Joshua Bennett
John Bunyan's 'The Pilgrim's Progress' is a well-known book written in the late 1600s. As a Puritan, Bunyan was critical of the Catholic Church, and his book includes several instances that can be interpreted as anti-Catholic. For example, the character Formalism has been interpreted as representing those who follow rules and dogma to pursue salvation, which may be seen as a critique of Catholicism. Bunyan's work also accuses the Catholic Church of excessive pride and having a highly structured and dogmatic organisation. Some view 'The Pilgrim's Progress' as perpetuating anti-Catholic myths and promoting Protestant theology, while others argue that it is a foundational work in Western literature that both Protestants and Catholics can learn from.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | John Bunyan, a Puritan writer |
| Criticism of the Catholic Church | Excessive pride, dogmatism, rule-following |
| Anti-Catholic Portrayals | Christian's encounter with Formalism and Heresy; giants Pope and Pagan; Vanity Fair |
| Protestant Influence | Influenced by Martin Luther's "A Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians" |
| Public Opinion | Influenced public opinion of the Catholic Church |
| Alternative Versions | "Dangerous Journey" adaptation removes anti-Catholic elements |
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What You'll Learn
John Bunyan's Puritan beliefs
John Bunyan was a Puritan writer and preacher, famous for writing "The Pilgrim's Progress", a book considered to be the most characteristic expression of the Puritan religious outlook. Bunyan was born in 1628 in Elstow, Bedfordshire, England, and became one of the most influential authors of the seventeenth century.
Bunyan's Puritan beliefs were shaped by his exposure to the popular literature of the English Puritans, including plain-speaking sermons, moral dialogues, books of divine guidance, and John Foxe's "The Book of Martyrs". He also steeped himself in the English Bible, which he encountered at a young age. Bunyan's spirituality was also influenced by his personal experiences, such as hearing voices urging him to "sell Christ" and having fearful visions.
As a Puritan, Bunyan believed that the pursuit of religious truth involved an obstinate personal search, relying on free grace revealed to the individual, and rejecting all forms of public organization. He was particularly critical of the Catholic Church, which he accused of excessive pride and dogmatism. In "The Pilgrim's Progress", Bunyan includes instances where he implicitly and explicitly criticizes Catholicism, such as through the character Formalism, who represents those who follow rules and dogma to pursue salvation.
Bunyan's Puritan beliefs also led him to oppose the Anglican Church in England and the hierarchical Roman Catholic Church. He was arrested and jailed for preaching without the approval of the Anglican Church, and his imprisonment further fuelled his writing and preaching.
In conclusion, John Bunyan's Puritan beliefs were shaped by his exposure to Puritan literature and the Bible, as well as his personal experiences. His writing and preaching, including "The Pilgrim's Progress", reflect his critical views of the Catholic Church and his commitment to the pursuit of religious truth as an individual endeavour.
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Accusations of Catholic pride
John Bunyan, the Puritan writer of The Pilgrim's Progress, is known to have criticised the Catholic Church in his work. As a Baptist writer, Bunyan was serving time in jail for opposing an Anglican church in England, which was living in fear of the hierarchical Roman church.
The Pilgrim's Progress is considered to be a beautifully written allegory with a cautionary tale for Christians to recognise error and a tale of the assurance and victory that Christians have in Christ Jesus. However, the book is also considered to be anti-Catholic, with various parts throughout the book that criticise the Catholic Church.
One of the accusations of Catholic pride in The Pilgrim's Progress is represented by the character Formalism, accompanied by Heresy at the foot of the hill Difficulty. Formalism represents those who ascribe to dogmatism or rule-following to pursue salvation. This is considered to be an instance of Bunyan criticising Catholics.
Another instance of Bunyan's disapproval of Catholicism is seen in the scene with the giants Pope and Pagan, which may be interpreted as the extremes of religion. Pope represents a dogmatic and highly structured religious organisation, while Pagan represents a godless free-for-all. This viewpoint of Protestantism as a rational middle ground between dogmatism and freedom is likely Bunyan's intention, influenced by Protestantism's rejection of orthodox elements and paganism.
A third criticism of Catholicism in The Pilgrim's Progress occurs during Christian's time in the town of Vanity Fair. Here, Bunyan writes:
> "But as in other fairs, some one Commodity is as the chief of all the Fair, to the Ware of Rome and her Merchandise is greatly promoted in this Fair: only our English Nation, with some others, have taken a dislike thereat."
This passage suggests that Bunyan accused the Catholic Church of excessive pride, influenced by the Church's past and outward appearance of wealth and extravagance.
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Critique of Catholic salvation
John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" is a Puritan text that contains several instances of criticism of the Catholic Church and its salvation theology.
Firstly, the work criticizes the Catholic Church's emphasis on dogmatism and rule-following as a means to pursue salvation. In the character of Formalism, accompanied by Heresy, Bunyan portrays those who adhere to strict rule-following in their pursuit of salvation. This critique reflects the Puritan disdain for the central authority of the Catholic Church, including the Pope and the formal structures of the Church of England.
Secondly, Bunyan accuses the Catholic Church of excessive pride and a focus on outward appearances of wealth and extravagance. This criticism may be influenced by the Puritan perspective on the Catholic Church's history and its outward displays of opulence.
Thirdly, in the town of Vanity Fair, Bunyan writes about the "Ware of Rome and her Merchandise", suggesting a critique of the Catholic Church's role in promoting certain commodities or ideas.
