What Is The Theme Of The Screwtape Letters By Cs Lewis

C. S. Lewis takes an interesting standpoint in this book. He takes what a normal Christian would usually think and twists it into a full 180 degrees. Not only does C. S. Lewis challenge Christians to take a different view of the spiritual battle taking place within the lives of every person, but Lewis also causes their faith to possibly grow. There are five main viewpoints examined throughout this essay; Anthropology, Bibliology, Theology, Christology, and Soteriology. The definition for Anthropology is “the study of human beings and their ancestors through time and space and in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture.” (Merriam Webster). In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis depicts the average human

Soteriology is basically the doctrine of salvation, or in other words the belief in how to become saved. Salvation is the worst thing that could ever take place in a person’s life, from Screwtape’s point of view. When somebody becomes saved, it deals a major blow to a devil’s mission; if not completely undermine the entire point of the mission. Once the Patient becomes saved, the new mission is for Wormwood to make the Patient’s faith become dull or dormant. However, because the patient already repented of his sins and became saved Wormwood now must face punishment for allowing this to happen. Despite Screwtape giving continuous advice to Wormwood about trying and keep the patient away from any deep thinking. This idea is clearly shown from Screwtape’s comment to Wormwood, “Your business is to fix his attention on the stream. Teach him to call it ‘real life’ and don’t let him ask what he means by ‘real’.” (2). However, the patient does eventually convert to Christianity and Wormwood must now pay, as Screwtape points out, “I note with grave displeasure that your patient has become a Christian. Do not indulge the hope that you will escape the usual penalties; indeed, in your better moments, I trust you would hardly wish to do so.” (5). Some people may ask a question like, “How can a person know for certain that a devil’s first target is somebody’s salvation and to keep them away from it?” The

The five perspectives show just how much thought C.S. Lewis put into one of his finest literary works for the reader to ponder over and delve into. The Screwtape Letters show Christians a different point of view and challenges the normal way of thinking about evil. It forces the reader to take a long, hard look into their personal lives and the seemingly insignificant sins that he or she committed over the years. A devoted Christian that wants to progress further in the faith will delve into the hidden themes and messages found all over this book and study the opposing view shown all throughout The Screwtape Letters. Ultimately, The Screwtape Letters will help embolden one in the Christian faith and give them pointers into what their individual demon might have in store for