Observations/Reflections: On John Bunyan's Fear as a Young Person
Status: Dictated but Not Reviewed
Published: 08/19/2010
Written: 01/12/2010
Dictated By: Flint McGlaughlin

I think it's fascinating that Bunyan, in his spiritual autobiography, details the perceived depravity of his childhood, but also inadvertently, points out the difference, perhaps between him and his peers. Even as a child he was vexed deeply by his sin. Moreover, he was so troubled by the possibilities of hell, that at times he had a peculiar wish. He wished he'd been born a "devil" rather than human. In his young mind, he thought of the "devils" as tormenters and of humans as the tormented.

I find it fascinating that he was highly sensitized to his sin condition. I perceive the same about Augustine, though he often downplays it in his work.