Blogging Bunyan

That (obviously) would be referring to John Bunyan, of "Pilgrim's Progress", not Paul Bunyan of the American tall tales.

It has been my great pleasure to revisit that old masterpiece "Pilgrim's Progress". I had forgotten just how thoroughly steeped in Scripture it is, and how it deals head-on with real issues Christians face concerning both the belief and practice of our faith.

There is so much to be gleaned from it, and so few people today have read it (comparatively) that I will hope to whet the appetite of anyone who might read this, to take the time to do so.

Failing that, I will try to pass along some of the truths and lessons of the original.

What sort of a book is it? This work contains (as I shamelessly quote "The Princess Bride"):

"Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Revenge. Giants. Monsters. Chases. Escapes. True love. Miracles." Ok, maybe not the revenge bit. But I'm pretty sure it has everything else.

If you wish to read it online, (and I strongly encourage you read it in some form or fashion) you may do so HERE.

The story begins with a narrator explaining that he is describing what he saw in his dream.

We are immediately introduced to the protagonist, who is found in turmoil: dressed in rags; reading a book; trembling and weeping; with (and this is important to understanding the story) a large burden on his back he is unable to remove.

He became convinced that his native city, and all its inhabitants -- himself and his family included -- were in imminent danger of being burned with fire from heaven. He spoke to his family, but they thought he was crazy. He wanted to run, but did not know where he could run to. He understood his problem, but not its solution. In short, he felt conviction of his sin.

He met with one by the name of Evangelist [as this is unabashedly a parable, the author freely uses character traits as the names of most of his characters and places] who asked why he was crying.

Our protagonist replied:
"Sir, I perceive by the book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgement [Heb. 9:27]; and I find that I am not willing to do the first [Job 16:21], nor able to do the second."

Evangelist asks why he is standing still. When the man admitted he didn't know where to go, Evangelist gave him two things.

1) A parchment, and
2) directions to the 'Wicket-gate' where he should find help with what he seeks.

Immediately Christian (for that was his name) ran for that place.

When his loved ones and neighbors cried after him to call him back, or mock, or threaten him, he covered his ears, and shouted "life, life, eternal life!", all the while running toward the wide field that lay between him and his goal.

Two of his neighbors (Obstinate and Pliable) resolved to drag him back by force, so they chased him out into the fields.

Now that the groundwork is set, I will -- Lord willing -- take the story up from this point another time.