THREE SHINING ONES AT THE CROSS IN THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS: ANGELS, TRINITY, OR CHURCH?

Christian reaching the cross is an iconic scene in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress (1678). Freed from his burden, Christian is assured of salvation by Jesus's atoning work and receives gifts from three shining ones. Opinion has been divided about who these shining ones are. This...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of the Evangelical Theological Society Vol. 66; no. 2; pp. 323 - 341
Main Author Draycott, Andy
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Lynchburg Evangelical Theological Society 01.06.2023
Subjects
Angels
Bunyan, John (1628-1688)
Christianity
Christians
God
Pilgrims
Salvation
Theology
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Christian reaching the cross is an iconic scene in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress (1678). Freed from his burden, Christian is assured of salvation by Jesus's atoning work and receives gifts from three shining ones. Opinion has been divided about who these shining ones are. This study sets out and assesses the arguments that have been given for seeing the shining ones as angels or as Trinity. A third way is proposed that sees the shining ones as church by exploiting the presumption of an allowable range of interpretation in handling the allegory. This has the advantage of refuting individualist readings of the Christian life, while affirming the church's gospel ministry of assuring Christians of their salvation by God's grace with biblical truth.Keywords: John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress, shining ones, angels, Trinity, church, reception, illustration
ISSN:0360-8808