The Screwtape Letters: Letters 7-9

So tonight, we are discussing letters 7-9.

And letters 7-9 deal with the topics of, “Patriotism and Pacifism”, “The Law of Undulation” and “Exploiting Undulation”.

I find quite a bit of insight in these 3 letters, as to the mindset that the enemy produces in that of believers, at any point in their walk with the Lord, but especially early on, as new Christians.

That is part of the benefit that I am wanting to express to all of you, about our reading and studying this book and discussing it together.

All of the insight that C. S. Lewis had in writing this book, serves to validate the necessity of our drawing as close to the Lord Jesus as possible, because, on our own and in our own natural mind, we can be deceived into drifting apart in our relationship with Him, and not even truly realize it.

We can “feel” like we are doing what’s right, but “feelings” are emotional and natural and these things can be skewed dramatically by the enemy!

Also, the more of a knowledge that we gain about the deception and the wiles of the enemy, the more we can begin to help others.

This should ALWAYS be backed up with Biblical doctrine and direct scripture passages, when speaking to someone that we see may be being mislead by the enemy.

In other words, you wouldn’t want to approach someone and say that they are being deceived by the enemy and we know this, because C. S. Lewis told us so, or say, according to C.S. Lewis!

We should be able to approach someone and use the book as an example of how the enemy works so that they can see it for themselves, and then give them scripture that sheds the truth of God’s Word upon this situation and into their life. AMEN?!

So, Let’s move on into chapter 7!

Letter 7: (Summary) - Screwtape tells his nephew for the time being it is best they conceal their presence, it is better for the patient to not believe in their existence, to keep him focused on meaningless tasks. It does not matter whether the patient become an extreme pacifist or patriot concerning the war, provided he become an extremist. All extremes, except extreme devotion to God should be encouraged, according to Screwtape. Push the patient to extreme intensity for a specific cause, let him treat patriotism or pacifism as an essential part of his religion....so that it becomes the most important part. Eventually, you can nurse the patient into a position where religion is part of the cause, and Christianity is a means for achieving the chief objective of either patriotism or pacifism.

Highlighted thoughts and statements and questions:

“Once you have made the World an end, and faith a means, you have almost won your man, and it makes very little difference what kind of worldly end he is pursuing. Provided that meetings, pamphlets, policies, movements, causes, and crusades, matter more to him than prayers and sacraments and charity, he is ours—and the more "religious" (on those terms) the more securely ours.” - Screwtape

Question: According to Screwtape, what is the “cruel dilemma” demons face in deciding whether or not making their existence known to man?

Answer: When demons keep their existence hidden, they have an advantage. Men do not believe in them; and therefore, men do not believe in the existence of any great evil. As a result, humans are turned into materialist and skeptics. The downside of this secrecy is that humans are not suffering from “direct terrorism”. Since we do not believe in demons, we do not fear them. By remaining hidden, demons are also prevented from having people follow them out of a desire for power.

Question: Do comic figures or benign illustrations of “devils” assist in the work of Screwtape and Wormwood? How does the media inhibit our belief in demons and spirits?

Answer: According to Screwtape, “ If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that (it is an old textbook method of confusing them) he therefore cannot believe in you.” In other words, no logical human will put their trust in a comical depiction, that man has obviously fabricated!

Generally, the media presents demons as comical figures just as Screwtape suggests. They are depicted with tails and horns and as being completely repulsive when, in fact, they are powerful, fallen angels in the spiritual world.

Question: At the time this letter was written (Remember the setting is during World War II), Screwtape claims it is their policy to conceal themselves. What about today? Would you say that at the present time Screwtape would still say to keep demonic existence a secret?

Answer: Even though we see much evil in the world today and an increasing attack on Christian morals, values, and beliefs, demons are no more revealed to us today than 50 years ago. The very fact that people are less worried about their spiritual condition than they are about surrounding themselves with the comforts of this world means that Satan is hiding his army.

very fact that people are less worried about their spiritual condition than they are about surrounding themselves with the comforts of this world means that Satan is hiding his army.

