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Fiction. Christian Fiction. HTML: A timeless classic on "Hell's latest novelties and Heaven's unanswerable answer" A masterpiece of satire, this classic work has entertained and enlightened readers the world over with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to "Our Father Below." At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C. S. Lewis gives us the correspondence of the worldly-wise old devil to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging account of temptationâ??and triumph over itâ??ever written, offering insights on good vs. evil, repentance, grace, and more… (more)
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Although I would probably identify right living in the light of eternal judgment the major theme, it is really incredible the number of topics Lewis touches on over the course of the Letters. I wrote a heading for each letter as I read, and ended up with such varying titles as âJargon,â âChurch/New Believers,â âFamily,â âPrayer,â âWar,â âExtremism/Fear of the Future,â âThe Demonsâ Existence,â âUndulations,â âExploring Troughs,â âWorldly Friends,â âLaughter,â âFalling Away,â âReal & Redemptive Pleasures,â âHumility,â âTime,â âChurch-[S]hopping,â âGluttony,â âEros,â âThe [Un]reality of Love,â âDesire & Temptation,â âTime & Ownership,â âLove, Noise, & Centipedes,â âCorrupting Christianity,â âSpiritual Pride,â âThe Same Old Thing,â âMarital âUnselfishness,ââ âPiety & Perception,â âPersevering,â âFear, Hate, & Despair,â âFatigue & Reality,â and âFinal Destinations.â I do not list all of these to show off or to boost the word count of my review (though the latter is, I admit, a strong temptation), but merely to show how much is here. Because of Screwtapeâs complexity and diversity, it makes for a very good group read. That was how I read it this summer, and I was continually astonished at how many great insights the varied perspectives brought to the table.
These would be impossible, of course, without Lewisâ own insights, which are often mind-boggling and convicting. I found that the chapter on âPrayerâ in particular haunted and pursued me, making me think harder about how I pray. For the most part I agree with what he has to sayâunfortunately the exception to this is an assumption that underpins a great deal of The Screwtape Lettters: the idea that, once a Christian, you can lose your salvation. This has been an underpinning of the Anglican Church since the get-go, but this concept simply isnât scriptural (2 Corinthians 1:21, John 10:28, John 6:39, 2 Timothy 2:19) and cheapens the power of Godâs saving grace. I do not believe in throwing the baby out with the bathwater, however, and after noting this discrepancy, I calmly proceeded and gleaned all I could from the restâwhich was, I repeat, a not inconsiderable amount.
Along with the insights, the humor was great throughout. You know a book is going to be good when it begins with a disclaimer like, âI have no intention of explaining how the correspondence which I now offer to the public fell into my hands.â Oh, Jack, you were a funny one, werenât you?
The thing that surprises me most about this book is the fact that a large number of atheists and agnostics seem to have read and enjoyed it, judging from various online reviews. In a way this makes me glad, for it shows Lewisâ relevance and how, to quote The Washington Post, âhe seems to speak to people where they are.â Yet, looking over said reviews, I cannot help but wonder if theyâre missing the point. Screwtape (and, by extension, Lewis) says multiple times throughout Letters that the issue is not the individual sins, but where we are ultimately going. I am glad if, in reading this, it helps others become âbetter people,â but in the great scheme of things this is not purpose or message. Take it, leave it, but donât misrepresent it.
In closing, I will mention that certain editions feature an essay following the letters entitled âScrewtape Proposes a Toast.â I had heard other Lewis fans make a great to-do about whether this was included or not, but while it contained some interesting thoughts on education, I didnât find it to be anything special. Anyway, the Letters have such a great ending already that it seems a shame to add anything to them: they make such a perfect whole as is.
Highly recommended to all who are attuned to its message.
Highly recommended, perhaps even more so for non-Christians (like myself).
2.25.09
"In the heat of composition I find that I have inadvertently allowed myself to assume the form of a large centipede."
And the humourous style of this book just makes his points all the clearer. Screwtape's insistence that it is impossible that love does not require some ulterior motive... well, that gave me a lot of things to think about, anyway.
If you like thinking about religion and morality and so on, as I seem to spend a lot of time doing these days, I recommend this, as well as The Problem Of Pain (by the same author) as good for that purpose :)
Each letter is a masterpiece of reverse theology, giving the reader an inside look at the thinking and means of temptation. Tempters, according to Lewis, have two motives: the first is fear of punishment, the second a hunger to consume or dominate other beings. On the other hand, the goal of the Creator is to woo us unto himself or to transform us through his love from "tools into servants and servants into sons." It is the dichotomy between being consumed and subsumed completely into another's identity or being liberated to be utterly ourselves that Lewis explores with his razor-sharp insight and wit.
I suspect I will return to this book in the future when I need to put life in perspective. Lewis's argument that human beings are ultimately a good bunch and that it is indeed possible to stop screwing yourself over is reassuringly convincing.
While God is viewed as one who cares about others, the devil is one that only cares about himself. He feels that God has an alternate plan that he has not disclosed and the devil wants to find out what it is. He doesn't believe in hope or even love, only sin, desire, and selfishness.
I felt that this was a really good book to read for someone who feels strong in their beliefs and can really take the time to analyze and think about this book.
An interesting approach that is both a good read and prompts some serious thought on any believer's relationship with God.
The "plot," as you probably know, is the
Screwtape is a senior demon in Hell writing advice to his protege on the
This book fits into our English genre of Finding The Self very well. From a Christian perspective, it makes the reader think about how Satan is tempting each of us individually in our own lives. When Screwtape describes a scenario in his letters, the readers begins to think about similar situations in their own lives and how, perhaps, their choices might replicate what Screwtape is describing. That process makes the reader think about themselves, the actions they have done, the choices they have made, and what they will do in the future.
I think that this is a must read for any Christian. However, that does not mean non-Christians should be wary of the book. It provides many good messages on morality which non-Christians can and should take to heart. And while the book is not something you would read simply for the enjoyment of the story, it is none-the-less good because of its intellectual nature.
This text relates well to the theme of utopias and dysopias because it speaks of heaven
I enjoyed the Screwtape letters because it is the perfect length for a book that makes you think. While not neccisarily the most interesting plot, the points made in this book are very interesting. It is a great book to make you think.