2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
It's been close to two decades since I last read Pilgrims Progress by Bunyan. And this morning I was thinking about one aspect of that allegory that always stood out for me. There's a moment, just a short moment in the story when the Christian travelers come upon the cave in the valley of the shadow of death and they sort of encounter this giant creature called Giant Pope who represents the Roman Catholic Church. He's at first very threatening and scary but turns out he's toothless and they just pass on by. So, this morning I was reminded of this because there is now a new Pope serving that community. And I wanted to take a look back at Bunyan's work and see if there's anything new to be learned. Kind of like visiting that cave entrance again.
Bunyan portrays the papacy in The Pilgrim’s Progress as a once powerful but now weakened force. Written during a period of intense Protestant-Catholic tension in England, The Pilgrim’s Progress reflects fears of Catholic resurgence, especially under the Stuart monarchs (e.g., Charles II and James II). But Bunyan isn't uniquely focused upon the Catholic traditions alone. The papacy appears only briefly as one of many dangers (like Giant Despair or Apollyon) to emphasize that all forms of false religion or persecution are obstacles to salvation.
In the second part of The Pilgrim’s Progress (published 1684), the character Great-heart, is guiding Christiana and her companions, and they encounter Giant Pope in a cave near the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Giant Pope is depicted as old, weak, and sitting at the mouth of a cave, unable to pursue or harm the pilgrims since the Protestant reformation. He growls and threatens them, but his power is diminished. The figure of Giant Pope symbolizes the Roman Catholic Church and its historical authority, which Bunyan portrays as a tyrannical force that once persecuted true Christians (Protestants). Giant Pope’s cave is filled with the bones of slain pilgrims, which symbolizes the Catholic Church’s history of martyrdom, such as the burning of Protestant reformers. The Giant Pope once shared this space with the now dead Giant Pagan who represents the pagan religions of antiquity (e.g., Roman or pre-Christian idolatry), implying that the papacy is a continuation of false religion, a common Puritan accusation that Catholicism was corrupted by pagan practices. Which it absolutely was.
Throughout his allegorical story Bunyan’s narrative critiques institutions and practices, he associates with Catholicism. For example, the "Vanity Fair" and its ostentatious and worldly rituals, and the character "Ignorance", who trusts in his own works for salvation.
As a Puritan, Bunyan viewed the papacy as the "Antichrist" or a false church, a belief rooted in Reformation theology (e.g., writings of Luther and Calvin). Bunyan grounded his views in Scripture, interpreting the Bible through a Reformed lens that identified the Catholic Church, and specifically the papacy, as a false or corrupt institution, often associated with the "Antichrist" or "Babylon" in biblical prophecy.
Puritans like Bunyan rejected the Catholic emphasis on good works, sacraments, and penance as the means to salvation, advocating sola fide (faith alone). In the first part "Christian" the main character, falls into The Slough of Despond which reflects the despair caused by relying on human effort rather than trusting in Christ’s finished work. He's weighed down by these burdens which threaten to hold him down in that slough through fear and doubt.
Bunyan likely drew upon scripture passages like Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The slough implicitly critiques Catholic practices that Bunyan saw as leading believers to despair by focusing on human merit rather than divine grace.
Later Christian meets Mr. Worldly-Wiseman, who advises him to seek relief from his burden by going to the town of Morality and consulting Mr. Legality (and his son, Civility). Worldly-Wiseman and Legality represent the Catholic church's reliance on moral effort and adherence to Church traditions (e.g., penance, pilgrimages, or sacramental rituals) rather than faith in Christ. And rightly so "Evangelist" rebukes Christian for going down that path towards The town of Morality, a place of superficial righteousness that cannot remove the burden of sin. Puritans equated the Roman church with the Judaizing heresy that the apostle Paul condemned.
In this way, Bunyan is arguing against the legalism of the church, likely focused on Galatians 3:10-11
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse…But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith."
Again, leaning on faith and Christ's work of salvation. Evangelist’s correction redirects Christian to the Cross, symbolizing Christ’s atonement, a core Protestant doctrine opposed to Catholic mediation through priests, sacraments, or the intercessions of long dead saints.
