John Bunyan wasn’t a literary giant. At least, he wasn't supposed to be. He was a "tinker"—basically a guy who walked from village to village mending pots, pans, and kettles. He was a man of "low birth" in 17th-century England, a rough-around-the-edges veteran of the English Civil War who probably swore too much and didn't have a formal education beyond the basics of reading and writing. Yet, this humble metal-fixer ended up writing The Pilgrim’s Progress, a book that has been translated into over 200 languages and, for centuries, sat on bookshelves right next to the Bible in almost every English-speaking household.
Honesty is a big part of why people still care about him. He didn't write about abstract theology from a ivory tower. He wrote about the gut-wrenching, terrifying, and occasionally beautiful experience of trying to be a good person in a world that feels like it's designed to make you fail.
The Bedford Jail Years: Writing Under Pressure
John Bunyan spent about twelve years in a cramped, cold cell in Bedford County Gaol. Why? Because he wouldn't stop talking. Specifically, he wouldn't stop preaching without a license from the Church of England. After the monarchy was restored in 1660, the government got really twitchy about "nonconformists"—religious rebels who met in woods or barns instead of official churches.
They told him if he just promised to stop preaching, he could go home to his wife and his four children, including his blind daughter, Mary, whom he loved dearly.
He refused.
"If I were out of prison today," he reportedly said, "I would preach the gospel again tomorrow, by the help of God."
While he was locked up, he didn't just sit around and rot. He made long-tagged laces to support his family and started writing. He wrote Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, which is basically a raw, painfully honest spiritual memoir. It’s not a "look how holy I am" book. It’s a "look how messed up my head was" book. He describes intrusive thoughts and a crushing fear that he had committed the unpardonable sin. It reads like a modern account of OCD or severe depression, which makes it incredibly relatable even if you aren't religious.
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Why The Pilgrim’s Progress Changed Everything
Most people know the name of his masterpiece, even if they've never cracked the cover. The Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory. Our main guy is named Christian. He has a literal heavy pack on his back representing his guilt. He’s trying to get to the Celestial City.
Along the way, he hits places that have become part of our everyday language.
The "Slough of Despond"? That’s Bunyan.
"Vanity Fair"? That’s Bunyan too.
He had this uncanny ability to take complex internal emotions and turn them into physical landscapes. Instead of saying "I felt really discouraged today," he describes a character falling into a deep, muddy bog that sucks the life out of you. That’s brilliant. It’s why children loved the book as an adventure story while adults used it as a map for their own souls.
The Realism of a Tinker
Bunyan’s writing isn't flowery. It’s muscular. It’s the language of the marketplace and the forge.
When you read his dialogue, you can hear the voices of the people he met on the roads of Bedfordshire. Characters like Mr. Worldly Wiseman or Pliable aren't just symbols; they’re people you probably know. The guy who gives you bad advice because it sounds practical? That's Worldly Wiseman. The friend who is all-in on a new project until it gets slightly difficult and then vanishes? That’s Pliable.
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Bunyan understood human nature because he lived among it. He wasn't shielded by wealth. He knew what it was like to be hungry, to be scared of the law, and to feel like a failure.
The Controversies and the Grit
It wasn't all sunshine and parables. John Bunyan was a polarizing figure. The established church thought he was a dangerous fanatic. Some of his fellow prisoners probably thought he was a bit much. Even within the dissenting movement, he caused waves. He was a "Closed Communion" Baptist for a while but eventually argued that all Christians should be able to take communion together, regardless of their specific views on baptism. That was a radical, inclusive move for the 1600s.
He also struggled with his own fame later in life. Once he was finally released and The Pilgrim’s Progress became a hit, he became a sort of celebrity preacher in London. People would pack out meeting houses at 7:00 AM on a weekday just to hear him speak.
There's this famous story that King Charles II asked the learned scholar John Owen why he went to hear an uneducated tinker preach. Owen replied: "May it please your Majesty, could I possess that tinker’s abilities for preaching, I would most gladly relinquish all my learning."
Legacy Beyond the Pews
You can see Bunyan’s fingerprints all over English literature.
- C.S. Lewis wrote The Pilgrim’s Regress as a direct homage.
- Louisa May Alcott used the framework of Bunyan's book to structure Little Women.
- Charles Dickens and William Thackeray (who literally titled a novel Vanity Fair) were deeply influenced by his narrative style.
He proved that you didn't need a degree from Oxford or Cambridge to have something profound to say. He democratized literature. He wrote for the person who only owned two books: the Bible and his.
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How to Apply Bunyan's Grit to Modern Life
John Bunyan’s life isn't just a history lesson. It’s a blueprint for resilience. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, there are a few practical takeaways from the Tinker of Bedford.
1. Embrace the "Draft" of Your Life
Bunyan didn't wait for a perfect office to write. He wrote on scraps of paper in a noisy, crowded jail. Stop waiting for the "perfect time" to start your project. If he could write a masterpiece while worrying about his family starving, you can spend twenty minutes on your goal today.
2. Use Plain Language
Whether you’re writing an email, a blog post, or a LinkedIn update, stop trying to sound "professional" by using big words. Bunyan’s work survived because it was clear. Speak to people’s actual experiences. Use metaphors that feel like dirt and gravel, not clouds and perfume.
3. Stand Your Ground on Your Values
Bunyan stayed in jail for twelve years because he wouldn't compromise on what he believed was true. While you probably shouldn't seek out jail time, there is a lot to be said for "non-negotiables." Identify one or two core values that you won't trade for convenience or social approval.
4. Map Your Obstacles
Bunyan’s "Slough of Despond" is a great mental tool. When you’re feeling depressed or stuck, name it. Is this the "Hill of Difficulty"? Is it "Doubting Castle"? By turning an internal feeling into a landmark on a map, it becomes something you can navigate through, rather than something that defines you.
5. Read the Source Material
If you’ve never read The Pilgrim’s Progress, find a "translated" version in modern English first. The original 17th-century prose is beautiful but can be a bit of a slog if you aren't used to it. Look for the parts where Christian loses his way—those are the most human moments in the book.
Bunyan died in 1688 after riding through a heavy rainstorm to help a father and son reconcile. He caught a fever and passed away, still doing the work of a mediator. He’s buried in Bunhill Fields in London, a place for "dissenters" who were buried outside the official church grounds. Even in death, he stayed with the outsiders.
That’s the thing about John Bunyan. He was always one of us. A bit broken, a bit stubborn, but always moving toward something better.
Practical Next Steps
- Visit the Bunyan Meeting Free Church and Museum in Bedford if you’re ever in the UK. You can see the actual door of the jail where he was held.
- Audit your "Pack": Take ten minutes today to write down what "weights" you are carrying (guilt, debt, expectations). Just naming them is the first step toward dropping the burden.
- Check out "Grace Abounding": If you struggle with anxiety or "imposter syndrome," read Bunyan's autobiography. You'll realize that even the giants of history had voices in their heads telling them they weren't good enough.