{"id":78479,"date":"2020-11-10T00:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/?p=78479"},"modified":"2020-12-10T09:46:14","modified_gmt":"2020-12-10T16:46:14","slug":"pwj-s4e11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/2020\/11\/10\/pwj-s4e11\/","title":{"rendered":"PWJ: S4E11 \u2013 TSL 6 \u2013 &#8220;Should I stay or should I go?&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"860\" height=\"484\" src=\"http:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/S4E11-Blog-Heading.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-78600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/S4E11-Blog-Heading.png 860w, https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/S4E11-Blog-Heading-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/S4E11-Blog-Heading-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Matt and I discuss Screwtape&#8217;s sixth letter where he explains how the patient&#8217;s uncertain future should be exploited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>S4E11: Letter #6 &#8211; &#8220;Should I stay or should I go?\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/PWJ-S4E11.mp3\" target=\"_blank\">Download<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/PWJ-S4E11.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you enjoy this episode, you can subscribe\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/TheEagleAndChildPodcast\" target=\"_blank\">manually<\/a>, or\u00a0any place where good podcasts can be found (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-eagle-and-child-podcast-restless-pilgrim\/id1289456381\" target=\"_blank\">iTunes<\/a>,\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/music\/m\/Ixvobfgi2wk4rkdegdnbdqjjh44?t=The_Eagle_and_Child\" target=\"_blank\">Google Play<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Pints-with-Jack\/dp\/B08K57WLYB\/\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.podbean.com\/podcast-detail\/wqkqe-5e798\/The+Eagle+and+Child\" target=\"_blank\">Podbean<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/s?fid=159766&amp;refid=stpr\" target=\"_blank\">Stitcher<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/tunein.com\/radio\/The-Eagle-and-Child-p1079872\/\" target=\"_blank\">TuneIn<\/a> and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/overcast.fm\/itunes1289456381\/pints-with-jack\" target=\"_blank\">Overcast<\/a>), as well as on\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCcYFlFuyOmYL6LcuicqzULw\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube<\/a>. The roadmap for Season 4 is\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/pints-with-jack-season-4\/\">available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More information about us can be found on our website,&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pintswithjack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">PintsWithJack.com<\/a>. If you\u2019d like to support us and get fantastic gifts,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/pintswithjack\">please join us on Patreon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Timestamps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">00:00 \u2013 <em>Entering \u201cThe Eagle &amp; Child\u201d\u2026<\/em><br>00:14 \u2013 <em>Welcome<\/em><br>05:04 \u2013 <em>Song-of-the-week<\/em><br>07:07 \u2013 <em>Quote-of-the-week<\/em><br>07:49 \u2013 <em>Drink-of-the-week<\/em><br>10:32 \u2013 <em>Toast<\/em><br>11:11 \u2013 <em>Chapter Summary<\/em><br>12:34 \u2013 <em>Discussion<\/em><br>48:28 \u2013 <em>Unscrewing Screwtape<\/em><br>50:24 \u2013 <em>&#8220;Last Call&#8221; Bell and Closing Remarks<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">YouTube Version<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"860\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ADowsf12es0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">After Show Skype Session<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"860\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iq1IyS50aAM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Show Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Opening Chit-Chat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Matt and I chatted about the change in dynamic since we have a new regular co-host and a series of guest co-hosts. I explained that I\u2019m really excited about some of the guests scheduled.&nbsp;<ul><li>In just a couple of weeks, we\u2019ve got your interview with Douglas Gresham, one of Lewis\u2019 stepsons. Looking a little further ahead we\u2019ve got Metropolitan Kallistos Ware scheduled, a well-known name in Eastern Orthodox circles, as well as Braxton Hunter, co-host of the popular Trinity Radio podcast and YouTube Channel, as well as the president of Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary in Evansville, Indiana.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Song-of-the-week<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>I explained that the song-of-the-week and episode title from the Clash:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"860\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xMaE6toi4mk?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Should I stay or should I go now?<\/p><p>If I go, there will be trouble<\/p><p>And if I stay it will be double<\/p><cite>Should I stay or should I go?, The Clash<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Since the subject of worry is such an important topic in this letter, other possible songs I considered were:<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=d-diB65scQU\">Don&#8217;t Worry Be Happy<\/a> from Bob Marley.