A Study Guide for CS Lewis’s Screwtape Letters
With Special Emphasis on Calling and Vocation Issues
for Daily Living
A Lilly Grant Project
Calvin College
Paulo and Adriana Ribeiro
Temptations
Temptations
Calling
Temptations
Temptations
"What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that
they could 'be like gods' - could set up on their own as if they had created
themselves - be their own masters - invent some sort of happiness for
themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt
has come nearly all that we call human history - money, poverty, ambition,
war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery - the long terrible story of
[humanity] trying to find something other than God to make [them] happy."
Talents
Vocation
Service
Re-Direction
A Vocation / Temptation Flow Chart
Outline
•
General Introduction
– The Letters
– How it all begun – Lessons from Paradise (The Losing of the Original Calling /
Vocation)
•
•
•
•
•
Defining Calling / Vocation
– Considerations on Calling and Vocation
Letters (31)
– Introduction Story
– Title, Topics and Issues
– Vocabulary / Key Words
– Analysis Matrix
– Questions for Discussions and Reflections
– Resistance Strategy
– Realigning Vocation Path Strategy - Blogging Your Experience
– Key Scriptures to Memorize
– Keep Virtues to Practice
– Keep Gifts / Disciplines to Restore
– Characters From The Great Divorce, The Pilgrim’s Regress, etc.
Conclusions
– Steps for Restoring The Vocation Path / Road Map
Appendices
References
The Letters
These letters were supposedly written by an experienced
devil, Screwtape, to his young nephew, Wormwood.
When these letters first appeared in the Manchester
Guardian during the World War II, a reader wrote as to
cancel his subscription because “much of the advice
given in these letters seemed to him not only erroneous
but positively diabolical.”
Lewis explained later only that his purpose was not to
wonder about the diabolical life but to throw light from a
new perspective on the life of man.
The letters cover many different situations which Christians
face on a daily basis. This Study Guide has the objective
to encourage you to further reflect on these issues which
affect your spiritual struggles and vocational plans.
DRAFT
How it all begun – Lessons from Paradise
The Losing of the Original Calling / Vocation
The Steps towards the first misdirection on our vocation road map:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Feeling of self importance
Sense of insatisfaction
Desire for more power
Lusting with prohibited things
Falling to temptation
Realization the deadly consequences
Rejection of sole responsibility
Recognition of the difference between the consequences of obedience and disobedience
Provokes others to follow similar action of disobedience - spreads evil
Hides the motivation behind the actions
Exploits the secret motivation to gain control
Rouses transgression for promoting its own benefit
Action causes death, in other words: an act of murder is committed
Becomes blind to the real meaning for the action (No man / woman, perhaps, ever at first
described to himself the act he was about to do as murder, adultery, perversion. When he
hears it so described by other men he is sincerely shocked and surprised” )
15. Hides from the presence of God
References: Genesis, Paradise Lost, and Preface to Paradise Lost
DRAFT
Defining Calling / Vocation
Considerations on Calling and Vocation
Vocation, profession, gifts, work, trade, talent, aptitude, calling, etc.: What are their
meanings? What is a talent? What am I supposed to be and do? What should I be
doing as an agent of renewal? What is their significance in our choice of studies and
professional life? What is the most significance factor in our calling to be salt and
light? What will I be when I grow up? What and how should I live out my professional
life as to be a blessing and help forwarding of God’s Kingdom?
We pray daily: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10). But how
does this apply to my living, working, and how do I incorporate play?
Before we go on let us just remind ourselves the meaning of vocation: career:
profession, job, occupation, work, trade, craft, art or calling: aptitude, inclination,
talent, natural ability, ability. With these definitions in mind let us work through a few
examples of people in the bible who where called to serve. How did they fare under
God’s guidance? In the Old Testament we see for example of Abraham, some of the
artisans of the first tabernacle, Barak and Debora, Isaiah and Jeremiah. In the New
Testament, we see the examples of Maria, Philip and Paul. You add more examples
from the bible and of your circumstances. - - - - - - - - - Reference: Callings, etc.
DRAFT
Letter I
Title: Reason, Truth, Material Needs and Science
Fundamental Principles For Seeking Direction
In this letter CSL covers many subjects related to seeking direction for life. From
books and friends, to intellectual attitudes; from material needs to the meaning of life
and the popular understanding and use of science and knowledge, he briefly brings all
these issues into light. Since the advice proceeds from a devilish perspective the
approach is to put us into a state of confusion and emphasize what Lewis calls it
“chronological Snobbery” (ref..).
