Screwtape Letter #16 – Discussion Guide

Letter #16

Things may be getting even worse for Wormwood.
(in spite of or because of Screwtape’s help?)

My dear Wormwood,

You mentioned casually in your last letter that the patient has continued to attend one church, and one only, since he was converted, and that he is not wholly pleased with it. ...urch? Do you realise that unless it is due to indifference it is a very bad thing? Surely you know that if a man can’t be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighbourhood looking for the church that ‘suits’ him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches.

The reasons are obvious. ... So pray bestir yourself and send this fool the round of the neighbouring churches as soon as possible. Your record up to date has not given us much satisfaction.

16.1) In between getting in shots at Wormwood, Screwtape has some most uncomplimentary things to say about churches. Do you think he’s right?

Screwtape also has some warnings about possible attitudes the patient may have - especially during sermons. What does the “attitude” of the church body have to do with the “attitude” of an individual person in that church?

The two churches nearest to him, I have looked up in the office. Both have certain claims. ... But perhaps your patient is not quite silly enough for this church—or not yet.

16.2) We learn a little about church #1.

This one little paragraph is full of praise (from Screwtape) – for the Vicar, for the people that attend the church – and for the patient who will (now or later) be ready for it. What issues does each of them have as far as spiritual growth?

The Vicar -

He has undermined many a soul’s Christianity.

His conduct of the services is also admirable. In order to spare the laity all ‘difficulties’ he has deserted both the lectionary and the appointed psalms and now, without noticing it, revolves endlessly round the little treadmill of his fifteen favourite psalms and twenty favourite lessons.

In other words – he’s no threat to have anyone is his congregation learn anything at all – unless they do it on their own.

Taming the Tongue

Jas 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.  2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.