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Line 1: − [[File:Coptic Cross Large.png|thumb|A Coptic Cross]]+ − + − + − In the book, King Shaddai creates the greatest city on Earth, Mansoul. It is built so that none can enter without the people opening the gate from the inside. Diabolus, intent on destroying the great works of Shaddai, deceives the people of Mansoul that their King is unjust - He does not allow anarchy and disobedience, so He is unreasonable, he claims - and takes the city. Grieved, Shaddai sends His Beloved Son Emmanuael to convert the city again. − + + − Diabolus, the enemy, plots to take the city, which no man can invade unless allowed entry by the people of Mansoul. He, with sly words, tempts the people as he did Eve, saying that Shaddai was a tyrant. <br />+ − The people are deceived and let them in. Lord Understanding is blinded, Lord Conscience becomes confused, and Lord Willbewill serves Diabolous. Lord Innocency is slayed by Ill-Pause. Two mayors, Lord Incredulity and Lord Lusting, entrap the people. <br /> − Shaddai, deeply grieved, sends four captains to save the city, Bonageres, Conviction, Judgement and Execution. They plead for three months for the city to repent, but they refuse. <br />+ − Shaddai realizes that victory is only possible through His Beloved Son Emmanuel. Emmanuel, with 5 captains-Credence, Good-Hope, Charity, Innocence and Patience-fights to retake Mansoul from Diabolus, who flees to the Hell-gate.<br /> − Emmanuel rides in gloriously on His white hourse of Purity, and reestablishes the Throne for Shaddai. But infiltators still remain, who plot to overthrow the Throne once again, led by Carnal-Security. These plotters are tried fairly, found guilty, and hanged. Emmanuel is constantly interceding, like an attorney, for Mansoul to Shaddai.<br />+ − + − Captain Credence sends a message for help, and Shaddai promises help in 3 days. Sure enough, Emmanuel powerfully and gloriously defeats Diabolus, who while still tempting the people, finally leaves. The Secretary comes to remain in Mansoul. <br /> − + − ==Commentary== − ''The Holy War'' is an allegory of how Christ redeems the soul of man. Because Christ's [[Crucifixion of Jesus Christ|atonement on the Cross]] has already been accomplished, Christ is focused on conquering man's soul, which is why there is no allegory for the Cross in the book. <br /> − + − + − The Secretary represents the Holy Spirit, as He is equal to both Shaddai and Emmanuel, as the Spirit is to the Father and Christ. Because at the moment of salvation we are sealed and the Spirit dwells in us, so the Secretary comes into Mansoul immediantly after Emmanuel's victory.<br />+ − Diabolus represents the Devil. As the Devil in the Garden of Eden deceived Eve by causing her to doubt God's justice, so Diabolus deceives the people in this way. He also continues to tempt the people, as the Devil continues to fight Christians, the reason for Christian warfare. Carnal-security represents the flesh that remains in the Christian, and causes him to sin, this time with remorse.<br />+ − The four captains sent by Shaddai each represent the tenets of the Law. As these captains fail to save the city, so does the Law fail to save. The reason is simple: the Law convicts the sinner of sin, but when you tell someone not to do something, they want to do it even more. This is seen in the sins of the Old Testament saints.<br />+ − Conversely, the 5 captains that fight with Emmanuel are the 5 virtues of Christianity. The captains fight and submit to Emmanuel, guarding the city for Emmanuel. Thereby, these 5 virtues submit to Christ, and preserve the Christian in faith against evil, twisted doctrine. These are the virtues that Christ commends Christians to have. Captain Credence was chief of these virtues, as Christian doctrine leads to the rest of these virtues.<br />+ − + − The infiltrators plotting against Emmanuel represent the weaknesses of a Christian. These weaknesses differ for each Christian, so the plotters are not named specifically. These must be hunted down and bent to the will of Christ, as these plotters are hanged. The Doubters army represent the attack of doubt many Christians experience half-way through their battle. The fact that they attack at the Feel-gate represents the deceptive and unstable nature of feelings, and the importance of walking by faith, and not by feeling.+ − ==Characters==+ − '''Emmanuel''' - The protagonist, Jesus Christ, the Just and Fair Son of Shaddai who retakes Mansoul.<br /> − '''King Shaddai''' - God the Father, the Glorious Ruler of Mansoul and its Creator.<br /> − '''The Secretary''' - The Holy Spirit, the Counsellor and Guide of Mansoul who comes to Mansoul after Emmanuel's powerful victory.<br /> − '''Diabolus''' - The Devil, who deceives Mansoul and rules over it with tyranny,, surpressing the people.<br /> − '''Carnal-Security''' - The head of the plots to overthrow Emmanuel's throne. Represents the weak flesh that Christians must fight. <br /> − '''Captain Credence''' - Represents the Christian doctrine and creed. The cheif of the 5 captains who fight with Emmanuel. <br /> − '''Captain Good-hope''' - Represents the hope of the Christian faith. One of the 5 captains.