A Bunch of Hot Air

Journey to the Celestial City #48. In our continuing look at John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress,” today we find the man, Christian, having listened to his companion, Faithful’s, pilgrimage story to completion, the two good men now come across another traveler: Talkative. He is thus named for his loquacious and high-standing eloquence. Just listen to him: “What thing is so pleasant, and what so profitable, as to talk of the things of God? What things so pleasant? that is, if a man hath any delight in things that are wonderful . . . where shall he find things recorded so delightful, and so sweetly penned, as in the Holy Scripture?” And with such words and more Talkative would deceive even Faithful except for his brother Christian calling him to account. Talkative isn’t as he presents himself to be. All he really is is a bunch of hot air. And even in our day great-sounding words can give the appearance of goodness / piety while all the time abandoning true religion. “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.'” (Matthew 23:1-3) “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to “Pilgrim’s Progress Series” in the left sidebar.) pp 67-69