Books that have Impacted My Christian Walk (Part 1 - Discipleship)

"Which books have most significantly impacted your life as a Christian?"  This question was posed to me a couple months ago and I was kindly granted an opportunity to share a few recommendations one Wednesday evening at Trinity Church (Montgomery, AL).

At first, a number of recently read titles came to mind.  However, I quickly recalled one book by ‎a Puritan author that I picked up and read during my undergraduate years which I have ‎always kept at arms length: Thomas Watson's The Godly ‎Man's Picture.  This book represents a primary area of study that I believe should be a ‎part of every Christian's reading diet, namely, Discipleship.

Let me begin by introducing this Puritan author author to you.  Thomas Watson was a Presbyterian minister during the 17th century who at one time was ‎imprisoned and nearly lost his head for sympathizing with the king over against ‎Cromwell.  Mercy was shown to him and he was released.

During his ministry Watson suffered many persecutions against nonconformists (or ‎Dissenters) by the hands of the ruling parties, yet he remained steadfast.  This particular ‎volume was written during a period of time when he, along with many other ministers ‎who opposed the Act of Uniformity, was ejected from his pulpit and restricted to live at ‎least five miles away from his old congregation. As C. H. Spurgeon wrote, "Bread eaten in ‎secret is proverbially sweet, and the word of God in persecution is peculiarly delightful."  This is a key fact worth remembering whenever you read any Puritan work.  Many of these pastors were writing and publishing books in order to minister to the congregations from which they had been exiled.  Their setting was one of great opposition.

I am not sure how this fact plays into the reception of the first edition of this work, but The Godly Man's Picture was published in 1666, the year of the Great Fire in London.‎  If nothing else, these words would be a great help to many who needed encouragement during a very trying time.

Of Watson, Spurgeon wrote:‎ "Watson was one of the most concise, racy, illustrative, and suggestive of ‎those eminent divines who made the Puritan age the Augustan period of ‎evangelical literature.  There is a happy union of sound doctrine, heart ‎searching experience and practical wisdom throughout all his works, and ‎his Body of Divinity is, beyond all the rest, useful to the student and the ‎minister.‎"

When one recommends the reading of the Puritans, a common reaction is the perception that they all are very difficult to read.  This is so in many cases, but Watson, I believe, is an exception.  A friend recently told me that one of the ladies in a church in which he previously ‎ministered was well acquainted with the works of Thomas Watson and had read through ‎his Body of Divinity (which is an explanation of the Westminster Shorter Catechism) at least twice with great profit.‎  Although Watson's Body of Divinity is arguably his best known work (or even his greatest ‎work), The Godly Man's Picture paved the way for it.  ‎

The full title of this work is The Godly Man's Picture: drawn with a scripture pencil, or, ‎some characteristic marks of a man who is going to heaven. ‎

Permit me now to introduce the various parts of this book and supply a selection of quotations to illustrate the readability and the richness of the content.  Rather than following the structure of the catechism, Watson unpacks twenty-four ‎characteristics of a godly person. Another way of stating this would be "the marks of ‎grace upon a Christian."  In this volume you will find practical Christianity, or radical ‎discipleship, explained from a perspective of free grace and evangelical zeal.‎

Watson begins this treatise on godliness by rooting the matter in the forgiveness of sins ‎found in God's free grace by Jesus Christ.  ‎

• He defines godliness as "the sacred impression and workmanship of God in a man, ‎whereby from being carnal he is made spiritual" (12).  ‎

He, then, clears the way by reproving pretenders of godliness.‎

• How many are painted only with the vermilion of profession, whose ‎seeming lustre dazzles the eyes of beholders, but within there is nothing but ‎putrefaction! (15)‎
• He who has only a painted holiness shall have a painted happiness. (17)‎

Some of my favorite sections include: ‎

• A Man Fired with Love to God
• A Man Who Prizes Christ
• A Man Who is an Evangelical Weeper
• A Man Who Loves the Word
• A Man of Prayer
• A Heavenly Man
• A Zealous Man
• A Thankful Man
• A Few Quotes

Some of the most memorable quotes include:

Fired with Love to God

Where is the man whose heart is dilated in love to God? Many court him, ‎but few love him. (31)‎
Many say they have Christ in high veneration, but they are not industrious ‎in the use of means to obtain him.  If Christ would drop as a ripe fig into ‎their mouth, they could be content to have him, but they will not put ‎themselves to too much trouble to get him.  Does he who will not take ‎medicine or exercise prize his health? (51)‎
He who sets a high value on Christ will part with his pride, unjust gain and ‎sinful fashions (Isa. 30:32).  He will set his feet on the neck of his sins.‎

A Zealous Man

When we are zealous in devotion, and our heart waxes hot within us, here ‎is a fire from heaven kindling our sacrifice.  How odious it is for a man to ‎be all fire when he is sinning, and all ice when he is praying! (115)‎

A Thankful Man

Many have tears in their eyes and complaints in their mouths, but few have ‎harps in their hand and are blessing and praising the name of God. (131)‎
That which may put another string into the instrument of our praise and ‎make it sound louder is to consider what spiritual blessings God has ‎conferred on us. He has given us water from the upper springs; he has ‎opened the wardrobe of heaven and fetched us out a better garment than ‎any of the angels wear. He has given us the best robe and put on us the ring ‎of faith, by which we are married to him. These are mercies of the first ‎magnitude, which deserve to have an asterisk put on them. And God keeps ‎the best wine till last. Here he gives us mercies only in small quantities; the ‎greatest things are laid up. Here there are some honey drops and foretastes ‎of God's love; the rivers of pleasure are reserved for paradise. Well may we ‎take harp and viol and triumph in God's praise. Who can tread on these ‎coals of God's love and his heart not burn in thankfulness? (136)‎

Thoroughly Trained in Religion

Evangelical obedience is true in its essence, though not perfect in its degree, ‎and where it comes short, Christ puts his mercies into the scales, and then ‎there is full weight. (174)‎

Conclusions

The Scripture speaks of the cedar and the bruised reed, the latter of which ‎is a true plant of the heavenly paradise as the other. So the weakest ought ‎not to be discouraged. Not all have these characteristics of godliness ‎written in capital letters. If they are only faintly stamped on their souls, God ‎can read the work of the Spirit there. Though the seal is only faintly set on ‎the wax, it ratifies the will and gives a real conveyance of an estate. If there ‎is found just some good thing towards the Lord (as it was said of Abijah), ‎God will accept it (I Kings 14:13). (190)‎

To conclude this book, Watson adds six final chapters including encouragements, ‎exhortations, counsel and comfort, capped off with a delightful discourse on the spiritual ‎union between Christ and believers.  Another highlight of this final section is the chapter ‎on Comfort to the Godly in which Watson exposits Matthew 12:20, ‎‎"A bruised reed shall he not break and smoking flax shall he not quench, ‎till he send forth judgment unto victory."‎

Supplemental Reading
As I mentioned above, The Godly Man's Picture represents to me an excellent introduction into the study of discipleship.  There are many other books worth recommending under this heading, however, permit me to suggest a few others.  Two books that I recently read and used in a Sunday School setting are Eugene Peterson's A Long Obedience in the Same Direction and Eric Routley's Ascent to the Cross. These are ‎studies through the Pilgrim Psalms with an eye toward the theme of discipleship.

