The Pilgrim’s Progress – A Woman's Faith Walk

February 1, 2021February 13, 2021

The Pilgrim’s Progress – Recap

Recap: Now that the book has been reread, reviewed, revisited during a time where I consented to spend 21 days removing things from my life and replacing them with activities that promoted a renewed focus on the things of God… some time is being dedicated today, in prayer and thanksgiving, to remember what He has revealed.

January 31, 2021February 1, 2021

The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 15 (Home in the Celestial City)

The pilgrims enter the country of Beulah, whose air was very sweet and pleasant. Here they heard the continual singing of birds, saw flowers appear on the earth, and heard the voice of the turtledove in the land. In this country the sun shone night and day. They were within sight of the City to which they were going. They also met some of the inhabitants of the country, for in this land the Shining Ones commonly walked because it was upon the borders of Heaven. In this land also the contract between the bride and the Bridegroom was renewed: “As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so did their God rejoice over them.”

January 31, 2021January 31, 2021

The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 14 (Stubborn Ignorance)

When the pilgrims left the shepherds in the Delectable Mountains a few chapters ago, they first ran into Ignorance from the country of Conceit. They have given him the distance he desired, while hoping that he would consider the truth that they shared with him. As the pilgrims continued through their journey, Ignorance was never far behind them since, in the beginning of this chapter, Hopeful looks back and notices him still following them.

[It makes you wonder; did he see them pause at the fork in the road? Did he watch them wander off with the Flatterer and caught in the net? Surely, he saw the Shining One lead them back and chastise them with his whip. Could he overhear the conversation with Atheist? He could have been close behind them walking through the Enchanted Ground; close enough to hear Hopeful’s agonizing story of turning away from his former life and trying to be good enough, only to discover the saving grace of God, revealed in His Son – that grace that granted Hopeful’s salvation.]

January 29, 2021January 31, 2021

The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 13 (Part 2 – Hopeful’s Story)

The last section of this chapter finds the pilgrims walking through miles of the Enchanted Ground. Hopeful feels sleepy, but Christian gently reminds him of the warning from the shepherds. They decide to pass the time and the temptation by having a good discussion. It is in this conversation that we learn of how Hopeful comes to faith – with quite a bit of help from his friend, Faithful. 💕

January 29, 2021January 31, 2021

The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 13 (Part 1 – Flattering Enemies and Renewed Trust)

Christian and Hopeful continue on their journey until they came to a place where there was a fork in the road. As they looked down each path, both appeared to be as straight as the other and they did not know which way to go.

As they stood deciding which of the paths to take, a man of dark complexion, covered by a white robe, came to them asked with a very pleasant demeanor why they were standing there. They answered that they were going to the Celestial City but did not know which of the paths to take. “Follow me,” encouraged the man agreeably, “for that is where I am going.”

January 28, 2021

The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 12 (Faith Under Attack)

As Christian and Hopeful traveled down the mountains along the highway toward the Celestial City, they passed the country of Conceit. From this country meandered a twisting but pleasant green lane that joined the pilgrims’ highway. It was here that the pilgrims met a very brisk lad coming from that country, named Ignorance. Christian asked him where he was from and where he was going. [Of course, he did.]

In this chapter, Bunyan will examine several types of people who call themselves Christians. Beginning with Ignorance from Conceit, (the very opposite of Knowledge from Humility), he intends to make a point. He is not talking about ignorance of the inexperienced or dull-minded, but specifically, the self-willed ignorance – a deliberate and willful ignorance of the saving gospel truths. Those who find themselves in this group have no need to ask directions or ever feel a twinge of doubt about their condition. This kind of ignorance holds onto everything that is good and has convinced himself of the merits of his deeds and the personal goodness of his character. As such, his journey to leave the country of Conceit is not motivated by thoughts of destruction or judgment but rather the desire to exchange a good place for a better one. For Ignorance, the journey from Conceit to the Celestial city is like a pleasant walk in the park, with grassy knolls and soft turf underfoot. He has never understood the concept of… Christ Alone!

January 28, 2021

The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 11 (Shepherd’s Warnings, Dangers Avoided)

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.]

January 27, 2021

The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 10 (Prisoners of Despair)

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.

January 26, 2021

The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 9 (Refreshment at God’s River)

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.

January 26, 2021January 26, 2021

The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 8 (Confronting Worldly Attachments)

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.