Introduction
In the summer of 1940, C.S. Lewis had a unique idea while attending a church service in Oxford. He imagined a book consisting of letters written from one devil to another, exploring the psychology of temptation from the perspective of evil. This concept eventually became "The Screwtape Letters," a collection of 31 letters published serially in 1941 in an Anglican newspaper called the Guardian.
The book presents a series of letters from a senior devil named Screwtape to his inexperienced nephew, Wormwood. Wormwood is tasked with securing the damnation of an unnamed Englishman, referred to as "the patient." Through these letters, Lewis delves into various aspects of sin, virtue, and the human condition, offering readers a unique and often humorous perspective on the struggles of living a moral life.
While "The Screwtape Letters" is undoubtedly Christian in its content, its insights and observations can be valuable for anyone seeking to lead a more virtuous life, regardless of their religious beliefs. The book's clever premise allows readers to examine their own behaviors and motivations through a different lens, potentially leading to greater self-awareness and personal growth.
Faith and Reason
Lewis begins the book with a preface warning readers about two common errors regarding devils: either completely disbelieving in their existence or becoming unhealthily obsessed with them. He emphasizes that both extremes play into the hands of evil forces, as materialists who don't believe in devils are unlikely to believe in God, while those fascinated by devils may end up doing their bidding.
The first letter introduces the main characters and sets the stage for the ongoing battle between good and evil. Screwtape chastises Wormwood for believing that he can keep the patient away from God through logical reasoning alone. He explains that in modern times, people don't think of doctrines as "true" or "false" but rather apply labels like "outdated," "contemporary," "academic," or "practical." What matters most is that the patient feels righteous about his beliefs, regardless of their actual content.
Screwtape warns against relying too heavily on argument, as God can also use reason to draw people closer to Him. Once a person's capacity for reason is awakened, it becomes difficult to control where it might lead them. This insight highlights the complex relationship between faith and reason, suggesting that blind faith or pure logic alone may not be sufficient for spiritual growth.
The Concept of "Real Life"
One of the key strategies employed by the devils is to keep humans focused on what they perceive as "real life" – the everyday, mundane aspects of existence such as reading the newspaper, eating lunch, or riding the bus. By fixating on these immediate sensory experiences, people are less likely to contemplate spiritual matters or their relationship with God.
Screwtape advises Wormwood to exploit the contrast between the patient's lofty spiritual thoughts and the often shabby reality of church life. For example, the patient's high-minded feelings about religion might be jarred by the sight of a greasy-faced grocer offering him a liturgy in a run-down church building. This disconnect can be used to create doubt and disillusionment.
However, Screwtape also notes that it's not always preferable to focus on the "real" over the intangible. He provides a general rule: in activities that favor hell, the patient should be encouraged to be unselfconscious and concentrate on the activity itself. For instance, if the patient is admiring a woman's body, he should focus solely on her physical attributes rather than reflecting on the fact that he's experiencing lust.
Conversely, in activities that favor heaven, the patient's focus should be turned inward toward whatever illusions his mind conjures up. For example, he should be encouraged to pray for an imagined version of his mother's soul rather than for her actual recovery from rheumatism. This approach ensures that his prayers for the imagined mother never alter his treatment of the real one.
Peaks and Troughs
Screwtape introduces the concept of the "law of undulation," which states that humans constantly oscillate between peaks and troughs in various aspects of their lives. This includes their relationships, appetites, interests, and spiritual experiences. He explains that these fluctuations are a natural part of human existence and can be exploited by both heaven and hell.
Interestingly, Screwtape reveals that God often relies on the troughs for His own purposes. During these low periods, God may appear to withdraw, allowing His creations to navigate the challenges without His immediate presence. This approach tests their commitment and helps develop a stronger, more genuine faith.
However, trough periods can also be useful for hell if exploited correctly. During these times, people's inner worlds feel cold and empty, making them more susceptible to temptation. Normal, healthy pleasures can be twisted into perversions, and individuals may become more prone to seeking instant gratification or engaging in destructive behaviors.
Screwtape outlines hell's formula as "an ever-increasing craving for an ever-diminishing pleasure." The goal is to make people crave more and more of something while enjoying it less and less, turning them into pleasure-seeking machines constantly chasing fleeting desires. This insight serves as a warning against the dangers of addiction and the importance of finding genuine fulfillment rather than temporary satisfaction.