I have also been studying through the Gospel of Mark which has a dual theme of discipleship and christology.  I would recommend James Edwards's commentary The Gospel According to Mark in the Pillar New Testament series.  Edwards does an excellent job of exposition and offers a very readable text.  Although a knowledge of Greek will assist the reader, it is not necessary at all in order to read through this commentary.  This is not a devotional commentary by any means, but it would be well worth the effort to be used devotionally.

A classic work that I read a couple of years ago is Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship. You don't have to agree with all that Bonhoeffer represented in his theological connections to appreciate this excellent study.

An even great classic is John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress.

Finally, I want to recommend to you Paul David Tripp's Broken-Down House: Living Productively in a World Gone Bad.  This is an excellent intermingling of worldview and discipleship.  This revolutionized my understanding of my calling in God's world.  I read through it, reviewed it and then discussed it with a small group.  We all came away from this study having been greatly helped.

I recommend all of these to you!

Related:
Read the introductory post to this series: Thoughts on Christian Reading
Part 2 - When You Pass Through the Fire
Part 3 - Learning to Pray

Books that have Impacted My Christian Walk (Part 1 - Discipleship)

Free Book of the Month: John Bunyan’s Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

Although there are tedious spots in this story of Bunyan's conversion, it is well worth the read. Slow tedious spots are a fact of life, espcially in the life of faith.

Sent to you by Jason via Google Reader:

Free Book of the Month: John Bunyan’s Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

via Logos Talk: The Logos Bible Software Blog by Nathan Smoyer on 4/3/12

John Bunyan's classic Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners is April's Free Book of the Month!

". . . as I was sitting by the fire, I suddenly felt this word to sound in my heart, I must go to Jesus; at this my former darkness and atheism fled away, and the blessed things of heaven were set within my view."—John Bunyan

John Bunyan, one of history's most prominent Puritans, traces his own spiritual pilgrimage in Grace Abounding. He describes his trials, temptations, and sorrows, as well as how he came to rely on Christ for his every need.
Bunyan penned Grace Abounding while he was imprisoned (for preaching without a license), as a letter of encouragement to his congregation, Bunyan's story of conversion continues to encourage Christians today.
You can get this book for free all month long, and when you visit the Free Book of the Month page, you can enter to win the 61-volume Works of John Bunyan Collection.
Visit the Free Book of the Month page to download your free book and enter the giveaway!

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Free Book of the Month: John Bunyan’s Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

A Few More Sources on Prayer

One of my latest reading interests has been prayer. Over the past month, or so, I have read and perused a handful of great books on prayer. My interest in this matter began with a decision to follow a particular pattern of prayer with my family. We began to pray through Baillie's A Diary of Private Prayer (see my earlier posts here, here and here) in the mornings. This has been a tremendously rich exercise for each of us.

Another impetus was a Prayer Challenge associated with the reading of Paul Miller's new book, A Praying Life: Connecting With God in a Distracting World (NavPress, 2009). The plan was to read this book for thirty days, to implement some of the ideas presented in the book, and to report to the readers of this blog regarding my experience with this exercise. I must admit that I reluctantly joined the challenge. I realize that there is much that I need to learn about prayer and praying, and I certainly need to be more disciplined in the practice of prayer. However, I already had a handful of books waiting to be read, and this book was supplied as a PDF which made it even more difficult for me to handle.

I decided to print off the first few chapters in very small print. After reading these pages, I felt like I had an idea of the direction Miller was taking. I went to the computer and began to scan through the rest of the book.

What I found is that the basic principles are the same as you will find in many other classic works on prayer. After speed-reading through the book, I searched through my own shelves for books on prayer and began to compare them with what I had read in Miller's A Praying Life. Some of these titles where as follows:

• With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray (reprint, Hendrickson, 2007) - this is an excellent exposition of key passages in the NT related to Jesus praying or teaching his disciples to pray. Passages from the epistles are also included. In all, there are 31 short chapters, perfect for reading devotionaly throughout a month.
• On Praying in the Spirit by John Bunyan (in Bunyan's 3 volume Works) - this is a classic and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. In it is Bunyan's classic definition of prayer (you can find the quote here). The Banner of Truth Trust has reprinted this work along with Bunyan's The Throne of Grace in the Puritan Paperback series: Prayer by John Bunyan. Spanish: I just found that BOT also published a small volume titled La Oración combining The Nature of True prayer, by John Bunyan, and The Answer to Prayer, by Thomas Goodwin.
• Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels (20 Anv Rev edition, IVP, 2008) - I found this book at the local library and checked it out not knowing what to expect. It turns out that his handling of the subject was very helpful. I appreciated his pastoral approach which supplied a more theological and expositional foundation to the subject of prayer. I didn't get to finish the book, but I was helped by the portions I read. Hybels aim was to convince Christians of the necessity and joy of praying to a God who hears. He offers an introduction to the ACTS system of praying (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication), although he readily admits that one program will not fit all persons. This is one of many helpful tools for pray-ers.
  
• The Contemporaries Meet the Classics on Prayer compiled by Leonard Allen (Howard Publishing, 2003) - this is another book that I found at the local library. It gathers together under 10 headings the best passages on prayer from classic works to contemporary works. Selections are included from John Bunyan, George Muller, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Andrew Murray, E. M. Bounds, C. S. Lewis, Simon Chan, Thomas Merton, Bill Hybels, Joni Eareckson Tada, Eugene Peterson , Walter Brueggemann, Richard Foster, and more. It is a fantastic volume to add to your library. The broad range of authors in one book is a treasure. This is a fantastic entry-point into the literature on prayer.

There are a handful of other book on my shelf on the subject of prayer, but these are the few I want to highlight for now. The frustration with so much to read on the subject of prayer is that you can easily read yourself out of praying. The key is to pray! When you reach for a book, hoping for a shot in the arm, it is helpful if that book provides quick, pointed, Scriptural and Spiritual motivation and encouragement. Many of the books that I have perused are drawn-out and filled with numerous anecdotes and discussions that, truly, are unnecessary. I especially liked the four books mentioned above because they obtain all of the positive characteristics I just listed.

Miller's A Praying Life is a fine book and comes highly recommended by some well-known Christian leaders. It offers another great strategy for keeping up with specific prayer request and many will find this helpful. My disappointment with the book was that the chapters were too long and overloaded with anecdotes. I realize that the anecdotes serve to show what a praying life looks like, however, I found myself hungry for the meat, the exposition, the shot-in-the-arm that prepared me to get on my knees. (Every reader is different, so read this with a grain of salt.) If you wade through the full book, you certainly will be challenged to pray, but the progression from major point to major point is very slow. The text of the book covers more than 250 pages.

The point of all of the books I read or perused is to avoid being stiff and systematic like a robot. Rather, I ought to take advantage of enjoying the intimate relationship I possess in Christ, full of frequent communication with my God and Savior. Miller makes this point well, as does Hybels.

