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The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Have you ever wondered how temptation impacts a person's thought life? C.S. Lewis' work, The Screwtape Letters is a novel written in the perspective of a demon named Screwtape in a series of letters to his nephew, Wormwood. After the first letter, the reader finds out that Wormwood's "Patient" (a Christian whom Wormwood is assigned to tempt and lure away from God) has in fact converted to Christianity, which Screwtape attributes to Wormwood's lack of experience. The book of thirty one letters is comprised of Screwtape's mentoring advice, encouragement, and even criticism of his nephew's pursuit of securing the damnation of his patient. The Screwtape letters is one of C.S Lewis' most famous works and I strongly recommend this read because it is not only informative but is distinguished in its ability to reveal to Christians the reality of the spiritual war we constantly find ourselves in.
The terminology of the book may at first seem confusing. It is important to remember that the first person perspective is indeed from the lens of a demon. God is consequently termed "The Enemy" and Screwtape constantly reminds Wormwood that their roles consist primarily of bringing many people to "Our Father Below" who is Satan. However, through the series of correspondences the more experienced Screwtape instructs Wormwood on a variety of topics that range from the temptations of sex, materialism, patriotism, and even the mundane life of an everyday man. What I personally thought as significant insight for the walk of a Christian is Wormwood's lesson to tempt his patient with smaller, more gradual sins which will eventually result in the forsaking of his religion, which is more effective in temptation over the more blatant moral sins such as immorality, rape, and murder. Screwtape writes, "We can draw our patients along by continual tempting...He [God] cannot 'tempt' to virtue as we do to vice. He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away his hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles."
I found this read absolutely fascinating because Lewis very cleverly weaves in truth and theology about Christianity in a story written through letters. Lewis' temptation narrative opens up our minds and allows us to more clearly imagine and understand how temptation works in the lives of human beings.
I will end my review with an encouragement to all Christians. :)
"Our [satan and his demons] cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's [God's] will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys."
For more famous and noteworthy quotes from C.S. Lewis click here.
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| | Posted 11/26/2007 7:04 PM - 130 Views - 14 eProps - 8 comments
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