It is the opinion of many people that Bunyan does not refer to the Cross of Christ enough times in the Holy War. For example Faith Cook in her excellent book “Fearless Pilgrim” states on page 382 “Perhaps the weakest point, and the point at which allegory itself fails as a medium for expressing the full-orbed gospel, is in the treatment of redemption by the cross of Christ. Not until the end of the book do we discover, in perhaps one of the finest passages of all, Emmanuel proclaiming his redemptive work on behalf of Mansoul” and then Faith Cook quotes the place starting with “O my Mansoul, I have lived, I have died etc”.
Without wishing to contradict Faith Cook, there are other references to the cross. They fall into two categories, direct and allegorical.
Firstly the direct references will be discussed. There is a passage on “Residual Sin” starting on page 175 starting with the words “Next, O my Mansoul…”. On page 177 we read
“I give you, my Lord Mayor, my Lord Willbewill, and Mr Recorder, with all the inhabitants of the town of Mansoul, full power and commission to seek out, to take, and to cause to be put to death by the cross, all, and all manner of Diabolonians when and wherever you shall find them to lurk within or to range without the walls of the town of Mansoul”.
We should never forget that Christ is a Saviour primarily from Sin. We are saved by our sins being put to death on the cross. What sins is Bunyan talking about? We have too many sins to list, however Bunyan does name some of them on p 176.
“Lord fornication, Lord Adultery, the Lord Murder, the Lord Anger, the Lord Lasciviousness, the Lord Deceit, the Lord Evil-eye, Mr Drunkenness, Mr Revelling, Mr Idolatry, Mr Witchcraft, Mr Variance, Mr Emulation, Mr wrath, Mr Strife, Mr Sedition, and Mr Heresy. These are some of the chief, O Mansoul”.
We must therefore conclude that when Bunyan writes about a Diabolonian being put to death, he is referring to the cross of Christ.
Secondly the allegorical references will be discussed. The gospel of Jesus Christ is depicted as a trumpet like the one that made the walls of Jericho fall down. The Gospel must of necessity contain teaching about the Cross of Christ and his substitution for us as the wrath of god the Father was poured out.
“ Well, before the king’s forces had sat before Mansoul three days, Captain Boanerges commanded his trumpeter to go down to Ear-gate, and there, in the name of the great Shaddai, to summon Mansoul to give audience to the message that he, in his master’s name, was to them commanded to deliver. So the trumpeter, whose name was Take-heed-what-you-hear, went up, as he was commanded, to Ear-Gate, and there sounded his trumpet for a hearing”. Sadly this gospel trumpet is not heeded, and neither is the second.
In further support of this line of reasoning I refer to p 56.
“After which they gave out the word, which was, “Ye must be born again”. Then they sounded the trumpet”…
The gospel of Jesus Christ is depicted as a chariot. Take a look at p 110.
“Thus having made Diabolus naked in the eyes of Mansoul, and before the commanders of the Prince, in the next place he commands that Diabolus should be bound with chains to his chariot wheels”. This reminds us of Habakkuk 3 v 8 which refers to the chariots of salvation.
“Thou didst ride upon thine horses and the chariots of salvation”.
Any gospel presentation (chariot or vehicle of salvation) must contain mention of the cross of Christ so we must take it as an allegorical reference to the cross.
The Bible itself uses allegory as a means of depicting the gospel of Christ’s death on the cross (including trumpets and chariots and many more for example the crossing of the Red Sea etc). Our Scientific age has programmed our minds to want things spelt out in literal non-allegorical words.
If we find allegory difficult to understand we should seek the Lord’s face in prayer. The all knowing God will give wisdom.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Who is Lord Understanding?
Lord Understanding is the Lord Mayor. He is the most powerful person in Mansoul. Mediaeval Lords had very strong power over their serfs, and could demand forced labour from their underlings. Thus the understanding is the most motivating factor in the human soul. This understanding though is not just understanding of life, wisdom and philosophy. It is the understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our understanding either is a source of salvation or condemnation.