I have tried cards in the past. I have attempted to simplify a list onto one page with columns for each day of the week and specific requests/persons to remember on each day of the week. This is the pattern that a dear, sweet friend of ours utilized for years before passing away. She was a true prayer warrior and this method worked well for her and for everyone on her list (which included my dear wife and I). Each of these approaches have been helpful, but the point is not to be a slave to a system. Nor should we be a slave to a list of pre-recorded requests. Rather, whatever system you use, it is your servant to aid you in the discipline of praying. And whenever you pray, (as Bunyan put it) let it be an affectionate pouring out of [your] heart and soul to God.

Exhortation to Prayer. (verse 2)
William Cowper
Olney Hymns

Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.

Power of Prayer (verse 4)
John Newton
Olney Hymns

Wrestling prayer can wonders do,
Bring relief in deepest straits;
Prayer can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gates.

A Few More Sources on Prayer

Quick & Helpful Sources on Prayer

Very few books are too short, and most are too long! Maybe this is an over-exaggeration, but it tends to be the case with books dealing with the spiritual disciplines. Books on prayer ought to be only as long as is necessary to inform and motivate without being so long that there is no time left to pray. This makes sense to me!

Well, if you are looking for a simple, straightforward and motivational place to begin reading on the topic of prayer, I recommend chapters 7 (Discipline of Devotion) and 8 (Discipline of Prayer) of R. Kent Hughes' Disciplines of a Godly Man. Although this books is geared specifically toward men, these two chapters are equally applicable to women.

Why pray? Hughes answers this important question very simply offering two reasons:

1. Because of what prayer does to our character.
2. Because prayer bends our wills to God's will.

I found his explanation of the first point to be very helpful. He writes, "Prayer is like a time exposure to God.... The more we expose our lives to the white-hot sun of His righteous life..., the more His image will be burned into our character -- His love, His compassion, His truth, His integrity, His humility" (p. 83).

In chapter 8, Hughes identifies and briefly explains five aspects of prayer:

1. In-spirited Prayer
2. Continual Prayer
3. Varied Prayer
4. Persistent Prayer
5. Intercessory Prayer

Another source that is quick, helpful and a favorite of mine, is Thomas Watson's The Godly Man's Picture. Section 12 identifies the godly man as a praying man (pp. 87-96).

A Christian is better after prayer. He has gained more strength over sin, as a man by exercise gets strength. The heart after prayer keeps a tincture of holiness, as the vessel favours and relishes the wine that is put into it. Having been with God on the mount, Moses' face shone. So, having been on the mount of prayer, our graces shine and our lives shine. This is the right kind of praying. The gift of prayer is ordinary, like culinary fire. But spiritual prayer is more rare and excellent, like elemental fire which comes from heaven. (93)

Finally, you may consider reading John Bunyan's treatise On Praying in the Spirit (found in volume one of The Works of John Bunyan. This has also been published in the Puritan Paperbacks series by the Banner of Truth: Prayer by John Bunyan.

Bunyan begins with What Prayer Is, and offers a classic definition:

Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God hath promised, or according to the Word, for the good of the church, with submission, in faith, to the will of God.

Quick & Helpful Sources on Prayer

"Fearless Pilgrim: The Life and Times of John Bunyan"

Binding: Hardcover
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Evangelical Press
ISBN#: 9780852346808




Monergism Books has just added a recent biography by Faith Cook—Fearless Pilgrim: The Life and Times of John Bunyan. From the publisher's description:

Faith Cook avoids the temptation of merely regarding Bunyan as one of the great figures of English literature. That he certainly is, but he is so much more – a physician of souls, much-loved pastor and powerful preacher of the gospel of grace. The authoress skilfully relates her subject to the political history of his times, in which nonconformists won a greater measure of freedom to worship according to their understanding of the Bible during the Cromwellian period, only to be restricted again after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

Bunyan emerges from this book as a writer of plain yet remarkably imaginative prose, steeped in an amazing knowledge of the English Bible. That knowledge is not just textual: it is deeply experimental, the fruit of much meditation, as The Pilgrim’s Progress particularly shows.

I've enjoyed reading several biographies by Faith Cook and am looking forward to this one. Her writing style is warm, informative, and very encouraging.

Monergism Books | $22.79

"Fearless Pilgrim: The Life and Times of John Bunyan"

Doctrine Whets Our Appetite for God

John Bunyan never has his allegorical characters sitting around the dinner table just shooting the breeze. He always injects godly teaching into their conversation. In Part Two of The Pilgrim's Progress Christian's wife Christiana and their four sons, along with several other pilgrims, spend some time near Vanity Fair at an Inn. As the food is being set on the table, Christiana's son Matthew says that the sight of the tablecloth and the bread "begetteth in me a greater appetite to my food than I had before." To which their host Gaius replies,

So let all ministering doctrines to thee, in this life, beget in thee a greater desire to sit at the supper of the great King in His kingdom; for all preaching, books, and ordinances here, are but as the laying of the trenchers, and as setting of salt upon the board, when compared with the feast that our Lord will make for us when we come to His house.

What is our purpose in reading theological books and in listening to sermons and lectures? In Bunyan's picturesque way he is saying we should be preparing ourselves to enjoy the real feast with our Father in His heavenly kingdom. This time of year we can get so busy with things like mid-term exams and preparations for Christmas programs that our studies may seem tedious. Let's remember Bunyan's counsel and transform our tedium into anticipation . . . and worship!

How do you keep your "routine" reading fresh? Let us know in the comments what you do for your reading, or maybe, what it does for you.

Doctrine Whets Our Appetite for God

Free Audiobook: The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

During the month of June Christianaudio.com is giving away a free download of The Pilgrim’s Progress. I’m happy to see that this audiobook contains Part 2 of the story as well as Part 1. Part 1 is what many readers are familiar with—the story of Christian journeying from the City of Destruction until he is received into the Celestial City. Part 2 is the story of his wife Christiana and their children taking the same journey, which they refused to do in Part 1, much to Christian’s grief. Part 2 complements Part 1 and even explains some of the events in the first part. Bunyan’s allegory is full of biblical teaching and Christian experience, portrayed in vivid word pictures.

The recording is 10 hours and 30 minutes long, read by Nadia May, who reads it well with a pleasing British accent. Enter the coupon code JUN2008 when checking out to get the free download. Enjoy!

Free Audiobook: The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

The Holy War—Provision for Mansoul’s Continued Blessing

The town of Mansoul has undergone a massive transformation. Diabolus had conquered the town, strengthened his position, and prepared the townspeople to resist King Shaddai. Now Shaddai’s Son Emmanuel has conquered and expelled Diabolus, strengthened His own position in the town, and is preparing the townspeople to resist Diabolus and his followers in their expected attempts to bring the people back under the enemy’s control.

A fundamental difference in method and motive surfaces between Diabolus and Emmanuel. Each one had taken over Mansoul and set up a certain order in the town. But Diabolus did everything by deceit and for his own gratification because he hated Shaddai and wanted revenge. Emmanuel defeated Diabolus and now establishes His own order in Mansoul for the glory of His Father Shaddai and for the benefit of the town.

Emmanuel appoints new leaders in Mansoul and renews the town’s charter. This new order is to provide for the maintenance of Mansoul that the town might continue to flourish. The Prince promoted Mr. Experience, a young gentleman of Mansoul, as captain over a thousand men. After announcing a new covenant with the happy town, Emmanuel establishes a regular ministry to teach the people the will of His Father. The town gladly agrees to this.

