Xav and Friends read Screwtape

[Xavier]

Hey-O folks,

I'm a member of a Bible Study here on the Clemson campus, and we just happen to be studying The Screwtape Letters.

We've started studying this book before, but complications in Rando's life caused us to get lost.

So, I've decided to carry on right here with my notes and notes from the conversations with the guys of my group.

They'll have the address so they can stop by a read it. Maybe some of them will join our crazy place.

First post (after this one obviously) will be on Letters One and Two.

Yours,
Xavier

[One Bad Pig]

:cool: I'll have to pull out my copy.

[Xavier]

Now for the first post...

This will be on letters One and Two. The notes will come from our Bible Study meeting on Wednesday, September 1 and from my personal notes (most of which are already in Rando's thread for these letters, but I'll add as I go).

In Letter 1, Lewis emphasisizes several dicotomies found in the world today that Satan and his minions attempt to use for their own benefit.

Screwtape reminds his ward (who's name escapes me at the moment) that he must constant remind his assign human of the "Real World". One must not be allowed to dwell on Reality (and especially not on the truth of reality), but rather must constantly be reminded on the mundane items of existance on Earth.

Another dictomy is about the Church (though I think it can be extended to life as well). Screwtape emphasises the orindaryness of the people and the place of the church. He says that you must avoid the grandure of the Church (being the body of believers).

Yet another is the difference between Teaching and Confusing. One must avoid being taught at all costs for this would lead to the truth (and ultimately to the Truth). Confusion on the other hand fits Satan's designs rather well. For ignorance is the blank slate waiting to be written on. (How's that for bad metaphor? :wink:)

The last piece of advice from Screwtape is distraction. Keep the subject from ever thinking about "truth" by offering up something more important (like food). The wonderful example presented in the book of a man in the museum having his thoughts going the "wrong" way. Screwtape presents lunch as an option. God counters with the importance of the thought. Screwtape counter with "too important on an empty stomache". We must keep these distraction from allowing God to place us where we need to be. The quiet time would be a great place for God to contact us and for Satan to distract us.

I'll save Letter 2 for when I can think straight... :hehe:

Yours,
Xavier

[Raptor]

Wormwood is the name of the ward. Does an online version of the letters exist? I'd like to follow along myself.

[Xavier]

Couldn't find a full text online... Check you library.

[Raptor]

Couldn't find a full text online... Check you library.
Ok, thanks.

[Amazing Rando]

Hi X- I'll try to contribue from time to time as I've partially read the book myself. I'm quite a bit more busy though with my current seminary work, but Screwtape's so good, it's worth another look!

[Xavier]

Hi X- I'll try to contribue from time to time as I've partially read the book myself. I'm quite a bit more busy though with my current seminary work, but Screwtape's so good, it's worth another look!

Thanks Rando...

I started a new thread so my study could come by a read it if they wanted to. However, I ended up starting a blog to share with them (screwtapestudy.blogspot.com).

I'll still be posting my posts both places as a suppliment to our original study. :smile:

Hope things are going well.

Yours,
Xav

[Archangel]

Hey X, where and when is the study again? I might like to come sit in on it sometime. If you dont mind that is.

[Xavier]

Hey X, where and when is the study again? I might like to come sit in on it sometime. If you dont mind that is.
Wednesdays at 7:30...

We usually meet to eat then go study until about 9ish.

I don't know where we are planning to eat this week. I'll try to get Ryan or Josh to tell me...

[RumTumTugger]

:popcorn:

[Raptor]

Just wanted to add I bought the Screwtape letters yesterday. (So I might toss in my own ideas over the next few months.)

[Xavier]

Yeah... I let this little project get away from me... :frown:

[Raptor]

Sucks when life gets in the way of the fun stuff.

[Xavier]

Sucks when life gets in the way of the fun stuff.
Ain't that the truth... I'll try to get something down soon though. I'll use my quiet time for that.