Derek Thomas

Why did he have Christian sort of falter at the end?

What a wonderful thing to put in the book.

Imagine if Christian had been Mr. Valiant for truth.

And imagine that he hadn't written part two and all you had was part one of Pilgrim's Progress.

And therefore Bunyan is saying, this is the stereotypical Christian death.

It's one of absolute triumph and confidence and there's no trial and there's no difficulty.

And Bunyan realized that's not how some Christians die.

Even the best of Christians have moments of struggle.

And I think it's beautiful that Bunyan would have his own principal character, Christian,

falter a little at the end.

What confidence that gives us.

What hope that gives us.

What encouragement that gives us.

That God brings home even those who falter at the end.

That it's all of grace from beginning to end.

It's not great faith that saves.

It is faith in Christ that saves.

And that faith may be weak faith.

And it may be faltering faith.

And I find that incredibly pastoral, I think.