The teaching ministry was to be carried out by two instructors, one from Shaddai’s court and one from Mansoul. The teacher from the King’s court is the Lord High Secretary, “a person of no less quality and dignity” than the Father and the Son and who is one with them in nature. He is to be the chief teacher, without whom the people cannot know the will and ways of Shaddai. The people should submit to His teaching and do nothing to grieve Him. Obedience in this will ensure that the Secretary will shed abroad Shaddai’s love in their hearts and make them wise.

Emmanuel then promoted old Mr. Conscience, the former town recorder, as the teacher from Mansoul. He must submit himself to the teaching of the Secretary and not presume to be a revealer of those mysteries that Shaddai has not seen fit to disclose. Following the teaching of the Lord High Secretary, Mr. Conscience and all the townspeople will know the things that Shaddai has revealed about Himself, and they can revel in His teaching.

Next, the people of Mansoul are to guard against certain dangers. They should not neglect or resist Emmanuel’s captains, who had fought for them against Diabolus, but should nourish and encourage them. The captains cannot continue to perform their duties without the people’s support. Then Emmanuel warns them to remain vigilant in their fight against the Diabolonians hiding in the city. They are loyal to their old master and will seek the town’s harm. They will continue to be a threat as long as the city’s walls remain standing. So the Prince warns the people to familiarize themselves with the King’s laws so they can recognize, apprehend, and execute these villains whenever they are found.

The Prince then gives Mansoul a badge of honor to distinguish them as His people. He clothes each one of them with a shining white robe, which they are to keep clean for Emmanuel’s honor. He also makes Himself accessible to everyone in the town, visiting them and allowing them to come see Him in the castle. If any townspeople didn’t see Him for a while, He would knock at their door and visit them. If He found any sick, He laid hands on them and healed them.

Emmanuel finally appointed a new governor in the town, not a native of Mansoul, but one from Shaddai’s court, Mr. God’s-Peace. He was to rule over the whole town, especially the castle. As long as the people followed Emmanuel’s new order, the whole town was peaceful and happy. In fact, they had never known such harmony and peace and joy before. This happy condition lasted the whole summer.

In this section of The Holy War, John Bunyan is still showing the believer in his first love. The feeling of God’s forgiveness is fresh upon his heart. But there must be regular maintenance in the Christian life to keep things pure, peaceful, and joyful. So the Lord has established His order in the life of His people, the Church.

A Scripture passage showing this order and the results it produces is Ephesians 4:11-16 (NASB)—

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Bunyan pictures the regular ministry of the gospel, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, giving us knowledge of God and His ways and strengthening us to live holy lives unto the Lord. The minister is an undershepherd, submissive to the teachings of the Holy Spirit, who reveals the meaning of God’s Word. The Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son, and God’s people must follow His teaching and be careful not to grieve Him through disobedience. The gospel minister must be careful to speak only what the Spirit has spoken in the Word and not try to be a revealer of those mysteries that God has kept closed to us. The minister must carefully and faithfully apply the words of God to himself and the people that we may truly know God and be pleasing to Him.

God’s people may revel in the teachings of the Word and speak of these things among themselves. It is for equipping the saints for the work of service that God has given these gifts to the church. And this glad service builds up the whole Body of Christ until we reach full maturity.

In this day of “Jesus, yes; the church, no,” when everyone is doing what’s right in his own eyes, we need to see this order of worship as established by God for our benefit. Before Mansoul experiences trouble from the remaining Diabolonians, Emmanuel gives the town ministers and services that will enable them to maintain their devotion and joy. We face wilting opposition from the unbelieving world and even from within ourselves. Without God’s provision for our continued maintenance and blessing, we stand no chance of pleasing Him and distinguishing ourselves as His people. But all these gifts the Lord will use to help us keep our robes clean and white and maintain that first love, that joy in the Lord, along with His peace that passes understanding.

The Holy War—Provision for Mansoul’s Continued Blessing

The Holy War—Mansoul Mortifies Wicked Influences

The adult Sunday School classes at my church are halfway through our series of studies based on John Bunyan’s Christian allegory, The Holy War. We are getting a theological education from Bunyan as we read his book and search the Scriptures to see whether these things are so. Bunyan presents a reformed, biblical soteriology, and I hope to put the main teachings of his story together into a separate post sometime in the near future. Though he had but little formal education, Bunyan was able to combine a thorough knowledge of the Bible with a fertile imagination to produce in story-form a comprehensive doctrine of salvation.

In our reading for today Bunyan portrays the redeemed town of Mansoul, under the direction of Emmanuel, as executing its enemies, the followers of Diabolus, because of their crimes against the town and because of their continued corrupting influence. This clearly refers to the scriptural teaching of mortifying the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13), or, putting off the old man with his deeds (Ephesians 4:17-32). According to Bunyan (and the Bible) obedience in this pursuit shows our love for our Savior and advances our growth in holiness.

In this part of the story Emmanuel continues His remaking of Mansoul into something that will glorify His Father, King Shaddai, and benefit the town itself. Diabolus had introduced so many ungodly, harmful things that Emmanuel has to pull down these strongholds of His enemy. The next order of business in Mansoul’s cleansing from sin is to arrest, try, and execute the remaining followers of Diabolus, known as Diabolonians. Emmanuel orders the arrest of the three greatest troublemakers: Mr. Unbelief (Mr. Incredulity in Bunyan’s original text), Mr. Lustings, and Mr. Forget-Good. These had exercised the most leadership and had caused the greatest harm when Diabolus ruled the city. In the round-up Lord Willbewill also arrested other influential Diabolonians: Mr. Atheism, Mr. Hard-heart, Mr. False-peace, and several others. All these renegades were brought to trial.

The trial was conducted with utmost righteousness, consistent with the nature of Emmanuel and King Shaddai. One by one, the prisoners answered the charges against them. With every one of them the plea was “not guilty.” The witnesses testified against them truthfully; thus the Diabolonians were tried, found guilty, and sentenced to execution. Bunyan spends time with each of the defendants, but especially with Mr. False-peace, because during Diabolus’ sinful reign he had lulled the town into a false sense of security so that they thought they would suffer no penalty for their sins against Shaddai, their rightful king.

Emmanuel commanded that the people of Mansoul execute the Diabolonians. In this way they would show their love for Him and the sincerity of their commitment. This would please Him, and He would bless them.

A twist in the story comes here. When the prisoners were returned to the jail to await execution the next morning, Unbelief escaped. He fled the city and met his old master Diabolus on Hell-gate Hill. Unbelief informed Diabolus of the things that had happened in the city under Emmanuel. This sent the monster into a rage, and he swore to get vengeance on Mansoul.

But for now, no Unbelief was to be found anywhere in Mansoul.

The city brought the condemned to be executed. Much to the surprise of the people, they were hard pressed to put these criminals to death. The Diabolonians struggled so hard that Mansoul had to appeal to the captains and men of war for help. Shaddai’s secretary, who was in town and who loved Mansoul, came forward and put His hands on the people to strengthen them for the work. Thus Mansoul crucified these Diabolonians, much to the joy of the city.

