Screwtape Letters And The Great Divorce Lewis Summary

C.S. Lewis claims culture is made up of sub-christian values, which are shown through moral and nonmoral actions, and ultimately this is good so Christians should freely participate in culture. Lewis outlines what he exactly means by “sub-christian” in his work Christian Reflections, in which he also give Christians a charge to engage in these things. In Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce, Lewis presents some practical examples of moral and nonmoral activities and the effects they have on faith. Some Christians shy away from engaging in culture that does not directly link to Christ, but Lewis says all of culture is a reflection of God so Christians should be enjoying the culture around them. First C.S. Lewis explains that the term “sub-christian”

Looking at just the category of moral, in another essay called “Christianity and Literature” found in Christian Reflections Lewis defines what he means by giving the example of writing a cookbook. “It would be possible, and it might be edifying, to write a Christian cookery book. Such a book would exclude dishes whose preparation involves unnecessary human labour or animal suffering, and dishes excessively luxurious” (Christian Reflections 2). Typically a cookbook is not only for Christians, anybody with any belief can use a cookbook, but it becomes moral when the practices are overtly based on Christian teaching, thought, or Christ himself. Moral activities, such as group prayer, are powerful and good, because they exemplify Christ. Lewis illustrates the power of group prayer in The Screwtape Letters Lewis very creatively writes letters from Uncle Screwtape (the head demon) to Wormwood, who is another demon living in a new believer on earth. Uncle Screwtape gives Wormwood advice on how to turn the man away from God so he advises against things that would bring man and God closer and endorses activities and thought that drives man and God further apart. In this letter Screwtape says “the best thing, where it is possible, is to keep the patient from the serious intention of praying altogether” (The Screwtape Letters 24). Screwtape recognizes the power and goodness of group prayer as a moral activity, because the people are doing it to worship God, not themselves or the devil. Christians are called to participate in moral cultural activities by the nature of their relationship with Christ, but Lewis points out these activities can turn into sinful things. Lewis wrote a book called The Great Divorce in which the premise is people in hell come up to heaven for a short time and