<br /> − '''Captain Charity''' - Represents the virtue of charity. One of the five captains.<br /> − '''Captain Innocence''' - Represents the childlike innocence that Christ commends Christians to have. One of the five captains. <br /> − '''Captain Patience''' - Represents the virture of patience. One of the five captains. <br /> − '''Lord Understanding''' - One of the three mayors under Shaddai's initial rule. He represents understanding of God, Christ and what is really evil in this world, which people have lost.<br /> − '''Lord Conscience'''- The second of the three mayors. He represents the conscience, which is very easily confused without the Spirit's guidance.<br /> − '''Lord Willbewill''' - The third and most sinister of the mayors. He shifts his allegiance to Diabolous almost immediantly after the invasion. Represents the evil human will to do bad.<br /> − '''Lord Innocency''' - Represents the original human innocence before the fall. He is slayed during the invasion.<br /> − '''Lord Ill-Pause''' - Represents the loss of innocence in humans. Slays Lord Innocency.<br /> − '''Lord Incredulity''' - One of the two mayors of Diabolous's tyranny. Represents the athestic disbelief of people in the things of God and the Bible.<br /> − '''Lord Lusting''' - The second of the two mayors. Represents sexual immorality. <br /> − '''Bonageres''' - One of the four captains sent by Shaddai who fail to retake the city. Represents the temper of the Law. <br /> − '''Conviction'''- The second of the four captians. Represents the Law's purpose, to make aware of sin.<br /> − '''Judgement''' - The third of the four captains. Represents the strict judgement of the Law<br /> − '''Execution''' - The fourth of the four captains. Represents the punishment of the Law.<br /> − '''The People of Mansoul''' - Represents man's soul. The people are easily deceived by Diabolous, and are redeemed by Emmanuel. − ==References==+ − [https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/152645357?utm_campaign=reviews&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=ccel.org Review of The Holy War, Goodreads]<br />+ − [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holy_War The Holy War, Wikipedia]+ + +
no edit summary
''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 Holy War'' is a Christian [[Allegory]] by [[John Bunyan]]. Like [[Pilgrim's Progress|''Pilgrim's Progress'']], it combines beautiful doctrines of [[The fall|the fall]], [[salvation]], Christian warfare and [[Christ]], the lily of the valley, with the storyline. <br />
<br />
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==
==Summary==
The narrator tells of Mansoul, a great city built by Shaddai, the finest of his works. Shaddai rules over the city with justice, liberty, and grace. Three mayors command it: Lord Conscience, Lord Understanding and Lord Willbewill. <br />
{{Spoiler}}
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.<br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
Mansoul is lead by Captain Resistance, the mayor Lord Understanding, the Recorder Lord Conscience, Lord Innocency and Lord Willbewill, an aristocrat.<br />
The largest attack, though, is sent by Diabolous, an army of Doubters who attack at the Feel-Gate, the weakest gate in the city. Many men were killed.
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. <br />
Emmanuel is crowned King of Mansoul, and Shaddai leaves in glory, promising to return for the people one day.
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.<br />
Shaddai is a name of God, meaning "Almighty" or "All-Sufficient". Thereby, Shaddai is God the Father. Because God created man's soul in his image, Mansoul represents the soul and is imprinted with Shaddai's image.<br />
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. Ultimately, the mission is deemed a faliure. The captains petition Shaddai to send Emmanuel.<br />
Emmanuel is a name of Christ, so Emmanuel is Christ, who is the only one able (through His atonement) to redeem Mansoul. He is also crowned King of Mansoul, as Christ must rule our soul. He must also put down our sinful tendencies that remain, represented in Emmanuel's defeat of the plots against His rule. In this way, Christ molds us. Emmanuel is consistently interceding for the people of Mansoul when they rebel, as Christ is our attorney. <br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
Spare the rod, spoil the child: Emmanuel rises to challenge. A long battle ensues (code word EMMANUEL). 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.<br />
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.<br />
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. <br />
The three mayors under Shaddai's rule each represent the original virtues of humanity before the fall. As these three are corrupted, so are the virtues corrupted to the Devil's advantage. Similarly, the two mayors under Diabolus are the two basic characteristics of unbelievers. <br />
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.<br />
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. <br />
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. <br />
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.
<br />
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.