Vanity and Pleasure
The letters explore how vanity can be a powerful tool for temptation. When the patient befriends a middle-aged married couple who are rich, smart, and skeptical, Screwtape sees an opportunity to exploit the patient's desire for social acceptance. He advises Wormwood to encourage the patient to laugh at their jokes, agree with their arguments, and adopt their cynical attitudes, even if he doesn't initially feel that way himself.
Screwtape explains that humans often "turn into the thing they are pretending to be," highlighting the power of social influence and the dangers of compromising one's values for the sake of fitting in. He suggests that the patient could potentially live two parallel lives: taking pride in his religious practices while also enjoying the intellectual company of his skeptical friends. This dual existence would feed his vanity while ultimately betraying both groups.
However, Screwtape warns against allowing the patient to experience genuine pleasures, such as reading an enjoyable book or taking a pleasant walk alone. These simple joys provide a connection to reality and a sense of comfort that can strengthen a person's relationship with God. Screwtape emphasizes that real pleasures are God's weapons, as they align with a person's deepest likings and impulses, which God values and wants them to embrace.
This section of the book highlights the importance of authenticity and the dangers of living a life driven by vanity or the desire to please others. It also reminds readers of the value of simple pleasures and the need to stay true to one's nature and values.
Pride and Humility
Screwtape discusses the complex relationship between pride and humility, revealing that even seemingly positive traits can be twisted to serve evil purposes. When the patient begins to show signs of genuine humility, Screwtape advises Wormwood to draw attention to this virtue, knowing that recognizing one's own humility often leads to pride, which cancels out the original humility.
The letters explain that true humility involves self-forgetfulness and freedom from bias in one's own favor. Screwtape illustrates this concept with the example of an architect who designs the best cathedral in the world. True humility would allow the architect to recognize the achievement's value while being equally content if someone else had accomplished it instead.
Screwtape also introduces the concept of "Spiritual Pride," which he considers the "strongest and most beautiful of the vices." This involves the belief that one's own spiritual community is correct while all others are misguided or ridiculous. By exploiting this tendency, Wormwood can encourage the patient to identify strongly with a specific group of Christians, fostering a sense of superiority and exclusivity that ultimately undermines the true spirit of Christianity.
This exploration of pride and humility serves as a reminder of the subtle ways in which virtues can be corrupted and the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective on one's own achievements and beliefs.
Love and Relationships
Screwtape discusses the modern concept of "being in love" and how it has become one of hell's greatest successes. He explains that God demands either complete abstinence or permanent monogamy, presenting humans with a challenging dilemma. The idea of "being in love" as the sole legitimate basis for marriage, coupled with the expectation that this feeling should be permanent, has made monogamy increasingly difficult for many people.
The letters contrast the philosophy of hell, which emphasizes separation and competition between individuals, with heaven's philosophy of unity and cooperation. Screwtape reveals that God's idea of love has little to do with the fleeting emotion of "being in love" that humans often prioritize. Instead, God describes a married couple as "one flesh," referring to the transcendental relationship created through sex, which is meant to produce affection over time rather than serve as the reason for marriage.
This section of the book encourages readers to reconsider their understanding of love and relationships, emphasizing the importance of commitment, shared experiences, and mutual growth over temporary feelings or societal expectations.
Christianity and Politics
As the patient's faith deepens and he forms relationships with other Christians, Screwtape advises Wormwood on how to exploit the fine line between theology and politics. He explains that in each era, hell has encouraged Christian political writers to develop ideas of a "historical Jesus" that differ from the current conception of his doctrine. These constructions are designed to distract people from the core teachings of Christianity and instead focus on a version of Jesus that aligns with contemporary political or social ideologies.
Screwtape introduces the concept of "Christianity And" – the pairing of Christianity with various social, moral, or political issues. Examples include "Christianity and Vegetarianism" or "Christianity and the New Psychology." These combinations often reflect whatever is fashionable at the time, diluting the impact of Christianity and steering it away from its fundamental values of charity and truth.
This insight serves as a warning against the dangers of conflating religious beliefs with political ideologies or social movements. It encourages readers to focus on the core principles of their faith rather than getting caught up in temporary cultural trends or using religion to justify personal biases.
War and Fear
The letters address the impact of war on spirituality and morality, as the events of World War II unfold in the background of the patient's life. Screwtape explains to the naive Wormwood that war is not inherently beneficial to the cause of hell, as it often turns people towards God and inspires acts of self-sacrifice.
