張醫師讀後感

看畢天路歷程一書後，去進一步了解作者寫作原因和心態。

鮮有地，一個暢銷全球的作者表示自己寫作時沒想過考慮目標，只是當自己寫出腦海裹一幕幕的意念時，自己越有得著。甚至，當年他將這本書給朋友看的時候，大家的評價就有好有壞，有人說叫他不要印冊出來，有人則鼓勵。兩難中，他就決定打印出來，以歷史來定義這本書的好壞。

最後，本書成為很多人的珍寶，安慰很多無助的人成為專心奔跑天路的天路客。

他在The Pilgrim’s Progress apology for the book作了一個比喻： 就是捕鳥的人用盡各種方法，如槍、樹枝、燈光等，都

不能捕到所有鳥，也卻會意外地捕到一些特別的鳥。就如一本書不可能滿足所有人的口味。

另一個比喻，是關於在牡蠣中找到珍珠。他願意這本書的比喻，有人明白的，就會視之為珍寶。

這麼多年來，我都很喜歡這個故事，今次藉教會鼓勵，再重温一次電影版，有許多場景縈繞在心中，很得鼓勵。

神的憐憫和應許保守天路客，直到最後一幕天路客跳入水中，上帝在死亡中救出天路客。天路客進入天門，很多朋友迎接，十分感動！

「你從水中經過，我必與你同在；你趟過江河，水必不漫過你；你從火中行過，必不被燒，火焰也不著在你身上。」 以賽亞書43:2

寫於2021年8月15日，正為 2022 的 222 計劃禱告。 想起往日每當有重大決定之前， 都會看到雙彩虹出現。 這天， 我又一次這樣禱告， 立時眼前就出現雙彩虹，令我倆不禁連聲說： 神一直帶領我們， 我們必不懼怕！

電影版推介： 

天路歷程電影版（廣東版）：https://youtu.be/3vJY4kZxbFY

天路歷程電影版（英文版）：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksu-zTG9HHg&t=376s

天路歷程電影版（法文版）：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNpGslram14

天路歷程電影版（真人版）：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ1oaN9JkaQ

節錄： The Pilgrim’s Progress apology for the book

When I first picked up my pen to write, I had no idea my thoughts would turn into this little book. I started to write and the story flowed as my pen fought to keep up with my ideas. Thoughts came so quickly it almost felt like I had just begun as I finished the last sentence.

The Pilgrim’s Progress tells of te journey of saints and the way of glory in a time when the gospel of salvation was readily available. The story naturally took allegorical form, which makes the meaning clear. Following this form, I set more than twenty important truths down within the tale and had twenty more coursing through my head like sparks that fly from coals. I decided the first twenty to be more than sufficient and to save the rest for another time so readers wouldn’t think that I’d go on for an eternity and decide to read another book instead

Truthfully, as I started the book I had no idea of the scope and depth it would take on. I never entertained thoughts of the whole world reading my work. When I set out to write this story, I didn’t do it to please my neighbor or to gratify myself. In fact, I can’t say what my original goal had been. 

However, I can say it was more than an absent-minded scribbling of whatever came to mind, and it was more than a diversion from thoughts.

As I put pen to paper and started to write, it filled me with an unexpected delight. The story unfolded with my thoughts following a process which drew on knowledge of the truth. To my surprise the result was a story whose length and breadth surpassed my expectations. Soon I held my thoughts on paper and decided to share my musings with others to see if they thought it a crazy allegory or one that held merit. Some suggested I forget about the idea altogether and others encouraged me saying, “John, print it.” With mixed responses, I found myself in a dilemma trying to figure out the best thing to do.

Finally, since the feedback was divided, I decided to go ahead and print it. Since some thought I should and others thought I shouldn’t, I figured printing the book would be a test to see which of them were right. That way I wouldn’t deny those who thought it should be printed. Plus, it gave them a way to share in my delight. For those who didn’t think I should publish it, I let them know I in no way intended to offend them. I asked them to be patient and not to judge those who were pleased to have the book published. I reminded those against publication that they were in no way compelled to read it. In this way, I decided to leave it to individual preference and conviction.

You see, when it comes to spiritual food, some love the meat, some love to pick the bone, and some hope for a tale that might seem less rigid and which would not require them to change in any way. With this last group, I have to disagree and tell you up front that I do not write in this style. In fact, I write in such a way that I hope the reader will not miss the truth that none are good and we all must be changed.  Let me be clear that my purpose for moving forward is not to be unkind. As an example, think about dark clouds. They bring rain while bright days do not. The point is that dark days or bright, if the rain falls, the earth yields crops. We give praise to God for both the clouds and sunshine and treasure the fruit brought about by both. No one can distinguish the benefit of each, for they work together, and we should not complain about either. This fruit is welcomed by one who is hungry, while one without an appetite spits it out and makes the blessing null.

Consider the ways of a fisherman. To catch the fish he takes steps that engage all his wits. He uses snares, lines, angles, hooks, and nets. Yet even with all these tools, there will be fish that are not caught by any device one can make. Instead, they must be groped for and even tickled, or they will not be caught no matter what you do.

Think about the one who hunts birds. How does he seek to catch his game? It takes an assortment of tactics and devices like guns, nets, lime-twigs, light, and bell. The fowler creeps along, stands still, and takes on varied postures to remain unnoticed. Yet none of these tactics  will make him master of whatever bird he pleases. For instance, while his skills include whistling to lure and catch one bird, the very same tune will cause him to miss another bird.

