The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Letters between a demon and his nephew discussing methods to use in an attempt to make a human fall from God’s grace.

Wow! The Screwtape Letters was like nothing I’d ever read before. It was entertaining and thought-provoking. The premise of this satire published in 1942 is: Screwtape is a senior demon in Hell who is writing letters to his nephew Wormwood. Wormwood is a novice tempter who has been tasked with facilitating the fall of a certain man (called the patient). Screwtape’s letters contain strategies for Wormwood to implement for success. The letters span over the man’s conversion to Christianity, struggles with is mother, acceptance into a new friend group, a war and a romantic relationship with a Christian woman. All the while, Wormwood is trying to get him to turn away from Christ or at least adopt a sinful life that appears to be pious. The frightening beauty of this text is that Screwtape isn’t advising that Wormwood get this man to denounce Christianity or engage in any overt sin. Instead, he encourages Wormwood to instigate small falls like vanity, pride, and complacency. The focus on the self was enough to make progress towards this man’s fall. They discuss ways to encourage him to look at fellow church members with a critical eye. They praised any sense of tribal-like pride. They wanted the man to regard his faith as a more ideological thing, rather than a belief in something that’s rooted in truth. The book was enjoyable to read in that it doesn’t feel like some hellfire sermon to scare you. It is written in a palatable way, perhaps because it’s clever and we know it is fiction. That said, the book did scare me in the best way.  I saw myself in many of the things Screwtape described as unholy traits. I wanted to learn more because it was an eye-opener. I certainly felt called to examine my own conscience and make changes. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone active in the faith. It really is that good!