Buncombe Reads Philosophy/Religion: The Screwtape Letters

Books on Philosophy, Religion, or even Anti-religion are plentiful and offer another avenue for readers to explore, no matter their philosophical/religious leanings, and allow us to better understand our own beliefs and those that may be contrary to our own.  I think exploring these topics is important and it’s vital to having a civil discussion since people who feel attacked are very unlikely to enter into a discourse that allows for the sharing, or even changing of, ideas.

While I will be transparent here, I do follow the Christian Faith, I will do my best to be unbiased in the coming weeks and I hope to review a wide spectrum of books. However, I am going to start with a classic and one I enjoy.  While it may not be the first choice or some, The Screwtape Letters is a fantastic look into Christian theology, mainly temptation from “the enemy” and the attempt to draw humans away from God.

The book is a series of letters between two demons, Screwtape being the older, and his nephew, Wormwood.  Wormwood is trying to entice a human away from God and is relying on advice from his uncle on how to draw this individual to “The Father Below.”

While this book does a great job showing the battle someone, especially new to Christianity, will face when it comes to questioning their faith, facing temptation, or fleeing from their “old” life, it’s smartly written and provides a great insight into two ways people face temptation and fall in the Christian religion.  Wormwood is throwing temptations that are major and depraved while Screwtape talks about minor, undetectable sins that slowly draw one away from God.

Christians reading this will likely find a great deal of help or insight into personal struggles or concepts within Christianity, while non-religious folks may benefit from the point of view Christianity brings in the realm of good vs. evil and temptation to stray from God.  

Either way, whether you take this as a helpful book or a creative work of fiction, it’s a fantastic read by an amazing author who has a unique ability to capture the essence of his religion.