Bunyan, here, is teaching that the redeemed follower of Jesus Christ must “put off concerning the former [lifestyle] the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Ephesians 4:22). This is done through mortifying the deeds of the flesh. It involves a struggle since mortification goes against our nature. But the Christian must show his love for Christ by his obedience to Him (John 14:23-24). The Puritan preacher Thomas Watson put it this way: “The exercises of the worship of God are contrary to nature; therefore there must be a provoking of ourselves to them. The movement of the soul towards sin is natural, but its movement towards heaven is violent” (Heaven Taken by Storm, Soli Deo Gloria Publications, p. 11).

There were still Diabolonians lurking within Mansoul, who would cause trouble again. We may get victory over some evil one day only to have another appear afterward. Or we may have to deal with the same evil again. This is the process known as sanctification. When we feel discouraged over our apparent lack of progress in mortifying our lusts, we can take a long look back at ourselves and see that, though we are not what we ought to be, by the grace of God we are not what we once were. There has been some progress. Though we must struggle against our inner traitor for life, the Lord is honored if we stay in the fight, trusting in Him for power.

Just as Mr. Unbelief avoided execution by escaping, so we will never be permanently rid of unbelief in our hearts until the Lord takes His people home. God gives us blessed seasons when no unbelief can be found in us and we enjoy communion with Christ. But “the troubler makes his appearance again quite soon enough” (George Offor, ed., The Works of John Bunyan vol. 3. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1991. p. 316). When that besetting sin returns and we feel doubt gripping us, we don’t have to despair; “where is the believer who is at all times wholly free from the assaults of this arch-rebel? Where is the Christian who has not occasion to say, and that with tears, ‘Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief’?” (The Holy War, Illustrated with notes by George Burder. Swengel, PA: Reiner Publications, 1976. p. 252).

Take courage, Christian! “If by the Spirit [we] are putting to death the deeds of the body, [we] will live” (Romans 8:13). May the Lord enable His believing people to exercise “holy violence” in prosecuting those enemies within that seek to undo us. May the Holy Spirit enable us to put these harmful lusts to death. And may God grant us mercy when we fail, and grace for future battles, as He has done so with many other “holy warriors” before us.

The Holy War—Mansoul Mortifies Wicked Influences

The Holy War—All Things Becoming New for Mansoul

In his allegory of the Christian life The Holy War, John Bunyan portrays the happy changes that take place in the soul of the sinner who turns to Jesus Christ in true faith. Having openly defeated His enemy Diabolus and completely won Mansoul’s surrender, King Shaddai’s Son Emmanuel makes His peace and pardon known to all the people of the town. The townspeople, who had prepared to accept Emmanuel’s wrath, rejoice to see their imprisoned leaders returning from the Prince’s camp as restored free men and to hear the proclamation of the Prince’s pardon. There is so much joy over the good news of divine pardon that no one in the town can talk about anything else…or even go to sleep! It was a grand celebration, the captains and soldiers of Emmanuel joining in the celebration with a parade through town featuring precision demonstrations of their military skills.

When all this was over, the town came together to Emmanuel’s camp to thank the Prince for His favor and to humbly plead that He would take up His residence with them in Mansoul. They desire the Prince and all His men to dwell with them so that He might receive their praise and protect them from the Diabolonians lurking in the city. To this the Prince agrees, provided that the people join with Him in prosecuting His enemies that remain in Mansoul. The town agrees wholeheartedly and promises their complete submission to Him, requesting that He lead them by the hand and keep them from sinning.

It was a grand day when Prince Emmanuel made His triumphant entrance into Mansoul with His army. This time no battering rams were needed. The people opened to Him willingly and lined the streets with boughs and flowers to show how glad they were of His arrival to take up His residence with them. The whole town turned out to welcome their glorious Prince with music and dancing. So Emmanuel moved into Heart Castle, and His captains and soldiers were housed in judicious places throughout the happy town.

Upon a certain day Emmanuel made a feast for Mansoul. The town came to the banquet and enjoyed food that they had never tasted before, food that didn’t grow in Mansoul but came from King Shaddai’s court. The meal was accompanied by music and singing, also from Shaddai’s court. After the meal, Emmanuel entertained the people with some riddles drawn up by His Father’s Secretary (The Holy Spirit). These riddles were things the people could not have figured out by themselves apart from the teaching of Emmanuel. In this way the Prince taught the people about Shaddai and about Himself. Mansoul was amazed; they saw things they had never seen or even thought of before. The town was so taken with Him that they went back to their houses filled with wonder and talking of Emmanuel, even in their sleep!

Despite the rapturous joy of Mansoul, there was much work to do to make the town more pleasing to the Prince and more secure from its enemies. So a great remodeling was in order. First, Emmanuel ordered His catapults to be mounted at strategic points around the city. Then He introduced a new weapon, which He invented, that could throw great stones from the castle out at Mouth-gate, a weapon that would not miss and could not be resisted.

The remodeling included jobs for the city’s leaders. Emmanuel put Lord Willbewill in charge of the city’s gates, walls, towers, and militia, with orders to arrest any Diabolonians he found. He reinstated Lord Understanding as mayor for life and made Mr. Knowledge the new recorder. Mr. Conscience, the old recorder, was to have a new job of which he would be told later.

Last, but certainly not least in the remodeling of Mansoul, Emmanuel commanded that the image of Diabolus be destroyed, ground to powder, and cast to the wind outside the city’s walls. Then the image of Shaddai was set up again more beautifully than before, since He and Emmanuel have come to Mansoul with more grace and mercy than before. Emmanuel’s name engraved in gold and placed at the front of the town rounds out the remodeling. Mansoul has experienced a merciful and radical makeover from the inside out.

As I read this section of The Holy War I repeatedly thought of the Scripture in 2 Corinthians 5:17—“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (NASB). The people have a completely different attitude toward Emmanuel. Gone is the old animosity and rebellion; they are completely open to Him and His ministry, and they love Him with all their heart. They want Him close to them, so He dwells in Heart Castle, which is held by Captain Credence (belief, faith—Ephesians 3:17).

This is exactly what happens when a soul turns to the Lord. The heart becomes a habitation of Christ through faith, and He renews and redirects the happy, obedient believer. Bunyan is depicting a new believer in his or her first love. Everything is becoming new. The Christian responds with faith and obedience to the Lord where before there was only unbelief and rebellion. The Christian experiences joy and peace in place of the darker emotions associated with our natural rebellion to God. The Christian is ready to read God’s Word and cooperate with Christ in putting to death the things that remain in us that will dishonor Him and be harmful to the soul.

If you’re reading The Holy War using my church’s reading schedule, you’ll notice that we have reached a climax of sorts, but we are only halfway through the book. To our way of thinking it would be great if the story ended right after this point with all the Mansoulians taken straight to Heaven. But God has willed that His people glorify Him by remaining and serving Him faithfully until summoned. Bunyan recognizes this and gives us the second half of the book to illustrate the duties, dangers, and defenses of believers in a fallen world.

With the unbridled joy in this section of the book Bunyan gives us a subtle warning of approaching dangers. Where Bunyan tells of the people’s request for Emmanuel and His men to move into the space they’ve prepared, Bunyan writes a marginal note: “Say, and hold to it, Mansoul.” He means to exhort Christians to keep the same mindset of “first love” toward Christ always and not ever leave their first love (see Revelation 2:1-5). “Happy are they who continue in this good mind all their days. But the sequel of the story will show how changeable a creature is man” (The Holy War, Illustrated with notes by George Burder, Swengel, PA: Reiner Publications, 1976, p. 218).

