Outside Reading 2: Critique of Hinds Feet on High Places

Outside Reading 2: Critique of Hinds Feet on High Places
December 10, 2017

Over the past several months I have very slowly been reading through the book Hinds Feet on High Place. This book, written by author Hannah Hurnard is an allegorical novel. It is quite popular among the Christians because it depicts a beautiful relationship that seems to reflect the relationship Jesus has with humanity.

Characters in the book have names that describe the sin with which they struggle the most. The main character, who is named Much Afraid, struggles with fear. Much Afraid lives in a valley called the Valley of Shadow and Death, and it is her dream to go to The High Places. She is friends with a Shepherd who is unlike anyone she has met--she feels excited and even brave in his presence. He promises her love and tells her that he will help her get to the High Places if she follows him.Though I have not gotten this far, I know that once Much Afraid gets to the Hind Places, she will receive a new name.

When reading the book it is clear why it is well-loved. There is much biblical truth within the pages, and the writing and language used is lovely.At this point, I am currently only towards the beginning of the book. As I read though, I continue to be confronted with something I think is confusing from a biblical perspective. On page 26 of the book the Shepherd asks Much Afraid if she would like the seed of love planted in her heart. Much Afraid is very hesitant about the idea of love in that she fears not being loved in return. She asks the Shepherd to promise he will love her if she loves him. The following passage describes the Shepherd’s response:
“The smile he turned on her then was the gentlest and kindest she had ever seen, yet once again, and for the same undefinable reason as before, it cut her to the quick. ‘Yes,’ he said without hesitation, ‘I promise you, Much Afraid, that when the plant of Love is ready to bloom in your heart and when you are ready to change your name, then you will be loved in return’” (Hurnard 26).
This is confusing to me because the Shepherd, who is meant to represent Jesus, tells Much Afraid, who is meant to represent us, that once she is able to love him, then he will love her “in return.” This disturbs me because the Bible states the complete opposite of this. In 1 John 4:19 in the bible it says that “We love because he first loved us.” God does not love in response to our love for him. Unlike the Shepherd in the book, The Lord does not actually need use to be loving before loving us. This is so encouraging to me.


It was shocking for me to find something that seems un-biblical in a book as beautifully written as Hinds Feet on High Places. I think this was a good reminder to me though. Just because something is beautiful and well-loved does not mean it is flawless. I am grateful for this reminder and I am also excited to continue reading through this book.

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