Thoughts On The Screwtape Letters

Occasionally a book comes along that proves truly arresting. While many tout various books as "exceptional," "outstanding," or even "thought-provoking," very few are actually life-changing.

I found C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters to be just one of those books. And, being an absolutely voracious reader, I like to think I've experienced my fair share of literature.

The Screwtape Letters basically collects a series of letters between two demons. Essentially the reader assumes the role of voyeur in a tutoring session aimed at assisting a junior demon in corrupting a recent Christian convert.

In the letters' course, Lewis manages to address many of the most significant challenges Christians and others battle on a daily basis. That's not incredibly special, however.

What makes the Screwtape Letters so intriguing, at least to me, is the ease with which Lewis' logic enables closure to complex and long-standing issues. While I had to work to understand, and re-read several passages, I found my mind settling into an easiness (as if it were saying "yeah, I get it").

Everyone, of course, falls short of their goals. Whether those failings constitute shortcomings, sins or just simple failures is endlessly arguable. Lewis, however, portrays such failures in a uniquely different light, one I found truly compelling, comforting and enabling. Instead of viewing shortfalls, temptations or anxieties as faults, Lewis enabled me to better understand and better accommodate common trials and tribulations. As a result, simple acceptance and a desire to try harder next time become the MO (as opposed to time-consuming self-flagellation, guilt or other destructive behavior).

That's worth a Saturday afternoon (the time it took me to complete the text) in my book!