The Holy War - John Bunyan - The Holy War Made by King Shaddai Upon Diabolus, to Regain the Metropolis of the World, Or, The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of Mansoul, is a work of Christian fiction by John Bunyan, first published in 1682. Written as an allegory, it tells the story of a perfect town (Mansoul - Man's soul). Mansoul however is persuaded to rebel and go under the rule of Diablos instead, requiring salvation from Shaddai, the Sovereign of the Universe.