However, Screwtape outlines ways in which war can be exploited for evil purposes. He advises Wormwood to draw the patient into extremism, either through intense patriotism or pacifism. Both approaches serve to distract the patient from focusing on God's righteousness and instead fixate on the perceived righteousness of his own beliefs or group.
Fear is identified as a particularly useful emotion during wartime. Screwtape notes that cowardice is the only vice that is purely painful, and the more a person fears, the more likely they are to hate. This hatred can erode a person's capacity for charity and compassion, serving the purposes of hell.
This section of the book offers a nuanced perspective on the spiritual and moral challenges posed by war, encouraging readers to be mindful of how fear and extremism can negatively impact their character and relationships with others.
The Patient's Fate
In the final letter, readers learn that Wormwood has failed in his mission to secure the patient's damnation. The patient dies during a bombing raid and ascends to heaven, experiencing a profound sense of peace and joy as he sheds his earthly concerns and enters into the presence of God and angels.
Screwtape describes the patient's transition as if he had "peeled off an old, wet garment and set foot into a gloriously hot pool." This vivid imagery contrasts sharply with the world of bombs, screams, and falling houses that the patient leaves behind, emphasizing the transformative nature of the afterlife and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
As for Wormwood, his failure has dire consequences. Screwtape ominously refers to one of hell's laws: "Bring us back food, or be food yourself." This implies that Wormwood will be devoured by his uncle and other devils as punishment for his incompetence, serving as a dark reminder of the merciless nature of evil.
Final Thoughts
"The Screwtape Letters" offers readers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on human nature, morality, and spirituality. By presenting these ideas through the lens of demonic correspondence, C.S. Lewis creates a compelling narrative that encourages self-reflection and critical thinking about one's own behaviors and motivations.
Throughout the book, several key themes emerge:
The subtle nature of temptation: The letters reveal how easily humans can be led astray through seemingly innocuous thoughts and actions, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and vigilance in maintaining one's moral compass.
The complexity of virtue: Lewis explores how even positive traits like humility can be twisted to serve negative purposes, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of morality.
The power of small choices: The book illustrates how everyday decisions and habits can have significant impacts on a person's spiritual and moral development.
The importance of authenticity: The letters warn against the dangers of living a life driven by vanity or the desire to please others, encouraging readers to stay true to their values and nature.
The relationship between faith and reason: Lewis presents a balanced view of how both faith and reason play important roles in spiritual growth and understanding.
The nature of love and relationships: The book challenges popular notions of romantic love and encourages a deeper, more committed approach to relationships.
The impact of external forces: War, social pressure, and cultural trends are shown to have significant influences on individual morality and spirituality.
The ultimate triumph of good: Despite the constant temptations and challenges faced by the patient, the book concludes with his ascension to heaven, affirming the power of faith and perseverance.
While "The Screwtape Letters" is rooted in Christian theology, its insights and observations can be valuable for readers of various backgrounds. The book's clever premise allows for a fresh examination of common human struggles and temptations, potentially leading to greater self-awareness and personal growth.
By viewing human foibles through a devilish lens, Lewis invites readers to consider their own behaviors and motivations more critically. The book serves as a reminder that temptation is ever-present and that maintaining one's moral and spiritual integrity requires constant effort and vigilance.
Ultimately, "The Screwtape Letters" leaves readers with a sense of hope and encouragement. Despite the numerous tactics employed by Screwtape and Wormwood, the patient ultimately triumphs and finds peace in the afterlife. This outcome suggests that while humans may face countless temptations and struggles, they have the capacity to overcome these challenges and emerge on the side of good.
The book's enduring popularity and relevance speak to its ability to address fundamental aspects of the human experience. By presenting complex philosophical and theological concepts in an accessible and engaging format, Lewis has created a work that continues to resonate with readers decades after its initial publication.
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, "The Screwtape Letters" serves as a valuable guide, encouraging us to examine our choices, question our motivations, and strive for authenticity and virtue in our daily lives. It reminds us that the battle between good and evil is not just an abstract concept but a reality that plays out in the small decisions and actions we take each day.
In conclusion, "The Screwtape Letters" offers a unique and insightful exploration of human nature, morality, and spirituality. Through its clever premise and engaging narrative, the book encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and strive for personal growth and ethical living. Whether approached as a work of Christian literature or a broader philosophical examination of human behavior, Lewis's masterpiece continues to challenge and inspire readers to consider the deeper aspects of their existence and the choices they make in their journey through life.