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to
devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are
undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
I Peter 5:8-9
“Like a good chess player he (Satan) is always trying to maneuver you into a position where you can save your castle
only by losing your bishop.” CSL
DRAFT
Vocabulary
Key Words
Letter I
Materialism
Reasoning
Philosophies
Doctrines
True / False
Academic / Practical /Outworn
Contemporary / Conventional
Jargon
Church
Argument
Stream
Spirit
Ordinary
Atheism
Actuality
Unfamiliar / Ordinariness
Science
Economics / Sociology
Real life
Modern
Fuddle
DRAFT
Analysis Matrix – Letter I
Reason, Truth, Material Needs and Science
Area of Life
Devil’s Advice
God’s Way
Obs., References
Books and
Friends
Relativistic, materialistic
Christian Character Building
Search for Wisdom
Truth, honesty are needed
Jas 1:6,Ro 5:3-5
Pr 4:7
Is 59:14-15, Php 4:8
Intellect
Avoid argument and reasoning.
Use jargon instead. Make him think it strong, or
stark, or courageous - - -
God is the source of truth,
reason and understanding. God
Says BE strong, Avoid stupid
arguments…
Pr 4:7
Php 3:13-14, Isa 35:4
II Tim 2:23
Philosophies
Doctrines
Encourage several Incompatible Philosophies
inside his head
Doctrines?
Academic or Practical
Outworn or Contemporary
Conventional or Ruthless
Language
Use Jargon (and propaganda)
Materialism?
The Philosophy of the Future
Built on the foundation of
Christ ...
Avoid unstable teaching
True and False
Eph 2:20
Eph 4:14-15
We do not use deception – the
god of this age has blinded …
II Co 4:2-4
Mt 5:37
Guide me in your truth - Ps
25:5, II Tim. 3:16
Mt 6:19-21
Use argument / reasoning
Yes be yes…
Use Scriptures
Store treasures in heaven
DRAFT
Characters From The Great Divorce, The
Pilgrim’s Regress, etc.
Further Reading / References
An interview with an apostate cleric ... ...
"My dear boy, I'm delighted to see you," it was saying to
the Spirit, who was naked and almost blindingly white.
"I was talking to your poor father the other day and
wondering where you were." "You didn't bring him?"
said the other. "Well, no. He lives a long way from the
bus, and, to be quite frank, he's been getting a little
eccentric lately. A little difficult. Losing his grip. He
never was prepared to make any great efforts, you
know. If you remember, he used to go to sleep when
you and I got talking seriously! Ah, Dick, I shall never
forget some of our talks. I expect you've changed your
views a bit since then. You became rather narrowminded towards the end of your life: but no doubt
you've broadened out again." "How do you mean?"
"Well, it's obvious by now, isn't it, that you weren't quite
right. Why, my dear boy, you were coming to believe in
a literal Heaven and Hell!" "But wasn't I right?" ----------
DRAFT
Questions for Discussion
1 - How enslaved are we to chronological snobbery?
2 – How can we use reasoning to grow spiritually?
3 – How enslaved are we to the pressures of the ordinary?
4 – How can argument and reason bring us close to God? (Gods ways are not
our ways, but should we use our God given intellect?)
5 – Is science (real science) a help or a threat to our understanding of God?
6 – How do these issues affect my perspective on my spiritual life and personal
vocation plans and goals?
7 – How do these issues affect my DAILY walk with God?
For Further Reading and Reflection
How does this chapter shows a light on how I relate to God and see my vocation?
Reading: TheWeight of Glory..
DRAFT
Resistance Strategy
Realigning Vocation Path Strategy
Blogging Your Experience
Resistance
Strategy
__________________________
Realigning Vocation Path
Strategy
__________________________
1_________________
1_________________
2_________________
2_________________
3_________________
3_________________
4_________________
4_________________
www.blogging.your.experience.com
DRAFT
Letter XXX
Title: Fear, Fatigue, Emotions, and “Reality”
Dealing With Normal Life Pressures
In this letter the consequences of fatigue, emotions and evil are explored. It also talks
about the best diabolical result of “attacks on patience, chastity, and fortitude (the fun
is to make the man yield just when (had he but known it) relief was almost in sight.”
Finally Lewis tries us to come to grip with some definitions of reality. ”Your patient,
properly handled, will have no difficulty in regarding his emotion at the sight of human
entrails as a revelation of Reality and his emotion at the sight of happy children or fair
weather as mere sentiment”.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to
devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are
undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
I Peter 5:8-9
“Like a good chess player he (Satan) is always trying to maneuver you into a position where you can save your castle
only by losing your bishop.” CSL
Vocabulary
Key Words
Letter I
Analysis Matrix – Letter XXX
Fear, Fatigue, Emotions, and “Reality”
Area of Life
Justice
Self Knowledge
Emotions
Fatigue
Devil’s Advice
God’s Way
References
Purely realistic, and concerned only with results
Bring us back food, or be food yourself
Take in account opportunities
and intentions
Questions
Distort virtues
Inflate abilities
Avoid duties
Know our own limitations:
Fear … “but has done
everything his duties
demanded”
Ps 103: 14 for he knows
how we are formed, he
remembers that we are
dust.
