John Bunyan first published in 1678 and translated into more than 200 languages, has never been out of print.
Bunyan began his work while in the Bedfordshire county gaol for violations of the Conventicle Act, which prohibited the holding of religious services outside the auspices of the established Church of England.
Many of us will have studied this allegory somewhere in our schooling, but it is always interesting to re-read a classic from a new perspective.
Briefly, the plot follows the progress of a young man named Christian who was tormented by spiritual anguish. He meets a guide named Evangelist who urges Christian to leave the City of Destruction and go to the Celestial City of Mount Zion, where he can find salvation.
Having failed to persuade his family to come with him, Christian sets off alone. On his way he falls into the Slough of Despond, meets Worldly Wiseman, shelters in Goodwill's house and stops at the Interpreter's home, where he leans many lessons of faith.
At other stages of his journey Christian sees the tomb of Christ, meets the Three Shining Ones, the four mistresses of the Palace Beautiful and the monster Apollyon, who seeks to kill Christian.
He also passes through the Valley of Humiliation and the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He meets other travellers, Faithful, Talkative, Hopeful and By-ends and Ignorance and Flatterer. They take shelter on the grounds of the Doubting Castle and meet Giant Despair. As they approach the Celestial City they must cross the mountains, Error and Caution.
Eventually after many trials and adventures Christian and Hopeful arrive in the Celestial City.
The second part of the book details the journey of Christian's wife as she too, sets off for the Celestial City.
Written over three centuries ago, this Christian allegory can still resonate with a modern reader. As I read, there were many word pictures that were so vivid, it made me weak in the knees and made me look at myself and question where I was at on the pilgrim path. Was I at the Slough of Despond, doubting, fearful -- or was I trusting, willing. There are so many decisions to be made, with care as we journey on our own path through life.
This terrific little book points you to God's word, The Bible. It's a beautiful companion and reminder to look to our Heavenly Father for everything in this pilgrim's progress, through prayer.
If you want to identify some of the struggles, you may be going through, in a way that's easy to understand, this is the book for you. If you've already read it, perhaps you should have another look.
--Reviewed by J. Browning and available in our church library.
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