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Pilgrim’s Progress
By John Bunyan It’s a shame that some works of classic literature will
never be studied in public schools simply because they’re considered to be
“religious” books. Because, if
there is one literary classic that equals or surpasses those books which do make
it to literature class, it’s this one. Bunyan’s most famous work is a spiritual allegory.
It follows the adventures of the protagonist Christian as he seeks to
find his way from The City of Destruction to The Celestial City.
His primary motivation—to find someone to relieve him of the heavy
burden that he has been forced to carry. Along the way, Christian encounters many obstacles and
enemies that threaten to end his journey prematurely.
He must face the Swamp of Despond, the Worldly Wiseman, and other
enemies. However, he also finds
that he has friends to help him in his quest.
He meets, for example, Evangelist, and the unforgettable Faithful. This is a profound book¾not
quick reading at all. Thoughtful
readers in particular will find themselves pausing after every paragraph or two
and grappling with the spiritual message Bunyan has just tried to convey.
What warning, for instance, does Ignorance have for the Christian?
And what are the things for which Hopeful believes a person may
legitimately hope? Written in the 17th century, this book preaches a message
of holiness and consecration not often seen in 21st century Christian
bookstores. The language is marvelous, rivaling anything written in that
period, including Shakespeare himself. Especially remarkable is that Bunyan
apparently wrote so that even the common man of his day could understand what he
was saying. Thus, while the message
is profound, the language itself does not leave a person wondering what he’d
just read (a claim that would be difficult to make about Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet).
In short, the book will leave the reader entertained;
more importantly, it will leave the reader challenged and inspired to want to
live his or her Christian life in a deeper, more consecrated way. ninetyandnine.com
ã
2001, Richard C. Brown Richard C.
Brown lives in Indiana, where he teaches,
writes and edits. |
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