Season 6 Podcast 15 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 53 Chapter X B, “Ignorance Cont.” Episode

Season 6 Podcast 15 John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Episode 53 Chapter X B, “Ignorance Cont.” 

In last week’s podcast Christian and Hopeful have an extended conversation with Ignorance. Ignorance is a good person. He reaches Beaulah Land, the gateway to the Celestial City. However, Ignorance does not understand the necessity of studying the Holy Bible and strictly adhering to the written word of God. Ignorance feels that appealing to the heart is all that he needs.

Christian continues to try to teach Ignorance, but he is unsuccessful. Also, in conversation we learn of several new characters, Temporary and Turnback; as well as new places, Graceless and Honesty. 

Christian has just quizzed Ignorance on what he dwells on in his idle moments. Ignorance responds that he thinks on God and Heaven. Christian tells Ignorance that it is not enough just to think about God and Heaven. He said, “The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing.” Ignorance defends himself.

“Ignor. But I think of them, and leave all for them.”

That answer doesn’t satisfy Christian. Bunyan here is emphasizing the need for works. Bunyan is a strong believer in works, echoing the words of James:

James 1: 22-24

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”

Christian responds to Ignorance.

“Chris. That I doubt, for leaving of all is a very hard matter; yea, a harder matter than many are aware of. But why, or by what, art thou persuaded that thou hast left all for God and heaven?" 

Ignorance responds.

“Ignor. My heart tells me so.”

Such a nebulous answer doesn’t satisfy Christian. He wants something more concrete because the heart can be unstable if not rooted in knowledge.

“CHRIS. The Wise Man says, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool."

Christian, of course, is speaking for Bunyan, and Bunyan, a Puritan, is a literalist. Ignorance, who is unteachable, does not consider Christian’s counsel.

" Ignor. This is spoken of an evil heart; but mine is a good one."

Keep in mind the difference between Christian and Ignorance. Though on the same quest, Ignorance came in the back way, avoiding the Wicket Gate. He always took the easiest path. Christian has been thoroughly taught by Evangelist, the Shining Ones, Watchful, Discretion, Piety, Prudence, Charity, Faithful, the Interpreter; in addition, he has been through the Slough of Despond, over the Hill Difficulty, through Vanity Fair, into the Valley of Humiliation, and Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He has been confronted by Beelzebub, Apollyon, Abaddon, and the Great Satan himself; He has been fooled by the Town of Morality. He was incarcerated in the dungeon of the Giant Despair and his evil wife, Diffidence. He has faced just about every temptation from Timorous and Distrust to Lord Carnal-Delight. Yet, Ignorance, who doesn’t even have a Certificate or a Script, ignores everything Christian attempts to teach him. Ignorance, thinking that simply wanting something is enough, travels toward the gates of the Celestial City unprepared.

Christian asks.

“Chris. But how dost thou prove that?”

Ignorance thinks that proof is unnecessary. Hope is all he needs. 

“Ignor. It comforts me in the hopes of heaven."

Ignorance does not understand the necessity of Faith, Hope, and Charity, the three theological virtues essential to get one into heaven. He dismisses them. Faith is action, a step into the dark. The symbol of Faith is the shield which keeps off the fiery darts of the adversary. The symbol of Hope is the anchor which can hold even a ship steady in the storm.