However, I do believe that in the last decade, their has been a more accepted and embraced cultural shift, that dabbling into the occultic and pagan worship, has been embraced from this new generation. This, telling us, that the enemy has made the enticement of pursuing his realm something to be desired and also that there are some, whom he reveals the power of the darkness to, but most likely masquerading as the “angel of light”, and not the truth of what and who he really is!

very fact that people are less worried about their spiritual condition than they are about surrounding themselves with the comforts of this world means that Satan is hiding his army.

Question: Screwtape suggests that the church, although heavily guarded, has proven successful in exploiting extremism by creating subordinate factions. What extremism do we find in the church today? From a Christian perspective, is there any extremism to be desired?

Answer: One example of extremism in the church can be found when any political ideology is promoted from the pulpit and through materials distributed by the church. Extremism can also be found in methods of teaching Scripture that condemn others without offering forgiveness or even a worship style that is promoted as the most spiritual and godly while alienating others.

The only form of extremism that should be desired by a Christian is the one that Screwtape said we should avoid, and that is extreme dedication to God and upholding the truth of His Word.

EXAMPLE: Once the enemy gets false teachings pushed into the church, then it is easier to get factions started. The same thing applies to the general community. Once the TRUTH is being taught as a LIE, then factions are easily formed.

For instance, people say that there are just misinterpretations of what the Bible is saying about the whole same sex agenda that has made progress in this nation like a steam roller. When in fact, there is nothing to misinterpret. The Bible makes no sketchy remarks about this and clearly calls it a sin in the eyes of God.

But churches have these extreme factions in their bodies that demand equal positions for those who fall into this community, be given within the church.

Listen to this: In June of 2017, Canadian Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, asked teachers to attend a seminar on LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP Inclusiveness Training. And in case you are wondering what this acronym means, here goes - Lesbian, Gay, Genderqueer, Bisexual, Demisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Twospirit, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Allies, Pansexual, and Polyamorous.

This is an example of how one faction pushes and demands its extremism, not only in the community, but in churches as well.

Mention also about Lisa and her work training, as a NEW CHRISTIAN and the struggle this places her under! (READ LIST OF PRONOUNS!)

HE/SHEHIM/HERHIS/HERHIS/HERSHIMSELF/HERSELFziezimzirziszieselfsiesiehirhirshirselfeyemeireirseirselfvevervisversverselfteytertemtersterselfeemeireirsemself

Letter 8: Summary - In the eighth letter, it is obvious that Screwtape is becoming increasingly annoyed with Wormwood’s inexperience and naive enthusiasm. Wormwood’s hopes that his patient’s religious phase is dying away are quickly dashed by Screwtape’s explanation of the law of Undulation, details of God’s master plan for humans, and how those plans contrast to Satan’s master plans.

Highlighted thoughts and statements and questions:

“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger, than when a human, no longer desiring, but intending, to do our Enemy'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.” - Screwtape

Question: What is the law of Undulation that Screwtape mentions of in this letter to Wormwood? How do each of you tend to respond to the ups and the downs in this spiritual journey?

Answer: Screwtape describes the law of Undulation as a series of peaks and troughs—the highs and lows, the mountaintops and the valleys—that play out through every human life. He states that all of our activities follow this rule including our work, family, friends, our affections, physical appetites and eventually our faith.

I think that the main thing that a true Christian must remember, is that, as the Word states, we are to come before God with THANKSGIVING in all things and in all situations and circumstances. Whether on the mountain peak, or the deepest valley, we thank Him for being with us and for guiding us according to His will and His plan for our life!

QUOTE: According to Screwtape, “Humans are amphibians—half spirit and half animal. (The Enemy's determination to produce such a revolting hybrid was one of the things that determined Our Father to withdraw his support from Him.) As spirits they belong to the eternal world, but as animals they inhabit time.”

Question: How could we best explain this and what should we remember about ourselves as created beings?

Answer: As spirits we belong to the eternal world and are directed to eternal objective. As animals we inhabit a fixed time, and our physical bodies, passions, and imagination are in constant change—or Undulation.

