"Screwtape Letters"

The more I read of C.S. Lewis, the more I am interested in his writing. It amazes me that so far in the class we have read such a great variety of essays and stories. Just in a week we have read his works about thinking, learning, now the nature of evil and the devil (albeit very fictional). Also, I know he has written countless works about Christianity, as well as works of fantasy and science fiction; I don't know how he even found the time.

In Lewis' "Screwtape Letters" he very interestingly writes from the perspective of a devil named Screwtape writing letters to his more incompetent nephew Wormwood. I don't think another Christian writer has ever thought of such a thing. Screwtape is giving advice on how to turn a newly converted Christian away from his faith. He gives such advice as providing distractions, making church just a matter of going through the motions.

Lewis' main point in writing this, I believe, is to warn Christians of the dangers of inattentiveness. There are many responses and ways of dealing with such spiritual laziness, but I believe the best is community, one of the most essential things for a Christian. In class we discussed the many ways that this kind of community can take form. It can be having a group at church who you can really open up to, having parents who you can talk to about your problems, or simply having a friend who really cares about you who you can be accountable to. I know from personal experience it can be hard to find this kind of a thing, and also hard to make yourself accountable to someone else. No one really likes to be told that something they are doing isn't quite right. No one likes the feeling of, for lack of a better word, shame you can get upon telling someone you didn't go to church, or were doing something you weren't supposed to be doing. However, the act of telling, and maybe even the feeling of that shame is important to growth as a Christian, and as a human being.

The most important tactic to me seems to be honesty with oneself and being able to really examine your own actions, but a close second would definitely be honesty with other people. It is a terrible thing to have secrets weighing down upon your mind. My two biggest recommendations for a healthy Christian life, or just life in general are honesty and accountability.