Profund. Dureros. Captivant. Mind blowing.

These words seem to carry a sense of mystery and depth. The first sentence, "Dușmanul le-a explicat negru pe alb partizanilor lui umani că suferința e parte esențială a ceea ce El numește salvare", presents a rather disturbing image. The enemy is explaining in black and white to his human partisans that suffering is an essential part of what he calls salvation. It makes one wonder about the nature of this salvation and why suffering is involved.

The second sentence, "[...] atunci când vor fi învățat cu adevărat să-și iubească semenii ca pe ei înșiși, li se va îngădui să se iubească pe ei înșiși ca pe semenii lor", seems to suggest a cycle of love and acceptance. When people truly learn to love their fellows as themselves, they will be allowed to love themselves as their fellows. This idea has a certain beauty and simplicity to it.

The final sentence, "Nici nu mă aștept la minte coaptă într-un bostan verde", is more enigmatic. It could mean that the speaker is not expecting a particular outcome or that they are not looking for something specific in a certain place. Overall, these sentences together create a complex and thought-provoking picture.

⟪While he doesn't put it into practice, it doesn't matter how much he thinks about this new repentance. Let the little animal wallow in his repentance. Let him, if he has any inclination in that direction, write a book about it; it is usually an excellent way to sterilize the seeds that the Enemy plants in the human soul. Let him do whatever he wants, except act.⟫

The strange moment when two demons are talking about you.

‘The Screwtape Letters’ is a book like no other that I have read before. I don't even know how to begin to describe it. As the title indicates, it consists of a series of “letters” that one demon writes to another. The objective is simple, to lead a human being away from the eternal (page 100). Screwtape writes to Wormwood, guiding him in his efforts to tempt a newly converted young man.

FULL REVIEW AT: http://tambienleen.com/2016/03/10/aca...

This book offers a unique perspective on the spiritual battle that takes place within each of us. The demons' strategies and tactics are both fascinating and alarming. It makes us question our own thoughts and actions and how they might be influenced by the forces of evil. C.S. Lewis's writing is masterful, and he brings the demons to life in a way that is both terrifying and humorous. Overall, ‘The Screwtape Letters’ is a must-read for anyone interested in the spiritual life and the struggle between good and evil.

This book by C. S. Lewis is truly remarkable.

He does an outstanding job of seamlessly integrating theology and philosophy into a fictional narrative, complete with entertaining characters. While Screwtape and Wormwood may not be endearing in the traditional sense, they are undeniably amusing.

What makes this book even more special is its practicality. It is filled with common sense that can be applied to our daily lives. It is the perfect read during Lent, as a priest I knew once said that it is essentially an examination of conscience. I found myself being challenged on numerous occasions.

From a less philosophical and theological perspective, I have a deep affection for the Patient. I would love to see a movie dedicated solely to him, telling his story from the other side of the veil between the spiritual and the physical. It would be a fascinating exploration of his journey and experiences.

This book has left a lasting impression on me, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

My first encounter with C.S. Lewis was quite an eye-opener. I must admit that I was initially a bit taken aback. It wasn't what I had anticipated. I had read the Chronicles of Narnia with my daughter and thoroughly enjoyed that experience. I had heard about his other works but never felt the urge to give them a try. However, my perspective has now changed.

The Book, or rather the letters from Uncle Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, seemed rather absurd to me at first glance. But as I delved deeper, I discovered a highly humorous account of advice in the form of letters, aimed at ensuring the damnation and capturing the soul of “The Patient.” This unsuspecting man is on the verge of becoming a Christian. In the process, Screwtape reveals a typical human life filled with temptations and double-mindedness.

I found it to be both thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking. I firmly believe that regardless of one's stance on Christianity, it would be extremely difficult not to find this at least a unique glimpse into human nature, with all its glorious virtues and inevitable failings. It offers some wonderful insights into us, the rather silly people inhabiting planet Earth.

“Your Man has been accustomed, ever since he was a boy, to having a dozen incompatible philosophies dancing about together inside his head. He doesn’t think of doctrines as primarily “true” or “false” but as “academic” or “practical,” “outworn” or “contemporary,” “conventional or “ruthless.” Jargon, not argument, is your best ally in keeping him from the Church. Don’t waste time trying to make him think that materialism is true! Make him think it is strong or stark or courageous - that is the philosophy of the future. That’s the sort of thing he cares about.”

I am now convinced that I will have to explore other novels written by him. His writing is truly remarkable.

I really liked this book a lot. It is a very current Christian satire, I could say, in which the main characters are two demons: Uncle Screwtape and his nephew, Wormwood. Written in the form of 31 letters that the old devil, Screwtape, addresses to his nephew, the young devil, as advice to help the novice demon catch in his snares through temptations and subtle devilish techniques the soul of a young Londoner, named in the letters, "the patient".

