Monday in the 3rd Week of Lent: Letter 15

      Letter 15 Notes (Monday in Lent 3)

      The Scripture Lessons for today are HERE!

In Letter 15, Screwtape returns to the War that had caused so much anxiety and fear for the Patient in Letter #6.  There is a lull in the fighting which would naturally lead to a lull in the Patient’s concern over whether or not he will be drafted.

From here Screwtape advises his nephew to keep pressing the issue of time – most notably the future.  We’ve all heard the TV preachers who preach week after week on the 2nd Coming.  You would think the book of Revelation is the whole Bible.  However, the Bible is far more concerned about how we live in the present and uses the past as a guide. 

In our Gospel reading for today from Luke chapter 4, Jesus does exactly that.  Teaching in the synagogue at Nazareth he uses the Old Testament stories of the Widow of Zarephath from 1st Kings and Naaman the Syrian from 2nd Kings to make his point. 

When the disciples ask Jesus about the future and when he will return in Matthew chapter 24, He tells them to not worry about it, but to always be ready.  He uses the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids to illustrate his point that we should always live today in expectation that Christ will come.

The question is will we recognize Christ when He comes.  Great story about a new Rector’s first visit to the new parish.

STORY

Now to Letter 15 and Screwtape

  1. Focus on the Future:
    • Screwtape advises Wormwood to keep his patient (the human) thinking about the future, as it is filled with uncertainty and fear. For example, he suggests making the patient worry about potential career failures or personal relationships that might go wrong.

 

  1. Distraction from the Present:
    • By focusing on the future, the patient becomes distracted from their present duties and spiritual growth. An example would be the patient neglecting their current responsibilities, such as helping others or engaging in meaningful activities, because they are too preoccupied with what might happen tomorrow.

 

  1. Manipulation of Time:
    • Screwtape explains that manipulating the patient's perception of time can lead them away from their spiritual path. For instance, making the patient constantly plan for the future or dwell on past mistakes prevents them from living fully in the present moment, where they can make positive changes.

 

  1. Anxiety and Fear:
    • The letter emphasizes how anxiety and fear about the future can paralyze the patient. An example is the patient becoming so anxious about potential disasters or failures that they are unable to take any action in the present, leading to a sense of helplessness and despair.

 

These examples illustrate how Screwtape's strategies aim to undermine the patient's spiritual well-being by keeping them focused on the uncertain and often frightening future, rather than the present where they can actively grow and improve.

 

Letter #15 of "The Screwtape Letters" connects with other letters in the book through several recurring themes and strategies used by Screwtape to tempt humans. Here are a few ways it relates:

 

  1. Focus on Time:
    • Throughout the book, Screwtape emphasizes manipulating the patient's perception of time. In Letter #1, he advises Wormwood to keep the patient focused on anything but the present. This theme is revisited in Letter #15, where the future is highlighted as a key distraction.
  1. Exploiting Human Weaknesses:
    • Many letters discuss exploiting human weaknesses, such as pride, vanity, and fear. Letter #15 focuses on fear of the future, while other letters, like Letter #2, discuss using pride and vanity to lead the patient astray. 
  1. Distraction from Spiritual Growth:
    • A common strategy is to distract the patient from spiritual growth. In Letter #12, Screwtape talks about using small, seemingly insignificant distractions to gradually lead the patient away from their faith. Letter #15 continues this idea by using anxiety about the future to prevent the patient from focusing on their spiritual duties in the present.
  1. Undermining Relationships:
    • Several letters, including Letter #3, focus on undermining the patient's relationships with others. Letter #15 indirectly supports this by suggesting that anxiety about the future can strain relationships, as the patient becomes more self-centered and less attentive to others.

These connections illustrate the comprehensive and multifaceted approach Screwtape uses to tempt humans, showing how different strategies can work together to achieve the same goal.

 

Letter #15 and Letter #6 of "The Screwtape Letters" both explore the theme of manipulating human emotions and thoughts, but they focus on different aspects of this manipulation.

 

Letter #15:

  • Focus on the Future: Screwtape advises Wormwood to keep the patient preoccupied with the future, filled with uncertainty and fear. This distraction prevents the patient from living fully in the present and growing spiritually.
  • Anxiety and Fear: The emphasis is on how anxiety about the future can paralyze the patient, making them easier to control and less effective in their current duties and spiritual practices.

 

Letter #6:

  • Fear and Anxiety about War: In this letter, Screwtape discusses how to exploit the patient's fear and anxiety about the ongoing war (World War II). He suggests using these fears to create a sense of dread and helplessness.
  • Focus on Self: Screwtape advises Wormwood to make the patient focus on their own safety and well-being, rather than on their duties or the well-being of others. This self-centeredness can lead to a weakening of the patient's faith and moral resolve.

 

Comparison:

  • Common Themes: Both letters deal with fear and anxiety as tools for temptation. They highlight how these emotions can distract the patient from their spiritual growth and duties.
  • Different Focuses: Letter #15 focuses on the future and the general anxiety it brings, while Letter #6 is more specific, dealing with the fear of war and its immediate impact on the patient's thoughts and actions.
  • Strategies: In both letters, Screwtape emphasizes the importance of keeping the patient distracted and self-centered, but the methods differ. Letter #15 uses the uncertainty of the future, while Letter #6 uses the immediate threat of war.

These letters together illustrate how Screwtape tailors his strategies to different situations, always aiming to exploit human weaknesses and divert the patient from their spiritual path.

The Collect

Look upon the heart-felt desires of your humble servants, Almighty God, and stretch forth the right hand of your majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.