Pilgrim's Progress and the Muckrake

[friend of]

I always thought the story of the man with the muckrake represented a Christian who just got into heaven by the skin of their teeth and was therefore consigned to menial labour in the Kingdom. This link says otherwise. What do you think?

The Man with the Muck Rake, from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress

 

[Running2win]

I always thought the story of the man with the muckrake represented a Christian who just got into heaven by the skin of their teeth and was therefore consigned to menial labour in the Kingdom. This link says otherwise. What do you think?

The Man with the Muck Rake, from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress

I read it a long time ago, but think the observation is correct.

I take it this is the text? So the carnal mind does not know the things of God-not born again.

Romans 8,

5Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.


INTERPRETER: Thou hast said right, said he; and his muck-rake doth show his carnal mind. And whereas thou seest him rather give heed to rake up straws and sticks, and the dust of the floor, than to do what He says that calls to him from above with the celestial crown in his hand; it is to show, that heaven is but as a fable to some, and that things here are counted the only things substantial. Now, whereas it was also showed thee that the man could look no way but downwards, it is to let thee know that earthly things, when they are with power upon men’s minds, quite carry their hearts away from God.

 

[dms1972]

I always thought the story of the man with the muckrake represented a Christian who just got into heaven by the skin of their teeth and was therefore consigned to menial labour in the Kingdom. This link says otherwise. What do you think?

The Man with the Muck Rake, from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress

Thanks for the post / question. I don't think it represents a soul in heaven doing menial labour. The scriptural reference Bunyan gives is to Proverbs 30:8. As noted in Running2Win's post the explanation of this character is given in the dialogue between Christiana and the Interpreter.

The thought that first came into my mind was that the point Bunyan makes is a bit like the one CS Lewis makes in the last part of the Chronicles of Narnia with the dwarfs. I don't know if you are familiar with those stories. Some of the dwarfs entered the New Narnia through the stable door but could not apprehend were they where, they still thought they were in a dark, manky stable, and when Aslan shook his mane and produced a feast for them, they thought they were eating stable straw and bits of turnips. Well that was what came to mind, I don't think its quite the same picture, but Lewis handles things in one way, and Bunyan in another.