The Screwtape Letters Read-Along discussion

DISCUSS.

Okay so was I the only one who busted out laughing when Screwtape had is centipede transformation issues. I'm not sure what about it I found so humorous but I did.

Honestly the ending did not surprise me that much. It was all leading towards failure but at the same time I'm glad, in a way it did, though it is a little bittersweet.

I have never been a huge fan of satire, but I still thought this was pretty good.

I also laughed when he turned into a centipede and had to dictate the last of the letter. Best part in the whole book.

I also thought about how powerful the section where he discussed being present in the current moment and not seeking out constant stimulation. I think this is very important to us now do to internet and phones ect. I need to practice being content in situations where I have switched off.

Overall not my favourite of his works, but I am glad I read it.

Suggestion to everyone as well CBC radio did an awesome series about C.S. Lewis and it is free on their website. If you are at all interested in him I really really really recommend checking it out.

The show is CBC ideas and the two part series is called C. S. Lewis and the Inklings

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Ideas/...

April Sarah wrote: "Okay so was I the only one who busted out laughing when Screwtape had is centipede transformation issues. I'm not sure what about it I found so humorous but I did."

I laughed hard too. It made me think of a cartoon character who, when angry, goes all red and blows smoke out of its ears. Like Screwtape got so furious and hyped up over things that he just *POOF* became a creepy-crawly.

Favorite parts from these chapters:
1. The false idea of ownership that we have. I can't truly call anything mine, because it has all been given to me. If only I could live with this knowledge in the forefront of my awareness every day, how different my attitudes might be.

2. Like the rest of you, I found Screwtape's transformation into a slug to be very funny, especially since he was just saying that the patient's new girlfriend is just the sort of strong Christian who would laugh at Screwtape.

3. The difference between "Unselfishness" and "Charity" is one that I am on the look-out for in my own attitudes. It's so easy to fall into that trap of being proud of your "unselfishness", and feeling injured that other people don't notice how unselfish you are being. I try to practice charity just for the pleasure of doing something nice for others, but I need some spiritual help with that one most of the time.

4. A favorite quote: "...courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means, at the point of highest reality."
I love the idea that God has allowed a dangerous world in order to awaken men from moral stupor, where "moral issues really come to a point."

5. My very favorite part of this entire book is the meeting with angels after death, and knowing them, saying to them "So it was you all along." I dream of that glorious moment, when I will see my guardian angels, and see Christ and know as I am known.

6. Lewis' preface to "Screwtape Proposes a Toast" in which he describes his writing experience as "suffocating". It must have been a nasty feeling to write from Screwtape's perspective.