JJ writes,
I am sorry that it took me so long to start writing about this book. I have been kept busy by the never ending “To Do List” of my life. I thought I would share with you all some of the main points of each letter, because each letter contains little nuggets of insight that can be very useful to a person who may be under seige by the Devil ( I being one of them).
Letter 1- Uncle Screwtape starts his letter to his beloved (yet extremely immature and novice) demon nephew Wormwood, by explaining how naive the youngster is regarding his “Patient.” “Patient” is what they call the human who they have been assigned to by the commanding echelon of demons in Hell. Screwtape suggests that the technique Wormwood is using, by guiding the readings of his patient and by keeping him in contact with his Materialist friend, is not a sound measure to keep his patient out of the clutches of The Enemy: God. He describes how humans, the beastly creatures that we are, have been indoctrinated into a culture where it is normal to have dozens of different contradicting philosophies swirling inside ones head, never knowing what may or may not be true. He emplores his aprentice nephew to keep his patient away from argueing about these philosophies becuase when one argues and debates, they think. This puts the ball in the Enemy’s court.
He also emplores Wormwood to never panic if his patient starts to ponder on Spritual things. The better tact is to allow the patient to think these deep questions are important, but Far to important to wrestle with on: say, an empty stomach, or without proper rest, or without proper time alottment. Then Screwtape suggests giving his patient a healthy does of “Real Life.” Point out the mundane, ordinary, inescapable, nessesary or daily duties and realities of life in our generation: “Earthy Worries.” This will surely cure the patient of any interest in ideals of a God.
Letter 2-DOH! Wormwood’s patient has become a Christian. Some time must have passed between the first and second letters. Wormwood is surely in trouble with the Central Demonic Command, but Screwtape isn’t worried about the fate of his nephews patient. So many professed Christians have no clue to what Christianty is really about, resulting in an eternity forever with (as Screwtape calls him) “Our Father Below.” He describes to his nephew certain strategy to make sure his patient never truly knows God. All the habits of the “patient” are still in the favor of the demons. They will use these habits to create distance between the patient and his church. A great quote from letter #2:
One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see her spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners. That, I confess, is a spectacle which makes our boldest tempers uneasy. But fortunately it is quite invisible to these humans.
Letter #3- In this letter Screwtape is happy to hear from Wormwood about his patients relationship with his mother. He say that the enemy (God) will be working from the center outward, gradually bringing more and more of the patients behavior under the new standard. He must not allow his patient to change his behavior regarding his mother. He gives Wormwood these few pointers: #1- Keep the patients mind off the simple duties of a Christian and more on the large spiritual ones. This will allow the patient to maintain is routine regarding people around him. #2- When the patient prays for his mother, guide him to pray for her sins… but make him think her sins are anything that annoys, distracts, or inconvienences him. #3- Keep the patient focused on just how incredibly annoying his mother is to him. Whether it be the tone of her voice or the way she raises her eyebrows at him. #4-He emplores Wormwood to work along side “Glubose” the mother’s assigned demon in order to keep the tension between the mother and son at extreme level. This is done by setting a double standard in each patient. Also by using certain tones of voice and hidden agendas.
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Just heard about this book. A british author and his brother sat down to write a book about the things they liked to do and wanted to know when they were boys, the result being the “The Dangerous Book for Boys”. This book is awesome. It is not a Christian perspective, but it does celebrate manhood in all it’s glory. With sections on hunting, fishing, exploring and carpentry, I consider this book a “must read” for men…especially for fathers with boys. 
I just read some great news: They are planning to re-release “