Here’s another thing to think about. If, as myths suggest, a pearl may be found in a toad’s head, just as such a precious stone may be found in an oyster shell, that means two things that promise nothing contain something better than gold! Who are we to look with disdain upon an idea rather than to look there for something precious?

So it is with my little book. It may not include pretty pictures to make it attractive, but it does hold a treasure worth looking for.

Some have said, “Well, I am not fully satisfied that your book will stand when soundly tried.”

When I asked for more specifics regarding their concern, their objection amounted to things such as, “It is dark.” Or they pointed to the fact it is only fiction. Their objections lead me to ask, what is wrong with fiction? Some men, by fictional words as dark as mine, make truth, light, and reality radiate and shine by means of parables and allegorical style such as I use.

“But they want solidness,” another objected. His concern is based on an idea that such a writing style is weak and that metaphors, allegory, and similitudes are unclear. He went on to say, “They drown the weak” and “Metaphors make us blind.”

However, I don’t agree. You can write using metaphors and stand firm on what is meant. Weren’t God’s laws, His gospel laws, in olden times presented using types, shadows, and metaphors? Yet any clear-thinking man would be unwilling to find fault with them, unless he wants to come against the highest wisdom! No, instead he stoops to pick up such valuable things and seeks to understand them. He looks for the value and meaning in things like the pins and loops of the tabernacle construction and how they are a type of the uniting ministry of God’s Word, or the symbolism of heavenly things represented by calves and sheep, heifers, rams, birds and herbs, and the blood of lambs. God speaks to us in this way, and the one who understands is blessed to find light and grace in it.

Don’t think that I want anything less than the truth by choosing this writing style. The message I convey is not superficial. Consider how the Bible speaks truth in parables, while other works that appear truthful are not always true. The story should not be despised because it is allegorical. My dark and cloudy words do hold the truth, and we must be careful how we judge, lest we receive things hurtful to us as if they are nothing, while depriving our souls of things that are good.

If you look at the Bible, you’ll plainly see that the prophets used metaphors to set forth truth, and the teachings of Christ and His apostles are clothed in the same way. The Holy Scripture has metaphorical aspects and is not often amusing or entertaining. It is full of dark figures and allegories, and yet it also illuminates with a luster and radiance that dispels human gloom.

Let the critic of my book look to his own life. Even as a child of God, we all have darker aspects than those in my book, and more shining qualities too. So I say, don’t be more critical of The Pilgrim’s Progress than of yourself. Let the work stand to be judged by impartial men. Though dressed in allegorical attire, the truth still helps the troubled and immature far more than Satan’s lies. It encourages understanding and brings the will into submission. When it comes to words, the apostle Paul told Timothy to take hold of sound words and to reject old wives’ tales. However, he never forbade the use of parables which offer hidden treasures worth digging for with the greatest of care.

Before I conclude, let me ask my godly critics this: Are you offended? Do you wish I had told my story in another style? Or that I had said things in a more direct manner? Let me offer these three things to which I shall submit with respectful deference.

I find nothing in Scripture that denies the use of my allegorical method. In application, I seek the advance of truth this way. I am not denied but have permission and example, too, from those who have pleased God by their words or ways more than people alive today. So in my own way, I expressed my thoughts to declare things most excellent to you.

I find men of high esteem write in their style; yet no one puts down their writing. I agree that the abuse of truth should not be tolerated, and anyone who writes with such intent should not be tolerated. However, writing style is a matter of suitability and taste, so if you object to the style, I ask that you still support the cause of truth.

For this reason let truth be free to venture upon us in whichever way pleases God, for God knows better than any of us how He works. He has taught us first to plough, to guide our minds and pens for His purpose and designs. He uses dishonorable things to usher in the divine.

I find many places in the Holy Scripture that use aspects of this writing method in cases where one thing sets the stage for another. I use allegory in the same way. Not to smother Truth’s golden beams but to cast its rays like the light of day.

And now, before I close, I want to show the benefit of my book for everyone, and then I’ll commit my book and its readers and critics into God’s hands which are able to bring down the strong and make the weak stand. This book traces out the way from start to finish for people seeking the everlasting prize. It shows you where we come from, where we go, what we do, and what we leave undone. It demonstrates how we run the race until we are called to the gate of glory.

It shows, too, those who set out for life with all their might as if they can obtain the lasting crown by what they do. In the illustration put forth in my book, readers will also see the reason why those who strive in such a way will die like fools.

This book makes a traveler out of you, and if you are ruled by its counsel and understand its directions, you will be directed to the Holy Land. It will prod the spiritually lazy to be active and the spiritually blind to see. It will remind the forgetful of the things we should never forget. If you’re ready for a rare and profitable experience and to find the precious truth within a fictional story, then read my allegorical fancies. They will stick like burs and yet may be comforting to the helpless.

This book is written in such a way that the one who picks it up may think it nothing more than a novelty, but the gospel threads that run through it go deeper to affect the minds of apathetic men. It is able to bolster the depressed, and while it is entertaining to read, it is far from foolish. It’s a book for everyone: for those who enjoy riddles and their explanations, and for the deep thinkers who contemplate the meaning behind them. If you love to pick the meat of a matter, live in a dream while awake, or want to laugh one moment and weep the next, this book offers that and more. This story is told in such a way that you’ll question whether you are blessed or not by reading the same lines as you comprehend the truth of God with your mind and heart.