One of many writers whose writing has enriched my life and helped to shape my worldview is C.S. Lewis. I’m impressed by the creative ways he approaches writing about truths, both through his fiction and nonfiction works. Among his books for which he is best known are The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven books generally considered to be children’s literature. They, however, speak to adults as well—as is the case for much children’s literature. Lewis is also known as a Christian apologist, someone who supports the teachings of Christianity with clear, understandable explanations and reasoning. Some of his best known works of this type are Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, and Miracles.
One of Lewis’ fiction works, The Screwtape Letters, is an excellent example of his ability to present truths in a creative manner. The two main characters are Screwtape, who is a senior devil who has a lot of experience doing evil, and Wormwood, who is a junior devil whom Screwtape mentors and who is also Screwtape’s nephew. Christian teachings are looked at from the devils’ points of view, and Screwtape refers to God as “the enemy” throughout the book.
One of the many thought-provoking passages in the book is when Screwtape says to his trainee Wormwood: “Be not deceived, Wormwood, our cause is never more in jeopardy than when a human, no longer desiring but still intending to do our enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe in which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.”
When I read that quote I thought of how Screwtape’s words are a perfect definition of faith: for a person to continue to strive to obey, to continue to try to follow what that person believes to be right and just, even during those times of feeling alone spiritually. To hold on to one’s beliefs and faith when they are most challenged. There are many things that happen each day and there have been throughout the history of humankind that can lead to questioning and doubts. What matters most is to hold on to that gift of faith.