<\/li><li>And the Disney version of that song\u2019s sentiment, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=G1eIoElhab8\">Hakuna Matata<\/a> from <em>The Lion King.<\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quote-of-the-week<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The quote-of-the-week came from this letter:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em><em>\u201cThere is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human\u2019s mind against the Enemy. He wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #5)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drink-of-the-week<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The drink-of-the-week was <strong><em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9x8YnhS8Yes\" target=\"_blank\">Clynelish<\/a> 14 &#8211; single malt<\/em><\/strong>. It didn&#8217;t have the best score (81) (Maccallan and Lagavulin are 95).<ul><li><strong><em>Color<\/em><\/strong><em>: Bright pale orange<\/em><\/li><li><strong><em>Nose<\/em><\/strong><em>: A stroll in the sand dunes<\/em><\/li><li><strong><em>Body<\/em><\/strong><em>: Firm, oily and seductively smoky<\/em><\/li><li><strong><em>Palate<\/em><\/strong><em>: Firm hit of cleansing flavors, coriander, orange, dry, spicy, distinctively mustardy<\/em><\/li><li><strong><em>Finish:<\/em><\/strong><em> Spiciness becomes yet more perfume and exotic<\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Patreon Toast<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Next, Matt offered a toast to a Patreon supporter, Ricardo Gordillo:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;<em>Ricardo, while Satan tries to steal you away from the present moment through uncertainty of the future, may your gaze remain firmly on our Heavenly Father, truth and the present reality!<\/em>&#8220;<\/p><cite>Matt&#8217;s Patreon Toast<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chapter Summary<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>I shared my one-hundred word summary of today&#8217;s letter:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The patient may possibly be called to fight in the war. Screwtape wants the patient worrying extensively about all the different possibilities in his future. <\/p><p>Screwtape downplays the effectiveness of fostering hatred for the Germans. He says that goodness often shines through regardless, and it does Hell no good if the patient is, at the same time, also fostering benevolence to his neighbours. <\/p><p>Screwtape ends his letter by presenting a model of humanity based on three concentric circles: will, intellect and fantasy, saying that all virtue must be pushed to the edge and far away from his will.<\/p><cite>One-hundred word summary of Chapter 6<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also commented that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/CSLewisDoodle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">C.S. Lewis Doodle<\/a> for this letter is fantastic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"860\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fFhLvycmdJ0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Fear<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Screwtape begins by saying how happy he is that it seems possible that the patient will be conscripted to fight in the war. Remember, this was a situation with which Lewis experienced firsthand. Not only did he fight in WWI, he was still only forty at the outbreak of WWII and was therefore eligible to be called up for military duty. (In the end he served in the Home Guard, patrolling the streets of Oxford) So, our patient may or may not be sent to fight\u2026 Screwtape wants to use this uncertainty towards his hellish ends:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>We want him to be in the maximum uncertainty, so that his mind will be filled with contradictory pictures of the future, every one of which arouses hope or fear.<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I love the line about \u201ccontradictory pictures of the future\u201d. Screwtape wants him to worry about every possible future and forget that they all can\u2019t happen! Later this season we\u2019re going to be reading The Silver Chair and meet Puddleglum who is the master of worrying!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;Remember one is given strength to bear what happens to one, but not the 100 and 1 different things that <strong>might<\/strong> happen&#8221;<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, Letters To An American Lady (3\/8\/56)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, one might understand why a demon would like a human to suffer, but Screwtape sees this worry as more than pure enjoyment. He says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human\u2019s mind against the Enemy.<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Screwtape is results-focussed. The only thing which matters is separating the man from God, and that\u2019s why he wants the man to worry &#8211; it can be used to separate him from God.<\/li><li>Jesus even said this in the parable of the sower:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.<\/em><\/p><cite>Matthew 13:22<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>[The Enemy] wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them.<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is Screwtape\u2019s main point in this letter. He\u2019ll articulate it again (differently) at the end of the letter. Screwtape wants to keep the man thinking and away from action. He wants him worried and inert. This keeps him away from doing anything actionable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Thy Will Be Done<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, the patient, being a Christian, knows that he must submit to God\u2019s will and carry his cross, which Screwtape explains means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8230;primarily that he should accept with patience the tribulation which has actually been dealt out to him \u2014 the present anxiety and suspense.