Another indication of danger ahead is the fact that Diabolonians are referred to as still lurking in the city. These hidden followers of Diabolus represent the sometimes subtle sins of the flesh that remain in the Christian and hinder his walk with the Lord (Romans 8:7). These must be dealt with. To that end we have spiritual weapons given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. We have His Word, the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit, the public ministry of the Church, and prayer (probably the unnamed, irresistible weapon in the story). We should also keep firmly in mind that by God’s grace we have His image restored in us through Christ.

So, may His blessed people continue on in first love, enjoying the newness of life in Christ, confident of ultimate victory because “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

The Holy War—All Things Becoming New for Mansoul

The Holy War—Joy Over Emmanuel’s Perfect Victory

John Bunyan vividly portrays the conversion of a soul in this week’s reading of The Holy War. Mansoul, under siege for months, is finally breached. Diabolus retreats to Heart Castle, and now Emmanuel sits in Ear-gate while His soldiers work to break open the Castle gate and force Diabolus out. With the news that the castle gate has been breached, Emmanuel marches to the center of town and commands His enemy to show himself. Diabolus reluctantly comes out and surrenders to the Prince, who chains him, takes him to the marketplace, and strips him of his vaunted armor in sight of the whole city. Emmanuel then binds the giant to the wheels of His chariot and leads him out of the city to a desert place, where the Prince charges him to go and never attempt another takeover of Mansoul.

When Emmanuel’s soldiers in the camp see their enemy in chains being led away, they give a great shout and sing melodious songs so that even the angels in Heaven take notice. However, all was not joyful among the townspeople at first. They were afraid for their lives because they had taken sides with Emmanuel’s enemy and had tried to shut out the Prince. Now they fervently wanted Emmanuel to be their Lord. But they could not tell from His countenance or His words what it was he was thinking about them. He seemed distant to them, and to top it off He didn’t stay in the town with them, but returned to His camp outside the city.

The feelings of Mansoul ran the gamut from hopefulness to cold fear. The Prince was so majestic they couldn’t help but admire Him and want Him to stay. They even dared to hope for a pardon. After all, hadn’t He delivered Mansoul from the tyrant? But when the Prince ordered the arrest of Lord Understanding, Mr. Conscience, and Lord Willbewill, their worst fears were confirmed. Or so they thought.

Before Diabolus was evicted from the castle, the leaders of Mansoul had begun to petition Emmanuel to spare their lives, but He didn’t answer that petition. Now with their leaders in prison, the town petitions Emmanuel again and sends the letter by the hand of Mr. Would-live. The petition acknowledges the peoples’ sins, requests mercy, and promises the peoples’ service. Emmanuel reads the petition and sends Mr. Would-live away in silence.

Though the town is worried they send another petition, not knowing what else to do. But they send it by Mr. Desires-awake, a humble man. Mr. Desires-awake prostrated himself before Emmanuel and presented the petition. When He read it, the Prince turned away and wept. Having composed Himself, Emmanuel sent Mr. Desires-awake back with a promise to consider his request. The town’s leaders in prison, along with the people, couldn’t agree as to Emmanuel’s probable meaning, so the rumors were flying. The answer didn’t seem too bad. Yes, it is bad. The prisoners will be put to death, as will the rest of the town. The prevailing mood was gloomy.

When Mansoul had calmed down and taken new courage, they decided to send another petition. Mr. Desires-awake was again chosen for the job. This time he took with him his neighbor, Mr. Wet-eyes, a man of broken and contrite spirit. This petition was the most humble of all. It acknowledged the greatness of the Prince and His Father, the heinousness of the town’s sins, and the rightness of His actions should Emmanuel choose to condemn them. They forsake all notions of self-righteousness and plead only for His mercy and to be freed from their transgressions.

Emmanuel responded as before, turning away and weeping when he read the petition and saw the humility and repentance of the messengers. Having reminded the messengers of the town’s rebellion and collaboration with Diabolus, He commanded them to bring the prisoners to Him the next day. Mansoul believes this is it for their leaders…and for them, too.

The next morning, Captains Boanerges and Conviction escort Lord Understanding, Mr. Conscience, and Lord Willbewill to the Prince. The people, dressed in sackcloth, watch from the city wall. Upon interrogation Emmanuel finds that these trembling men are completely humbled and ready for execution if that is His will. The whole town feels the same way. Then the Prince does something unexpected; He forgives them according to the authority received from His Father, Shaddai.

Music from heaven and great rejoicing accompanied the announcement of Emmanuel’s perfect victory and free pardon of Mansoul. Only the joy didn’t extend to the townspeople, who didn’t know about the Prince’s decision yet. Emmanuel then took the mourning clothes from the former prisoners and gave them beauty for ashes. He kissed each one and spoke kindly to them. They could hardly believe it!

The Prince told Understanding, Conscience, and Willbewill to proclaim pardon throughout Mansoul by morning and sent Captain Credence with some officers to accompany the noble leaders. When the proclamation was read to the town, Captain Credence was to take possession of the castle from Captains Judgment and Execution, whom Emmanuel had left in charge of the stronghold until being recalled to the camp. “In this way the town of Mansoul was to be delivered from the terror of the King’s first four captains and their men” (The Holy War, Whitaker House edition, p. 141).

One thing Bunyan does in this section of The Holy War is to show Christ’s complete victory over His enemy, Satan. It may seem ironic, but this victory was accomplished on the Cross. Just before He died, the Lord Jesus shouted, “It is finished!” This sounded the death-knell for Satan and his kingdom. This is the Bible’s proclamation of pardon to the believer in Christ:

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

—Colossians 2:13-15 NASB

This is such good news that it causes rejoicing in Heaven. Satan is defeated. Christ is risen, victorious, and glorified! God’s people are freed from sin’s bondage. But the rejoicing may be delayed for a while for the sinner just coming out of darkness. He has been in sin and rebellion to God. It might take time for godly sorrow to mature into real repentance. He may need to continue humbling himself and beseeching the Lord before experiencing assurance.

Bunyan isn’t saying that everyone who experiences conversion to Christ will have the same degree of struggle. But the feelings of guilt and uncertainty are biblical. Scripture knows nothing of casually accepting Christ with no acknowledgement of real need. The one coming to Christ must learn to put no confidence in himself and trust only in Christ and His mercy.

Believer, has Christ worked His way into your heart and conquered you? Has He evicted the devil from his former stronghold? Then take courage. Whether or not you are experiencing the joy of the Lord at this moment, Heaven is singing!

The Holy War—Joy Over Emmanuel’s Perfect Victory

The Holy War—Emmanuel Exposes Diabolus’ Deceit

Satan desires to have what belongs to God alone—supremacy and worship. Though he knows he is defeated and doomed he exercises all the power and employs all the tricks he can in order to ruin God’s greatest creation, mankind. He would rather see humanity destroyed than see it happily in submission to its Creator and Redeemer. In this section of John Bunyan’s The Holy War Satan, represented by Diabolus, is exposed for the fraud he is. As Emmanuel draws near to battle with His ancient enemy, the contrast becomes ever clearer between the character of Emmanuel (Jesus Christ) and the character of Diabolus.

