ISBN: 9781530766109

Description: Four years after John Bunyan released his instantly popular journey allegory The Pilgrim's Progress, he published The Holy War--a battle allegory and companion volume. Hi… More...

Description: Four years after John Bunyan released his instantly popular journey allegory The Pilgrim's Progress, he published The Holy War--a battle allegory and companion volume. His first book explores salvation of the individual Christian; the second portrays the battle for sanctification. While Christian struggles with questions about assurance of salvation, the collective Mansoul labors with the challenges of being led by and filled with the Holy Spirit. The Pilgrim's Progress focuses on the individual's struggle against sin; The Holy War portrays the Church in a corporate struggle against systemic evil. Bunyan wrote that The Holy War originates in the same heart, and head, fingers and pen as The Pilgrim's Progress. Both books present separate dimensions of Bunyan's spiritual journey. Taken together, the journey allegory and the battle allegory capture the full range and depth of the biblical message that consumed Bunyan's imagination. He credits his own salvation to these two things: The grace of God and tenacious, continual, holy warfare. The Holy War is testimony to a spiritual battle he fought, and won. This edition provides annotations that clarify Bunyan's first edition language and message for readers in a post-Puritan world. Endorsements: Runyon's new edition of John Bunyan's neglected masterpiece The Holy War makes a spirited case for its literary and theological importance. The introduction and footnotes give readers the fullest and most up-to-date help with biblical, historical, and literary contexts. --Roger Pooley, Keele University and International John Bunyan Society In an era newly preoccupied with the oxymoronic pairing of 'holy' and 'war,' Runyon's edition offers a clarifying reminder about the interiority of Bunyan's theme . . . Based on the first edition of 1682 (including marginal notations), this is an excellent teaching text. I have already added it to my syllabus. --Arlette Zinck, The King's University College Runyon provides a useful resource for Christian devotion and discipleship in this version of John Bunyan's The Holy War, a work which explores in exquisite detail the dynamics of sanctification as a lifelong contest and probation. The framing metaphor here is a needed corrective for Bunyan's other primary metaphor of wayfaring on a generic and well-defined way. --U. Milo Kaufmann, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (retired) About the Contributor(s): John Bunyan (1628-1688) was an English Puritan pastor and prolific author of sermons, theological treatises, poems, and allegories. He is best remembered for The Pilgrim's Progress and his spiritual autobiography, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. [ Daniel V. Runyon, PhD, is Professor of English at Spring Arbor University in Michigan. He is the author of numerous books, including John Bunyan's Master Story: The Holy War as Battle Allegory in Religious and Biblical Context. Trade Books>Trade Paperback>Religion,Inspiration>Religion>Comparative REL, CreateSpace Publishing Core >1<

ISBN: 9781530766109

John Bunyan could be said to have authored the most influential book in the English language (other than the King James Bible) – The Pilgrim’s Progress. But he has also writte… More...

John Bunyan could be said to have authored the most influential book in the English language (other than the King James Bible) – The Pilgrim’s Progress. But he has also written another dramatic allegorical novel – The Holy War.   Bunyan’s plan for his readers was for them to experience the struggles of the city of Mansoul as a fierce battle rages to take control of it. However, alongside this knife–edge drama Bunyan wished his readers to understand how the struggles of their souls ran in parallel to the struggles of the wretched inhabitants of that place.   The righteous and honourable ruler Shaddai and his son Immanuel rule Mansoul with justice and equity. But the ruler of darkness – Prince Diabolus – has other plans. With his evil captains and their battalions Diabolus plots the fall and destruction of the once happy city. The first to fall is Captain Resistance as Diabolus knows that there is only one route into the city and that it can only be breached through the permission of the people of Mansoul itself. With Captain Resistance gone, the city is laid open to Diabolic lies and the next to fall is Lord Innocency and then the city is lost.   So begins a story of treachery and deceit, foolishness and pride, forgiveness and final redemption. In fact this is, as Bunyan intended it, the story of a sinner saved by the grace of God. Trade Books>Trade Paperback>Religion,Inspiration>Religion>Comparative REL, CreateSpace Publishing Core >1<

ISBN: 9781530766109

A fierce battle rages to take control away from the rightful Prince of Mansoul. Who will be the conquering prince? Diabolus or Emmanuel? And what can the inhabitants do to resist the atta… More...

A fierce battle rages to take control away from the rightful Prince of Mansoul. Who will be the conquering prince? Diabolus or Emmanuel? And what can the inhabitants do to resist the attacks of the evil one? Your soul is under attack from the forces of evil. Through this powerful allegory, you will learn how to build up your defenses and prepare for war. Bunyan will illuminate your understanding and show you that, with Christ the Conqueror on your side, you have nothing to fear Trade Books>Trade Paperback>Religion,Inspiration>Religion>Comparative REL, CreateSpace Publishing Core >1<

ISBN: 9781530766109

Paperback, [PU: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform], This novel, written in the form of an allegory, tells the story of the town "Mansoul" (Man's soul). Though this town is perfe… More...

Paperback, [PU: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform], This novel, written in the form of an allegory, tells the story of the town "Mansoul" (Man's soul). Though this town is perfect and bears the image of Shaddai (Almighty), it is deceived to rebel and throw off his gracious rule, replacing it instead with the rule of Diabolus. Though Mansoul has rejected the Kingship of Shaddai, he sends his son Emmanuel to reclaim it., Religious & Spiritual Fiction<