<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Obviously Screwtape doesn\u2019t want the patient to do this, so he instructs Wormwood:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>It is your business to see that the patient never thinks of the present fear as his appointed cross, but only of the things he is afraid of.<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a subtlety here that\u2019s easy to miss. The patient should regard the present fear and uncertainty as the cross. What Screwtape wants to do is for him to think that the full catalogue of possible futures are his cross &#8211; a far greater load.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Screwtape goes on:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8230;let him forget that, since they are incompatible, they cannot all happen to him, and let him try to practise fortitude and patience to them all in advance. For real resignation, at the same moment, to a dozen different and hypothetical fates, is almost impossible, and the Enemy does not greatly assist those who are trying to attain it\u2026<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What does the Bible have to say about this? Jesus speaks about anxiety concerning the ture in Matthew\u2019s Gospel:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cTherefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? \u2026 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. \u201cTherefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day\u2019s own trouble be sufficient for the day.<\/em> <\/p><cite>Matthew 6:25-34<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, telling someone not to be anxious is only so helpful. It\u2019s rather like telling someone not to imagine a pink elephant &#8211; it often has the reverse effect! I would suggest, therefore that one reduces anxiety by prayer and by contemplating the good, the true and the beautiful. As St. Paul says to the Philippians:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.<\/em><\/p><cite>Philippians 4:6-7<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Looking at and looking along<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Back to Letter #4\u2026in the fourth paragraph there were a few sentences which were somewhat ambiguous\u2026 Screwtape reminds Wormwood of his previous letter on prayer where he says that prayers can be weakened by redirecting the patient\u2019s attention from God to his own thoughts about God. He then says<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>On the other hand fear becomes easier to master when the patient&#8217;s mind is diverted from the thing feared to the fear itself, considered as a present and undesirable state of his own mind; and when he regards the fear as his appointed cross he will inevitably think of it as a state of mind.<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Back in Letter #4, Screwtape spoke about compromising the patient\u2019s prayers through redirection, turning his attention from God to his own state of mind. Screwtape now articulates a general spiritual rule for Wormwood:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8230;in all activities of mind which favour our cause, encourage the patient to be unselfconscious and to concentrate on the object, but in all activities favourable to the Enemy bend his mind back on itself.<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Basically, they want humans to think about their state of mind only when they\u2019re doing something good, so as to tempt them to pride. If they\u2019re doing something bad, then it serves Hell for them to remain completely self-unaware. This is related to Lewis\u2019 essay Meditation In a Toolshed and the distinction which he draws between two ways of knowing, contemplation and enjoyment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Uncle S then gives some examples. He says that if the patient is insulted, that he shouldn\u2019t realize he is entering a state of anger. If the man is attracted to a woman\u2019s body, he shouldn\u2019t recognize that he\u2019s entering a state of lustfulness. On the other hand, if he is being charitable, Screwtape wants him to recognize the fact so that he looks at himself, to the exclusion of God and neighbour. Of course, the Christian response to this should follow St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:5 where we \u201ctake every thought captive to obey Christ\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong>Hating the German Leaders<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Screwtape then transitions from discussing the patient\u2019s uncertainty about whether he\u2019ll be called up to active service, to his general attitude about the war and the Germans. Screwtape says not to expect too much when it comes to hatred of the Germans\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u2026it is usually a sort of melodramatic or mythical hatred directed against imaginary scapegoats\u2026. The results of such fanciful hatred are often most disappointing, and of all humans the English are in this respect the most deplorable milksops [pushovers]. They are creatures of that miserable sort who loudly proclaim that torture is too good for their enemies and then give tea and cigarettes to the first wounded German pilot who turns up at the back door.