Under the enchantment of Diabolus the people of Mansoul barricaded Ear-gate so they couldn’t hear the words of mercy Emmanuel spoke to them. So the Prince prepares for war. Having His machinery in place, Emmanuel sends a messenger with an offer of peace one last time before combat. Diabolus and the people respond with a messenger of their own, Mr. Loathe-to-Stoop, who presents the enemy’s terms for surrender. These terms being unacceptable, Emmanuel gives the order to attack. After more unacceptable proposals of peace from Diabolus, Ear-gate is finally breached, and Diabolus flees to his stronghold in the castle as Emmanuel’s troops pour into the city.

The contrast between the respective characters of Emmanuel and Diabolus becomes sharp during the times of negotiation. Emmanuel is open and honest about His intentions and His love for Mansoul. Diabolus, however, is deceitful and conniving, seeking only to stay in power no matter what it takes. When he realizes his reign is at an end, he determines to do as much harm as he can to the people rather than see them become a habitation for Emmanuel. And Emmanuel determines to save His people from their enemy…and from their sins.

The terms for surrender proposed by Mr. Loathe-to-Stoop are nothing more than compromises designed to leave Diabolus some kind of foothold in the city. One by one Emmanuel rejects these compromises… Diabolus will turn over half of the city with each one ruling his half. Diabolus turns over more than half the city and rules a smaller portion. Emmanuel can rule the entire city while Diabolus retains only a small part for personal use, and so forth. All these proposals are unacceptable because Emmanuel is Lord of ALL the city. His enemy has no place in Mansoul.

The compromises suggested are frequently used by people under conviction of sin so they can have Christ as Savior and still hold on to the world. John Bunyan writes from his own experience in this part of the story. He tried this dodge before realizing that Christ is Lord of all and demands absolute surrender. We simply cannot serve two opposing masters. The one trying to hold on to his sins is choosing allegiance to Satan rather than trusting Christ for salvation. Leaving the devil a foothold in the heart will ruin the sinner. Christ will have no part with Satan.

Bunyan also writes from experience when he portrays Diabolus offering to reform Mansoul for Emmanuel and be his deputy. Diabolus claims that the town will more easily accept a life of holiness if they know the reforms come from him. He will even hold weekly lectures in the town for Emmanuel! The Prince rejects these offers as well and exposes Diabolus for the liar he is. If holiness is so important to Diabolus now, why was wickedness his method of operation before? When Bunyan was under conviction of sin, he finally decided to give up his wicked ways and start living a life of holiness. But that is impossible for sinners, and Christ didn’t come to put people under the Law.

“In this excellent answer of Immanuel we learn, that no self-righteous attempts to justify the soul by its reformation only, will be accepted. To persuade convinced sinners to rest in this, to the neglect of Christ and His righteousness, is a dangerous artifice of the devil, who thus ‘transforms himself into an angel of light,’ (2 Cor. 11:14). The sinner, having once broken the law, and thereby incurred ‘the curse of the law’ (Gal. 3:10), can derive no help from the law; but must look to Christ the law fulfiller, for righteousness and reconciliation with God. A man may talk much of reforming his life, and say a great deal about good works, yet remain a subject of Satan’s kingdom. We are not Christians till we are in Christ, by believing in Him for salvation; and when we are so, we become new creatures: our state is new, being justified by grace; and our disposition is new also, being born again of the Spirit” (The Holy War, Illustrated with notes by George Burder, Swengel, PA: Reiner Publications, 1976, pp. 165-66).

In this part of the story we see the unmixed hatred that Satan feels for Christ and His people. He is frustrated and will do whatever he can to avoid being thrown out of the stronghold of human hearts. When a soul turns to the Lord Jesus, Satan must leave. But he tries to do what harm he can rather than see that person joyful and Christ glorified.

But we also see Christ’s purity, His uprightness, His love for His people, and His power to save them. We have nothing to fear from the enemy if we trust in Jesus for salvation from sin. Christ is Victor! He breaches Ear-gate regardless of the fortifications. He opens the deaf ear to hear the Words of Life. If He has done so with you, it is a great mercy. If you are under conviction of sin, seek the Lord while He may be found. You will find Him gracious and ready to forgive.

As soldiers in Christ’s army we need to make sure people understand that the Lord will brook no compromise. He is merciful, but He will not share His glory with another. He refuses to take residence in a heart that hangs onto the old sins and the old master. He also rejects mere reformation of life. He will save and He will sanctify.

Though the world under Satan rages against the Lord, don’t fear to trust Him and preach Him as He is. We don't need to change or water down Christ's message to get a hearing from the world. The Lord needs no help from the devil to gain His own inheritance. The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!”

(From “How Firm a Foundation”)

The Holy War—Emmanuel Exposes Diabolus’ Deceit

The Holy War—Emmanuel Sent to Conquer Mansoul

In John Bunyan’s allegory of the Christian life, The Holy War, the enemy Diabolus finally quells the riot that broke out in the city of Mansoul over King Shaddai’s army’s bombardment. Then he imprisons Lord Understanding and Mr. Conscience as the instigators of the unrest. He wanted to execute them, but the war was on again. “The efforts of an enlightened understanding and a renewed conscience cannot but be offensive to Satan, as threatening to subvert his authority in the soul; but where the good work of grace is begun they cannot be destroyed” (The Holy War, illustrated with notes by George Burder, Swengel, PA: Reiner Publications, 1976, p. 122).

Seeing the town still resistant to them, Shaddai’s captains return to camp to hold a council of war. Some wanted to attack again, but the majority thought it best to give Mansoul another summons to yield to King Shaddai. The town seemed to have softened a little, so they determine to treat them more gently, hoping not to drive them further away from their King. In their patience and gentle persistence they are exemplifying the Lord Jesus Christ, who would not “break the bruised reed” or “quench the smoking flax” (Matthew 12:20).

The army’s trumpeter returns to Ear-gate and delivers his impassioned plea for Mansoul to submit to their rightful King, Shaddai. When the town hesitates, not knowing how to answer, Diabolus addresses the townspeople and convinces them that Shaddai will overpower them and enslave them just like all His people are (supposedly) enslaved. His unsubstantiated claim is that “no people in Universe are as unhappy or trampled upon as they” (Whitaker edition, p. 83). Upon hearing this, the people hardened their hearts and refused further appeals from Shaddai’s servants. “And now things seemed to be gone quite back, and Mansoul to be out of reach or call; yet the captains, who knew what their Lord could do, would not yet be beat out of heart.”

While the army continues its bombardment to hinder the town’s rebellious spirit, the captains send a petition to King Shaddai requesting reinforcements and a commander that the town can both love and fear. This commander is none other than Emmanuel Himself. Though it may seem ironic, these two responses to God are not mutually exclusive. He is to be loved and feared. Having a scripturally rounded view of God will deliver us from fallible human conclusions that are nothing short of idolatry—creating a god in our own image. Such a god will not save us from the wrath to come.

The letter first reached the King’s Son, who carried it to His Father after adding petitions of His own to it. Both are pleased with these petitions and with the fact that Shaddai’s servants had been so faithful in their work and had made some progress. We may feel discouraged sometimes because of the apparent lack of response from people we are trying to win, but what God values is faithfulness. He will give the increase in His own time; we are to stay at the work the Lord has given us, knowing what He is able to do in spite of appearances.

