In a similar style to his earlier book “The Pilgrim’s Progress”, John Bunyan introduces an allegorical cast of characters, each embodying crucial aspects of the spiritual journey.  The town of Mansoul itself is the central character, representing the soul of every believer. It’s structure and inhabitants symbolize various elements of human nature and the spiritual life.  A few of the primary characters are:

• King Shaddai – The creator of Mansoul, symbolizing God. He is portrayed as all-powerful and loving, intending Mansoul to be his delight.
• Prince Emmanuel – The son of King Shaddai, representing Jesus Christ. He  leads the campaign to reclaim Mansoul. He represents salvation, grace, and the redemptive love of God.
• Diabolus – representing Satan, is the deceiver, who captures Mansoul and seeks to overthrow it through lies and cunning.
• My Lord Innocency – The first victim of Diabolus. His death symbolizes the loss of innocence in Mansoul.
• Lord Mayor Understanding, Mr. Conscience the Recorder, and Lord Willbewill – These officials of Mansoul represent the human will, intellect, and moral consciousness, crucial in the battle against sin.
• Captain Credence and Captain Good-Hope  These are the leaders of Emmanuel’s army, signifying different virtues or aspects of faith.

Central to the story of “The Holy War” are the gates by which Mansoul can be entered. These are gates of Mansoul – Eye-Gate, Ear-Gate, Mouth-Gate, Feel-Gate and Nose-Gate. These gates symbolize the sensory and communicative pathways through which external influences enter our hearts.  The defense and protection of these gates are central to the narrative, reminding us of the importance of vigilance in guarding one’s spiritual health against external corrupting influences.

Bunyan effectively communicates the complexities of the human soul and the spiritual battles it endures. Each character and element in “Holy War” serves as a mirror, reflecting the internal struggles and triumphs that define the Christian walk of faith.

Eye-Gate and Ear-Gate represent sight and hearing, These gates emphasize the importance of being mindful of what we see and hear, reminding us of Psalm 101:3, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless,” and in Philippians 4:8,  encourages believers to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.

Mouth-Gate symbolizes our speech and consumption. James 3:5-6 warns about the power of the tongue to corrupt and sets a fire in the course of life. This gate reminds us to use words wisely and to be discerning in our conversations.  It serves as a reminder to guard our tongues speaking words that encourage and to be discerning about the ideas and beliefs we ‘ingest.’

Finally there is Feel-Gate and Nose-Gate.  These gates can be seen as representing our emotional responses and discernment, urging us to be cautious about how we react to and process our experiences.  Proverbs 4:23 advises, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it,” emphasizing the importance of emotional and moral vigilance.

In our modern world, filled with constant streams of information, stimuli, movies, television and social media, Bunyan’s allegory is a much needed reminder of our need to guard these ‘entry gates’ into our souls diligently so that we may be vigilant about what we allow into our lives. Bunyan reminds us that these influences hold the potential to shape our thoughts, actions, and, ultimately, our spiritual well-being. Bunyan’s message calls us to maintain spiritual watchfulness and cultivate a discerning heart as we navigate the complexities of our modern age.

This allegory also underscores the significance of persevering in our faith amidst internal doubts and external pressures. It highlights the absolute necessity of Christian fellowship and mutual support in our battle towards overcoming these challenges. Just as the community of Mansoul bands together to confront the forces of Diabolus, it reflects God’s call for His own church to function as a unified body, with members possessing diverse gifts that are essential for the growth and well-being of the whole.

“The Holy War” transcends being a mere work of imaginative storytelling. Much like Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” it serves as a roadmap for spiritual vigilance and growth and reminds us that it is our hearts that are the battle ground, our inner thoughts constantly waging war and we must stay vigilant in our spiritual walk if we would safeguard the sanctity of our hearts.

This was my second read of this Christian classic tale and and once again I am amazed that it is not more widely known and loved. It’s a wonderful tale for both adults and would make a wonderful child’s story to go along with classic children’s song, “O Be Careful Little Eyes What You See.”