<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Screwtape explains that \u201cTheir humanity gets the better of this sort of hatred\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong>Redirection<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Screwtape says that the patient is always going to have some benevolence and some malice. What Screwtape wants to do is to direct these impulses carefully:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8230;direct the malice to his immediate neighbours whom he meets every day and to thrust his benevolence out to the remote circumference, to people he does not know. The malice thus becomes wholly real and the benevolence largely imaginary.&nbsp;<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hatred of Hitler or Osama Bin Laden isn\u2019t as \u201creal\u201d as hatred of my neighbour. As we\u2019re approaching an election here in the USA, you might say that it\u2019s easy to have benign feelings towards the persons of Donald Trump or Joe Biden, but it\u2019s very easy to have real hatred for the Biden or Trump supporter who lives next door. You might also consider the fact that we often have more charitable feelings towards the poor in other countries rather than those on our doorstep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Concentric Circles<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a really interesting textual variant in this next section which I\u2019m sure Andrew will discuss in today\u2019s Skype Session, but for now let\u2019s look at the published text\u2026 Remember in the very first letter, Screwtape spoke about a time when people connected thinking and doing? Here he gives a mental model of how Wormwood should think of his patient:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Think of your man as a series of concentric circles, his will being the innermost, his intellect coming next, and finally his fantasy. You can hardly hope, at once, to exclude from all the circles everything that smells of the Enemy: but you must keep on shoving all the virtues outward till they are finally located in the circle of fantasy, and all the desirable qualities inward into the Will.&nbsp; It is only in so far as they reach the will and are there embodied in habits that the virtues are really fatal to us.<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The important word here is \u201cembodied\u201d &#8211; incarnated &#8211; made substantial. Screwtape wants all the good and virtue at the edges, as simply ideas and feelings\u2026never translated into action. Feel deeply about the poor &#8211; don\u2019t actually do anything to help them. Think about sharing the Gospel &#8211; just don\u2019t actually say anything.<\/li><li>Screwtape clarifies what he means about the will. He\u2019s not talking about bold resolutions through clenched teeth, but what he calls \u201cthe real center\u201d, what the Bible calls \u201cthe Heart\u201d, the core of the man\u2019s person.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&nbsp;(I don\u2019t, of course, mean what the patient mistakes for his will, the conscious fume and fret of resolutions and clenched teeth, but the real centre, what the Enemy calls the Heart.)<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The chilling end&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>All sorts of virtues painted in the fantasy or approved by the intellect or even, in some measure, loved and admired, will not keep a man from our Father\u2019s house: indeed they may make him more amusing when he gets there\u2026<\/p><cite>C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Letter #6)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Screwtape Unscrewed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Do <\/strong>focus on your immediate reality<\/li><li><strong>Do not: <\/strong>waste time constantly worrying about the future!<\/li><li><strong>Do not:<\/strong> just think about doing good, act on it!<\/li><li><strong>Do:<\/strong> love your neighbour (even the guy next door!)<\/li><li><strong>Do: <\/strong>be attentive to your state of mind&#8230;but not too much.<\/li><li><strong>Do:<\/strong> combat imagined reality with truth<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>I mentioned the following <em>Casting Crowns<\/em> song:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"860\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9cKm_mYVPQE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pintswithjack.com\/shop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PWJ shop<\/a>!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Providence eLearning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"860\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pLzU7Rfmd2k?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Matt and I discuss Screwtape&#8217;s sixth letter where he explains how the patient&#8217;s uncertain future should be exploited.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":78598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3111],"tags":[5012,274,2969,4482,2271,4438,4822,651],"class_list":["post-78479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast","tag-c-s-lewis-2","tag-david-bates","tag-featured","tag-matt-bush","tag-screwtape","tag-the-eagle-and-child-podcast","tag-the-screwtape-letters","tag-war"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/S4E11-Blog.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78479"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79043,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78479\/revisions\/79043"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78598"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}