Provoke a burst of ill temper
Excessive cigarette smoking
Forgetting prayers
Moderate fatigue is a better soil for peevishness
than absolute exhaustion
It is not fatigue simply as such that produces
anger, but unexpected demands on a man already
tired
Provoke anger, malice and impatience
Feed him with false hopes
Let his inner resolution be not to bear whatever
comes to him, but bear it for a reasonable period
Attacks on patience, chastity, and fortitude: the
fun is to make the man yield just when (had be but
known it) relief was just in sight
Attack emotions
Peace that surpasses all
understanding
Gentleness, and quiet of mind,
and even something like vision.
God give us true hope
Endure and Persevere
Be a servant
Hope of eternal life, despising
the world
Stand firm till the end
God will not tempt you beyond
endurance
Ph. 4:7 “And the peace of
God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard
your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 6:11
“ flee from all this, and
pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love,
endurance and
gentleness”
“No temptation is beyond
what you can bear 1
Corinthians 10: 13”
Heb. 3:6 “ hold fast the
confidence and the
rejoicing of the hope firm
unto the end.”
Analysis Matrix – Letter XXX
Fear, Fatigue, Emotions, and “Reality”
Area of Life
Reality
Devil’s Advice
God’s Way
References
Human remains plastered on a wall: “what the
world is really like’ and that all religion has been a
fantasy
Get them fogged about the meaning of the word
“real.”
Confusion between the bare physical facts,
separated from the other elements in the
experience they actually had.
All experiences which can make them happier or
better only the physical facts are "Real" while the
spiritual elements are "subjective"; in all
experiences which can discourage or corrupt them
the spiritual elements are the main reality”
Happiness = Real Experience
Spiritual = Subjective Experience
Birth: Blood and Pain = Real Experience
Rejoicing = Subjective Experience
Hatred: Hated Person = Real Thing
Love: Loved Person = Subjective (concealing
sexual appetite or economic association)
Happy children, fair weather= mere sentiment
Human entrails= a revelation of reality
Feelings under control of faith
This life is just a preface
Creation is groaning for
redemption
Spiritual warfare: and our
physical world is just the
outward appearance of eternal
realities
Happy is subject to peace that
surpasses all understanding
Hebrews 11(by faith)
Psalm 136:
1 O give thanks to the
LORD, for he is good, for
his steadfast love endures
for ever.
2 O give thanks to the
God of gods, for his
steadfast love endures for
ever.
3 O give thanks to the
Lord of lords, for his
steadfast love endures for
ever;
4 to him who alone does
great wonders, for his
steadfast love endures
forever.
Questions for Discussion
1. Are emotions / feelings unholy expressions?
2.Why should we not live by emotions?
3.How can we control and use our emotions to the glory of God?
4.How can we resist the devil to use our emotions to distract us from doing God’s will
5.How can fatigue influence or reactions to varied situations?
6.What should be our best training to prepare ourselves to similar situations?
7.In what sense can recognition of ones limitations help us in our spiritual warfare?
8.What is ironic about Wormwood’s desire to excuse himself about the “opportunities and
intentions to be taken into account”?
9.What is the Biblical idea of justice?
10.Why is moderate fatigue a better soil for peevishness than absolute exhaustion?
11.What is the problem with “exaggerating weariness”, and the reminder that it will soon be
over? Have you ever been caught in such a circumstance?
12.What in CS Lewis is the difference between a tired woman/ man? Can this knowledge be of
any help for us in trying to be faithful in our trials?
13.Is the “general rule” for emotional experiences being “real” or not according to CSL
applicable to our day and age? What should then, be the correct way of dealing with our
emotional experiences?
14.How does CS Lewis elaborate on the subjective and realistic ideas of physical and spiritual
facts?
For Further Reading and Reflection
Characters From The Great Divorce, The
Pilgrim’s Regress, etc.
Further Reading / References
Resistance Strategy
Realigning Vocation Path Strategy
Blogging Your Experience
Resistance
Strategy
__________________________
Realigning Vocation Path
Strategy
__________________________
1_________________
1_________________
2_________________
2_________________
3_________________
3_________________
4_________________
4_________________
www.blogging.your.experience.com
DRAFT
Steps for Restoring The Vocation Path / Road Map
- Total honesty with regard to the challenges and temptations
which we face at Calvin and in the real world.
- Total transparency in our dealings, business and relationship
- Total acceptance of our limitations, etc.
- Total surrender to the Lord now (it will happen sooner or later
- hopefully in faith)
- Total commitment and involvement with the tasks at hand
Only then, we will be able to maintain the focus on the
Christian calling and vocation road map, and facilitate
corrections on the journey when we are distracted on the way.
DRAFT
Appendices
References
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Screwtape
The Great Divorce
Callings
Scripture (NIV)
Letters to Malcolm
Mere Christianity
The Pilgrim’s Regress
DRAFT