Comparing The Bible And Pilgrim's Progress

Though many works of fiction have been written through the ages, few have withstood the test of time. Many are enjoyed greatly, but only by a select community. Many others reach a wide variety of readers, but fall short in either content or lasting appeal. However, to this day, two books have been regarded as the most timeless and universal works ever. One is the Bible. The other is John Bunyan's Pilgrim’s Progress. Despite minor doctrinal inaccuracies, Pilgrim’s Progress displays characters with realistic struggles and teaches Christians God’s ways through allegorical representations. One factor in determining the universality of a book is whether or not the reader may relate to the experiences of the characters. This is one area in which

Faithful turned and fled from the temptation, just as every Christian in such a situation should. As faithful told Christian, “I remembered an old writing that I had seen, which said, ‘Her steps take hold of hell.’” Remembering God’s warning is a sure way to overcome temptation. Another incident occurred in Chapter 7, when Christian and Hopeful divert from the straight and narrow path and into a meadow to ease their feet. (133-134) As they are walking, they see that they are quite some distance from the path. However, night has begun to fall and a storm is upon them. As they struggle to return to the path, the waters increase to the point they almost drown. Finally, they find shelter and sleep through the remainder

If one criticism must be said about this book, it would be a couple of minute doctrinal inaccuracies. One such inaccuracy is seen when Christian is at the home of the Interpreter. The Interpreter shows him a man in an iron cage. Both the man and the Interpreter agree that God has given upon on that man and there is no more hope for him. (35) However, a true Christian known that there is no sin too great and no man too wicked, such as cannot be washed by the blood of Jesus. John Bunyan was wrong in his belief that anyone could be absolutely and entirely without hope. Another inaccuracy that is even less visible than the first is seen when Christian and Hopeful meet a man known as the Flatterer. (161) He impersonates an angel of light, leads the pilgrims astray, and ensnares them in a net. A true angel of God comes and rescues them, but then proceeds to chastise them. At no point in the Bible can one see angels chastising men, nor receiving authority from God to do so. Angels were created to be servants of man. The role of chastising and reprimanding Christians is left to God. These two inaccuracies are incredibly minute and should not affect one’s opinion of what is otherwise a perfect