The theme of Screwtape’s second letter to Wormwood is a focus of the carnal characteristics of the Church.
The true nature of the Church is spiritual, yet it exists in a material realm, just as humanity does, therefore demons will attempt to direct human focus to these carnal characteristics, and it is in this way, that the carnal representation of the Church may be turned to the advantage of Satan. Mr. Lewis is warning faithful believers to beware of carnal distractions and remain true to God’s holy nature, which is known only by His Holy Spirit.
27
Sep
Tags: demon, temptation
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3 users responded in this post
Brilliant!!
These are truly better with audio, rather than written alone.
I am convinced that the Holy Spirit is working through John Cleese in his ability to convey the temptations, about which CS Lewis warns us.
Also, it is helpful to put the theme of each letter, into words.
It forces me to consider the nature of the temptations being advised to Wormwood.
Please listen closely when the counter gets to 2:30 as the topic of God’s desire for humans to love Him freely, i.e. Agapē. When the counter gets to 2:04 the words of Screwtape speaking about God the Father are “He expects them to do ‘it’ on there own.”
“It” is an extremely enigmatic term. I agree with Lewis on this point, but the fact is, God makes it quite clear that we, humans, can’t do “it” on our own. We must have Jesus to do “it” for us at the cross. Yet, the term “it” seems to float, between ‘who is doing what’ and ‘for whom what is being done’.
“It” is in this context that Screwtape speaks about our free-will and humans doing free-will Agapē on our own which is a paradox to me.
“It” feels like adding 2+2 and getting 1,000.
There is an extreme nuance in what Lewis is saying about “it”.
“It” defies reason, even while “it” demands reason to comprehend Lewis’ argument at an elementary level.
“It” seems to be a riddle without an answer.
Or “it” could be like working a 10,000 piece puzzle of a moonless night sky.
“It” is simply daunting.
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