The Holy War
The Holy War is a Christian allegory by John Bunyan, published in 1682. It is like Pilgrim's Progress, but focuses most deeply on Christ, the fairest, the fall, salvation and backsliding in the Christian.
The story concerns Emmanuel, the Just and Fair Son of Shaddai, who must embark on a mission to save the city of Mansoul who has been captured on the tyranny of Diabolus, a rebellious ex-servant of Shaddai. Wil the people accept Him, or die in their sins?
Summary
The narrator is travelling through the state of Universe, on business sent by his Master. He tells of the great and majestic city of Mansoul, which he has come to stay in and has come to love. Meanwhile, he gets wrapped up into the wars of Mansoul, and the story of Emmanuel.
Shaddai, the Great Glorious Creator, created Mansoul for His own delight and glory. He fortified the city so that no one could enter without consent from the townsfolk. Shaddai's rule is that of law and order, justice, and fairness-so much so that there is not one criminal or wayward man in all the city. Shaddai has also built a Castle in the center, not only for His delight but to protect the city from intruders.
While the city was being constructed, Diabolus, a rouge servant of Shaddai, became arrogrant with all the territory that was given to him. He lusted for the second position in the kingdom, which was given to the Just, Fair and Righteous Emmanuel, Son of Shaddai. He plotted, along with other evil servants, to assassinate Emmanuel. Shaddai and Emmanuel, being all-knowing, nipped this plan in its bud, and charged the servants with conspiracy and treason, casting them out of their positions of power. Since then, Diabolus has looked for something of Shaddai's to corrupt, and he has found it in Mansoul.
Mansoul is lead by Captain Resistance, the mayor Lord Understanding, the Recorder Lord Conscience, Lord Innocency and Lord Willbewill, an aristocrat.
The demons plan many plans, and decide on deception. At the Hear-gate, Diabolus and Ill-pause, the evil orator, tell the people that Shaddai's law and order is tyranny; meanwhile Ill-pause murders Innocency, and another demon kills Captain Resistance. Without leadership, the citizens give up, and Diabolus takes over. He replaces Understanding with Lord Incredulity; Understanding is put under house arrest, and his house is kept in utter darkness. Affection, a well-respected citizen, is twisted into Vile-affection. Conscience is led into such sin that he becomes numb to sin, though he occassionally speaks of Shaddai; he was replaced by Lord Lusting, and Diabolus convinced the people he was crazy. Lord Willbewill, thinking of himself too great to be a normal citizen, switches sides completely, wanting always to do the will of Diabolus.
When news comes to Shaddai and Emmanuel, They confer privately. Emmanuel seals a covenant with Shaddai, promising that at the set time He would conquer Mansoul, after He accomplished redemption. The servants of Shaddai rejoice at the news, but Diabolus supresses media coverage of this event.
Meanwhile, Shaddai sends an army,flaked by four captains-Boanegeres, Conviction, Judgement, and Execution-to cause repentance in Mansoul. They do not do any ill; rather, they bless in the Name of Shaddai. But the citizens refuse to listen. For three months, they enter a sort of cold war, with the people shooting in mockery, and the four men reciprocating. This is worsened by three recruits-Tradition, Human Wisdom, and Man-Invention-who don't even hit the ground running, and are taken captive by Diabolus, a great delay in the battle. Ultimately, the mission is deemed a faliure. The captains petition Shaddai to send Emmanuel.
Emmanuel is thrilled to be able to save the citizens, and waves goodbye to Shaddai to go conquer. Emmanuel brings with him 5 captains-Good-hope, Charity, Innocence, Patience, and Credence, who is chief-and the four captains. Mansoul is intrigued, but they ignore Him completely. This grieves Emmanuel.
Diabolus is evidently frightened, as he sends compromise after compromise to Emmanuel. Emmanuel utterly rejects each and every one. He, rather, reveals the truth: Diabolus has "changed and rechanged so often", he is untrustworthy. He also reveals that He bought Mansoul with His own blood, offering Himself as a surety for their treason to His Beloved Shaddai. He presents a logical argument for why Mansoul is His. Despite this, Ill-pause delivers another message: that Mansoul's citizens don't care. They have rejected Him. He will have to conquer - by force.
Spare the rod, spoil the child: Emmanuel rises to challenge. A long battle ensues. 54 battering rams and 12 slings are positioned on Mount Justice, Mount Gracias and (most importantly) Mount Hearken, near the Hear-gate. The captains bravely fight. Good-hope kills Ill-pause. Boanegeres and Conviction try to rouse Conscience, who has hid in his fortified home. Emmaneul focuses on defeating Diabolus, hiding in the fortified Castle.
Meanwhile, the citizens are struck with fear and realize the preciousness of their Rejected King. Licking the dust of His feet as He passes by, they comment on His beauty, valor, sponatenity and other virtues. Conscience and Understanding petition Emmanuel for mercy. Lord Willbewill is captured.