When Diabolus enters the town of Mansoul, Lord Understanding is divested of his power. The view from his palace is spoilt as Satan builds a high and strong tower between the sun and the palace windows. Lord Understanding now lives in darkness or faithlessness. Compare this with Romans 1 v 21.
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened”.
Ephesians 4 v 18 also talks about the un-saved person:
“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart”.
Such was the enslavement of Lord Understanding that although in the past he had been a benefit to the town he now becomes a hindrance to the town. If you speak to many un-converted persons about Creation, Christ and the path of Salvation they will reply that they think all religion is pointless. They simply cannot understand the gospel. They say that they do not have the imagination to believe in God. This is the darkness of the understanding.
2 Cor 4 v 3 says:
But if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”.
And 1 Cor 1 v 18.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God”.
What if we find ourselves in this position of having our understanding darkened? What if we simply cannot understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and it appears to us as foolishness? We need to ask the creator God to open the eye gate and let in the light of the gospel. We need to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to open our understanding and give us the ability to believe. Do not delay, and think “I will wait until I am older”. As we go through life our concept of what is “old” changes. When we are 20, old is 30. When we are 80 our idea of old is 90. Do you really know when God is going to end your life? Of course not! Don’t leave it too late. Turn to god today and ask Him that he might kindly let the light shine onto your understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation”. ( 2 Cor 6 v 2)
When Diabolus enters the town of Mansoul, Lord Understanding is divested of his power. The view from his palace is spoilt as Satan builds a high and strong tower between the sun and the palace windows. Lord Understanding now lives in darkness or faithlessness. Compare this with Romans 1 v 21.
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened”.
Ephesians 4 v 18 also talks about the un-saved person:
“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart”.
Such was the enslavement of Lord Understanding that although in the past he had been a benefit to the town he now becomes a hindrance to the town. If you speak to many un-converted persons about Creation, Christ and the path of Salvation they will reply that they think all religion is pointless. They simply cannot understand the gospel. They say that they do not have the imagination to believe in God. This is the darkness of the understanding.
2 Cor 4 v 3 says:
But if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”.
And 1 Cor 1 v 18.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God”.
What if we find ourselves in this position of having our understanding darkened? What if we simply cannot understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and it appears to us as foolishness? We need to ask the creator God to open the eye gate and let in the light of the gospel. We need to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to open our understanding and give us the ability to believe. Do not delay, and think “I will wait until I am older”. As we go through life our concept of what is “old” changes. When we are 20, old is 30. When we are 80 our idea of old is 90. Do you really know when God is going to end your life? Of course not! Don’t leave it too late. Turn to god today and ask Him that he might kindly let the light shine onto your understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation”. ( 2 Cor 6 v 2)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Who is Lord Willbewill?
The first part of the name “Willbewill” confirms that the name describes the human will. The will is the motivating force of our lives. Just as Eve consented to take the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3 v 6), so Mansoul consented to allow Diabolus into the town.
“The wall of the town was well built, yea so fast and firm was it knot and compact together, that had it not been for the townsmen themselves, it could not have been shaken or broken for ever. For here lay the excellent wisdom of him that builded Mansoul, that the walls could never be broken down, nor hurt by the mighty adverse potentate, unless the townsmen gave consent thereto”.
Later on in the narrative, the conscience, the Will and the Understanding confess to the Prince that they chose to disobey.
“Are you the men that did suffer yourselves to be corrupted and defiled by the abominable one, Diabolus?” and they said “We did more than to suffer it, Lord: for we chose it of our own mind”.
And so it is that if we live our lives without faith in Christ we will be held responsible for wilful disobedience. God commands all men everywhere to repent (Read Acts 17 v 30).
However there is more to the name than that. What are we to make of the “bewill” part of the name? I would like to venture the following explanation. The human will is strong but fickle. In the state of innocence the Will is subject to God. After the fall it becomes subject to Satan. Emmanuel brings the will back into subjection to God according to the supreme sovereignty of God. Therefore “willbewill” could be interpreted in the colloquial sense of “whatever will be will be”. That Emmanuel brings back the will into subjection is shown in the narrative when Captain Execution seeks out Lord Willbewill.
