The Screwtape Letters - chapters 8-11:
I chose chapter 8 because the author's analogy of humans on terms of their "spirit" and their "animal" nature. What is your comment about humans "as animals inhabit time?" He mentions that their bodies, passions, and imaginations are in continual change and that being in time means to change. And, why do humans fall into "undulation?" Does God allow this or is this happening because of the devil (In this book it is Screwtape.) or what? I agree with Screwtape as far as humans having a "base" nature in that, our flesh is controlled by emotions, bodily functions--needs and desires, and the mind--all components of a person's soul. The spirit is controlled by eternal things--God. So, there is a continual warring between the person's spirit and their flesh daily for the control. I believe that the "dryness" and the "dullness" that humans go through are times of their lives plateauing where God brings them to an area where they get prepared for what is to come or where they need to reflect and assess--remove any barriers within themselves, pray and change anything that needs to be addressed, and achieve closure from the past so that they are ready for God to advance them when it is time. The devil cannot stand for anyone to receive God's love and relationship because humans will not fall prey to him easily or at all. It repulses the devil to see someone surrender their will completely over to God's will and not to Satan's because their soul and spirit flourishes when they do. Screwtape expresses these thoughts of humans when he talks about the Enemy (God). He confirms himself by stating his Father's "war aim" which is to have a world where all other beings are Satan's. The devil uses "troughs" or "low points" in a person's life to break them down where they resort to their "primitive nature" which is doing his will of the flesh or as he states, "turning them into a creature." Then, he can actually get people to believe that they really belong to him. These troughs exploit the person where they are outwardly doing his will and are the devil's advantage. However, people can use this opportunity to pray and use it for God's advantage.
2 comments:
I found the characterization of humans in terms of spirit and animal nature to be very true since both characteristics are so easily seen in society. There are people who for some reason consider their own comfortable survival to mean everything regardless of what else it brings about. This is very much animal-like, especially considering that the animal don't have a court system for their problems. On the spiritual side, prayer is something that is foreign to animals. They have a much simpler time in deciding what it right or wrong based on the values they have, which are basically nothing. It is the combination of both spirit and animal nature that makes humans so unique. There is the urge to survive combined with the urge to do more than just survive, to have a quality survival. Life just isn't complete without a proper working of both instincts.
I really liked how you described what was going on in this letter. I also agree with what Kenion had to say. There is an urge to survive which is very animal like. Some only strive to survive and others strive for self-actualization, which is being the best that they can be through out their life.
Post a Comment