Shaddai commissions His Son Emmanuel to take an army and deliver Mansoul from Diabolus’ tyranny. Emmanuel replies, “Thy law is within my heart: I delight to do Thy will” (Psalm 40:8; Hebrews 10:7). The news of Emmanuel’s mission energized everyone in the King’s court, and His servants were jumping at the chance to go with Emmanuel to this great work. So Emmanuel leads an army of 50,000 under five valiant captains to the town of Mansoul. When they arrive, the army already there gave such a great shout that it made Diabolus tremble. He feared no one in all the universe like he did Emmanuel, whose displeasure he had faced before.

Emmanuel sets His army in array: they surround the town, build mounds on which to place their weapons, and then offer the town the chance to submit. The leaders of the town give Emmanuel’s message to Diabolus, who reluctantly goes to the wall to face his arch enemy. Diabolus speaks to Emmanuel in a language that the people did not understand to keep them from detecting how fearful this usurper is. In his speech he lays claim to Mansoul on the basis that he had won the town fair and square and that they had forsaken Shaddai.

Emmanuel responds directly to Diabolus—the only one in the army to do so—and charges him with lying and deception. He lays His own rightful claim to the town and then addresses the people. When Emmanuel speaks to the people, they fortify Ear-gate so His words could not be heard. Diabolus enchanted the townspeople to do these things and to shut out the words of Life. But Emmanuel isn’t through yet.

In this section of The Holy War John Bunyan is emphasizing the motivation for staying in a difficult ministry—the work is so great, the cause is so right, and the Lord is so powerful to accomplish what He has promised. Do we look at our Lord and His work this way? Opposition and lack of results can be disheartening. But do we realize what Jesus can do? Do we remember His great joy in coming to this Earth to do His Father’s will? Do we realize that our Savior has a people in the world that need to hear the Gospel? Just as Shaddai gave the town of Mansoul to Emmanuel, God the Father has given a people to His Son (see John 17).

The petition of Emmanuel to His Father represents Christ’s ongoing intercessory ministry for His people. And He doesn’t pray only for those who already believe; He also prays for those who will believe (John 17:20). So, how will they believe unless they hear, and how will they hear without a preacher? When we faithfully join our Sovereign Redeemer in the work His Father called Him to do, we are on the winning side despite appearances, and our faithfulness pleases God. So stay with the stuff and leave the results to God. Even Christ Himself faced rejection during His earthly ministry, but He explains even that in John chapter six. Gain encouragement from that Scripture; then go out and preach the Gospel with patience, with persistence, and with confidence that “all that the Father has given Him will come to Him.”

The Holy War—Emmanuel Sent to Conquer Mansoul

The Holy War—Shaddai Besieges Mansoul

In his classic allegory The Holy War John Bunyan illustrates the Scriptural process by which God brings a lost soul from the darkness and damnation of sin to the light and life of redemption. This concept is reflected in the full title of Bunyan’s book: The Holy War, Made by Shaddai upon Diabolus, for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World; or, the Losing and Taking Again of the Town of Mansoul. The portion I read this past week deals with the city of Mansoul’s rejection of King Shaddai’s gracious offer of terms of peace. Under the influence of the usurper Diabolus, they resolve to resist the true King. This pictures the first response that Christians often get from the children of disobedience. They may be affected to some degree by our Gospel, but the desire to hang on to the old life wins the day…for now.

Shaddai’s four captains, Boanerges, Conviction, Judgment, and Execution, prepare for their attack on the city to try to gain entrance through Ear-gate. That gate is the key to entering Mansoul. When their men are in place, they give out the battle cry: “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!” This shows that there can never be peace with God until the sinner experiences an inner change, which the Bible calls regeneration. Mere outward conformity will not be sufficient; a new birth that comes through hearing and believing the Word of God is necessary. This must be stressed in evangelism.

The townspeople answer with two large guns on the wall, named Highmind and Heady. Being watchful and vigilant, the captains avoid harm from these usually trusty guns. Mansoul continues resisting with smaller guns while Shaddai’s army attacks with catapults and battering rams. The captains succeed in dismantling the two large guns, and they did serious damage to Mayor Unbelief’s house. In fact, they almost killed Lord Willbewill, but he recovered. Several of the town’s most corrupt rebels were put out of action; however, Mansoul was determined to resist, urged on by the rage of Diabolus.

Bunyan is drawing from his experience as a soldier in combat to illustrate the thrusts of the Gospel and the counterattacks of the unbelieving world. Pride and vanity are useful weapons the world employs against the Gospel, but they will not prevail against God’s servants who are watchful and humble. Opposition from the devil and from people’s own inbred lusts can be discouraging to Christians giving out the Gospel. May we remember that our Lord Jesus said, “I am with you always,” and, “All that the Father giveth me SHALL come to me” (Matthew 28:20 & John 6:37). God will use faithful preaching of the Gospel to begin to break the stranglehold of unbelief and self-will.

Seeing the town’s continued resistance, the captains retreat to their winter camp, where they continue to frequently assault the town. Mansoul was in sad shape. They could not enjoy their sins with the same gusto as in times past. They were even running short on food since no one could go in and out of the town because of the siege. They were continually distressed, and they longed for peace of mind. Some of the citizens wanted to return to Shaddai and hope for mercy. At this time Mr. Conscience, who used to be the town’s recorder until Diabolus came, began thundering out against the town and terrifying them from the inside while the army did so from the outside.

Even in the dead of winter the captains sent many summons to Mansoul to surrender. The town, distressed and wearied from the assaults, called the captains for a meeting where Lord Willbewill presented Diabolus’ terms for the town’s surrender. These terms were compromises that would make Shaddai king in name only while Diabolus remained in control. This being unacceptable, Captain Boanerges thundered his rejection of the terms and once again appealed to the town to submit to Shaddai. Then the mayor, Lord Unbelief, rose up and convinced Mansoul to continue the resistance. So…no peace. The captains return to their camp, and Unbelief returns to Diabolus, who commends him for resisting. However, there is much bickering and violence in the town because of the damage that old Unbelief is doing to the people. The town’s former mayor, Lord Understanding, along with Mr. Conscience, attempts to overthrow Unbelief until Diabolus has the two men thrown into prison. He would have executed them, but Shaddai’s captains attack again.

This imagery represents the different levels of intensity of Gospel preaching. By Gospel preaching, I don’t mean just by ordained preachers in the pulpit, but by ALL of God’s blood-bought people everywhere. Sometimes we have more opportunities for giving the Gospel than at other times. We may have to strike camp for the winter, but that doesn’t mean we’ve given up. It means we’re staying where the Lord has put us. We’ll continue to preach the pure Gospel and reject any terms that will compromise the message. It’s that important. God demands the unconditional surrender of those in rebellion to Him. We should accept no less.

Outward appearances suggest that we have much against us in this Gospel fight. But things aren’t always as they seem. While Shaddai’s army attacked outside the walls, the city was fighting among themselves within. Christian soldier, keep up the siege; keep giving out the Gospel. You never know what might be going on in the heart of a person who is presently resisting your message. He might be beginning to break.

The Holy War—Shaddai Besieges Mansoul