The Pharisee and the Publican

"The Pharisee and the Publican" by John Bunyan is a religious exploration of morality that examines salvation, righteousness, and how people see themselves through a Christian lens. The book uses the biblical story of the proud Pharisee and the repentant Publican, who both pray at the temple, to show the difference between thinking you're perfect and genuinely asking for forgiveness. It asks readers to consider ideas such as arrogance, compassion, and what real faith means to God, challenging the idea of judging ourselves by earthly standards. The story begins by comparing how the Pharisee and the Publican act and feel. The Pharisee is sure he's good, thanks God he's not like others (especially the Publican), and brags about his religious habits. The Publican, however, is very humble, admits he's a sinner, and begs for God's forgiveness. The book looks at what their prayers mean, pointing out the Pharisee's error in thinking too highly of himself and stressing the importance of understanding that everyone needs God's grace, and that true righteousness comes from God, not from being good on your own. This sets the stage for a more detailed look at what it means to repent and receive God's mercy.