Season 5 Podcast 145 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 44 Chapter 9 A “Ignorance.”

In last week’s episode the Shepherds take them to the Hill Caution. They are reminded of their torments in Doubting Castle kept by Giant Despair. They also see a by-way to hell where hypocrites go. Next they see the gate of the Celestial City. 

As they resume their journey they meet a man called Ignorance.

“And I slept, and dreamed again, and saw the same two pilgrims going down the mountains along the highway towards the city. Now, a little below these mountains, on the left hand, lieth the country of Conceit; from which country there comes into the way in which the pilgrims walked a little crooked lane. Here, therefore, they met with a very brisk lad, that came out of that country, and his name was Ignorance. So Christian asked him from what parts he came, and whither he was going.”

Conceit has an inherently negative connotation, generally despised but highly imitated. It means self-love, vanity, self-praise, self-importance, opinionated, egotistical, haughty, proud, boasting, supercilious, disdainful, and vain. The country of Conceit would contain every variation: pride or superiority, perhaps engendered by wealth, superior education, power, high birth, gifted, etc. It is curious that the individual we meet from the country of Conceit is Ignorance who comes down a crooked lane. Ignorance has traveled a long distance on the road to the Celestial City; however, he is disdainful of the scriptures that teach the strait and narrow way. Notice that he is a ‘brisk lad,’ suggesting that he is self-assured and certain that his way is best. He does not have to lower himself to the standards of the poor in heart. He follows the way of all of his countrymen. 

IGNOR. Sir, I was born in the country that lieth off there a little on the left hand, and I am going to the Celestial City.

CHRIS. But how do you think to get in at the gate? for you may find some difficulty there.

IGNOR. As other people do.

CHRIS. But what have you to show at the gate, that may cause that the gate should be opened to you?

IGNOR. I know my Lord's will, and have been a good liver; I pay every man his own; I pray, fast, pay money to the church and give to the poor, and have left my country for whither I am going. 

His goal, to reach the Celestial City, is the same as that of Christian and Hopeful; however, he chooses his own path. Even when Christian confronts him that he may have trouble entering the gate, Ignorance brushes his fears aside. When asked what he has to show at the gate, he boasts, “I pay every man his own; I pray, fast, pay money to the church, and give to the poor.” That is an impressive record, but he ignores the Savior’s warning.

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Ignorance does not take into account the strait and narrow way.

Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”