Later in the story Christian and Faithful pass-through Vanity Fair, a worldly marketplace where they are mocked, imprisoned, and persecuted for refusing to conform to its values. Faithful is martyred, but Christian escapes. Vanity Fair represents the world’s opposition to true Christianity, but its organized persecution of pilgrims echoes Puritan views of the Catholic Church as a persecuting power. Bunyan wrote his story following the Marian persecutions (1553–1558) when Catholics burned Protestants at the stake. And this likely contributed to his animosity towards that religion. The fair’s emphasis on riches, pomp, and worldly glory critiques Catholic practices like ornate Masses, gilded churches, and elaborate rituals, which Puritans saw as idolatrous distractions from true worship. Drawing upon scripture he saw the papacy as antichrist and the church from the viewpoint of prophecy in Revelation 17:4-6, describing the "Whore of Babylon" adorned with wealth and "drunken with the blood of the saints." Bunyan’s depiction of Vanity Fair aligns with this imagery, portraying a system that prioritizes externals over spiritual truth.
At another point in his travels, Christian visits the Interpreter, who shows him allegorical scenes to teach him spiritual truths. I always thought of this as time spent in a church community, growing in the faith and in understanding. Sort of being schooled in the faith. Interpreter shows Christian a scene which depicts a man with a muck-rake, ignoring a celestial crown for earthly filth, symbolizing worldly preoccupation. The muck-rake scene critiques the Catholic Church’s perceived obsession with temporal power, wealth, and ritualistic externals (e.g., ornate vestments, relics) over spiritual truths. I have to admit that this I found interesting at the time when I first read the story, but lately I've seen firsthand how pervasive this muckraking really is. While broadly applicable to all worldly sin in any form, the muckrake image subtly targets Catholic practices that Bunyan viewed as prioritizing outward forms over inward faith.
Bunyan's critique would have been drawn from Matthew 6:19-21:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt…But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
Near the end of the journey, just outside the gates of the Celestial City, Christian and Hopeful meet Ignorance, a pilgrim who trusts in his own good heart and works to enter the Celestial City. He lacks a "certificate" (which is faith in Christ) and is ultimately cast into hell from the city’s gate. Ignorance embodies the Catholic belief in meritorious works and personal goodness as a basis for salvation, which Puritans condemned as self-righteousness.
Romans 3:20..."Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight,"
...was a key text for Protestants arguing against Catholic teachings on works. Ignorance’s fate underscores Bunyan’s belief that such reliance leads to damnation.
Bunyan’s anti-Catholic themes are rooted in Puritan beliefs in sola scriptura (Scripture alone), sola fide (faith alone), and solus Christus (Christ alone), which are directly opposed to Catholic doctrines of papal authority, sacramental grace, and meritorious works. Each episode reinforces these principles by contrasting true faith with false paths. Bunyan’s own experience of persecution (imprisonment for nonconformity) and the memory of the Catholic persecution of Protestant people during Mary I’s reign no doubt shaped his view of institutional religion as a threat.
The Puritans, as a reform movement within the Church of England in the 16th and 17th centuries, left a significant theological and cultural legacy that continues to influence several modern Protestant denominations today. However, and ironically, the reformation churches that sprang up out from those Puritan roots have largely gone the way of progressive heresy.
Modern Protestant churches founded upon Puritan traditions include Congregational churches (e.g., UCC, CCCC), Presbyterian churches (e.g., PCA), Reformed Baptist churches (e.g., ARBCA, Sovereign Grace). Of these only the Baptist and OPC still cling to its more conservative views, though worldly views have done damage to them as well.
It's not unexpected by me that all these church communities, from the Roman church to the Baptist's, will all eventually fall into this progressive trap, but Bunyan wasn't as cynical as I. But Bunyan's writings reflect a deep concern for the purity of the church and the perseverance of true believers amidst spiritual dangers, including false doctrines and worldly compromise.
