Pilgrim's Progress: Chapter Three

Pastor's Note: Since it's in the public domain, Pilgrim's Progress is available for free from Project Gutenberg (http://ow.ly/dOe250z0sx7) or can be purchased on Amazon Kindle (http://ow.ly/Y7vW50z0syK) (free for Prime members, $2.99 for everyone else).

I encourage you to pick up a copy of the book and read chapter three before reading the rest of this. The goal here is not to explain the chapter in its entirety; it’s making some observations from my reading and facilitate a discussion amongst ourselves that hopefully results in some learning and Christian growth. Be sure to avail yourselves of the comment section at the bottom of the page to weigh in with your own thoughts so we can talk about them.

1. The first three observations will concern the three men in irons: Simple, Sloth, and Presumption. First, Simple is just a softer way of saying stupid. Simple was stupid because he didn’t see the danger he was in despite the clear warning of Christian. We shouldn’t throw the words “fool” and “stupid” around lightly. We probably shouldn’t ever call someone these words with any seriousness. But Scripture does because God can, without fail, diagnose real stupidity and foolishness. To receive a warning of clear and present danger and still not perceive it? That qualifies.

2. Now Sloth. Sloth is almost worse. Simple could sleep because he didn’t see the danger. Sloth could see the danger but was content to sleep until it got close enough to threaten him. What he didn’t understand was that the danger was already threatening to him. Hell is kind of like an object in the side mirror of your car. It’s always closer than it appears. There’s no time to sleep.

3. Presumption is almost as stupid as Simple, but for a different reason. Simple couldn’t see the danger. Sloth could see it but slept more. Presumption could see it and didn’t think he needed to wait. Christian had offered him help, but Presumption wanted none. “Every tub must stand on its own bottom.” He thought he could face hell on his own, and like many of his ilk before him quoted something other than Scripture to support his cause.

4. Formalist and Hypocrisy are two peas in a pod: They both want to show a veneer of “walking the right way,” but neither of them care about getting in through the gate. Christian warns them that the Lord of the Highway has deemed anyone who doesn’t enter through the gate a thief and a robber, but they don’t care. They think it doesn’t matter how you get in as long as you walk the same way. They also are going to Mt. Zion…but for praise. Pretty high opinion of themselves, if you ask me. Like everyone else who tries to walk the road without coming through the gate, they don’t make it far.

5. Formalist and Hypocrisy fail at the Hill of Difficulty. Have you noticed that the Hill of Difficulty is on the way? Formalist and Hypocrisy fall and fail because they try to avoid it. Christian must climb it. The Lord of the Way could have removed it, but as you saw, He built stops on it. He didn’t. Anyone who tells you it’s all easy as soon as you come to Jesus hasn’t walked the road long…or at all.

6. Timorous and Mistrust were going the right way, but got scared and quit. Have you noticed that none of these that turn around share Christian’s mark, clothing, or roll? You can’t lose what you don’t have, or leave behind what you never knew.

7. I’d be lying if I said I completely get where Bunyan was going with Christian losing his roll. He does mention Israel having to go back by way of the Red Sea again. This looks to me like Christian abandoned his “walk;” he didn’t leave the way, but he didn’t go forward either. He just slept in the midst of difficulty. Thus he was forced to go in circles until he was paying attention again. I know for a fact that’s happened to me. You?

8. “Fear not the lions, for they are chained.” Doubt you that God would test the faith of those who walk His road? He’s done it with all of us, and He’ll do it again. What’s the point of putting chained lions on either side of the way? For us to learn to keep walking even when all we see is danger.

9. Have you noticed that the first part of Christian’s conversation with Charity is all about whether or not he had sufficiently warned his family and tried to reach them? Only when he has explained himself does Charity pronounce that he “has freed his soul of their blood.” Scary artistic license? I think not. Ezekiel 33:7-9.

10. Let’s circle back around to Discretion: She’s the first lady Christian meets at the rest stop. The Bible never tells us to merely accept another’s claim of salvation and fellowship at first meeting. They evaluate his actions, his words, and his walk. They are careful about whether or not they fully welcome him. Therefore our church doesn’t announce membership until after we have evaluated the prospect’s testimony.

What about you? Do you have any observations from chapter 3?