Bunyan's Portrait of a Pastor

Brad · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 01:04 PM

Here is John Bunyan's description of a Pastor, a Shepherd of the Lord's flock:

Quote:

Inter. Then said the Interpreter, Come in, I will shew thee that which
will be profitable to thee. So he commanded his man to light the Candle, and
bid Christian follow him, so he had him into a private room, and bid his man
open a door; the which when he had done, Christian saw the Picture of a very
grave Person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it. It had
eyes lifted up to Heaven, the best of Books in his hand, the Law of Truth was
written upon his lips, the World was behind his back. It stood as if it
pleaded with men, and a Crown of Gold did hang over his head.

Chr. Then said Christian, What means this?

Inter. The Man whose Picture this is, is one of a thousand; he can beget
children, travel in birth with children, and nurse them himself when they are
born. And whereas thou seest him with his eyes lift up to Heaven, the best of
Books in his hand, and the Law of Truth writ on his lips, it is to shew thee
that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners; even as also thou
seest him stand as if he pleaded with men; and whereas thou seest the World as
cast behind him, and that a Crown hangs over his head, that is to shew thee
that slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he
hath to his Master's service, he is sure in the world that comes next to have
Glory for his reward. Now, said the Interpreter, I have shewed thee this
Picture first, because the Man whose Picture this is, is the only man whom the
Lord of the place whither thou art going, hath authorized to be thy guide in
all difficult places thou mayest with in the way; wherefore take good heed to
what I have shewed thee, and bear well in thy mind what thou hast seen, lest
in thy Journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but their
way goes down to death.

Now Bunyan seems to infer that a pilgrim ought to take care, and examine closely those who would presume to take that Office. Is that appropriate for laypersons to do, and if so, what would that entail in practice?

Wannabee · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 01:57 PM

First of all, thanks for the quote. It's convicting.

Second of all, I read it to say that Christian is to only follow a shepherd whose mind dwells on the things of God and Scripture and whose eyes are on the Lord and not the things of the world, "lest in thy Journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but their way goes down to death." This is how to measure a man of God.

EricP · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 02:45 PM

I don't believe that Bunyon was giving his "shopping list" of qualifications for a pastor. In Interpreter's house Christian was shown a variety of "excellent things" (like the man with the unsanctified heart, etc), and more or less shown the spiritual reality behind those that Christian met in the world. That being said, it IS a wonderful description of what a real pastor should be...

Houston E. · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 03:15 PM

And this can't be done by simply standing behind a pulpit once a week.