We must remember that we were created in the image of God () as spiritual beings, placed within a physical shell. Our creation was unique and inherently for the worship of and an intimate relationship with almighty God.

Genesis 1:27 NLT

27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

It has been quoted, “We don't have a soul. We are a soul. We happen to have a body.”

Question: According to Screwtape, God, “relies on the troughs even more than on the peaks” in our lives. From what we know of the Bible, why is this?

Read ,

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Read ,

Romans 5:3 ESV

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

Answer: . James does not say “if” you experience trials, but rather “when”. Trials are not elective. They are a required as part of being human. You pass the test of your faith is when you choose to trust God in a severe trial. God uses the tough times in our lives to help build our character and draw us closer to him. If you follow the progression of these two verses beginning with James, the ultimate goal is hope and trust in Him in all circumstances.

Quote: “He really does want to fill the universe with a lot of loathsome little replicas of Himself—creatures, whose life, on its miniature scale, will be qualitatively like His own, not because He has absorbed them but because their wills freely conform to His. We want cattle who can finally become food; He wants servants who can finally become sons. We want to suck in, He wants to give out. We are empty and would be filled; He is full and flows over. Our war aim is a world in which Our Father Below has drawn all other beings into himself: the Enemy wants a world full of beings united to Him but still distinct.”

1. Servants to become sons Cattle to become food

Any thoughts about this?

2. Give out Suck in

RE-READ QUOTE FROM THE 1ST OF THIS LETTER AND ASK FOR THOUGHTS ON ITS MEANING.

3. Fill us Empty us

“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger, than when a human, no longer desiring, but intending, to do our Enemy'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.” - Screwtape

4. Draw us to Him but be distinct Absorb us into him

Letter 9: Summary - In this letter, Screwtape advises Wormwood on how to best exploit his patient’s spiritual dry period by first trapping the man with sensual pleasures (especially sex) then by attacking his faith directly. Screwtape also discusses the subject of pleasure in its original, pure form as designed by god, and he explains how satan perverts pleasure and transforms it into sin.

Highlighted thoughts and statements and questions:

Question: Why did Screwtape say that one of the most effective methods of tempting people during the “trough periods” is through sexual temptation? Why is it not effective during our “peak periods”?

Answer: During times of stress and/or emptiness, we will look for anything to provide comfort or even a distraction. That is when we become easy prey for satan’s tempters. During the peak periods, we are also at risk to "sensual temptations", but our "powers of resistance are then also at their highest."

Question: What does Screwtape mean by,”Never forget that when we are dealing with any pleasure in its healthy and normal and satisfying form, we are in a sense, on the Enemy’s ground?” What is the workaround Screwtape suggests to Wormwood?

Answer: Pleasure is the invention of God, and He desires for us to experience it under natural conditions in ways that glorify Him. Satan cannot produce any pleasures. Therefore, he must take those God created pleasures and corrupt them in ways that God has forbidden. This is the basic concept behind sin. Sin is doing anything at a time that God forbids, in a way God forbids, or in an amount God forbids (pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and drunkenness).

Question: What is another way that Screwtape suggests exploiting the dry spell that the patient is going through?

Answer: Screwtape urges Wormwood to keep it out of the patient’s mind that this is just a phase, but rather persuade him that this is a permanent condition. Satan’s goal is to keep us in the dark with misguided illusions that the Christian life is always perfect with no dry spells.

Like, where Screwtape tells Wormwood to get the patient to begin to believe that the first few days of his Christian experience were a little “excessive” and that now, they are normalizing and that this is how things really are as a Christian. Once a person believes that the initial excitement ended and the rest of the time as a Christian is really like this dry and uninspiring place, they will adhere to this and become complacent and eventually just drop off, or go through the motions of being religious, so as to placate and appease the conscious!

“ A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all—and more amusing.” - Screwtape

This is how the next question come into play.

Question: What is another option that Screwtape mentions as a means to exploit the patient during his dry spell?

Answer: After causing him to believe the dry spell is permanent, you can directly attack his faith and convince him that his faith was just a phase anyway.