“Captain Execution…hunted the Lord Willbewill sorely; he suffered him not to rest in any corner. He pursued him so hard, that he drove his men from him and made him glad to thrust his head into a hole”.
And so it is that the sinner finds himself hunted out by God. Where-ever he goes he meets Christians. Whatever he thinks about reminds him that there is a God, so that eventually he has to say “Lord I surrender! I believe in Thee”.
That Emmanuel brings the will into subjection is also shown in the narrative when Lord Willbewill faints at the feet of Emmanuel.
“now, the prisoners when they did hear the gracious words of Prince emmamuel, and had beheld all that was done unto them, fainted almost quite away… Yea, my Lord Willbewill swooned outright…”.
The newly converted Christian is so overwhelmed by God’s grace and kindness that he wants to obey the Lord. His will becomes subject to Christ.
Lord Willbewill has been overpowered by Emmanuel. Emmanuel has informed Mansoul (through captain Boanerges) that he will take the city by force and this he has now done.
“And he (Shaddai) hath commanded me, in case you yield upon my summons, to carry it to you as if you were my friends or brethren; but he also hath bid, that if, after summons to submit, you still stand out and rebel, we should take you by force”.
Thus we see that the fall of Mansoul to Emmanuel is through the power of God. If God has ordained a matter it will happen and no man can stop it. The re-capture of Mansoul had been agreed upon by Shaddai and Emmanuel long, long ago and therefore was inevitable.
“ but by that they (the royal courtiers) had heard the whole of the story, it would have amazed one to have seen, had he been there to behold it, what sorrow and grief, and compunction of spirit there was among all sorts, to think that famous Mansoul was now taken: only the king and his son foresaw all this long before, yea, and sufficiently provided for the relief of Mansoul, though they told everybody thereof”. And a little further on “Well, when the king and his son were retired into the privy chamber, there they again consulted about what they had designed before, to wit, that as Mansoul should in time be suffered to be lost, so as certainly it should be recovered again; recovered, I say, in such a way as that both the king and his son would get themselves eternal fame, and glory thereby. Wherefore, after this consult. The son of Shaddai…having stricken hands with his father, and promised that he would be his servant to recover his Mansoul again, stood by his resolution, nor would he repent of the same. The purport of which agreement was this, to wit, that at a certain time prefixed by both, the king’s son should take a journey into the country of Universe, and there, in a way of justice, and equity, by making amends for the follies of Mansoul, he should lay a foundation of her perfect deliverance from Diabolus , and from his tyranny”.
The salvation of Mansoul as the corporate body of Christ and an individual believer is therefore pre-ordained. Is it possible for salvation not to happen when Christ Himself has promised the Father that he will go onto earth and secure it? No!
The word “Lord” also is important. The Will is a highly motivating factor in the human life. In Mediaeval times the Lords could escape justice because of their money, influence and “friends in high places”. After Lord Willbewill is taken prisoner Bunyan tells us that
“The town was also greatly troubled for the men that were committed to ward, for that they were their stay and their guide, and for that they believed that , if those men were cut off, their execution would be but the beginning of the ruin of the town of Mansoul”.
Emmanuel is very gracious to Lord Willbewill and rather than executing him promotes him.
“Emmanuel called the Lord Willbewill to him, and gave him the militia into his hand, and a special charge to withstand all insurrections and tumults that might be made in Mansoul against the peace of our lord the king, and the peace and tranquillity of the town of Mansoul. He also gave him in commission, that if he found any of the Diabolonians lurking in any corner in the famous town of Mansoul he should forthwith apprehend them, and stay them or commit them to safe custody, that they may be proceeded against according to law”.
Even after conversion the human will can cause us difficulties. We can sin by wilful disobedience. Lord Willbewill still continues to exert his authority over us.
“The wall of the town was well built, yea so fast and firm was it knot and compact together, that had it not been for the townsmen themselves, it could not have been shaken or broken for ever. For here lay the excellent wisdom of him that builded Mansoul, that the walls could never be broken down, nor hurt by the mighty adverse potentate, unless the townsmen gave consent thereto”.
Later on in the narrative, the conscience, the Will and the Understanding confess to the Prince that they chose to disobey.
