The Screwtape letters & Screwtape proposes a toast

I loved it.

It was truly an engaging piece that left me with a strong desire to explore more of this kind.

I have made a promise to myself that in 2019, my reading will predominantly consist of "smart" books, regardless of whether they are fiction or not. (I did say mostly.)

I found his discussion on democracy and education to be extremely interesting.

It made me realize that no one is born to be different, superior, or gifted.

It's not all that different from the practice we have today of awarding medals to all participants.

More of this wonderful writing, please, Mr. Lewis.

I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us in the future.

His insights and perspectives have truly opened my eyes and made me think more deeply about these important topics.

I believe that reading his work will continue to be a rewarding and enlightening experience.

It is extremely hard to rate old books. This one is a classic! How could I not rate it 5 stars? But anyway, I truly love this book. It's my second time reading it, this time with a book club, and yet I still enjoyed it to a great extent. I have a great appreciation for the differences between Screwtape and the devil's way as compared to God's way. It's truly crazy to think of hell as a business, lol, but indeed it is in the business of corrupting people. There are so many excellent lines and thought-provoking quotes in it. C.S Lewis never fails to disappoint me. His writing is so engaging and makes me think deeply about various aspects of life, faith, and the battle between good and evil. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring these themes.

Another classic is filled with timeless truths and challenging ideas that are worth considering.

This is my second time reading the book, and perhaps I liked it even more than the first. So many points struck me as being familiar to my own experiences, like temptations that I didn't even recognize when facing them.

Lewis was always outstanding in the way he pursued certain opinions to their logical conclusions and thus exposed weak yet popular beliefs. This book is no different.

It makes me reflect deeply on my own thoughts and actions, and it challenges me to reevaluate some of my long-held beliefs.

The author's insights are profound and thought-provoking, and they have the power to change the way we view the world and ourselves.

Overall, this is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone who is interested in exploring the deeper meaning of life and the human condition.

I’ve had the good intention of getting around to reading this C.S. Lewis classic for a very long time now. It has been sitting on my shelf for years. Since I've been without a library card for a couple of weeks, I finally picked it up and began to read in earnest.

As I started reading, I couldn't figure out why I'd found the book so cumbersome before. The chapters are presented in small, manageable installments. The book itself is a short volume, just a little over a hundred pages (plus with the article “Screwtape Proposes a Toast” added to the end of this edition). And the technique used to explain the thoughts is brilliant.

First of all, there is the unique point-of-view. Screwtape, the character mentioned in the title, is an experienced devil. That's right - a devil. It's his job to tempt ordinary mortals (like you and me), to keep us from getting close to “the Enemy” (God). This interesting perspective takes some getting used to, but it is still quite straightforward - just requires that you don't read on auto-pilot. Lewis describes this voice as “diabolic ventriloquism”. Screwtape's outlook is like a photographic negative; his whites are our blacks and whatever he welcomes we ought to dread.

Secondly, the voice of Screwtape comes through letters to his nephew, novice tempter Wormwood. Although we don't have any words from Wormwood himself (or any direct references regarding the new Christian convert that Wormwood is assigned to deter), the reader can easily guess his situation based on Screwtape's references.

While C.S. Lewis is writing from a fictional perspective (devils going to tempting school and writing letters to one another is his own invention, of course), the insights he provides are profound. We know what we should do to return to live with God; yet, how do we get tripped up so easily? Well, Screwtape outlines plenty of methods here, and it's not even a comprehensive list! I was reminded of the scripture in which King Benjamin says: “And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them (Mosiah 4:29).” Still, most of those different sins seem to come back to a single premise: distancing ourselves from God, usually by some subtle distraction. I came across this quote from July 5’s Church News last week that harmonized with the message of The Screwtape Letters: Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said that even though the Lord’s teachings are plain and direct, “We are still at risk of getting sidetracked. Some people choose to follow the teachings of the Lord and of His living prophet only when convenient, and reject them when sacrifice or deeper commitment is required. Some fail to follow only because His divine teachings do not agree with their own preconceived notions. “We get sidetracked by submitting to temptations that divert us past the bounds of safety. Satan knows our weaknesses. He puts attractive snares on our paths at just those moments when we are most vulnerable. His intent is to lead us from the way that returns us to our Heavenly Father.” (October 1990 general conference) I found the message of the book to be both uplifting (yes, really - a book about devils, uplifting!) and insightful. It is definitely worth looking into.

The Screwtape Letters is an extremely intriguing and enthralling work that offers a unique and thought-provoking twist on the classic Christian book.

The story is written from the perspective of the demon, Screwtape, which means that readers must use their Bible knowledge to transform everything he says back to the truth.

This not only provides an eye-opening experience but also serves as excellent mental calisthenics for the Christian's spiritual mind.

It challenges readers to think deeply about their faith and the ways in which the devil may try to deceive them.

The Screwtape Letters is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the spiritual realm and strengthening their Christian beliefs.

It is a powerful and engaging work that will leave a lasting impression on its readers.

The way Lewis expounds on the root perspective of sin is truly fascinating.

To effectively shatter the cycle of sin, it is imperative that we gain a deep understanding of the desires and mentality that give birth to temptation. James elaborates on how it is our very own desires that entice us, and once the desire is conceived, it gives rise to sin, and the growth of sin ultimately leads to death (James 1:14 - 15).

Lewis masterfully captures the efforts of the demons to plant desires in their “patients” which will, one day, fester into sin. We must make every effort to fathom the root of our sin, those desires that the devil exploits to breed our transgressions.

The Screwtape Letters offers a remarkable insight into the perspective of the devils who are so intent on tempting. They are on a merciless mission to guide their “patients” straight into hell, be it through a false faith, complacency, or outright denial.

We witness a “patient” who starts to know and perceive the Truth, and the response of Wormwood and Screwtape is to assail every facet of the patient's life in an attempt to undermine his faith. However, these attempts prove futile, and the patient eludes the grasp of the demons. It is a tale of hope in the end.

Despite the onslaught of the demons, a faithful pursuit of the Lord is where we will ultimately be called home, triumphant over death.

Brilliant! This is truly a remarkable piece that will undoubtedly be a reread for me. The point of view presented is extremely unique, offering a fresh perspective that captivates the reader from start to finish.

I had the pleasure of reading this in anticipation of seeing it brought to life on stage, which I'm certain will be an incredibly interesting experience.

As I reflect on my initial reading, I find myself thinking that it's definitely time for that reread. There are likely many subtleties and nuances that I may have missed during my first go-through, and I'm eager to explore them further.

Rereading this work will not only deepen my understanding and appreciation of it but also enhance my anticipation for the upcoming stage production. I can't wait to see how the actors bring the characters and story to life, and how the stage design and direction will complement the unique vision of the author.

Overall, this is a work that has left a lasting impression on me, and I'm excited to embark on this rereading journey.

I just had my first read through this classic by Lewis. It is an extremely helpful and insightful book. Several times while reading, I was convicted of the lies of the Devil that I had believed and submitted to. I am truly thankful for the profound impact this book has had on me and the deep truths it contains. One of my favorite quotes and one of the most encouraging parts of the book comes from letter 8:

"He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away his hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles. Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys."

This quote really spoke to me. It made me realize that sometimes God allows us to face difficulties and feel as if He has abandoned us. But it is in those moments that our true character and faith are tested. If we still choose to obey Him, even when things seem tough and we can't see His presence, that is when we are truly growing and pleasing to Him. It gives me hope and encouragement to keep going in my spiritual journey, no matter what challenges come my way.