Letter 20: More on Love

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:
    1. 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.
    2. The other which he just 'wants' or as Lewis says 'desires to desire' .Now in normal circumstances, he may want nothing to do with her (not kind you can bring home to mother).
Terminology:
  • Statuesque - resembling a statue, especially in well proportion or massive dignity.
  • Aristocratic - being in a government like state where the ruler is a noble or privileged class.
  • Languishing - weakening, slow, lack of energy.
  • Amenable - easily answerable.
Questions/Discussions:
  • Lewis describes the sexual 'taste' of his era and previous times. What is the 'taste' today? How does the world influence us here?
  • What are the two types of women that Lewis describes? Is one good and the other bad?
  • 8 Steps to Intimacy (John Trent; Men of Integrity, Moody) Looks at Song of Solomon:
    1. Strong physical attraction exists with careful physical restraint.
    2. The man displays a purified character.
    3. Others see value (respect) the one we love.
    4. The man shows loving leadership, and the couple "runs together." Biblical balance in your roles.
    5. The lover seeks to move the one he loves from insecurity to increasing security. There is increasing security in the relationship.
    6. Praise is commonplace and centered on the other's uniqueness.
    7. The woman you love is in your thoughts and is a person whom you treasure. Your focus is on her.
    8. A Spiritual Oneness.
Scripture:
  • Proverbs 31:10-31 - Praise of a worthy woman
  • Songs of Solomon 1:1 - 2:1
    • 1:2 - physical attraction
    • 1:3 - purified character and respected
    • 1:4 - run together with the man leading
    • 1:5-6 & 2:1 contrast shows move from insecure to secure
    • 1:9 - fragrance sticks as should focus on her
    • 1:17 - "our house" unity built with cedar/cypress which is for strong family"
    • 2:16 vs. 6:3 & 7:10 - shows how early they are of "you are mine" attitude which changes to an "I am yours" attitude.
Homework
Read all of the Song of Solomon

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