“Are you the men that did suffer yourselves to be corrupted and defiled by the abominable one, Diabolus?” and they said “We did more than to suffer it, Lord: for we chose it of our own mind”.
And so it is that if we live our lives without faith in Christ we will be held responsible for wilful disobedience. God commands all men everywhere to repent (Read Acts 17 v 30).
However there is more to the name than that. What are we to make of the “bewill” part of the name? I would like to venture the following explanation. The human will is strong but fickle. In the state of innocence the Will is subject to God. After the fall it becomes subject to Satan. Emmanuel brings the will back into subjection to God according to the supreme sovereignty of God. Therefore “willbewill” could be interpreted in the colloquial sense of “whatever will be will be”. That Emmanuel brings back the will into subjection is shown in the narrative when Captain Execution seeks out Lord Willbewill.
“Captain Execution…hunted the Lord Willbewill sorely; he suffered him not to rest in any corner. He pursued him so hard, that he drove his men from him and made him glad to thrust his head into a hole”.
And so it is that the sinner finds himself hunted out by God. Where-ever he goes he meets Christians. Whatever he thinks about reminds him that there is a God, so that eventually he has to say “Lord I surrender! I believe in Thee”.
That Emmanuel brings the will into subjection is also shown in the narrative when Lord Willbewill faints at the feet of Emmanuel.
“now, the prisoners when they did hear the gracious words of Prince emmamuel, and had beheld all that was done unto them, fainted almost quite away… Yea, my Lord Willbewill swooned outright…”.
The newly converted Christian is so overwhelmed by God’s grace and kindness that he wants to obey the Lord. His will becomes subject to Christ.
Lord Willbewill has been overpowered by Emmanuel. Emmanuel has informed Mansoul (through captain Boanerges) that he will take the city by force and this he has now done.
“And he (Shaddai) hath commanded me, in case you yield upon my summons, to carry it to you as if you were my friends or brethren; but he also hath bid, that if, after summons to submit, you still stand out and rebel, we should take you by force”.
Thus we see that the fall of Mansoul to Emmanuel is through the power of God. If God has ordained a matter it will happen and no man can stop it. The re-capture of Mansoul had been agreed upon by Shaddai and Emmanuel long, long ago and therefore was inevitable.
“ but by that they (the royal courtiers) had heard the whole of the story, it would have amazed one to have seen, had he been there to behold it, what sorrow and grief, and compunction of spirit there was among all sorts, to think that famous Mansoul was now taken: only the king and his son foresaw all this long before, yea, and sufficiently provided for the relief of Mansoul, though they told everybody thereof”. And a little further on “Well, when the king and his son were retired into the privy chamber, there they again consulted about what they had designed before, to wit, that as Mansoul should in time be suffered to be lost, so as certainly it should be recovered again; recovered, I say, in such a way as that both the king and his son would get themselves eternal fame, and glory thereby. Wherefore, after this consult. The son of Shaddai…having stricken hands with his father, and promised that he would be his servant to recover his Mansoul again, stood by his resolution, nor would he repent of the same. The purport of which agreement was this, to wit, that at a certain time prefixed by both, the king’s son should take a journey into the country of Universe, and there, in a way of justice, and equity, by making amends for the follies of Mansoul, he should lay a foundation of her perfect deliverance from Diabolus , and from his tyranny”.
The salvation of Mansoul as the corporate body of Christ and an individual believer is therefore pre-ordained. Is it possible for salvation not to happen when Christ Himself has promised the Father that he will go onto earth and secure it? No!
The word “Lord” also is important. The Will is a highly motivating factor in the human life. In Mediaeval times the Lords could escape justice because of their money, influence and “friends in high places”. After Lord Willbewill is taken prisoner Bunyan tells us that
“The town was also greatly troubled for the men that were committed to ward, for that they were their stay and their guide, and for that they believed that , if those men were cut off, their execution would be but the beginning of the ruin of the town of Mansoul”.
Emmanuel is very gracious to Lord Willbewill and rather than executing him promotes him.
