Week 8: Vanity Fair — Faithful Martyred, Hopeful Rises

1.Bunyan traces Vanity Fair to the very beginning: Beelzebub, Apollyon, and Legion set it up because "the way to the city lay through this town" — and they contrived to tempt every pilgrim who passed through. Christ himself passed through the fair "on a fair day" and was offered all the kingdoms of the world, but "left the town, without laying out so much as one farthing upon these vanities." What does it mean for your life that the road to the Celestial City necessarily passes through Vanity Fair? Is there any route around it?

2.The pilgrims are conspicuous in the fair for three reasons: their clothing is different, they speak a different language ("the language of Canaan"), and they refuse to look at or buy any of the merchandise. When asked "What will ye buy?" they answer simply, "We buy the truth." In what practical ways are Christians today conspicuous (or should be conspicuous) in the cultural marketplace? What is the equivalent of "buying the truth" in your context?

3.The trial of Faithful is a parody of justice. The judge is Lord Hate-good; the witnesses are Envy, Superstition, and Pickthank; the jury includes Mr. Blind-man, Mr. No-good, Mr. Malice, Mr. Love-lust, Mr. Cruelty, and Mr. Implacable. Faithful's "crime" is that he said Christianity and the customs of Vanity were "diametrically opposite." What does this satirical court reveal about how the world adjudicates claims of truth? How do you see similar dynamics in contemporary culture?