Graceful Reading: Theology and Narrative in the Works of John Bunyan

• Published in: Bunyan studies no. 12; p. 125
• Main Author: Camden, Vera J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Newcastle Upon Tyne Northumbria University, Department of Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences 01.01.2006
• Subjects: British & Irish literature; Bunyan, John (1628-1688); Bunyan, John (1628-88); English literature
• ISSN: 0954-0970

Davies is especially at odds with what he considers to be the 'medicalization' of Bunyan's conversion experience. Since secular society cannot grasp revelation, he says, many critics have viewed Bunyan's spiritual anguish as 'something akin to insane'. Though Richard Greaves' biography of John Bunyan had not been published in time for Michael Davies' consideration in Graceful Reading, Greaves' diagnostic application of psychiatric nosology to classify Bunyan's mental disturbances as a major depressive disorder can certainly be seen be seen as part of the critical trend of the 'medicalization' of Bunyan's conversion experience that Davies finds so destructive. Diminishing the experiential impact of the extent of Bunyan's torments of mind, body and soul, they risk undermining the force of his testimony and its power to bear witness to both the trauma and the transformation of these early years of Bunyan's life. [...]while I admire and applaud Davies corrective return to Bunyan's theology of grace, I still find that the power of Bunyan's dramatization of his mental and spiritual suffering is usefully interpreted as a mental illness and that this detracts not one iota from Bunyan's enduring testament to God's grace.