In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis offers a singularly unique point of view as he approaches the Christian walk from the perspective of a senior demon advising his inexperienced nephew in the ways of deceit. C.S. Lewis uses a unique point of view to evidence the subtle failings that many Christians are unable to see in their own walks. Many Christian authors tackles the difficulties of spiritual life from the perspective of a fellow Christian, which is, of course, a wholly effective method. However, Lewis approaches this topic from a perspective that is rarely seen in Christian writing, offering a new take on the issue of everyday spiritual struggles.
In Chapter 6, Lewis directs his focus towards the confusion that many Christians feel toward the statement "love your enemies." Christians are told countless times from childhood to love their enemies, but just who is an enemy? If asked, many Christians would quickly reply with a text-book perfect answer, but often their understanding is hazy at best. C.S. Lewis states that many Christians focus their attention on fictional enemies far outside their real circle of influence instead of loving the people that they encounter daily.
Through Screwtape, Lewis gives his opinions on the law of Undulation. In essence, the law of Undulation is the continuous highs and lows that every Christian experiences in his spiritual life. Screwtape states that the troughs in a man's life are often more useful than the peaks. When a man is at his lowest, that is when he finally realizes that need in his life that can only be filled by God's grace.
In Chapter 14, Lewis remarks on the popularly misconstrued nature of the word humble. Screwtape states that humility is often believed to be thought of as "pretty women trying to believe they are ugly and clever men trying to believe they are fools." Such a belief will only lead to utter folly. True humility is acknowledging that all of man's earthly gifts and talents are given to him by God, and rejoicing in the fact that he is able to serve God with them.
C.S. Lewis uses a unique point of view to demonstrate the Christian walk from a perspective that is purely observational. Although Lewis' demons have a very intimate impact on humans, their relationships with their 'patients' remain impersonal, and they consider humans only as pawns in their war against God. This allows C.S. Lewis to tackle the folly of the human race from a harsher angle than most Christian writers would ordinarily utilize.
Throughout the book, Screwtape continuously advises Wormwood, a novice tempter, on ways to efficiently tempt his patient toward wickedness. He regards humans very lowly, but understand that a knowledge of their innermost thoughts is pivotal in their line of work. While teaching Wormwood, he delves deep into the minds of man, giving both general mistakes and sub-conscious errors that all Christians are prone to make in their spiritual walks.
Screwtape often mocks Wormwood's limited knowledge of the human mind. Lewis uses this largely as a segue to transition into his next point. However, it also establishes a better look into the hierarchy of demon society and efficiently establishes the characters. Although very little of this background information is Biblically-based, it does provide the reader with an interesting insight into the cruelty of the demon mind.
C.S. Lewis uses a unique point of view to demonstrate God's redeeming powers and unconditional love in our lives. Although his point of view is from the perspective of a demon, Screwtape still demonstrates great surprise at the degree of God's love toward man. Lewis does not let the demonic twist of his The Screwtape Letters prevent him from proclaiming the love of God to his audience.
Screwtape looks in disgust upon God's love for mankind. He notes that God's love is 'the most repellent and inexplicable trait in our Enemy; He really loves the hairless bipeds He has created and always gives back to them with His right hand what He takes away with His left." Screwtape seems continuously unable to understand God's love for humans. Lewis uses this to demonstrate just how far beneath God's love mankind is. Christians are told so frequently that God loves them that most take the wondrous fact for granted.
Throughout the book, Screwtape cannot comprehend God's relationship with mankind. He finds it baffling that such a God would offer man a choice of whether to follow him instead of simply creating a creature without will. His wish is for mankind "to be one with Him, but yet themselves; merely to cancel them, or assimilate them, will not serve.
Screwtape continuously warns Wormwood not to underestimate the will of God and his influence in the lives of man, and cautions him to always be on guard again the counter-attacks of the "enemy". Although truly, the battle against God is no real battle, but instead is the conscious choice of every man. Ultimately the decision of where they will spend the rest of their eternity resides with the individual, and no amount of influence, righteous or deceitful, can make the decision.
In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis effectively conveys his message using a unique perspective.
Work Cited
Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters. New York: Harper Collins, 2001. Print
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