What is Screwtape’s idea on the best way for humans to die? Why?
Screwtape believes that the best way for humans to die is in a nursing home where they have the misconception that their lives are fine and taken care of. In addition, they believe that they can do anything they please without regards to morals or eternity. In a demon's perspective, this is a good way to die because humans are placing the entirety of their trust on human abilities and reasoning. Because the humans are believing that anything is permissible and focusing on pleasant gratification, it takes their minds off concerns for their future eternal lives after death.
How do you picture the devil? What does this chapter challenge you about regarding the spiritual warfare over your soul?
I picture the devil as a dark, shadowy demon figure that lurks around influencing or tempting masses of people to do wrong and turn from God. This chapter reminded me of the reality of spiritual warfare. Screwtape wanted Wormwood to convince his patient that demons don't exist. This shows that disbelieving or forgetting about the existence of demons causes a great weakness because we won't be on our guard. We certainly wouldn't be fighting against something that "doesn't exist." However, if we are constantly aware of the raging war, we can, with God's help, fight against the evils that face us each day.
What is the “law of Undulation” (37)? Give an example of this in your life.
The "law of Undulation" expresses the concept that humans experience a cycle of "highs and lows." There is always a certain point in life, during which circumstances or feelings are good, when we must face some type of hardship. Even when we overcome this hardship, once we get up to another good point, or "peak," in life, we will face another hardship, or "trough." I can see the "law of Undulation" in my relationship with immediate family members. Sometimes I feel really grateful for my family, especially when spending some quality time with them. However, through the bumps of daily life, I get upset at or frustrated with them. Eventually, I work out that conflict and restore the relationship to how it was before. The cycle of of a good relationship, conflict, and resolution continues on.
“Our cause is never more in danger, than when a human, no longer desiring, but intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys” (40). What are your thoughts on this?
Out of all of the reading tonight, this quote stuck out to me the most. It reminded me of Job, and how it seemed like God punishing or forsaking him; yet, Job never cursed God. The human from this quote should be the type of human that I should be striving to be. My life should be so consumed by a love for God that, no matter how difficult life seems, no matter how hard it becomes to believe that a loving God would allow hard times to happen, I will seek to glorify Him.
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