Furthermore, "The Pilgrim's Progress" reflects Protestant theology, which differs from Catholic salvation theology. While both traditions affirm that salvation comes through grace and faith in Christ, they diverge in their understanding of the role of the Church, the sacraments, and the nature of faith.
In Catholic theology, salvation is obtained through believing in Jesus Christ and the One who sent him, which is God. This trust emphasizes assent to the teachings of the Church and is church-related rather than purely individual. Additionally, the Catholic Church teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have heard the Gospel and had the opportunity to receive the sacrament.
In contrast, Evangelical and Fundamentalist traditions emphasize the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ on the cross as the sole basis for salvation. They believe that personal trust in this sacrifice is sufficient for salvation, and that living a moral life is not a requirement to maintain salvation.
The Catholic Church also teaches that the Lord's Supper is a sacrifice, and that through the Mass, the work of redemption is carried out. This understanding differs from the Catholic Bible, which states that God's will has been accomplished through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
In conclusion, "The Pilgrim's Progress" reflects a Puritan perspective that critiques the Catholic Church's teachings and practices related to salvation. While both Catholics and Protestants affirm the centrality of Christ in salvation, their understandings of the path to salvation and the role of the Church differ significantly.
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Protestant cautionary tale
John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress (1678) is considered a beautifully written allegory and an early novel. However, it is also regarded as a strongly anti-Catholic text, particularly in its criticism of the Catholic Church. Bunyan, a Puritan writer, lived during a time of tension between Catholics and Protestants, and his disdain for central authority, including the Pope and the Church of England, is evident in his work.
The text has been described as a "vicious Protestant anti-Catholic slander," and it is said to promote anti-Catholic myths. For instance, it perpetuates the notion that the medieval Catholic Church was a time of great biblical illiteracy, where man's effort was valued over divine grace, and people followed the Catholic faith out of fear of hell rather than love for Christ.
One instance of Bunyan's criticism of Catholicism is through the character Formalism, who, along with Heresy, chooses to circumvent the steep hill Difficulty rather than climb it. Formalism represents those who follow rules and dogma to pursue salvation, reflecting Bunyan's view of the Catholic Church as dogmatic and rule-bound.
Another criticism of Catholicism in the text occurs in the town of Vanity Fair, where Bunyan writes:
> “But as in other fairs, some one Commodity is as the chief of all the Fair, to the Ware of Rome and her Merchandise is greatly promoted in this Fair: only our English Nation, with some others, have taken a dislike thereat.”
Here, Bunyan suggests that the Catholic Church, represented by Rome, is promoting its agenda in a fair that should be neutral, and that this is unappealing to the English nation and others.
In conclusion, while Pilgrim's Progress is a significant work of religious literature, its anti-Catholic sentiments are evident and have contributed to negative perceptions of the Catholic Church. As such, it serves as a Protestant cautionary tale, instructing Protestants on how to recognize error and find assurance and victory in their faith.
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Anti-Catholic myths
The Pilgrim's Progress, written by John Bunyan in the late 1600s, is considered a beautifully written book in the allegorical style. However, it is also regarded as containing anti-Catholic sentiments, which continue to influence public opinion of the Catholic Church.
One reviewer notes that Bunyan, a Puritan writer, was "not so kind to the Catholic Church", and that the book contains instances of criticism of Catholicism, both implicit and explicit. For example, the character Formalism, accompanied by Heresy, represents those who follow rules and dogma to pursue salvation, reflecting negatively on the Catholic Church's structure and authority.
Another instance of purported anti-Catholic sentiment is found in Bunyan's description of Vanity Fair, where he writes, "only our English Nation, with some others, have taken a dislike [to the Commodity of the Fair of Rome and her Merchandise]". Here, Bunyan appears to be criticising the Catholic Church's wealth and extravagance, accusing it of excessive pride.
Furthermore, the giants Pope and Pagan may be interpreted as representing the extremes of religion, with Paganism representing a godless free-for-all and the Pope embodying a dogmatic, highly structured religious organisation. This viewpoint aligns with Protestantism's rejection of orthodox elements and its perception of itself as a rational middle road.
Some commentators, however, argue that these anti-Catholic interpretations are myths that refuse to die. They attribute the negative portrayal of the medieval Catholic Church in contemporary secular history books to the influence of older Protestant narratives and analyses. These narratives, including Reformation-era texts like Foxe's Book of Martyrs, are said to have shaped public opinion in the English-speaking world, perpetuating misconceptions about medieval Catholicism.
Despite the anti-Catholic sentiments attributed to The Pilgrim's Progress, some Catholic commentators encourage their fellow believers to read the book, recognising its importance as a foundational work in Western culture and religious literature. They emphasise the value of engaging with different perspectives to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of one another.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress is considered anti-Catholic.
The Pilgrim's Progress contains anti-Catholic criticisms of the Catholic Church, including accusations of excessive pride.
One example of an anti-Catholic instance in The Pilgrim's Progress is Christian’s encounter with the character Formalism, accompanied by Heresy at the foot of the hill Difficulty. Here, Formalism and Heresy choose to traverse around the steep hill Difficulty, representing those who ascribe to dogmatism or rule-following to pursue salvation.
Yes, there is a version of The Pilgrim's Progress titled "Dangerous Journey" that has had the overt anti-Catholic elements removed, making it more suitable for Catholic audiences.
Other anti-Catholic texts that are similar to The Pilgrim's Progress include Foxe's Book of Martyrs (1563) and Piers Plowman, a fourteenth-century poem that refutes many of the common charges leveled against medieval Catholicism.
