The Screwtape Letters - A Small Group Study

Review: Letter 30 discussed fatigue and reality. Were you tired this past week? How did you react in this state? Outline: The patient is killed by a bomb. The patient now sees the demons for what they really are, as well as angels and the Lord. Lewis uses some dramatic analogies to this new revelation; my favorite being taking off the wet, musty clothes. Terminology: Poppet - like a puppet, affectionate name Pigsnie - A specially cherished or beloved man or boy; a term of endearment. Tetter - any of various vesicular skin diseases (such as ringworm, eczema, and herpes) Prostration - the act of stretching out with face on the ground in adoration or submission Mawkish - sickly or overly sentimental Questions/Discussions: Remember that we have victory through Christ. Satan is a liar and an accuser and our adversary. Discuss the differences between conviction and condemnation? The differences to what the Holy Spirit tells us versus Satan? A comparison chart. Homew...

Review: Letter 29 discussed fear and being a coward. Outline: Screwtape scolds Wormwood for lack of progress and warns him that he will be in trouble if he does not start producing results. The patient was fearful, but still obeyed the Lord. Discusses the merits of fatigue, warning that total exhaustion is not wanted because it can lead to gentleness and absoluteness. Moderate fatigue where they shatter a man's hopes of near relief can be very productive for Satan. Even if real relief is coming shortly, if they get the patient to anger just prior to the relief, then they have won. Differences between the sexes when fatigued: women talk more, men talk less. Also discusses twisting the idea of reality: have the negative things in life be felt as "reality" and the good things as mere sentiment. (e.g. guts splattered = reality, happy children = sentiment). Terminology: Irremediable - impossible to remedy or correct. poppet - puppet, like a toy. Questions/Dis...

Review: Letter 28 talked about growing old and loosing an enthusiasm for doing God's will. Are we relying on our experience rather than the Lord? Outline: Screwtape discusses with Wormwood how to make the patient react to the fact that the Germans will bomb his home town. He bring up three choices: Courage, Cowardice, or Hatred. Courage won't work because the demons have never been successful in producing a virtue. Though if a man has a virtue they can use it against him via pride. Hatred they can produce especially with conditions present (noise, danger, and fatigue). They can use deception in making him feel hatred, not for himself, but for the women and children. (though he doesn't see their enemies as his own) Hatred is great when mixed with Fear (cowardice). It is a painful emotion and offsets the "pleasure" of Hatred. However, fear is one vice of which the Enemy has never been able to make proud. Have to be careful of fear/cowardice because this can...

Review: Letter 27 talked about being petitions in our prayer. While we don't want to be selfish, it is okay to take our requests to the Lord. Outline: Screwtape scolds Wormwood for forgetting that the War is not the important thing at this point. In fact, if the patient were to die at this point he would be lost to the Lord. The impact of the War also serves the Lord by drawing the patient's attention to others and the consequences of death. Death should not be our primary concern. Then discusses the fact that it is difficult to stay in the Lord's camp for years after years. The prosperity and security we gain over the years can weigh us down. Terminology: Eugenics - a science dealing changing the human species by controlling breeding and reproduction. Questions/Discussions: Depending on where you are in life, this letter may not be as meaningful to us as others. It deals with getting older and losing that reckless abandonment. I'd like to think that we...

Review: Letter 26 talked about being charitable versus unselfish. I know I realized that in small group, I often held off saying something that probably needed to be said because I didn't want to take time away from any one else. Outline: Screwtape scolds Wormwood for allowing the patient's  love  and its distraction to become the top topic of the patient's prayers. Screwtape suggests that the patient should be encouraged "to thrust it away by sheer will power" instead of taking it to the Lord. New strategy based on the patient thinking about his happy life on Earth. This in turn has him praying more purely petitioning prayers. While there is some hope by Screwtape that this could be used to make the patient feel he should not pray selfishly, the Lord does command us to pray for our daily bread. Therefore, petitioning prayer is in obedience to the Lord. However, if the patient must petition in his prayers, then use that to make him start to doubt or ques...

