreciated by those who are true believers rather than those who are truly seeking wisdom.

[quoddy_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The first was a whole heap of fun, but the second was a little tedious. I'm sure it's a perfectly good book if you are a puritan Christian, but as I am neither of the two, I found it quite mediocre.

[endersreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I know exactly how Christian feels. His non-conformity has estranged him not only from the world, but from his wife and children, who laugh at him and his philosophy with the others. Why would Christian choose this lonely path? It is because he has had revelation of the future, which brings realization of the present and past. He simply does not find his lifestyle appealing anymore. It was not a fondness of isolation that brought Christian to his pilgrimage, it was Divine Providence--the Revealer. He did not ignore it and go back to his life of illusion. He asked "What shall I do?", and he was given answer. As we come to learn, setting forth on the pilgrimage is only a first step. Bunyan was not only allegory, Bunyan was life, truth, experience. Spending much of his time in prison, Bunyan related to us why his choices were right. He brought to Christianity something no one had. He brought simple truth, logical reasoning, a map to a map. As our protangonist, Christian, comes to his last step, the world and his family take note of his accomplishments. They become open to the Holy Spirit's whispers. They follow, as Christian showed them how, as Christian learned from Christ. They go from this world, to that which is to come. All Faiths will enjoy this read, as all Faiths have. The book's age is a testament to the wisdoms within. You will recognize all of the characters here--their names reveal them.

[readingrat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I throughly enjoyed this book. There are so many references to this work throughout modern and classic literature that it was interesting to finally hear the original work. Furthermore, I highly recommend listening to the public domain audio recording of this book found at librivox.com. Although these audio files are not professionally done, the English woman who reads this work for Librivox has a wonderful voice that really compliments the work and brings the book to life.

[mumfie_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This has to be one of the most tedious books ever written. The imagery used such as the Slough of Despondency is great but that's about it. It's the second time I've read it and don't think I'll manage a third.

[jdmerth_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an amazingly helpful book for Christians. It's a reminder that we are on a constant journey which only began at the wicket gate and continues until our death. I'll be reading this again and again!

[pondlife_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The classic 17th century Christian allegory.I thought this was worth reading for its literary significance and classic status. I'm glad that I read it, but I'm not sure I'll read it again.A couple of things I didn't like were:1. Christian seems to have no great connection with his family, friends or companions. He seems too quick to abandon people, and this made it difficult for me to connect with the character.2. The allegory is too direct. Yes, we all know it's an allegorical work, but it just seems too specific and everything has a one-to-one relationship with Christian theology.

[grinningdwarf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classic allegory about the Christian journey thorugh life. Belongs in every Christian library.

[libbug_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

love every minute. Names are so poignant!

[krista.rutherford · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is ancient! As an allegory of the Christian life, it still makes (almost?) perfect sense today. The second part with Christian's wife and children was kind of boring, probably because it's the retelling of the same story.

[atreic · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I didn't really get on with this book, for three main reasons:1) An allegory for edification written in 16-mumble is not going to be a page turning plot or character driven romp. It was quite heavy going in places, and the number of times Christian spent much of the chapter telling someone what happened to him last chapter left me going 'I know! I just read that!'2) I didn't really agree with the theology that it was proposing. I spent a lot of the book wanting to clobber the author with 'there's a wideness in God's mercy'. There is one gate, and you must come in through that gate, even at the gates of heaven if you've Done It Wrong you'll be cast into Hell, and there are very precise things that make Good Christians and Fake Christians (the sections with Ignorance and Talkative make me twitch, lots). Most of these things involve constantly feeling utterly sinful and definitely having a Revelation TM. Still, 16 century protestants, it's hardly a surprise (and the fault may be with me and not the author...)3) Some of the time I was just plain confused - what are the wicker gate and scroll analogies for? [I have done some googling and looked at the Spark notes and am still confused]. The wicker gate is the Only Way to Heaven TM, and you Must have your Scroll or you won't get in (and you can drop it on the way)... for a book that is so painfully a direct analogy then I really feel I ought to know what these things are an analogy _of_!That aside, there are some lovely bits to it. The Pilgrims are not supermen - they are flawed and human, and mess up, and get back to things again, and the passage when they are trapped by Giant Despair really touched me. And it gets plus points for being the source of vast amounts of Stuff though, including 'Vanity Fair', the Slough of Despond, and even the holy text from Bujold's Borders of Infinity (It quite surprised me when I stumbled across the latter!)

