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A review by lupuslibrorum
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
5.0
[This review is excerpted from the one I published at The Warden's Walk on January 3, 2011.]
First, I strongly recommend reading a good annotated version, such as the one by Warren Wiersbe. The margin-notes are invaluable to understanding the nuances of language and cultural and biblical references.
The Book Itself:
First, the most important thing you must know about this book is that it is explicit Christian allegory, written to help readers recognize more fully the practical truth behind the theology of the gospel. Bunyan is concerned with the difficulties and struggles that every Christian will face in life and the ultimate freedom and joy that they will experience in Christ. Being preachy is his very point, but he places the sermons in engaging stories with fairly interesting characters. Some readers might be put off by how overtly Protestant/Puritan it is, but I think this serves two good purposes, aside from the evangelistic one that I, as a Christian, approve of: 1) the book’s message and plot are well-focused towards a singular goal, and 2) if a non-believer wants to learn about biblical Christianity, this is probably the best book outside of the Bible itself.
Nearly every moral struggle we encounter in our lives is allegorized, whether in Christian’s own journey or in encounters that others tell him about. Christian is tempted by “worldly-wisdom” and arrogance, by despair and doubt, while his friend Faithful must get past wanton lust, shame, and discontent. Every person has different strengths and weaknesses, and every Christian believer is encouraged by Bunyan to follow and study the Lord personally, and not compare oneself to other Christians, who have different experiences.
I was a little surprised how the characters gradually acquired more development than I had expected. I mean, naturally I expected Christian to have a clear arc going from desperate, lost, and ignorant, to confident, wise, and loving. But there’s more nuance than just that. Just as Christians (as any human being) remain imperfect as they mature, so does our protagonist sometimes become too puffed up with the knowledge of his own betterment and become arrogant or impatient with others. He doesn’t become some irritating goody two-shoes as his journey towards Heaven progresses, but rather he learns moral truths the hard way, by making mistakes and getting called out for them. The message is clear: no one shall be perfect until fully in the presence of God.
It takes some discipline and determination to make it all the way through the book, but ultimately I did find the story itself engaging. The complexity of the pacing is really amazing to think of, really. Bunyan structured each allegorical incident along the way to correspond with the order in which most people encounter that struggle in their spiritual lives. Periods of rest appear after especially dire trials, whereas encouraging victories might be followed by particularly sneaky dangers. This lends a good ebb and flow to the story. The most difficult sections are the very long theological discussions between just two or three characters, in which there might be no action described for quite some time, just dialogue. They get very detailed and are likely to lose readers less familiar with Christian teachings (which sadly includes many modern Christians).
This is why Warren Wiersebe’s notes are essential for the modern reader, I think. He deciphers most of the very difficult language and calls attention to important thematic elements in the text. He notes when Christian makes mistakes, he explains nearly every Scriptural reference, and he even breaks down into clearer language many of the long theological discussions the characters have. The most learned and well-read man I know, himself a brilliant theologian and treasured friend, has said that this really is the best annotated version of The Pilgrim’s Progress. It is recommended for all adult readers, religious or not.
First, I strongly recommend reading a good annotated version, such as the one by Warren Wiersbe. The margin-notes are invaluable to understanding the nuances of language and cultural and biblical references.
The Book Itself:
First, the most important thing you must know about this book is that it is explicit Christian allegory, written to help readers recognize more fully the practical truth behind the theology of the gospel. Bunyan is concerned with the difficulties and struggles that every Christian will face in life and the ultimate freedom and joy that they will experience in Christ. Being preachy is his very point, but he places the sermons in engaging stories with fairly interesting characters. Some readers might be put off by how overtly Protestant/Puritan it is, but I think this serves two good purposes, aside from the evangelistic one that I, as a Christian, approve of: 1) the book’s message and plot are well-focused towards a singular goal, and 2) if a non-believer wants to learn about biblical Christianity, this is probably the best book outside of the Bible itself.
Nearly every moral struggle we encounter in our lives is allegorized, whether in Christian’s own journey or in encounters that others tell him about. Christian is tempted by “worldly-wisdom” and arrogance, by despair and doubt, while his friend Faithful must get past wanton lust, shame, and discontent. Every person has different strengths and weaknesses, and every Christian believer is encouraged by Bunyan to follow and study the Lord personally, and not compare oneself to other Christians, who have different experiences.
I was a little surprised how the characters gradually acquired more development than I had expected. I mean, naturally I expected Christian to have a clear arc going from desperate, lost, and ignorant, to confident, wise, and loving. But there’s more nuance than just that. Just as Christians (as any human being) remain imperfect as they mature, so does our protagonist sometimes become too puffed up with the knowledge of his own betterment and become arrogant or impatient with others. He doesn’t become some irritating goody two-shoes as his journey towards Heaven progresses, but rather he learns moral truths the hard way, by making mistakes and getting called out for them. The message is clear: no one shall be perfect until fully in the presence of God.
It takes some discipline and determination to make it all the way through the book, but ultimately I did find the story itself engaging. The complexity of the pacing is really amazing to think of, really. Bunyan structured each allegorical incident along the way to correspond with the order in which most people encounter that struggle in their spiritual lives. Periods of rest appear after especially dire trials, whereas encouraging victories might be followed by particularly sneaky dangers. This lends a good ebb and flow to the story. The most difficult sections are the very long theological discussions between just two or three characters, in which there might be no action described for quite some time, just dialogue. They get very detailed and are likely to lose readers less familiar with Christian teachings (which sadly includes many modern Christians).
This is why Warren Wiersebe’s notes are essential for the modern reader, I think. He deciphers most of the very difficult language and calls attention to important thematic elements in the text. He notes when Christian makes mistakes, he explains nearly every Scriptural reference, and he even breaks down into clearer language many of the long theological discussions the characters have. The most learned and well-read man I know, himself a brilliant theologian and treasured friend, has said that this really is the best annotated version of The Pilgrim’s Progress. It is recommended for all adult readers, religious or not.