1942 Review of Screwtape Letters by C S Lewis

From Inter-varsity magazine Summer 1942

Screwtape Letters, by C. S. Lewis (Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford). Geoffrey Bles, 5 s.

Anything written by C. S. Lewis merits the closest attention of all who claim to be Christian, and who are anxious that others be converted. He is surely the most striking convert from militant atheism to a robust and joyful faith of the past twenty years. His previous books — "The Pilgrim's Regress" and "The Problem of Pain" - demonstrate that abundantly. And there are many senses in which it is true to say that he is the most significant writer on religious matters in this country to-day. His massive, and at the same nine, crystal-clear mind, coupled with his distinguished literary style and quite unusual gift of lucidity in presenting the truth, make of him a redoubtable champion of the Faith.

In this his latest book all these qualities are much in evidence, but, in addition, he reveals himself as a spiritual director of the finest order, and as the modern descendant of John Bunyan.

His object is to help, warn, strengthen and encourage a raw convert to Christianity. The method lie adopts is the novel and unusual one of presenting the struggles and the progress of such a soul from the standpoint of the powers that are set against us. Screwtape is one of the important emissaries of Satan. He writes a series of letters to his nephew Wormwood instructing him what to do with his patient the new convert. Thus all the temptations, arising from within and without, that assail us are displayed in all their subtlety and horror. The form into which the matter is cast serves to bring out in a forceful manner the truth that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The book is literally packed with good things, and it is impossible to single out any one chapter as being of exceptional merit. Perhaps chapter XIV on false and true humility is the most outstanding. For a new convert, especially of the "hearty" type, this book would be a priceless gift. Indeed, it is a book we all need to help us to "examine ourselves, whether we be in the faith" and to "prove our own selves." As every book which sets out with its avowed object and intention should be, it is at once cathartic and stimulating in its effect. Should any object to, or cavil at, its unusual allegorical form they had better read "Pilgrim's Progress" by way of introduction!

D. M. Ll-J.