A Review of Pilgrim's Progress - Part 2
Part 2 (pages 5-11)
(quotes from the book in blue; Scripture passages in red)
On Sunday nights, several men and boys are meeting in a gracious saint's home to discuss John Bunyan's monumental book, Pilgrim's Progress. Anyway, we spent two and three Sundays ago watching the film version released in 1978 (One of Liam Neeson's first movie credits, if not the first! Check it out at this link). On Sunday we continued slowly reading through the book, including Scripture references. Here's part 2!
Our (thus far) unnamed main character begins travelling as fast as he could (given the heavy burden on his back). His wife and kids are begging him to return home, but he didn't fall for that temptation (Once again, this is an allegory. This man really isn't leaving his wife and kids, he's simply beginning his Christian journey and they aren't.). Not only his family, but also two friends - Obstinate and Pliable. Obstinate was having none of it, demanding Christian (for that was his name!) to return pronto, and quit being a fool. Pliable, though, appreciated what Christian said about the Celestial City. He wanted to go.
So with Obstinate leaving the others, Christian and Pliable continued their journey through the Plain of Ease dreaming about the beauty of Heaven, the splendor of the gold and jewels, the trustworthiness of God's Word, and the certainty of eternal life. Pliable wanted to pick up the pace, complaining that Christian was slowing him down; when they suddenly came to a deep and muddy bog. Both fell in, and Christian began sinking even further due to his heavy burden.
Pliable grew so discouraged, thinking everything would be as bright and cheery as the Celestial City, and the path as flat and pleasant as sunny Kansas with highs in the 70s (without a hint of any storm). He wasn't ready for the mucky mire of the Slough of Despond; so he got out as fast as he could, close to the place he fell in. Didn't even think to help out Christian, just disappointed at the presence of this obstacle.
Christian also wasn't ready for this Slough, but even in the mire he continued traveling in the direction of the wicket gate. A man on the other side named Help "helped" him get out of that muck. Then when Christian asked him what in the world that place was, Help answered and said, "This miry slough is a place that can't be repaired. It is a low-lying place where the scum and filth that comes with the conviction of sin drains and collects as the traveling sinner becomes aware of his lost condition. It is the fears, doubts, and discouraging apprehensions about oneself that arise in his soul."
He's cleaned up as best as he could and back on his way to the wicket gate!
The edition we are using is The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan, Revision - Copyright 2014, by Aneko Press.