Review: Letter 25 talked about Mere Christianity vs. Christianity; And… along with the Horror of the Same Old Thing. Outline: Screwtape points out that Wormwood should be planting seeds during the courtship time that they can use later on. Most of this revolves around the differences between Charity and Unselfishness. Denying or ignoring what we want or wish is not necessarily being unselfish. Men and Women tend to have general difference: Women want to go out of their way to help. Perhaps to the point of getting in the way. Men try to stay out of it all together in order to not trouble anyone. We get self righteous about our unselfishness. Terminology: Foment - to stir up, to instigate Ostensibly - apparently, making well known Altruism - unselfish interest in the welfare of others Obstinacy - stubbornness, unyielding Questions/Discussions: Small group exercise. Ask for input on something, perhaps the next lesson and then start asking for input on a crazy idea ...

Review: Letter 24 talked about Spiritual Pride. What makes Christians different? Did you pray for an opportunity to lift others up? Outline: Screwtape points out the trouble with the group the patient is hanging out with is that they are  merely  Christian. Wormwood needs to work on "their horror of the Same Old Thing". As with other things, change (something different) is a natural and necessary part of life. The Lord, however, does not want us to focus on change just like eating should not be our focus. Examples include the seasons, the school years, etc. The goodness of this attack is: Diminish pleasure while increase desire Needed to produce fashions or vogues Use fashions in thought to draw attention to things which really are not a threat and to draw attention away from things that really are a threat. More jargon attacks. Instead of asking whether it is righteous, ask if it is progressive or reactionary. Terminology: Incessant - continuing without int...

Review: Letter 23 talked about creating a  historical Jesus.  Did you think about who Jesus is this week instead of who he was or what the World would tell us he was? Outline: Screwtape has found a weak area in the patient's young woman. She looks down on those that do not share her belief. She thinks them less intelligent. She believes it based on faith, but it is more that she is a product of her environment. This spiritual pride is not of much use against her, but it could be used against the patient. Since the patient is a young Christian, it is easier to make him proud in this area. The group tends to add to the possibility of spiritual pride: The group is better educated and more intelligent than any other he has encountered He is mistaken about his place in the group. He is beginning to believe he is truly worthy of this group. The patient really thinks he knows what all the others are talking about. But those people are very forgiving and understanding to ...

Review: Letter 22 was mostly Screwtape complaining about Wormwood's blunder of allowing the patient to fall in love with a true Christian. Also discussed the 'noise' Satan brings into our lives and smelling of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17. Did you get hit with any noise this week? Run into anyone who just reeked of the Holy Spirit? Outline: Screwtape is more composed than in his last letter. He is concerned about the patient really getting to know these new, true Christians. Talks about using the third type of power: The World, The Flesh, Angel of Light. Screwtape now has a new strategy to combat the situation. These new Christian friends seem very intelligent. Attack him in a way that borders between theology and politics. Get him to look at the "historical Jesus" based on biography of a past character. Tends to direct attention to something which does not exist. As we create a historical Jesus who is how we imagine he  was. Makes it look like Je...

Review: Letter 20 showed an end to direct attacks on the patient's chastity and Screwtape wanting to find the proper "type" of wife for the patient. It discussed sexual taste, how it has changed over time, and how it differs from want God wants for us. Letter 21 continues on the road to finding the proper woman for the patient. Also discusses the idea that we can say "mine" of nothing. It is all the Lord's in the first place. This includes time. And most importantly, we should avoid "My God" in relation to "my boots". This ties back into chastity on grounds that we do not really own our bodies. Did anyone read Song of Solomon? Record how they spent their time? Outline: Patient has fallen in Love with the worse type of woman Not in report wormwood submitted Strong Christian Two faced: faint at the sight of blood, but die with smile on her face Screwtape cries about unfairness of God. God provides us unlimited pleasures. ...

Review: Wants to find the right (wrong) woman for the patient. Best weapon is make patient think that he has no choice when it comes to temptation than to yield to it. Outline: During sexual temptation work on other peeves. Attack patient with confusion in making him think that he owns his own time, money, body, and even God. Anger/frustration when some one drops by unexpected. Must not try to argue the patient into believing this because there is not any logical argument. Keep his mind off of that. In the end either Satan or the Lord will claim us as 'mine'. Terminology: Tête-à-tête - private conversation between two people Chattels - an item of property, something you own  Pedantic - making a show of one's knowledge Titular - existing in title only, nominal Questions/Discussions: Stop and think how you spent your time today? Do you think you put in enough time for Christ? Where are some bad places to sleep or circumstances to fall asleep in? If...

