Allegory

Review: The Pilgrim's Progress in Today's English by John Bunyan (Retold by James Thomas)

 


    Moody Publishers Blurb: 

The best allegory ever written is rewritten in modern English, making it clearer and more forceful to the modern reader. With more than 100,000 in print, this retelling by James H. Thomas follows Christian as he leaves his home in the City of Destruction and begins a long journey to the Celestial City. His adventure is full of encounters with interesting people, such as Faithful, Hopeful, and Ignorance. Traveling through places such as Vanity Fair and the Valley of the Shadow of Death, he reaches his heavenly home but learns rich lessons during the journey. The story has immediate application to everyday life.


Later on, Christian's wife, Christiana, decides to join her husband in the Celestial City. As she travels, Christiana comes upon a different set of people, such as Greatheart, Mercy, and Honesty. Her story illustrates how Christians follow different paths but with the same destination: eternity with Jesus. 

My Review:    5 stars 

This book has had a profound impact on my life. In fact, the pilgrim's progress was the book that confirmed my decision to start a blog! To say that I was amazed by this stunning allegory is an understatement. The book perfectly embodies the Christian journey. In the first half of the story, we follow a man named Christian, who after reading the Bible realises that his city will soon be destroyed with fire and brimstone. He is advised by a stranger, Mr. Evangelist, that the only way to escape is by passing through the wicket gate and fleeing to the celestial city. Christian is burdened and pleads with his family to join him on the pilgrimage, which they refused. His family, friends, and neighbors mocked him saying that his decisions were irrational and foolish. Yet he pressed on in order to find relief from his own guilt and suffering. Throughout his journey, he meets interesting figures like Ignorance, Talkative, Faithful, Hopeful, and so on. This beautifully highlighted how the companionships we form affect our walk with Christ. I loved the part where Christian, at the sight of the Cross, drops his burdens and shouts in glee! And I could not help but shed tears of joy when Christian and Hopeful were finally welcomed at the Celestial City. The scene where the heavenly host cried out in jubilation, “Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” stirred the deepest parts of my soul. 

In the second half of the story, we read about Christian's wife, Christiana who feels troubled at the way she treated her husband and repented of her ignorance. She accepts Christ into her heart and is instructed through a dream that she must start her pilgrimage. With joy, she hurries to gather her boys Matthew, Samuel, Joseph, and James and make their way through the wicket gate. They are joined by their neighbor, young Mary who struggled with the thought of leaving her family behind but was encouraged by many that she would one day inspire them as Christian did. Throughout their journey, they are guided by Mr. Great-Heart, a hero and servant of the King. With the differences in Christian and Christiana's journeys, we see how unique and Individualised our Christian journey is. I was pleasantly surprised to see scripture woven incredibly into every page, the whole story was dripping with Biblical wisdom. I was constantly reminded of how blessed I am to be given divine revelation.

Don’t forget that this revelation you have received is not communicated to everyone, not even to everyone who saw your Saviour bleed. There were those who stood by and saw the blood run from His heart to the ground, who were so far removed from this love that instead of weeping they laughed. So what you have, my daughters, in life and opportunity, is given to you by a special divine grace.


Bunyan brilliantly addresses many questions and issues. He talked about how Christianity has now been reduced to mere tradition or name for many- mind you, he wrote this in the 17th century! This just goes on to show timeless the pilgrim's progress really is. Needless to say, this book is one that every Christian must read at least once in their life. In my opinion, it is the perfect book to read when you're struggling with a trial. Especially considering the fact that Bunyan wrote this whilst being imprisoned for preaching the Word. He famously said, “If I am freed today, I will preach tomorrow.” I've read the original and this revised version by James H. Thomas certainly meets the standard. It is rich in wisdom and full of clarity. Highly recommend! 


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