Categories: Continue
      Date: Nov 11, 2008
     Title: Christian’s Journey Based on Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

For many years our family has enjoyed a variety of versions of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. First published from 1678 to 1686, a large-print hardcover edition has been released by MasterBooks which includes a preface and memoir of John Bunyan. This coffee table book is a reproduction of a work published in 1876. Many homeschoolers desire to build a family library that will be left for future generations to use. This volume will be a core book for your library.

But to be honest (and Charlotte Mason to the contrary), the Murphy family did not appreciate our first readings from Pilgrim’s Progress. So we listened to an audio presentation. Well-read books on CD help convey the meaning of the complex language in difficult books. We highly recommend Pilgrim’s Progress read by Max McLean found in the Classics of the Christian Faith CD set. After listening multiple times with enjoyment, the language of Pilgrim’s Progress has become as much a part of our mental furniture as it was for previous generations.

A third resource, an adaptation of Pilgrim’s Progress in picture book form, Dangerous Journey has long been a favorite of our boys. (We have almost worn out our second copy.) Below is a portion of a review of Dangerous Journey by Terri Fisher from the March/April 2003 issue of Homeschooling Today.

Entitled Dangerous Journey (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1985), the text has been carefully chosen by Oliver Hunkin from the original words of John Bunyan. And to make it even more appealing to young eyes, it contains whimsical, richly detailed, full-color illustrations by Alan Parry.

We begin our journey with Christian as he becomes aware of his tremendous burden of guilt and sin. Living in the City of Destruction, he knows there is no hope or help for him if he remains there. After unsuccessfully trying to convince his wife and children of their peril as well, he flees the city alone in search of relief from his burden. Along the way you will meet many characters such as Mr. Obstinate and Mr. Pliable. The one is convinced he knows everything; the other is blown to and fro by his lack of resolve. Next, a Mr. Worldly Wiseman is only too happy to give the undiscerning Christian advice as to which road to take. After many waylaying adventures and many lessons in conviction and courage, Christian at last reaches the wicket gate he is searching for; freedom from his great burden of sin and guilt is found at the foot of the Cross.

While Christian has found joy in salvation, he must continue his journey through life toward the Celestial City and his heavenly reward. Along the way he will encounter the Hill of Difficulty, Apollyon, Vanity Fair, the Giant of Despair and many other allegorical lessons to which both you and your children will relate.

These images are made tangible in the mind of a child. The Bible uses allegorical images to teach both children and adults because they are effective. There are several activities you could employ to further instill these rich images in your children’s hearts and minds. Following are some ideas:

1. Create a burden. This could be as simple as filling an adult-size backpack with very heavy objects. Or, you could make a large bundle from a piece of rough burlap and tie it on with some rope. Your child will feel the weight of sin in a very literal sense.
2. Look up information on John Bunyan. When did he write Pilgrim’s Progress? Why was he in prison? What was happening in the church in England? Who was the monarch at that time?
3. Make a list of the vocabulary words to look up. Each child could make a notebook with the definitions, as well as illustrations they create. Make a poster, adding the new words and definitions after each reading. Have each person in the family use the word at least once each day.
4. Have the children write a play and put it on for family and friends.

Young children will enjoy learning the meaning and corresponding characteristics of the name of each character. (We have found that our children with greater spiritual discernment have understood the allegorical aspect of the tale from an earlier age.) As your children grow, it would be interesting to study what was occurring in the Church at this time of history and how these movements are identified in Pilgrim’s Progress.

No matter what form you choose to enjoy the classic Pilgrim’s Progress, do make this allegory a part of your family’s shared reading time together. The language is not only educational, the theme is also a source of spiritual learning. Enjoy this interpretation of a Christian’s journey.