Review: Is "being in love" good or bad? Depends on whether it is taking the patient closer to God or the Enemy. What did Screwtape admit he was wrong about? That God could not possibly love us. It's impossible. Angels/Demons cannot understand the relationship we have with the Lord. Outline: God has put an end to direct attacks on patient's chastity "The Enemy always does" Best weapon of Enemy is to make us think we have no hope other than yielding to the temptation. Still waiting on report about women to set the patient up with that would be favorable to Satan's position. Describes: Misdirection of sexual 'taste' and how that has changed over the years Describes 2 types of women: One which he would have no trouble telling God this is the one I love. There are times even with these women we can sin if they belong to someone else. The other which he just 'wants' or as Lewis says 'desires to desire' .Now in normal c...

Review: We confuse "being in love" with some sort of prerequisite for marriage and therefore excuse to marry anyone I want or not the one God wants me to marry. Outline: Screwtape admits he was wrong and asks Wormwood not to show letters to anyone. He had repeatedly said that God loves us humans, but that cannot be since unique things are in competition. Therefore, God must have an ulterior motive. Tells lie of how Satan left heaven over this point. Wormwood had asked whether "being in love" was a good state. Screwtape says that is question for patient; just use it to keep him away from God. So it depends on the patient: "I am saving myself" not because God wants him too, but because of pride (Gluttony of delicacy). Make him think it is "bad". Prone to emotion, romantic, who thinks it is irresistible. Make him think it is "good". Steer patient into an undesirable marriage (though God's invention) that could be useful to ...

Review: Gluttony of Excess and Gluttony of Delicacy Outline: God demands either complete abstinence or unmitigated monogamy. Satan has made the first very difficult over time. Working on the latter by making "being in love" a requirement for marriage; so when no longer in love, no longer married. Satan claims that everything is in competition, and absorbing the weaker. God uses what appears to be a contradiction: many, yet one. "the organism" many parts are made to cooperate. Looks at two philosophies as they pertain to Sex The demons' in which the stronger preys on the weaker. In God's they become a family, reproduction is part of this. Sexual Intercourse is significant. "Being in Love" should result from a marriage, not cause a marriage. Demons use confusion of above for two advantages: People who are not "in love" will avoid marriage, even though they can not control themselves. "Being in love" can be used ...

Review: Focus on the Present and Eternity with God, not the Past or the future. (Letter 15) Becoming part of a fellowship of believers. Romans 14 (Letter 16) Outline: Gluttony of Excess versus Gluttony of Delicacy Patient's mother is in bondage to Gluttony of Delicacy amounts are small rationalize that she is avoiding waste in the "All-I-want" state of mind Too focused on food, not quantity, but type of food. Rationalizes with her son "does like to have things nice for her boy" Males are not as caught up in the "All-I-want" approach Screwtape recommends using male vanity: He 'knows' where the best is. He can do it 'himself' Goes on to talk about using Excess Gluttony as attack on chastity someone in excess, will want more and more of other lusts exercise in excess is not especially a cure for chastity. Terminology: Contemptuous - feeling or expressing contempt Dossier - a file of papers containing a detail...

Review: Focus on the Present and Eternity with God, not the Past or the future.   Outline: Ties back to letter 7 Screwtape is concerned about patient continuing to attend the same church. If patient can not be made to be stopped from going to church, make him a church hopper because: parochial organization brings unity from unlike "...the search for a 'suitable' church makes the man a critic where the Enemy wants him to be a pupil." Two churches near patient Vicar who waters down the faith to point of shocking congregation because he felt they were too hardheaded to get it. Fr. Spike who always shocks, some dishonesty; but really believes. Both are party churches where you major on minors and forget doctrine. Terminology: Coterie - an intimate, often exclusive, group of persons with a common interest Platitudes - flat or trite remarks Insipid - lacking flavor, dull, uninteresting Maritain - Jacques Maritain (1882-1973) French, Catholic Philosph...