“Emmanuel called the Lord Willbewill to him, and gave him the militia into his hand, and a special charge to withstand all insurrections and tumults that might be made in Mansoul against the peace of our lord the king, and the peace and tranquillity of the town of Mansoul. He also gave him in commission, that if he found any of the Diabolonians lurking in any corner in the famous town of Mansoul he should forthwith apprehend them, and stay them or commit them to safe custody, that they may be proceeded against according to law”.
Even after conversion the human will can cause us difficulties. We can sin by wilful disobedience. Lord Willbewill still continues to exert his authority over us.
Monday, June 7, 2010
How should we interpret the "Holy War?"
Many people are familiar with the famous Pilgrim’s Progress by Bunyan but not so familiar with his Holy War. This means that when they begin to read Holy War they carry through the method of interpreting the narrative that has proved so helpful in Pilgrim’s progress. However the present author believes that this would be a mistake that gets in the way of understanding the "Holy War".
The method that we use to interpret the "Holy War" should be different to that of the Pilgrims Progress. In Pilgrim’s Progress we could quite legitimately ascribe each character to a person that we might meet in life. For example we might be able to name a person who is the essence of pliable because he/she showed interest in the Christian gospel but then was swayed by worldly considerations and abandoned the pathway to life. Indeed many have ascribed characters in Pilgrims Progress to persons that Bunyan met in his own life (for example Barry Horner ascribes the character of faithful to William Dell). However in the "Holy War" the characters that we meet are intended to be un-repented of sins in the believer, or the virtues of a believer. For example Mr Good-deed (in Holy War)is the personification of the self-righteousness of the pre-conversion state of the Christian. Mr Carnal security is the personification of the desire of Christians to be wealthy and secure in this life. These could be described as corporate characters of the Bride of Christ. Bunyan often refers to the original inhabitants of the town of Mansoul. These are the pre-fall characteristics of man. “There was not a rascal, rogue, or traitorous person then within its walls; they were all true men”. God created the world “good” or perfect. After the fall, sin is represented by a myriad of characters (for example Mr Forget-good the fallen recorder). The putting to death of characters is representative of mortification of sin. It was not intended to suggest that sinners are to be killed.
This is evident for example on p 60 when we read of the earliest casualties at the had of Shaddai Mr Swearing, Mr Whoring, Mr Fury, Mr Stand-to-lies, Mr drunkenness, and Mr Cheating. Later on (p 93) Emmanuel states “all manner of Diabolonians that now are, or that at any time shall be found in Mansoul, shall not only lose their lands and liberties, but also their lives”.
The method that we use to interpret the "Holy War" should be different to that of the Pilgrims Progress. In Pilgrim’s Progress we could quite legitimately ascribe each character to a person that we might meet in life. For example we might be able to name a person who is the essence of pliable because he/she showed interest in the Christian gospel but then was swayed by worldly considerations and abandoned the pathway to life. Indeed many have ascribed characters in Pilgrims Progress to persons that Bunyan met in his own life (for example Barry Horner ascribes the character of faithful to William Dell). However in the "Holy War" the characters that we meet are intended to be un-repented of sins in the believer, or the virtues of a believer. For example Mr Good-deed (in Holy War)is the personification of the self-righteousness of the pre-conversion state of the Christian. Mr Carnal security is the personification of the desire of Christians to be wealthy and secure in this life. These could be described as corporate characters of the Bride of Christ. Bunyan often refers to the original inhabitants of the town of Mansoul. These are the pre-fall characteristics of man. “There was not a rascal, rogue, or traitorous person then within its walls; they were all true men”. God created the world “good” or perfect. After the fall, sin is represented by a myriad of characters (for example Mr Forget-good the fallen recorder). The putting to death of characters is representative of mortification of sin. It was not intended to suggest that sinners are to be killed.
This is evident for example on p 60 when we read of the earliest casualties at the had of Shaddai Mr Swearing, Mr Whoring, Mr Fury, Mr Stand-to-lies, Mr drunkenness, and Mr Cheating. Later on (p 93) Emmanuel states “all manner of Diabolonians that now are, or that at any time shall be found in Mansoul, shall not only lose their lands and liberties, but also their lives”.
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