[estellen_4 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I'll be brutally honest. I didn't understand this book at all. It seems to be the symbolic journey of a Christian, who meets various challenges and emotions in human form. A lot of people loved it, I didn't get it. The language put me off - it's written in a sort of King James English, which I didn't have the energy to follow.

[deborahjade · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When I was in my early high school, I read Little Pilgrim's Progress and thought it was a quite a fun story with swords and battles and adventures. Reading the 'adult' version of the book has brought back memories as I try and align the two.
This version was still quite readable and the first part of the book followed Christian as he journeyed to the wicket gate to start walking on the narrow path. He struggled with or fought of or was almost misled by various characters and trials. Each of the people was given a name that reflected their character, such as Faithful, Hopeful, Ignorance, Evangelist and Pliable.
However, after passing through Vanity Fair and the Celestial Mountains, the story started to slow down with several lengthy theological explanations as they walked along. The end of the journey appeared suddenly and the characters walked a pretty easy path near the end, with not many challenges.
And of course, in the end, they successfully reach heaven and are allowed to enter in.
One thing that concerned me as I read was that the book was running out of pages to cover his wife's story. From what I recall, Little Pilgrim's Progress covers both Christian and Christiana's stories. According to Wikipedia, there is a second book that covers her story, although it is possible the edition I read was slightly abridged and did not include it.

[knightlight777 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Early chrisitan brain washing and gobbledy-gook.

[aethercowboy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pilgrim's Progress is one of the most influential Christian allegories. Long before Narnia, Bunyan put pen to parchment to record his dream while being held in prison. The end result was Pilgrim's Progress.PP takes us on a journey through the life of a Christian, that is, the allegorical life of a Christian. The trials faced by a Christian are all anthropomorphisms here. The main character must navigate away from the City of Destruction, and eventually arrive at his final destination, The Celestial City.Definitely an enjoyable read for those who appreciate renowned and well-written religious allegories.

[spiritus3-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

John Bunyan writes, Pilgrim’s Progress; his allegory, his dream; depicting a spiritual journey leading to everlasting freedom while he himself was in prison. Dreams were given great significance in the ancient world. Pilgrim’s Progress is a dream, with characters and events symbolizing knowledge, and lessons learned throughout the story, which is quite an adventure. An adventure, that would appeal to both adult and child.

[devandecicco · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There is a reason why this is the most widely published Christian book outside of the Bible. Bunyan, with seriousness and at times with humor, dissects the human condition. I recommend this both to Christians and non-Christians, as it reveals the subtle deceit of many paradigms that we encounter in our lifetime.

[wrichard_22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good and very readable allegory.

[glennbell_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The book is composed of two stories. The story of the pilgrimage of Christian is followed by a story of his wife Christiana's pilgrimage with her children. The story has similarities to that of paradise lost. Bunyan's story is tedious and boring. I cannot recommend the book to anyone but the fanatic.

[martinbodek · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This book wasn't bad or awful, per se, it was simply painfully dull and boring with absolutely no vested interest in what occurs with the characters. Which brings us to the characters! Look, I get that this is a biblically-woven highly religious allegory of personal salvation, that much is clear, but does the reader have to be blunted over the head with it? The lead player is named Christian? Really? Couldn't call him Bob? And his wife is Christina? You're joking, right? Pamela would've been better. The biggest surprise - and there are none - is that his children aren't named Christine, Christopher, and Jiminy Christmas. Also, did Bunyan HAVE to name everyone else exactly what they are in metaphor? I found that aggravating, and the slog-through was mighty difficult, and the sudden bursts of rhyme were ridiculous and often non-rhyming, but I'm all the richer for having read it, right? Wrong. Guess I'm going to hell.