Church brings “...people of different classes and psychology together in the kind of unity the Enemy desires.” Why is this such a problem for Screwtape?
Screwtape desires that people either be indifferent towards or roaming between churches, focusing more on the "taste" instead of the experience itself (81). However, a unified and welcoming church family would allow the believer to experience and participate in church as it should be--one accepting and united body of Christians growing, worshiping, and fellowshipping together. This type of church encourages the opposite of indifference and complacency. Rather, it encourages the believer to continue to attend (instead of roaming), get involved with the fellow church members, and have a discerning, yet open mindset aimed towards growth.
Describe your ideal church.
While the church campus would be taken care of and look presentable, it would be more about its intangible characteristics. It would be a church characterized by passion and love for God, hospitality, prayer, worship that is wholly focused on bringing glory to God, acceptance of all people groups, constant growth, support of missions, and community outreach. Anyone who sets foot on the campus would sense the love of God and be welcomed.
“...all I want....” What are your reactions to this sin?
My first reaction was to consider if I use the "all I want" excuse to justify gluttony. Honestly, I'm not a picky eater, so the "all I want" excuse would not apply to me and food. In fact, the mother's mindset seems kind of weird and sad to me since I have a different way of thinking. If I were on the receiving end of this type of situation, I would probably be amused, cater to the person's wishes (if I was feeling generous), question the person's attitude (in my mind), just brush it off and continue on, or offer some type of verbal retort. However, I am guilty of using an "all I want" type of excuse in other situations that don't involve gluttony.
“...insatiable demand for the exact, and almost impossible, palatal pleasures which she imagines she remembers from the past.” Gone are the days “...when her sense were more easily pleased and she had pleasures of other kinds which made her less dependent on those of the table.” What does this mean?
This statement is showing that the mother's life has been overtaken by an obsession with having food just the way she recalls it in her idealized memories. She is never satisfied and never will be.
Why would God want “complete abstinence or unmitigated monogamy” for us?
God established marriage as a totally devoted relationship between husband and wife. "Complete abstinence" is a way of being totally devoted to a spouse even before marriage. In addition, even if a person will be single for life, God still wants that person to be pure. God really cares about us and knows that if we don't have "complete abstinence," we can suffer from emotional scars and physical consequences. God wants us to have "unmitigated monogamy" to preserve the sanctity of the marriage relationship. God joins a husband and wife as "one flesh" (95). If a person has "complete abstinence or unmitigated monogamy," he or she remains pure and devoted to both God and spouse.
Define “being in love.”
According to Screwtape, "being in love" is "the blend of affection, fear, and desire...that makes marriage either happy or holy" (96). It is a general phrase, at times used lightly and falsely, which characterizes a relationship that should be lasting and devoted.
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