The Screwtape Letters 1-3

Starting of the book, I was genuinely confused. I feel like I’ve no idea what is going on, nor does Screwtape do a good job of explaining what he’s talking about. The second letter was a bit easier to understand than the first, due to the fact that by the middle of the letter, I could find some themes that made sense. These letters are obviously between two individuals, and uncle and his nephew, who have a deep past and are scheming together on some sort of endeavor.

Uncle Screwtape refers to a “patient” throughout the three letters, and it seems to me that the nephew plays a sizable role in the patient’s life. The second letter is what I’d like to focus on.

The patient has recently become a Christian, according to Screwtape. During the letter, Screwtape advises Wormwood, the nephew, of the faults of the Church and how to turn the patient astray from Christianity. To achieve this, Wormwood is to sway the patient into looking at his fellow Christians for face value, picking out all of their faults and beginning to judge them. Screwtape refers to the neighbor with squeaky boots and the double chin…finally mentioning that the patient will see these faults in his neighbors and deem the religion a farce.

This second letter made me think about my own views on church and organized religion. In many churches today, the followers are focused on appearances. It all seems to be an act. To be a Christian is good for the reputation, it’s a social status and not a belief or creed. It’s exactly the opposite of what I think it means to be a Christian. Acceptance and love is a big part of it, at least in my mind.