The concept that seems to rule this chapter is over-complication. The patient has come to value the power of prayer, and Screwtape is quick to note how bad this is for his nephew's efforts. The response he takes to prayer is to point out the number of ways prayer can be twisted into something that is a whole lot less appealing. The patient is supposed to think that his prayers are doing absolutely nothing and the fact that things don't always go his way are proof of that. Instead of sticking to faith, Screwrapes hopes the patient will essentially start a checklist of when his prayers have or have not been answered, and become frustrated at the number of times they are not answered.
The second part of over-complication comes from reading old books, and figuring out that the world has changed so much over time that the authors were a bit crazy by modern standards. In both instances it is possible to see just how uncertain things are in the world. We cannot remember when we were a week old. We often even have a hard time remembering what we did yesterday. Not knowing everything is just part of life. However, over-complicating things we don't know can also become a part of life. Through doubt and such, the simplest aspects of faith can be destroyed miserably. This is what Screwtape seems to want to see happen with the patient. The more the patient over-analyzes things that should have a level of faith to them, the better for Wormwood.
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The Screwtape Letters
If you're reading this, you're most likely a classmate from RELI 220 so welcome. I'll be interested in reading what you think of my reactions to The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and look forward to good conversations over the course of the semester.
2 comments:
I too enjoyed this letter, and agree with what you said. Why wouldnt the devil want us to become frustrated with our unanswered prayers, and general let downs.
I fully agree with you regarding the over-complications and your analogies. One of the oldest tricks of the devil (Screwtape) is to deter anyone from effective prayer. In fact, he does not want you praying at all, much less to be effective. First, Screwtape wants the patient to be set-up with discouragement. And, then he wants the patient to see the unanswered prayers to have him doubt and disbelieve so that his faith is stolen. The devil knows that he has accomplished the ultimate goal when he steals someone's faith. Because, then he can take everything else.
Modern standards have their place in certain instances. The world is temporal; there is no security there. That is why God says to give your life to Him where the eternal is secure, especially because the world is ever changing and unpredictable. If we knew everything, then we would have no need for God or eternity. Doubt, unbelief, and fear are negative forces that work the opposite way of faith, belief, and trust. If the devil (Screwtape) can get the patient to over-analyze things or lean on his own understanding, the farther away the patient will be to God's understanding and ways. Then, Wormwood can finish the job of bringing the patient down and destroying him.
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