Author: EStevens

The pilgrims continued their journey until they reached the Delectable Mountains. They climbed the mountains to see the gardens, orchards, vineyards, and fountains. From the fountains they drank the water and washed themselves, and they freely ate from the vineyards.  They saw shepherds feeding their flocks so they asked them, “Whose Delectable Mountains are these? And whose sheep are these that are pasturing on the mountain?”

Shepherd: These mountains are Immanuel’s Land, and they are within sight of His City. The sheep are also His, and He laid down His life for them.

Christian: Is this the way to the Celestial City?

Shepherd: You are going in the right direction.

Christian: How far is it to get there?

Shepherd: Too far for anyone, except those who shall arrive there.

Christian: Is the way safe or dangerous?

Shepherd: Safe for those for whom the way is made to be safe, but the transgressors will fall off along the way.

Christian: Is there in this place any relief for pilgrims who are weary and faint in the way?

Shepherd: The Lord of these mountains has given us a charge not to be ‘forgetful to entertain strangers’; therefore the benefits of the place are here for you.

[Well, ok. We don’t get what we want to hear. The answers sound more evasive than comforting. The answers are that odd combination of encouragement and warning. It’s like reading Hebrews… Salvation is ours but we must pay careful attention and persevere, do not drift away.]

Continue reading “The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 11 (Shepherd’s Warnings, Dangers Avoided)”

The pilgrims did not venture far when their path parted away from the river, which made them a little sad, but they dared not go out of the way.  The path became rough and their feet became sore from their travels; they wished for a smoother path.  Soon they saw a pleasant-looking field called By-Path Meadow, on the left side of the road, with a stile marking an entrance into it.

Christian: If this meadow is right next to the way, let us step aside into it and walk there. This is an easier way to go. Come, good Hopeful, and let us take this smooth path that follows right next to our difficult one.

Hopeful: But what if this path should lead us out of the way?

Christian: That is not likely. Look, doesn’t it go right next to our present path?

Christian, who showed good judgment in his encounter with By-ends, now shows some careless behavior in choosing By-Path Meadow to avoid the rocky path leading to the Celestial City.  And Hopeful, persuaded by Christian, follows him. What starts as a way to accommodate sore feet and to give in to the desire to avoid small difficulties leads to near tragedy.

Continue reading “The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 10 (Prisoners of Despair)”

After leaving By-ends and his company behind, Christian and Hopeful walked until they came to a smooth plain called Ease, where they traveled with much contentment.  The plain was quite small however, so they went quickly through it and reached a little hill on the far side of the plain called Lucre.  In that hill there was a silver mine, which some of the pilgrims had turned aside to see.  The ground near the brink of the pit was unstable, and many had stumbled into the pit only to suffer injuries or even death. It is in this part of the journey that the pilgrims will be tempted by the idea that they can hold on to comfort and self-satisfaction in one hand with their religious principles balanced nicely in the other.

Continue reading “The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 9 (Refreshment at God’s River)”

As Christian and Hopeful left the fair, they soon overtook a man walking ahead of them. They asked him, “What country are you from, sir, and how far are you going on this way?”  He told them that he came from the town of Fair-speech and that he was going to the Celestial City, but he did not tell them his name.

It is on this part of their journey that the pilgrims will talk with those schooled in religious duplicity – the modern Pharisee-types that have nuanced views which allow them to seek all the benefits of religion and keep all the benefits of the world as well.

Continue reading “The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 8 (Confronting Worldly Attachments)”

When Christian and Faithful had almost passed through the wilderness, we see them meeting up again with their good friend Evangelist.

Evangelist: Peace be with you, my dear friends, and peace be with all those who have helped you along the way.

Christian: Welcome, Evangelist! Seeing you again brings to mind all your past kindness and your faithful labor done for our eternal good.

Faithful: And a thousand times welcome. You have no idea how sweet and desirable your company is to poor pilgrims like us!

Evangelist: How has it gone with you, my friends, since the last time we parted? What have you met with, and how have you conducted yourselves?

[Apparently, being part of the body of Christ, means to recount our journey details to each other in an honest and healthy manner – to encourage and strengthen each other.  “None of your business” may NOT actually be the way of a Christian.  The growth of a Christian requires some transparency, honesty, and accountability.  This makes Christians extremely vulnerable, sheep among wolves.  I wonder how many of us keep our faith to ourselves because we seem to be surrounded by wolves.  I wonder how many Christians are quiet around us because they can’t discern that we, too, are fellow sheep. 😔]

Continue reading “The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 7 (On Trial for the Gospel)”

As the two friends journeyed together, Faithful looked to one side and saw a man walking in the same direction.  He was a tall man and looked more handsome at a distance than he did up close. (Those who like to talk about ‘all things divine’ but have no evidence of grace working in their heart, often have a good appearance on the surface.)

Continue reading “The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 6 (A Faith Beyond Words)”

As Christian came out of the Valley of the Shadow of Death, he came to a little upward slope that had been put there for the purpose of helping pilgrims see what lay ahead of them.  He climbed and from that height, he saw Faithful just ahead of him on his journey.  He called aloud, “ Hello, hello! Wait right there, and I will come to you and be your companion.”

Faithful looked behind him, saw Christian, who cried out again, “Stay, stay, so I can catch up with you.”

But Faithful answered, “No, I am fleeing for my life, and the avenger of blood is behind me!”

Continue reading “The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 5 (A Faithful Friend)”

From the excitement of the battle where Christian learns to rely on the Word of God and walks out of the Valley of Humiliation with his sword drawn, he enters the Valley of the Shadow of Death.  He has no choice; it is on the way to the Celestial City – It is a place of depression and solitude.

When he got to the borders of the valley, he met two men coming toward him – children of those men who brought an evil report concerning the good land of Canaan.  They were quickly retreating when Christian asked them where they were going.

Continue reading “The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 4 (A Dark Valley)”

He had just entered the Valley of Humiliation when Christian was immediately tested. He had not gone far before he saw a foul fiend coming over to meet him. His name was Apollyon.

Christian was afraid and struggled with what to do: should he go back or stand his ground? When he realized that having no armor for his back would make him an easy target for the enemy’s flaming arrows, he decided that standing his ground would give him the best chance of surviving Apollyon’s attack.

Continue reading “The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 4 (A Fierce Battle)”