Main Idea
Originally published in 1678 under the title The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come, Delivered Under the Similitude of a Dream, this book has been a staple among Christian literature for nearly 350 years. It was written during a time of great suffering by John Bunyan as he was placed in jail for being unwilling to cease his gospel preaching.
An unnamed narrator falls asleep one day and dreams a dream of a man once named Graceless from the City of Destruction who is renamed Christian and begins his journey toward the Celestial City. The book is an allegory of the Christian life as it tells the story of a man’s pilgrimage toward heaven, recounting his preconverted state, his conversion to Christ, and the perils of his journey on to heaven.
Bunyan writes this book with a pastoral heart seeking to have his readers understand both how to become a Christian and what the Christian life really looks like, including its blessings and dangers. This book is for Christians from all walks of life. It has even served for centuries as a favorite among parents to read to their children.
Every age deals with discussions on what truly constitutes a genuine Christian and what the Christian life really looks like. The Pilgrim’s Progress takes readers on a fictional journey that is grounded in biblical truth.
“Then I saw in my Dream that the Shining Men had them call at the gate as they did, some from above looked over the gate, and it was Enoch, Moses, and Elijah. The Shining Men said to them, ‘These Pilgrims have come from the City of Destruction for the love they bear to the King of this place.'” (p. 232)
This allegorical tale encourages and equips true believers on their Christian walk. In doing so, it also helps convict and perhaps even convert those who have seen Christianity as something less than how the Bible defines it. Scripture saturates every page as verses, references, or concepts from Holy Writ are woven into each aspect of the story.
Every Christian should read The Pilgrim’s Progress (perhaps multiple times!) as it will help strengthen their resolve to follow Christ, warn them of the dangers that can befall even the most seasoned of believers, fuel their joy in Christ, and enlarge their hope for heaven. It can be used in evangelistic endeavors as well as with children to help explain some of the great truths of the Christian faith.