Title: The Holy War
Author: John Bunyan
Editor: Joshua Schwisow
Publisher: Generations
Date: 1682, 2019
Pages: 314
The Holy War (book review)
John Bunyan, the author, is most commonly known for his allegorical story, “Pilgrim’s Progress.” He writes this book in the same format of allegory.
It opens up talking about a city named Mansoul. Throughout the book this city goes through many situations. The allegory is that Mansoul is the soul of a man. The beginning occurs in the Garden of Eden and then moves forward throughout history of mankind.
Just as it was in Pilgrim’s Progress, this book is very clear on its allegory and who is who in each of its characters. War for the soul of man is battled between evil forces of Diabolus (Satan) and the forces of Shaddai (God). Various characters as the sins of mankind battle for the mind of Mansoul and the changing from following Shaddai to following Diabolus and back and forth, just as man has in all history.
One of the things noticed is that it mentions that Emmanuel did die and rise again, but it does not go into detail as to how or when that occurs. But he does clearly show that one needs to follow Emannuel to have life with Shaddai.
Another issue is the possibility of a discrepancy as to who Diabolus is. Although the book clearly makes him out to be Satan, there is another character under him that goes by the name of Lucifer. In real life, Lucifer is always seen as Satan and not under any other but is the highest in the evil domains.
Generations reprinted this book using more modern language. Throughout the book they have some notes for one to help understand various things in the book and listing many different scriptures verses to support what was said or done in the story.
I do recommend reading this book, though at times it does appear to drag slowly and very dry. It will cause one to think about how mankind has wavered in his walk with God. It also shows the importance of killing off all sinful actions and thoughts to take them captive and be removed so that one can live fully for God. There is also a clear showing of how Satan tries to enter into the minds of people to move them down the wrong path.
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