John Bunyan (1628-1688) is my featured theologian for the month of February. He, with only a grade school education, authored Pilgrims Progress, which is regarded as a highly imaginative allegory, a work of genius, and a masterpiece full of spiritual truth. Unlike many who may have read this book in high school, I didn’t read it until just a few years ago, and I found it fascinating. 

In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian comes upon two men, Formalist and Hypocrisy, who he witnessed tumbling over the wall instead of entering through the narrow gate at the beginning of the path. They decided that going through the gate was much too inconvenient, so they made a shortcut by climbing over the wall. 

Christian confronts them with the question, “Don’t you know that it is written that he who does not come in by the door but climbs up some other way is a thief and a robber?” (John 10:1)

To this they claimed that others had done so, and that they saw no difference in the way that they came in from the way that Christian came in. They asked, “What does it matter how we get in?” 

Christian explained, “I walk by the rule of my Master; you walk by the rude working of your own notions. You are condemned as thieves already by the Lord of the way; therefore, I doubt you will be found as true men at the end of the journey. You came in by yourselves, without His direction, and will go out by yourselves, without His mercy.”

They quickly replied to Christian and told him to mind his own business, but then added that they also intended on obeying the laws and ordinances. Again, they saw no difference. 

Christian then warned, “You will not be saved by keeping laws and ordinances. You cannot be saved, because you did not come in by the door.”

John Bunyan’s allegory reminds us that we must come through Jesus; He is the door. There’re no shortcuts; no tumbling over the wall; no other way of salvation. It is only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins, that salvation became available to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.  

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved…” John 10:9

February 7, 2026

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In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian was struck with fear as he came upon a fiend by the name of Apollyon in the Valley of Humiliation. The fiend appeared as a hybrid creature with fish-like scales, bear-like feet, dragon-like wings, and a lion’s mouth. Apollyon questioned Christian as to where he came from and where was he going. 

“I came from the City of Destruction, which is the place of all evil, and I am going to the City of Zion,” Christian answered.

Apollyon proceeded to tell Christian that he was the prince and god of the country from which Christian came from. He asked, “How is it that you have run away from your king? Were it not for the fact that I wish you to enter into my service again, I would strike you to the ground with one blow.” 

Christian had no intentions in returning to the City of Destruction as he knew who he was talking to and thus replied, “Indeed, I was born in your dominions, but your service was hard, and a man cannot live on the wages you pay, ‘for the wages of sin is death.’

Apollyon, tried to persuade Christian to go back to the City of Destruction by promising that if he went back that “everything will be well with you.” 

Christian adamantly refused and told Apollyon, “I am His servant, and I will follow Him.”

Apollyon pointed out the sufferings of Christ’s followers, and also accused Christian of being a failure and unfaithful to Him. He proceeded to break into a hideous rage, shrieking, “I am an enemy to this Prince! I hate His person, His laws, and His people! I have purposely come here to stop you!”

A fierce battle ensued with Apollyon throwing flaming darts at Christian and Christian retaliating with his sword. The battle lasted over half a day and just as Christian was growing weak he called out, “Rejoice not against me, O my enemy: when I fall, I shall rise back up.” (Micah 7:8) Christian gave Apollyon a direct thrust of his sword, followed by another thrust saying, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) At the sound of those words Apollyon spread out his dragon wings and flew away, and Christian saw him no more.

When the battle was over Christian gave thanks to the Lord, who delivered him out of the mouth of the lion, Apollyon. 

In this intriguing scene from the 4th chapter of Pilgrim’s Progress we see Christian in a fierce battle with Apollyon, who is symbolic of Satan. Apollyon wanted Christian back in his domain, but if he couldn’t have him he would just as soon destroy him. Christian fought long and hard and then he courageously spoke the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Spiritual warfare is part and parcel of being a Christ follower; the Word of God is our greatest arsenal in the fight against evil, regardless of Satan’s strategies. 

February 14, 2026

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In Pilgrim’s Progress, Pilgrim and his friend, Hopeful, were continuing on their way to the Celestial City. Now they were growing tired and their feet were getting sore from walking on the rough and often difficult path when Christian saw a path to the left that looked a lot smoother. So together they decided to leave the King’s Highway to avoid difficulty and take the easier route through the field called By-Path Meadow. 

As they were walking through By-Path Meadow they ran into a man with the name of Vain-Confidence.  He was like-minded and said he too was on his way to the Celestial City but come nightfall, Vain-Confidence was mortally injured when he fell into a deep pit. After this, a huge thunderstorm storm began and as water rose up all around Christian and Hopeful it was then they both realized that taking this detour was a mistake; they regretted taking the smooth path. 

Hopeful said, “Who could have thought that this path would lead us astray?”

Shortly after this they were captured by a Giant, named Despair, and were thrown into his prison in a place called Doubting Castle. They were beaten and left without food or water for days and in the dark. This was a very trying period in both of their lives. The Giant even tried to get them to do away with themselves and he took them outside to show them the bones of all the trespassers that he had beaten and killed. The Giant proceeded to beat them all the way back down into the dark dungeon. 

It was just after midnight of this last beating that Christian and Hopeful prayed until the morning. Then suddenly Christian remembered that he had a key in his bosom called Promise which he believed would open any lock in Doubting Castle and indeed, it did open all the doors they needed to be opened. Christian and Hopeful escaped Doubting Castle and got back onto the King’s Highway. They were back on the safe route, safe from Giant Despair’s jurisdiction. 

We learn two important reminders about God’s Word in this episode: 

One, a warning against straying from God’s Word. Don’t make important life decisions when you’re tired or weak. Spiritual compromise leads to despair and smooth roads are often filled with land mines.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

And two, the Key of Promise is scripture. God’s Word and His promises are true. The Bible teaches us, corrects us, and trains us. Deliverance from doubt and fear comes as we recall His Word and apply it to our life. 

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10 

February 21, 2026

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The epilogue of Pilgrim’s Progress begins with Christian and Hopeful entering and enjoying the beautiful country of Beulah Land, followed by a rather dramatic crossing over the River of Death. The River of Death is something we all must go through one day, unless the Lord comes first. 

It concludes with a beautiful scene of Christian and Hopeful entering into the Celestial City with joy and excitement. They met no problems at the Celestial City Gate as they possessed that which was required to enter. 

Soon after their entrance to heaven, John Bunyan then noticed that Ignorance was standing at the Celestial City Gate however he was having a problem. 

A big problem actually. The Celestial City Gates wouldn’t open for him. 

A few chapters earlier we were introduced to 

Ignorance, who was from the country of Deceit. He was following a crooked lane and continued in that lane even after Christian and Hopeful warned him that Christ was the only door to salvation, and salvation was by faith, not works. Ignorance participated in church services and communion. He prayed and he fasted. He trusted in his good works, his tithes and his offerings. He even gave to the poor and helped the needy. Ignorance did all of these things but failed to do that which is required.  

Ignorance never saw himself as a sinner in need of a Savior. He rejected the true gospel and substituted it with the false gospel of self-righteousness and good works. Ignorance lacked repentance, faith, and a personal relationship with God through Christ. Ignorance’s frightening and sobering end of life consisted of him being bound and carried off to Hell. 

John Bunyan concludes Pilgrim’s Progress with a stern warning: 

“There is a way to hell even from the gates of heaven.”

Good works are the fruit of salvation; not the means of salvation. Salvation is by grace alone, by faith alone, through Christ alone. Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

February 28, 2026

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