Biblical References in Pilgrim's Progress Laura Faganello College

Pilgrim’s Progress is a work by John Bunyan that is considered to be one of the most well-known allegories of a spiritual journey. For one to even begin to understand this work, it is necessary to embark on one’s own personal spiritual journey. Biblical references and quotations are riddled in even the simplest moments of this work, to the extent that one is seemingly forced to open a Bible and find the hidden meaning. This essay will analyze three characters of Pilgrim’s Progress and demonstrate how biblical references led to further understanding of said characters, and how these references encouraged a personal spiritual journey.

Obstinate is introduced as Christian’s neighbour in the City of Destruction. He refuses to join Christian in his quest, exclaiming: “What!...and leave our Friends, and our Comforts behind us!” (Bunyan 13) From this exclamation alone, it is possible to deduct that Obstinate is both worldly and stubborn. His first thought is to defy Christian’s request, rather than consider the possibility of better options. This notion is supported by the explanatory note that refers the reader to 2 Corinthians 4:18. This verse says: “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not...