Emmanuel uses His Godly Authority to order Diabolus out of the Castle, and the devil is forced to comply. He is stripped of his armor, and is chained, and tied to the golden Chariot of Emmanuel. Understanding, Conscience, and Willbewill are arrested. The tyrant has fallen, and the citizens celebrate.
Now that Diabolus is gone, Emmanuel focuses on remodelling the city. The citizens, afraid for their lives, send petitions to Emmanuel. He does not respond, to see if they mean it. Each petition is more humble and gracious than the next. The last is true repentance. Mr Desires-Awake and his neighbor Mr Wet-eyes deliver it. Emmanuel does not immediantly respond, but asks for the three prisoners to appear before him tomorrow. Then He will decide.
Sure enough, the trio confess their sins, the sins of Mansoul,and are deeply repentant. Emmanuel signs a full pardon, mercy for the three prisoners and the citizens. They are deeply grateful! They plead with Emmanuel to stay, as many Diabolians still lurk.
The captains each stay with one citizen (Conviction specifically asks for Boanegeres and Conviction!). The last signs of Diabolus's takeover are purged from the city. Diabolians are arrested and tried fairly and justly, before 11 jurors (one short of the American 12), three witnesses known for their truth, Lord Willbewill, and his clerk. Only the truly repentant are put to good works and spared; the rest are executed. The castle is fortified as a place for Shaddai.
The people adore Emmanuel, who teaches them doctrine through life situations, puzzles, mysteries and stories. The people are as happy in righteousness than ever before. They even sing of the Dear Emmanuel in their sleep! Emmanuel hosts a grant banquet for all.
With the city remodelled and doctrine firm, Emmanuel departs to go back to Shaddai, who He dearly misses. He commends the citizens to stand firm, promising that He will return for them. Then, they will enjoy a Communion with Him, Shaddai and the Secretary that they never before could experience in Universe.
Commentary
The Holy War is an allegory of Christ's conquering of man's soul. Below is the characters, events, teachings of Emmanuel, and items explained.
The Heroes
Emmanuel: Jesus Christ. Emmanuel is Jesus in His personality, actions, and teachings.
King Shaddai: God, the Glorious Creator and King.
the Secertary: The Holy Spirit.
The Captains
Captain Credence: The Christian Belief.
Captain Good-hope: Christ's Faith.
Captain Patience: Christ's Patience.
Captain Innocence: Christ's Innocence.
Captain Charity: Christ's Charity.
Captain Boanegeres: The Fiery Preaching of the Gospel.
Captain Conviction: The Conviction of the Scriptures.
Captain Judgement: The Judgement of Christ.
Captain Execution: The Justice and Punishment of Christ.
The Original Leaders and Citizens of Mansoul
Captain Resistance: The resistance of man before sin.
Lord Innocency: The innocency of man before sin.
Affection(under Diabolus Vile-Affection): The affection of man, corrupted by sin. Later set on Christ.
Lord Understanding: The understanding of man, corrupted by vices and pleasures.
Lord Conscience: The conscience of man, numbed of viles of Satan.
Lord Willbewill: The will of man, corrupted by sin.
Mr Desires-Awake and Mr Wet-eyes: A humble and contrite spirit, nescessary for repentance.
Mr. Belief, Mr. True-Heart, Mr. Upright, Mr. Hate-Bad, Mr. Love-God, Mr. See-Truth, Mr. Heavenly-Mind, Mr. Moderate, Mr. Thankful, Mr. Good-Work, Mr. Zeal-for-God, and Mr. Humble, Mr. Know-All, Mr. Tell-True, Mr. Hate-lies, Mr.True-Man: The traits of Christians.
The Villians
Diabolus: The devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion, and who subjects Mansoul to tyranny.
Lord Ill-pause: The corruption of man's soul.
Lord Incredulity: The disbelief of unbelievers.
Lord Lusting: Sexual immorality of unbelievers.
Events and Places
Mansoul: Man's soul, created for God's delight.
The Gates: The senses, two of which (Hear-gate and Eye-Gate) are where the Gospel is received, where the devil and immorality can enter and one (Feel-gate) which is weak and deceiving, as feelings are.
Mount Justice: God's Justice.
Mount Gracious: God's Mercy.
Mount Hearken: The hearing of man to the Gospel (this is why Emmanuel places the battering rams and slings on Mount Hearken).
54 Battering Rams and 12 Slings: The 66 Books of the Bible, of which Christ is the subject, always, no exceptions.
The battles by Emmanuel: The preaching of the Gospel. Each captain has one purpose that relates to the Gospel. For example, Boanegeres and Conviction rouse Conscience.
The Castle: The heart. In other words: who sits on the throne of your heart? Emmanuel, or Diabolus? The heart, with Christ in reign, is protecting you from intruders.