I can't recall exactly how I happened across his writings; except I did begin my more focused journey from a Congregationalist perspective. So, it's likely that while I was veraciously devouring any and all church history, I could get my hands on in those early years, I would have somewhere along the way found my own version of "Interpreter" and his school, and there I would have of picked up a copy of Pilgrims Progress. Probably while I was studying Paul Tillich's Systematic Theologies and church histories. It's all just a blur now...I do not read now anything close to how I did in those days.
John Bunyan's Pilgrim’s Progress and his Puritan theology, anticipated that many church communities could fall into spiritual error, as warned about in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. And I think it's more than clear that their concerns were well founded. He viewed the Roman Catholic Church as already apostate (Giant Pope), a cautionary example of corruption, and saw other churches (e.g., Church of England, even Nonconformists) as vulnerable to worldly compromise, legalism, or false doctrine, all of these are dangers analogous to modern progressivism. However, Bunyan’s hope in the faithful remnant and the success of his pilgrims in his allegory suggests a more individual holiness that he believed some churches would have preserved by God’s grace. The UCC’s progressive shift would confirm his fears, while the conservative Reformed Baptists (ARBCA, Sovereign Grace) and Presbyterians (OPC) would align with his vision of fidelity. But he didn't see what's come of them today, therefore I'm still skeptical.
Bunyan viewed the church as engaged in a cosmic battle against Satan, false doctrine, and worldly corruption. In his other writings we see this theme continued. In another of his allegories, The Holy War (1682), he depicts the town of Mansoul, representing the human soul or the church, created by King Shaddai (God). The town is captured by Diabolus (Satan), who corrupts it with false religion and tyranny. Shaddai’s son, Emmanuel (Christ), besieges and recaptures Mansoul, restoring true worship, but Diabolus and his allies (e.g., carnal lords, false priests) repeatedly attempt to regain control through deceit and rebellion. The story concludes with Emmanuel’s triumph, though vigilance is urged. In his story, Mansoul’s fall to Diabolus reflects Bunyan’s belief that churches can apostatize through false doctrine or worldly influence. The town’s "lords" (e.g., Lord Willbewill, and Mr. Conscience) are swayed by Diabolus’s lies, symbolizing how churches can be corrupted by leaders who prioritize human traditions or carnal desires over Scripture. Diabolus’s regime includes figures like the "priests of Diabolus," who promote false worship, likely representing the Catholic clergy. The UCC’s progressive liberal shift might be seen as a modern "Diabolonian" rebellion, prioritizing human reason (like Mr. Carnal-Security) over sola scriptura.
In another of his writings, Grace Abounding, he details his conversion from a sinful life to faith, his struggles with doubt and despair, and his assurance of salvation through Christ. Written during his imprisonment for Nonconformist preaching, it focuses on personal salvation rather than institutional churches but offers insights into Bunyan’s view of true faith versus false religion.
I find it interesting that I'm drawn to these Christian writers who write from prison (thinking about Bonhoeffer as well).
Bunyan describes his own intense spiritual battles with doubts about salvation, legalism, and even Ranterism (a radical sect denying moral law). Bunyan credits his Nonconformist church community in Bedford for grounding him in Scripture and assurance, suggesting that faithful churches are vital for combating error. However, his emphasis on personal faith implies that even true churches can fail individuals if they drift from the gospel. And boy oh boy do we see that today.
All three of his works reflect Bunyan’s belief that churches are vulnerable to apostasy. And the scriptures back this up...
2 Timothy 4:3-4"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
I recommend that EVERY Christian read his writings. If for no other reason than to take a good and honest look at what their own faith traditions are and find out what it's truly all about. His writing leaves no religious or philosophical stone unturned. And it exposes all the creepy critters and criminals hiding under them. But ALL his stories end well with joy and hope in Christ the Victorious One.
Pilgrim’s Progress: Christian and Christiana reach the Celestial City, symbolizing enduring faith.
Holy War: Emmanuel’s victory and Mansoul’s vigilance suggest some churches will stand firm.
Grace Abounding: Bunyan’s personal salvation assures that God preserves His elect, even if the churches falter.
God bless you all and keep you Faithful and Hopeful (my two favorite characters) now and forevermore in Christ Jesus.
Please open your bible to the epistles...
