CS Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, Class One
Who is C.S. Lewis? Why do we read someone who isn’t Orthodox?
Born in Belfast, Ireland (11/29/1898). Atheist at 15, become interested in mythology and the occult, especially the myths of Northern Europe. Got a scholarship to Oxford (1916), but volunteered in the British Army in 1917 (Light Infantry officer). Wounded and discharged in 1918. Graduated with honors in 1920. Took care of his army-mate’s mother for 20 years and visited her daily until her death. Reading George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, and conversations with his friend/colleague J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis headed back towards Christianity. He converted to theism in 1929 and Christianity in 1931. He taught at Oxford from 1925-1954, then at Cambridge. In addition to Tolkien, he was in a literary group (The Inklings) with his brother Warren, Owen Barfield, and Charles Williams.
Popular (non-scholarly) Work:
- The Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength).
- The Chronicles of Narnia (The Magician’s Nephew, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle).
- Other Fiction: The Pilgrim’s Regress, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, Till We have Faces.
- Apologetics: Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, God in the Dock, The Weight of Glory.
- Autobiography: Surprised by Joy.
Popular ideas:
- Jesus was either God or a madman.
- Universal morality: We all have a sense we should behave in a certain way, but we often do not behave this way. This points to a Creator (and the need for a Savior).
- Myth and story builds up our capacity to understand/embrace reality.
Screwtape Letters.
Preface:
Here is some great wisdom:
There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.” (Preface).
- What is the danger in disbelieving the existence of demons?
- What is the danger of taking a lot of interest in them?
- What do you believe about the demons and their relationship to humans?
- Why do you believe what you do about demons? What would you do if someone tried to teach you something different? What is the standard for truth in such matters? Do you remember any stories about demons or devils from the Bible? Which are your favorites?
Here is a fun passage from Merrill F. Unger’s Biblical Demonology;
In this sphere, Satan rules over unregenerate mankind. He secured the scepter of government in the earth from Adam, by right of conquest (Gen. 3:1-6; Matt. 4:8-9); John 12:31), and has organized the present world system upon his own cosmic principles of pride, ambition, selfishness, force, greed, and pleasure (John 14:30; 18:36; Eph. 2:2; 6:12; I John 2: 15-17). Imposing, outwardly religious, scientific, cultured, elegant, this world-system, nevertheless, is dominated by Satanic principles, and is beneath its deceptive veneer a seething cauldron of national and international ambitions, and commercial rivalries. Satan and his elaborately organized hierarchy of evil (Dan. 10:13; Eph. 6:12) are often the invisible agents, and the real motivating power and intelligence behind the dictators, kings, presidents, and governors, who are the visible rulers. Armed force and periodic wars, with wholesale murder and violence, are its indispensable concomitants. (pages 72-73)
What kind of things do you think demons really do in this world? How can they be defeated?
The Screwtape Letters are about temptation (e.g. Mt. 4: 1-11; Mk 1: 9-13; Lk 4:1-11).
Why is C.S. Lewis using fiction to teach about temptations (refer to Touchstone; Hitchcock)?
Next Week: The Battle of Britain. Letters 1-4.
Class Resources (aside from the book): Screwtape Letters Study Guide
