Castanares 1 Alex Castanares Mrs.

Palmer Honors British Literature 12/17/13 Pilgrims Progress Reflection In the book of Matthew, Jesus teaches, Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves (Matthew 7:15). John Bunyan includes this same warning in his book Pilgrims Progress. The character Christian begins a pilgrimage to the Celestial City on a narrow path that is strewn with many trials and perils. Throughout his journey, Christian finds a way to overcome each one. As he struggles, he learns more about the Christian faith through these ordeals. One of his tests is the encounters with false teachers and leaders. At the beginning of his journey, Christian meets Worldly Wiseman, who misleads Christian into averting from the straight path. The Deceiver clearly influences Mr. Wiseman because Wiseman discredits Evangelists teachings by saying, I beshrew him [Evangelist] for his counsel; there is not a more dangerous and troublesome way in the world than is that unto which he hath directed thee (20). Wiseman portrays himself as being wiser than Evangelist and Christian. Ironically, he persuades Christian that Evangelists teaching is false and to follow another path. Christian takes the course to the good, honest town of Morality. The perils along the way cause him to become afraid. Evangelist comes to Christians rescue and returns him to the right course. The meeting with Wiseman represents the fear of continuing a Christian walk and ones own desire to take the easy route. Every person meets Mr. Worldly Wiseman in his/her walk towards the Celestial City. Although his advice seems legitimate, everyone must recognize

Castanares 2 that Gods way is the only true way. God tells us in his word that there is only one way to Heaven. There are no shortcuts to the Kingdom. Later in Christians journey, he reaches Doubting Castle, which tests his faith in God. Once Christian and Hopeful reach a split in the path, Christian wavers about which path to take. This section of the path to the Celestial City is difficult, and they have become discouraged. The other path looks noticeably easier and seems to go in the same direction. Even though prior lessons have taught him about the perils of turning from the straight path, Christian lets his own mind lead him astray. He foolishly follows his own hidden desires for safety and comfort when he suggests they travel along the easier route. Since he listens to his own false beliefs, they end up in the dungeon of Doubting Castle and despair. After much prayer and countless beatings, Christian remembers his key named Promise: what a fool, quoth he, am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty? I have a key in my bosom, called Promise,... and began to try at the dungeon door, whose bolt (as he turned the key) gave back (112). The Pilgrims are freed from doubting and despair by the key of promise. The key that Christian always had is Gods promises of hope and redemption. Christians may find themselves in despair or suffering, but God is always present and keeps his promise to provide a way out. The fact that Christian forgot he had the key is a reminder to us that we need to always recall Gods word. Christian never would have been imprisoned by doubt if he had not questioned the one true way and followed his own false beliefs. As long as we stay true to Gods plan, we can overcome doubt and survive the troubles of life. Towards the end of the journey, Christian and Hopeful meet a man named Atheist, who is another of the desperate attempts of Beelzebub to block the path to Heaven. Atheist calls the Pilgrims ignorant even more strongly than Mr. Wiseman. In the same way as Wiseman, he

Castanares 3 portrays himself as knowing more than they do. His reasoning is his own experience, and he tells them, Had not I, when at home, believed, I had not come thus far to seek. But finding noneI am going back again, and will seek to refresh myself with the things that I then cast away, for hopes of that which, I now see, is not (128). Atheist attempts to convince the Pilgrims that there is no Celestial City because he could not find it. Atheist has his back towards Zion because he is too blind to notice the Celestial Gate across the way. By this time in the Pilgrims lives, they are not lead astray by false teachings. Though Atheist is a brief encounter, what he says still holds great importance to a Christians adventure through life. Atheist uses his own personal experience as a reason to fall away from God. Many people in life use an argument such as: I have never seen Heaven or God, so they must not exist. Christians need to hold strong to their faith and not let illegitimate evidence waiver them. The Christian walk is filled with ignorant fools and atheists, who will attempt to turn us away from Gods path, but faith in God will always bring salvation. In our own Christian walk, many false teachers and leaders will come in different forms and have different messages, but their advice will always be to turn a Christian away from the straight and narrow passage. The Deceiver uses other fallen people and our own minds to falsely lead us into darkness. There may be detours that seem better, but God is the only way. We must remember that God is always with us, even though the Deceiver will use different tactics to steal us away from the Kingdom of God. Though Christianity is a difficult route to follow, the rewards God gives us makes every event worthwhile. With Gods word, we can recover from the wounds of life, and overcome all obstacles on the stairway to Heaven.