And finally, Christian and Hopeful arrive at the Delectable Mountains. You may almost have forgotten that Christian had sight of these from the Beautiful Palace. We have reached a key moment in the narrative now that he has reached them in his own pilgrimage. They function as a milestone in Christian’s growth, marking his maturation as a disciple. The teaching and trials that have marked his route to this point, his successes and failures, have all served in the purpose, providence and wisdom of God in bringing Christian to this point.
It is worth noting the speed with which the Lord grants the Pilgrims rest and refreshment… only a few hours before they had been locked in the dungeons of Doubting Castle. We may feel that some period of probation might be in order, a chastening, a rebuke? But the Lord is more tender than we are, and almost as soon as they return to the Way, they are brought to a place of restoration, where they can be healed of their previous ordeal, and prepared for the next stage of the journey. His experience in Doubting Castle has left its scars though, and there is a note of caution in Christian. Concern that he is in fact still on the right path. His recent experiences have served to warn him against presumption. He is marked by deeper humility and dependence, and an unwillingness to trust himself that stops short of falling into crippling self-doubt.
It is worth reflecting too, on the name Bunyan gives the mountains. There have been times of incredible trial and hardship in Christian’s journey. Struggle, discipline and battle have marked the Way. You may feel that his portrayal of the Christian life is somewhat austere, more bleak than needs be? But then we find ourselves in a landscape named to evoke a sense of delight and joy, giving pleasure and contentment. There is a richness of spiritual experience, a goodness, a blessedness that permeates the atmosphere of Christian’s pilgrimage at this point. It is an atmosphere in which these matured, battle-hardened Pilgrims delight.
During their visit, the focus is on their discussion with the Shepherds, the pastors of the Church. They encourage and affirm, posing questions reminiscent of those asked by Discretion at the Beautiful Palace. The welcome they then extend is reminiscent of the Palace too. There are currents of continuity between the two episodes - both are pictures of the Church’s ministry to Pilgrims, albeit with differing emphases as Christian matures. Bunyan sketches the traits of a faithful minister.
Knowledgeable: which might sound obvious, but you really do want pastors who actually know what being a Christian is about, and who is able teach it clearly and without getting distracted (I Tim.4:13). We want those who have a full and deep grasp of the Scriptures and discipleship, and who can deal with the questions and difficulties we have.
Experience: But knowledge isn’t enough. Especially as we mature spiritually ourselves, we want those who have walked the path of discipleship at least as far as we have, and who have tested that knowledge in the furnace of life. We want those who have a maturity born of their own long pilgrimage. You don’t want someone who is easily shocked or blind-sided. Or someone who is going to be taken in by the latest fad or silver-bullet. The Bible expressly warns against pastors who are recent converts (I Tim.3:6), those who have not yet been proved by the years of perseverance needed to deeply learn and understand the art of Christian living.
Watchful: Interestingly, the same name as the Porter at the Beautiful Palace. A pastor keeps watch over the souls of their flock (Heb.13:17), warning them when they see them begin to entertain ideas and beliefs that will hinder or lead off the path; challenging when they see patterns of behaviour and attitudes that suggest sin is taking hold; guiding into true belief and life.
Sincere: a godly pastor is one who does this work not simply because it’s a job, or means of income. They do it because they can do no other, such is the call of God on their life (I Pet.5:2-3). They teach what they do because they believe it. they disciple as they do because they live it. There is an integrity to their life and ministry. It isn’t perfect obviously, but it is sincere (II Cor.2:17).
It’s worth stopping and asking ourselves what we want from our pastors and preachers, our shepherds. How would we feel if our pastor was characterised by the priorities we see in the Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains? My own sense is that the Church in the UK has largely lost any real sense of what a pastor is, and that congregations by and large aren’t sure how to relate to their ministers, or what to expect from them. Bunyan is drawing from ancient wisdom, and laying out for us the dynamics that should characterise our expectations, and the relationship between pastor and congregation.
Questions to Ponder:
What do you want from a minister? Try writing a job description / person spec. for a pastor. Why not then compare that with the Bible’s vision of what we should be looking for (e.g. Titus 1:6-9; I Tim.3:1-10)
And while you’re in the pastoral epistles, why not have a look at what constitutes a false teacher?
