Evangelist

Character Analysis

In a cast mostly composed of bit parts, someone who makes it into not one, not two, but three (!!) scenes is kind of a big deal. Our man Evangelist (no, there are no subtle character names in this book) is just such a big deal.

Here's why: without Evangelist Christian would not have even begun his journey. When they meet in the field, Christian is at a total loss. He knows he needs to do something—but what? Luckily, not only "Evangelist," but the evangelist—the one who communicates with and instructs others—enters at just the right moment. What Bunyan is saying through this meeting is that an intermediary, a go-between, is necessary between the Bible and someone unacquainted with it.

To use Bunyan's own allegories: Christian has the Bible in his hand (it's what told him so clearly that his town would be destroyed); the road to the Celestial City is also there. But what he needs is someone to point this out to him, and to point him toward passages in scripture that will help him. It's not coincidental, for this reason, that Bunyan names this character "Evangelist," probably referring to "John the Evangelist," his favorite gospel writer.

Throughout the first two-thirds of the story, Evangelist has a way of showing up again when the characters need encouragement or a little guidance. He warns the pilgrims about whom to talk to and whom to ignore, and he reminds them of the importance of staying on the narrow road. In this way, much like the experience of reading the voice of a gospel-writer, Evangelist has the function of both correcting and inspiring:

"[ …] you are not yet out of the gun-shot of the Devil: you have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin: let the Kingdom be always before you, and believe steadfastly concerning things that are invisible. […] and be sure that one or both of you must seal the testimony which you hold, with blood." (P462, 464)

Basically, here Evangelist is telling Christian that he can't just rest on his laurels. He's done a good job so far—gold star, Christian!—but he has to stay ever vigilant. This is The Pilgrim's Progress equivalent of your grandma telling you, after graduation "The hard work has just begun, sonny." It's painful to hear this (Come on, Grandma. Can't I just eat this cake in peace and celebrate?), but it's also (blegh) true.

For Bunyan, himself a preacher, Evangelist also seems to stand as the example of a good teacher. For example, after he has fully explained to Christian the sin of having been influenced by Worldly-Wiseman, he also comforts him, saying:

For God can love him, and forgive his sin. (P110) 

This really communicates the duality of the sternness and mercy that plays out in so many situations of wrongdoing in the story. Evangelist is able to express disappointment and forgiveness, anger and love, and neither takes away from the other. You might even think this reflects the ideal of God's love in the story… or of grandma's brand of tough love dampening your own graduation celebration.