Letter 1: Jargon, not Argument

Review:
Remember that Uncle Screwtape, a demon, is writing to his nephew Wormwood.

 Outline:
  • Wormwood thinks he can argue the patient to his side. Using the goal of materialism.
  • Screwtape points out the problems in this approach:
    • thinking doesn't lead to anything (due to demon influence of press?)
    • absolutes, proofs, truth are no longer common (gee, kind of like are world today?)
    • avoid real science since that makes one look at things you can't necessarily see (of course thinking we can explain everything is dangerous).
    • However, true debate and sincere searching will lead to the truth (and the truth shall set you free)
  • The approach to take is:
    • "Jargon, not argument, is your best ally in keeping him from the Church."
    • Judges 5:15,16 - the tribe of Reuben had "great searchings of heart", but never did anything.
    • Keep the "ordinary" in front of him, have him concentrate on "real" life.
    • "Do remember you are there to fuddle him. From the way some of you young fiends talk, anyone would suppose it was our job to teach!."
    • Gal 1:6-9 John 8:44
  • Note Screwtape talking of advantage God has because he came to earth as a man and understands what they are going through.
    • The advantage God has because he came to earth as a man (Heb 4:15)
Terminology:
Naïf: naive, showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.

 Questions/Discussions:
  1. Have you ever started to put the pieces together on something the Lord is showing you and then suddenly get distracted?
  2. Have you ever heard a message at church that hits home, but suddenly find yourself distracted by the day-to-day stuff?
  3. What's "Jargon" in our lives? Progressive, "religious", conservative,
  4. Does prayer seem more difficult when "real" life presses in?
  5. Do not be afraid of science
    • Evolution? If Reptiles have 3 bones on each side of the jaw and 1 bone on each ear And mammals have 1 jaw bone and 3 bones in each ear And reptiles came from mammals, then what happened to the evolution stages in between? Why aren't there fossils with 2 bones in the jaw and 2 in the ear?
    • Moon dust should have been dozens of feet deep if moon was over 4 billion years old.
Scripture:

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