Review: Patient had turned back to God and cleaned up sin account. Screwtape suggests making him proud about being humble. How did you deal with pride last week? Outline: Anxiety has decreased because of a lull in the war (WW II) Screwtape explains that God wants us to attend to 2 things: Eternity - this is not my home Present - present voice of conscience, present cross, present blessing, etc. Demons' goal is to get us away from these. Dwelling on the past is good in some circumstances, but looking towards the future is most often better. God wants us to think about the Future just long enough to act in the present. Focus our success or failure on what happens in the future. Future focus can be anxiety or hope: Anxiety - horrors lie in store for him, he must do something to avoid them (instead of relying on God) Hope - everything is going to be fine, not because of God's promise Terminology: Avarice - excessive desire for wealth; greed. Avert - to tu...

Review: What happened that Wormwood lost ground? Simple pleasures. Why are they dangerous to Satan? Outline: Conversion is different this time, asks "but only for the daily and hourly pittance to meet the daily and hourly temptation!" Patient has become humble, draw attention to this virtue and make him prideful over it. This is a gratifying reflection. This can be done recursive. God wants humility in separating us from ourselves, but if Satan can keep us focused on ourselves he wins. Must hide from the patient the true end of Humility, instead make it one of low opinion. Terminology: Abjection - feeling of low in spirit or hoping; cringing Questions/Discussions: First paragraph talks about just asking for enough to get by right now, instead of the grand requests of the first conversion. Where does "love your neighbor as yourself come from - "love your neighbor" from Leviticus 19:18, quoted in Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31-33, Luke 10:27, Rom...

Review: Let patient believe they are not slipping away from God Nice slow gentle path to Hell Outline: Wormwood has lost ground. Serious ground. Patient was protected by strange cloud. Allowed patient to enjoy true pleasures: An enjoyable book, not a book to discuss with new friends Walk to old mill & tea Real pleasure (or pain) puts things in perspective; Wormwood had made some progress in detaching him from himself, but that is undone. This detachment different from the 'die to self' God wants God loves us, and the differences. God wants the loss of "the clamor of self-will" God "hates to see them drifting away from their own nature for any other reason" Satan wants "to eradicate … any strong personal taste which is not actually a sin" this is true in the indifferent things (non-virtues). if he enjoys it in spite of what other folks think, it is humility. use jargon, do not read an enjoyable book, but an 'important...

Review: Do you recall the various forms of humor? Anyone know where 'wormwood' comes from? A bitter herb. (Deuteronomy 29:18, Revelation 8:10-11) Outline: Good progress with patient, but must not rush it. While patient is going away from God, must not allow him to know that. Let him still think of himself as a Christian, but not with dealing with the sin that needs to be brought to the cross. "vague, though uneasy, feeling that he hasn't been doing very well lately." How to handle the uneasy feeling Too strong and it could wake the patient up. God will probably not allow it to be entirely suppressed. Allow feeling to live, but not flower. Use this as leverage to "increase patient's reluctance to think about the God." Over time, patient will want to avoid God to point that you don't need to keep providing pleasures. Wasting time in things that are of no interest to him (or probably anyone for that matter). Small sins can often d...

Review: Patient made new friends Can we be in the world, but not of the world? Outline: Things going well with patient's new friends. Screwtape looks at laughter and 4 causes of human laughter: Joy - demons do not know the real cause of this. Related to that of music, which is 'disgusting' . Fun - related to joy, based off of 'play' . Only good is to divert attention, but often leads to charity, courage, contentment, etc. Joke Proper - get them to use humor as an excuse for sin: cruel joke, coward with humor. Stir up trouble. "Can't you take a joke." Suggest too much and you're a puritan. not necessarily indecent humor (2nd rate tempters), two groups people for 'whom no passion is as serious as lust' and when it becomes funny takes away from the lust. others in whom lust and laughter occur at same time; jokes give them a reason to talk about sex. Flippancy - Anyone can make light of anything. Everything serious is treat...