Reading Outside Theology

[Shadow Forge]

It was highly recommended to me by several people, including my Pastor, to read The Screwtape Letters. I am half way through the book and can say that it has been eye-opening. It seems to me that each letter is fragments of a shattered mirror reflecting back at me. Each letter can not only be subjectively dismantled and reflected upon but also theologically. I can see why so many people like the book.

I was also recommended books by Frank Peretti especially The Present Darkness. It is said that the book is very similar to The Screwtape Letters. I am not much into fiction but considering the source that recommended it, I should check it out. I would love to hear your thoughts on Screwtape and/or Peretti books or any recommended books. Mind you, I do have about 200 books in my library to still go through

 

[Solparvus]

I read Frank Peretti a long time ago ("The Oath," "This Present Darkness," "Piercing the Darkness"). Made for gripping reading, but it's fan fiction. Not conducive to understanding how things happen in the spiritual world.

I did read Screwtape a long time ago. I do remember it being helpful. It set me free from making images of God in my mind.

 

[Ploutos]

I did read Screwtape a long time ago. I do remember it being helpful. It set me free from making images of God in my mind.

Now that's one I've never heard. How did it help with that? CS Lewis is about as far from confessional as they come.

 

[Logan]

I appreciate the Screwtape Letters as it illustrates how temptations can practically occur. The image of devils whispering things in your ears or dancing on your bed is far more removed from reality than the subtle nudges of our own sinful inclinations. Satan and his minions are real and they are at work and Lewis illustrates well how that might happen by using all too realistic examples of our hearts being encouraged to grow cold, or put off religion until tomorrow.

 

[Logan]

Now that's one I've never heard. How did it help with that? CS Lewis is about as far from confessional as they come.

If I recall, in one of the letters Screwtape encouraged Wormtongue to get his "patient" to pray to something like a crucifix, with the persuasion that it was really just an aid to help focus his prayers, but soon enough he would be unable to pray without fixing that image in his mind and coming to pray to it rather than what it was supposed to represent. And by and by he might even see the foolishness of praying to such an object and leave off praying altogether. But even if he didn't as long as he wasn't praying to "The Enemy" then that was sufficient.

Something like that. Insidious and insightful.

 

[DanSSwing]

By all means grab the audiobook of The Screwtape Letters, as read by John Cleese. I almost drove off the road listening to it John Cleese was so funny.

 

[Solparvus]

Now that's one I've never heard. How did it help with that? CS Lewis is about as far from confessional as they come.

If I recall, in one of the letters Screwtape encouraged Wormtongue to get his "patient" to pray to something like a crucifix, with the persuasion that it was really just an aid to help focus his prayers, but soon enough he would be unable to pray without fixing that image in his mind and coming to pray to it rather than what it was supposed to represent. And by and by he might even see the foolishness of praying to such an object and leave off praying altogether. But even if he didn't as long as he wasn't praying to "The Enemy" then that was sufficient.

Something like that. Insidious and insightful.

That was it. Mental idolatry is indeed dangerous, even demonic at some levels. For all his faults and shortcomings, C.S. Lewis got that point absolutely right.

 

[RamistThomist]

That was it. Mental idolatry is indeed dangerous, even demonic at some levels. For all his faults and shortcomings, C.S. Lewis got that point absolutely right.

Lewis mentioned it in Surprised by Joy. Relying on physical "crutches" or emotional experiences in prayer inevitably leads to prioritizing the crutch itself, not the prayer.

 

[Edward]

It's been many years, but I found "This Present Darkness" to be of no use spiritually or theologically. Reading it was useful engaging with folks almost four decades ago. And I don't see it really advancing the cause of conspiracy theory.

On the other hand, Screwtape Letters can be thought provoking. I'd recommend it.

 

[JvMill]

If I recall, in one of the letters Screwtape encouraged Wormtongue to get his "patient" to pray to something like a crucifix, with the persuasion that it was really just an aid to help focus his prayers, but soon enough he would be unable to pray without fixing that image in his mind and coming to pray to it rather than what it was supposed to represent. And by and by he might even see the foolishness of praying to such an object and leave off praying altogether. But even if he didn't as long as he wasn't praying to "The Enemy" then that was sufficient.

Something like that. Insidious and insightful.

He even mentions looking at the corner of your room as if that is where God dwells… very insightful

 

[jwithnell]

We read this in school a few years ago. My boys started addressing their schoolwork with, "My dear Wormwood ..."

CS Lewis is certainly not confessional but should be read for literacy if nothing else. He can be helpful when realizing he tried to bring Christianity to the masses, even broadcasting regularly on BBC.

 

[Dkshotwell]

By all means grab the audiobook of The Screwtape Letters, as read by John Cleese. I almost drove off the road listening to it John Cleese was so funny.

I read the book 40 years ago and I really enjoyed it, but I have to find the Cleese narration for sure. Though he is an avowed atheist I'm grateful for him giving us "Fawlty Towers".

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

I have rarely come across anyone with such a keen insight into human nature as C. S. Lewis. I read fourteen of his books in early 2021. I will leave you to figure out why.

 

[RamistThomist]

I have rarely come across anyone with such a keen insight into human nature as C. S. Lewis. I read fourteen of his books in early 2021. I will leave you to figure out why.

I reread about ten of his books each year. Btw, if you can find John Cleese narrating Screwtape Letters, listen to it. It's one of the funniest (and most apt) things you'll hear.

I also reread Dante's Divine Comedy every 18 months or so. (In another thread, I was told he was in hell and the Reformers didn't read guys like Thomas and Aristotle, but I digest...).

 

[Ryan&Amber2013]

For a while I read A.W. Tozer. I tend to admire a spirituality I find in people like him, that you don't always see in us reformed peeps. Not in a weird way, but maybe my spiritual personality resonates a bit with folks like him.