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The Holy War
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Wikipedia article
'The Holy War Made by King Shaddai Upon Diabolus, to Regain the Metropolis of the World, Or, The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of Mansoul' is a 1682 novel by John Bunyan. This early modern English 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.
Allegory
depicting the devil's army besieging a walled city held by a "Christian Soldier bold" guarded by figures representing the Christian virtues. It has been suggested that this print may have influenced Bunyan to write 'The Holy War'.Jones, Malcolm, "The English Print", in Hattaway, Michael, 'A Companion to English Renaissance Literature and Culture', John Wiley & Sons, 2008, p.360.Zinck, Arlette, "Dating The Spiritual Warfare Broadsheet", 'The Recorder: Newsletter of the International John Bunyan Society', 2007, pp.3-4.
In the city Mansoul, there are three esteemed men, who have lost their authority due to admitting Diabolus into the city. The mayors understanding is hidden from the light. The recorder has become a madman, sinning at times and condemning the sin of the city. But worst of all is "Lord Willbewill," who no longer desires to serve his true Lord, but desires to serve Diabolus instead. With the fall of these three men Mansoul will need to turn back to Shaddai of own free will, which seems impossible. Salvation can only come if Emmanuel is victorious.
Characters
Main Characters:
*'Boanerges': One of the four first Captains Shaddai sent to Mansoul
*'Carnal-Security': An entrapping Diabolian, who convinces Mansoul to break their fellowship with Emmanuel after He saved the city
*'Charity': Seventh Captain
*'Conscience': The Recorder of Mansoul. Who forget Shaddai's law due to sin at times and other times laments the sin of the city
*'Conviction': Second Captain
*'Credence': Fifth Captain
*'Diabolus': The deceiver who prompts the fall of Mnasoul with lies, and fights against Emmanuel's conquest
*'Emmanuel': Son of Shaddai and leader of the campaign to reclaim the city Mansoul
*'Execution': Fourth Captain.
*'Forget-Good': The recorder who works for Diabolus and despises the laws of Shaddai
*'Good-Hope': Sixth Captain.
*'Ill-Pause': A servant of Diabolus who slays Lord Innocency with foulness
*'Incredulity': Friend of Diabolus and one of the two mayors during his rule. Increduilty escapes execution after the recapture of Mansoul and leads the army of Doubters against it.
*'Innocence': Eighth Captain.
*'Judgement': Third Captain.
*'Lord Wilbewill': Servant of Shaddai at first but shifts allegiances to Diabolus when the city is captured
*'Lusting': A Diabolian Mayor during the rule of Diabolus
*'Patience': Ninth Captain
*'Shaddai': The Sovereign of the Universe as well as the creator and builder of Mansoul (El Shaddai is one of the Judaic names of God)
*'The Secretary': A Mansoul resident after Emmanuel's conquest who is qual to Shaddai and Emmanuel
*'Understanding': Mayor of Mansoul who is unable to see the light because of treachery to Shaddai
Locations
Some of the main places are listed below.
*'Mansoul': The town, built for the glory and enjoyment of Shaddai, who in its wickedness forsakes their King for Diabolus.
*'Eye-Gate': One of the most significant of the five gates entering into Mansoul.
*'Ear-Gate': Also one of the most significant gates entering into Mansoul, it is the one which is first assaulted by Diabolus.
*'Mouth-Gate': The Gate where proclamations are read and petitions sent.
*'Feel-Gate': A weakly guarded gate where Diabolus sends the Doubters attack after Emmanuel had reclaimed the city.
*'Nose-Gate': The least of the five gates of Mansoul.
*'Hell-Gate Hill': The place where Diabolus initially flees after losing possession of Mansoul.
Reception
Critical reception to 'The Holy War' has been mixed. Only two editions were published during Bunyan's lifetime, indicating that the work was much less popular than his earlier 'Pilgrim's Progress', which had run to eight editions in its first four years. Interest in 'The Holy War' revived during the 18th century, although the text suffered at the hands of its editors, who endeavoured to bring its ideas into line with the prevailing theological climate. In 1854, Thomas Babington Macaulay asserted that 'The Holy War' was the second-greatest allegory ever written, surpassed only by 'The Pilgrim's Progress'. Other 19th- and 20th-century critics have been more dismissive, and in modern times the novel is little studied in comparison with Bunyan's other works.
References
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