Judy M. (nursejudy) - , reviewed on 12/10/2012 + 56 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis is certainly a different kind of book than any I've read before. In the form of several letters, Mr. Lewis relays the tale of Worm wood, a novice tempter. Screwtape, Wormwood's uncle, narrates through the letters as he advises Wormwood on the best ways to tempt the "patient." Many topics are covered by these letters, as they appear throughout the patient's life up to the time of his death. Screwtape repeatedly corrects his nephew, and in so doing gives us brief insights into several things that are not commonly discussed. For example, Screwtape writes of family relationships and the importance of prayer. He also indirectly shows the foreignness of love to one dwelling in Hell.
One of the things that bothered me the most about this book was the way the author implied the possibility of losing one's salvation. Although those who were not really saved in the first place can be lost in that way, the true children of God cannot be plucked out of His hand. There were also some other points where I disagreed with Mr. Lewis' theology, but that was the most disturbing one. All in all, if you're reading for enjoyment, The Screwtape Letters is really an interesting book; but those who would read it for the theology had better be a little wary.

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