The book ends with a speech/dedication by Screwtape at the annual dinner of the Higher College of Training for Young Tempters in Hell. I won't reveal anything from this dinner, I think it's very interesting to savor it by reading the book.

I can't quite fathom the mastery that went into creating this work.

Told from the perspective of demons trying to get souls on their side, the satirical art is impressively advanced. It's a unique take that challenges the traditional narrative of good vs evil.

Usually, in stories, we are accustomed to seeing the forces of good prevail over evil. However, in this case, I had to constantly remind myself that the perspective was reversed to avoid getting confused.

Lewis had an incredible level of discernment for the spiritual world. His ability to understand and present the inner workings of the spiritual realm is truly remarkable.

It makes one wonder if we, too, could strive to have such a deep understanding of the spiritual world. Maybe we could learn from Lewis's example and explore the mysteries of the spiritual realm for ourselves.

Overall, this work is a testament to Lewis's creative genius and his profound understanding of the human condition. It's a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the boundaries of good and evil and the power of the spiritual world.

This book truly scared me when I first read it back in the '90s. The idea of evil beings devising elaborate strategies to ruin human lives was something I had never really considered before.

In The Screwtape Letters, a senior devil writes to a junior tempter, providing detailed instructions on how to bring down his assigned human. As readers, we are given access to these instructions, which can serve as a sort of negative example. We can learn from them how to avoid the pitfalls set by the evil ones to trap and ensnare us.

Although I haven't been quite as creeped out on subsequent readings, I continue to discover new and helpful points that make this classic work so worthwhile.

This time, I re-read it in anticipation of seeing it performed as a stage play this weekend.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in exploring the nature of good and evil and how we can protect ourselves from the forces of darkness. It is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will stay with you long after you have finished it.

Satire. Well, it's not a genre that appeals to everyone. However, when we consider that this particular piece was targeted at the uptight Christian prigs from 50 years ago, it actually holds up quite well and can even be considered timeless.

Enter Satan, also known as Screwtape, and listen as he either extols or derides his demon nephew on the virtues of corrupting his human charge. It's an interesting concept, to say the least.

Some of it is really funny, while some of it just feels a bit dated. But we must put this kind of thing into its proper context of time and audience. The points that are made are still valid, but the people they were originally about are all dead. Well, maybe not all of them. There are always those who are more concerned about appearing Christian rather than actually being Christian. And most people are remarkably demonstrative about never actually having a real thought in their head. But isn't that the same everywhere?

So, overall, it was okay as a satire. It was probably much more scathing to the whole world way back when. Big bad Satan giving brotherly advice. Lol.

Audible hopes you have enjoyed this program.

However, I'm not entirely convinced that "enjoyed" is the most appropriate word. In fact, I found this program to be much more than just enjoyable. It was important, prescient, thought-provoking, convicting, and even disturbing at times. These are far better terms to describe the impact it had on me.

I feel a little like the dunce in Screwtapes toast.

I think I may also choose to eye-read this book. Perhaps reading a letter a day for my Mother's Morning Basket would be a more contemplative and interactive experience than the quick whoosh I just had while following through a pot of philosophical and practical suggestions.

Maybe after Resurrection Sunday, Lord Willing, I will embark on this new way of engaging with the material.

Where do I even start unloading this enormous bag of thoughts that have been swirling in my mind since yesterday? Well, my friend, it seems you're the unfortunate recipient today. But that's just the way it is. Don't think of me as evil; it's just the influence of one I've been living with for the past five days.

In reality, this work is nothing more than a collection of letters, from a senior to a junior. It's a series of concise correspondences, cleverly gathered and even more astutely distributed to the promising newbies. Now, haven't we all encountered at least one such friendly senior in our lives? Coincidentally, this exchange is between Uncle Screwtape and Wormwood, who, under the generous dignity bestowed by Lewis, call themselves "Tempters." I refer to them as the Devil (Spirit). And they're up against "Him," the one who resides in the churches and to whom the world attributes its goodness and life.

Essentially, this work outlines some theories on how the Devil should entice the "patient" or the human away from their allegiance to "Him" and secure their firm and consistent loyalty to himself.

