Real Cool History for Kids

Episode 171: The Story of John Bunyan

Host: Angela O'Dell
Release Date: January 12, 2026
Special Episode for: Ezra Scholtz

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the remarkable life of John Bunyan—poor tinker’s son, soldier, preacher, and author of The Pilgrim’s Progress, one of history’s most influential Christian books. Host Angela O’Dell tells Bunyan’s story from a biblical worldview, focusing on perseverance, faith, and the power of imagination born in hardship. The episode encourages young listeners to see how struggles can yield unexpected blessings, reminding them that “God never wastes our struggle.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Life and Background

• John Bunyan was born in Elstow, England, in November 1628.

  • Bunyan’s family was poor, and his father worked as a tinker, fixing pots and pans ([00:55]).
  • With limited schooling and access to books, young John nonetheless developed a vivid imagination and a deep sense of right and wrong.
  • Angela relates, “John worried often about right and wrong, about heaven and hell, and about whether his life truly mattered. Nowadays, John would have had…the diagnosis…of having anxiety.” ([02:09])

• England was politically and religiously troubled

  • “The country was torn apart by arguments over power and kings and religion. The government and official church were closely connected…anyone who believed differently…could be punished very severely.” ([02:41])

War and Spiritual Awakening

• Civil War Experience
  • Bunyan joined Parliament’s army as a teenager during the English Civil War (1644), but survival made him reflect on life’s fragility and God’s providence ([03:29]).
• Marriage and Faith Journey
  • John married a poor but faithful young woman, believed to be named Mary, who brought him two Christian books, sparking his quest for faith ([03:54]).
  • Angela describes, “John’s journey to faith was slow and very difficult...he kept reading the Bible, listening to sermons, and asking questions. And over time, his faith grew stronger.” ([04:30])

Family and Ministry

• Devotion to Family

  • Bunyan’s daughter Mary was blind, and John “loved his family deeply…Little Mary…especially depended on him.” ([05:00])
  • This deep attachment made his steadfast choices later even more meaningful.

• Rise as a Preacher

  • Bunyan preached in “plain language and powerful stories” making faith accessible to farmers, laborers, and families. His lack of official license made his preaching dangerous ([05:23]).

Imprisonment and Literary Contribution

• Arrest and Imprisonment

  • In 1660, John was jailed for preaching without a license. Refusing to renounce his calling, he chose imprisonment over freedom ([07:27]).
  • “John believed that obeying God mattered more than staying safe. So he stayed in prison. John Bunyan would spend about twelve years there.” ([07:32])

• Enduring Hardship

  • Prison was harsh—cold, dark, and lonely. Angela highlights the pain of being separated from his blind daughter, Mary ([08:00]).
  • John passed the time making small items to support his family and immersed himself in scripture.

• The Birth of Pilgrim’s Progress

  • “In that prison cell, John’s imagination came alive…He began to picture a story about a man carrying a heavy burden on his back...an allegory.” ([08:17])
  • The story became The Pilgrim’s Progress, representing the Christian journey through trials to ultimate salvation.

Later Life and Legacy

• Publication and Impact

  • After release, John resumed preaching and faced a second brief imprisonment in the 1670s.
  • The Pilgrim’s Progress was published in 1678 and quickly spread, becoming “one of the most widely read books in the world” after the Bible ([09:49]).

• Ongoing Ministry and Death

  • Bunyan authored many works focused on faith, scripture, and perseverance. He became a respected leader and died in 1688 ([10:30–11:00]).
  • Angela: “He never imagined that children and families centuries later would still be hearing his story. But God used his suffering, his obedience, and even his prison cell to bless millions.” ([11:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bunyan’s Imagination and Faith:

  “As a boy, his mind was filled with big dreams and really deep fears. He worried often about right and wrong, about heaven and hell, and about whether his life truly mattered.”
  — Angela O’Dell ([01:49])

• On Courage and Obedience:

  “John believed that obeying God mattered more than staying safe.”
  — Angela O’Dell ([07:28]) “God used his suffering, his obedience, and even his prison cell to bless millions.”
  — Angela O’Dell ([11:13])

• Biblical Reflection:

  “The Bible tells us in Romans 8:28 that God works all things together for good, for those who love him.”
  — Angela O’Dell ([11:23])

• Encouragement to Listeners:

  “Sometimes God’s greatest gifts to us come in very difficult wrapping paper.”
  — Angela O’Dell ([11:42]) “When we learn history, we learn that courage is often quiet and unassuming…Sometimes it looks like trusting God one step at a time as he shines his light on our path.”
  — Angela O’Dell ([12:21]) “John Bunyan's story reminds us to keep walking forward, even when the road is hard, even when we don’t understand, to keep walking forward.”
  — Angela O’Dell ([13:01])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–02:41: Introduction of John Bunyan and setting the historical context
• 02:41–04:30: Civil War, marriage, and spiritual awakening
• 05:00–05:23: Family life and beginning to preach
• 07:27–08:17: Arrest, imprisonment, and continued faithfulness
• 08:17–09:49: Writing The Pilgrim’s Progress in prison
• 09:49–11:09: Release, the book's publication, and global impact
• 11:09–12:57: Key lessons and faith reflections
• 13:01–13:22: Final encouragement to keep going despite hardship

Tone & Style

Angela O’Dell maintains a warm, personal, and encouraging tone, using simple but powerful language. Through engaging storytelling, she connects history to faith and life lessons for young listeners. Direct address (“you guys”) and real-life reflections draw children in and reinforce the episode’s biblical worldview.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Even in the hardest times, faith can thrive and creativity can flourish.
• Obedience to what you believe is right is sometimes costly but deeply meaningful.
• God can use struggles to create blessings that extend far beyond one lifetime.

“History is full of real adventures and really cool stories.”
— Angela O’Dell ([16:00])