This very concept earns my respect as it takes a great deal to stand on both sides and view a situation without apathy or bias. In this deliciously crafted work, satire, cynicism, comedy, and subtlety all find their place, and rightfully so. For Screwtape, the breaking fragments of the world and its striking resemblance to a colored hoax are the doing of "Him." So, he takes the fundamental aspects of daily life such as belief, love, marriage, gluttony, cowardice, fidelity, freedom, unselfishness, and ownership and holds them, not aloft, but face down. Screwtape derives sinister pleasure from observing the human's perpetual longing to be star-struck about the future and, in the process, losing the all-important, all-pervasive present. He also mocks the prevalent falsities in society, where something as harmless as jazz can chain its women to strive for svelte figures at the expense of vitality, and something as uplifting as art and fresco can underline the derisive palpability of nudity. He also takes a dig at the preconceived notions of love and marriage and the obtuse way in which the occurrence of one is regarded as a prerequisite for the justification of the other.

He revels in the hackneyed idea of ownership that drives the callous human. He expresses it eloquently: "It is as if a royal child whom his father has placed for love’s sake, in titular command of some great province, under the real rule of wise counselors, should come to fancy he really owns the cities, the forests, and the corn, in the same way as he owns the bricks on the nursery floor." This book is a treasure trove of veiled satire, and I chuckled at the expressions, if not always at the latent intentions. Most of what I call lyrical sarcasm stems from the failures of Wormwood, and the wise senior never fails to correct him. While explaining the nuances of "Unselfishness" to him, he says: "A woman means by Unselfishness chiefly taking trouble for others; a man means not giving trouble to others." And he adds, "She’s sort of woman who lived for others – you can always tell the others by their hunted expression." However, for all the flaws in "His" armor that Screwtape so vehemently drills into Wormwood's head, there are certain things he himself cannot understand and, therefore, cannot overcome. He admits that the power of love, which flows freely from "His" altar, is a puzzle that Evil's years of research have failed to solve. It's a kind of impregnable shield, a sort of ultimate immunity. The simple pleasures of life like reading a book, drinking tea, or taking a stroll uplift humans' spirits to such insurmountable levels that reaching them becomes a distant dream, and conquering them is out of the question. There's also an all-numbing admission of "His" influence when Screwtape writes, "As you ought to have known, the asphyxiating cloud which prevented your attacking the patient on his walk back from the old mill, is a well-known phenomenon. It is the Enemy’s most barbarous weapon, and generally appears when He is directly present to the patient under certain modes not yet fully classified. Some humans are permanently surrounded by it and therefore inaccessible to us." I'm not revealing what happens at the end, not because it would spoil the interest but because it's not significant.

The picture that Lewis paints by the time he makes his last stroke is a mixture of ideas that, although tilted to project one side as glorious, does not undermine the merits of the other. It's more of a gathering of two schools of thought on a line where students (and teachers) can change sides at any moment. Even for a believer in the Supreme Power, I paused at many points and seriously examined the validity of the arguments. Let me say that not all was lost.

Thank you, C S Lewis; I realized I wasn't all that wooden after all.

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To honor the impact this work had, Time Magazine featured Lewis on its cover five years after the publication of this work, with, of course, a Devil! :D

Brilliant and inspiring.

Written in a style that is both like a novel and yet also like nonfiction, this book truly breaks all traditional boundaries. It is nothing short of amazing.

Few books possess as much spiritual depth as this practical, humorous, and utterly fascinating gem penned by C.S. Lewis.

The way he weaves together profound ideas with engaging stories and a touch of humor is truly masterful.

Readers will find themselves captivated from the very first page, drawn into a world where the lines between fiction and reality blur.

This book is not just a read; it is an experience that will leave a lasting impression on the soul.

It challenges our beliefs, makes us think, and ultimately inspires us to look at the world from a different perspective.

Whether you are a fan of literature, philosophy, or spirituality, this book is a must-read.

It is a timeless classic that will continue to touch the hearts and minds of readers for generations to come.

The Screwtape Letters is a captivating series of diabolical letters that delve deep into the moral life of an individual. The writer, Screwtape, is an eminent demon serving Satan. He is addressing his nephew, Wormwood, a lower-level minion entrusted with the task of corrupting an individual. The story appears to be set in the early stages of World War II, perhaps specifically in 1940 during the London Blitz. Published in 1942, this epistolary novel offers profound comments on the nature of sin and temptation.

The version I read also includes Screwtape Proposes a Toast, which was published in 1962. Set in Hell, Screwtape is toasting a group of minions who are about to be unleashed into the world to cause chaos and havoc on the consciences of individuals. In this short story, Screwtape criticizes society's trends towards democracy and equality, presenting a unique perspective on these concepts from a demonic point of view.

This book is a remarkable satire from a Christian perspective. It examines human behavior in an "upside down" manner, using clever and witty language to make its points. It provides ample food for thought on the nature of humanity and the eternal inner battles between good and evil. It challenges readers to reflect on their own actions and beliefs, and to consider the forces that influence them. Overall, The Screwtape Letters is a thought-provoking and engaging work that continues to resonate with readers today.