Screwtape XXVI-XXXI

1. "Very well then, I won't have any tea at all!" (pg. 144)
This quote shows the outcome of the Generous Conflict Illusion. The General Conflict Illusion involves two people showing "unselfishness" to eachother by going with the other person's ideas. This back and forth "unselfish" behavior eventually gets to the point where one becomes bitterly irritated, causing anger to spew inside.

2. "...heads I win, tails you lose' argument." (pg. 148)
This reveals the assuarance of a loss through prayer. The devil can use this concept to pursuade people that prayers do not work. Even though the prayer comes true, Satan can fool the human mind by showing some physical causes that may have caused it to happen, making the "miracle" look less convincing.

3. "Prosperity knits a man to the World." (pg. 155)
The wealth and riches bond and seal a person to the world. Man's natural sinful behavior causes greed to form after obtaining the power of riches. The greed of people acts like a magnet, attracting the sinfullness of the world.

4.  "...Despair is a greater sin than any of the sins which provoke it." (pg. 162)
Despair is like hopelessness, gloom, or depression. The actions or thoughts which triggered the despair are usually sinful or wrong, which isn't good. Although the sins which caused the depression are wrong, despair is ultimately worse than those other sins which aggravated it.

5. "...intellectual attack on his faith..." (pg. 167)
Intellectual attacks are those sneaky attacks that are well-thought out by demons. All of Wormwood's previous intellectual attacks on the victim have failed causing a new need for different types of attacks. This shows the victim's wisdom, knowledge, and strength.

6. "Pains he may still have to encounter, but they embrace those pains. They would not barter them for any earthly pleasure." (pg. 174)
Some pains of the world can be very hard to get through. As Christians, people need to embrace the pain with the help of God, instead of trading it for any earthly (sinful) pleasures. Seek God for comfort through all the pains of the world.

Screwtape XVIII-XXI

1. "But in the humans the Enemy has gratuitously associated affection between the parties with sexual desire."  (pg. 95)
God Almighty put into men and women's minds the feeling of affection to enhance sexual feelings between eachother. This is because God wants the humans to reproduce and populate this world. Also, God views marriage as an eternal bond with eachother.

2. "...falling in love..." (pg. 103)
The phrase "falling in love" can be both good and bad for the human mind. It can be good because it brings the couple closer together through love, which is what God wants from a couple. This phrase can be bad because the sinful nature of the human mind can sometimes lead this deep love into something sinful, for example, lust and adultery.

3. "It is the business of these great masters to produce in every age a general misdirection of what may be called sexual 'taste'." (pg. 106)
It is Satan's duty to try and corrupt men, women, and kids in their sexual thoughts. After he corrupts our thinkings, we will slowly be following the sinful path to Hell.

4. "And all the time the joke is that the word 'Mine' in its fully possessive sense cannot be uttered by a human being about anything." (pg. 114)
This quote explains how we as people claim that everything is ours, yet it is actually God who owns everything. We as Christians should stay away from this "claiming possession" because we should know that in reality, everything belongs to God.


 

Brainstorming for Analysis Ideas

1. God is needed in life.
2. How important it is to have good friends.
3. The joy of living.
4. How the Law of Undulation affects your soul.
5. Enticements of Satan to one's heart.
6. How fear and worry relate to eachother.
7. The need for eternal life.
8. The need to be humble.
9. The need of communication with God.
10. World views influence.

Top 3 Choices:
1. How the Law of Undulation affects your soul.
2. Enticements of Satan to one's heart.
3. The need for eternal life.

"Humans are amphibians-half spirit and half animal" (Lewis 37).

Chapters IX-XII Questions

1. Why do our “trough periods” make us so vulnerable (Lewis, 43)?  Is this applicable to you?   

We become vulnerable during these "trough periods" because Satan himself targets us who are struggling in our spiritual battles. While in spiritual battles, people become confused and easily tempted. This can be applied to my life because during my "trough periods", I definitely noticed that I became easily lured into evil thoughts and actions.

  

2. What are your thoughts regarding “parallel lives” (Lewis, 51)?  What does this mean to you?  

3. What are your thoughts on music and joy after reading this chapter?  

  

Music and joy promotes happiness and contentment which Satan does not enjoy. Now I know that "heavenly" music and joy are good for me, creating a barrier between me and the devil.

4. What is the “safest road to Hell” (Lewis, 61)?  Do you agree or disagree?  

The safest road to Hell is the slow and gradual one. I agree that this is the safest way for the demons to tempt because this way is very sneaky. Also, most people are ignorant and don't notice the "road" that they are slowly following, eventually leading to Hell.

5. What is the role of “nothing” (Lewis, 60) and “small sins” (Lewis, 60)?  What does that mean for you?    

The role of "nothing" and "small sins" are to slowly guide the Christian away from the truth. The Christians may think that these "small sins" are nothing and will just be forgiven, but we need to realize that these sins are a part of the road to Hell. This means that I need to be aware of these "nothings" and small sins" in my life, because the devil will use these to lead me the wrong way.

Chapters V-VIII Questions

1. What is Screwtape’s idea on the best way for humans to die?  Why?

Screwtape wants all humans to die from those who lie and do not tell the truth. He also wants people to die from others who have been influenced by Satan himself. Therefore, the person who dies needs to have the thought of "staying alive or surviving" because of a promise by a doctor or friend. The assurance of survival gives that person a stronger belief in himself, which causes his heart to be more vulnerable to the evil.

2. How does “...malice thus becomes wholly real and the benevolence largely imaginary” (Lewis, 28)?  How does this apply to your life?  

When your heart attracts the wrong attention, the demons or Satan himself may cause you to have more hatred and less kindness. In my life, I sometimes feel the temptation to show malice towards others because of what my heart takes in; but when I pray and increase my connection with God, I show more benevolence to others.

3. How do you picture the devil?  What does this chapter challenge you about regarding the spiritual warfare over your soul?

After reading this chapter, I picture Satan as being a very evil and sneaky predator. He finds ways to slowly guide Christians off of their paths in a furtive way. This chapter challenges me to be alert and ready in everything that I do. I need to be able to pin-point the small temptations that the devil may bring unto me, and know how to steer clear of those seductions.

4. What is the “law of Undulation” (Lewis, 37)?  Give an example of this in your life. 

 The "law of Undulation" states that humans are in constant change in their spiritual battle. There are peaks and troughs in this change, which represents the highs and the lows (similar to economic graphs). An example of a peak in my life was when I found out the spiritual truth and dedicated myself to the Lord wholly. I attended church once or twice a week, and continued to have the desire to learn more about Him. An example of a trough in my life was when baseball season started. The busy schedule caused me to miss church several times, which made me drift away from God.

5. “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. (Lewis 40).  What are your thoughts on this?  

I personally think that Satan is idiotic for trying to compete with God for the attention of people. He needs to realize that God is the CREATOR of the universe, and there is no way that he can even compare himself to Him. God created mankind to glorify and worship Him!

Chapters I-IV Questions

1. Give an example or two about situations in which you are "...attending to universal issues and withdrawing...attention from the stream of immediate sense experiences" (Lewis, 2).

A. Using the internet to research for an essay instead of going to the library to research.

B. Driving your car to a nearby park instead of riding a bike.

2. What are your thoughts on church?  Is it something you “do” every week?  

I try my best to go with my family to church every week because I believe that church is a great way to fellowship with other Christians. It also gives me the opportunity to learn more about God and what he does for us.

3. What are your "daily pinpricks" (Lewis, 11)?

Dropped calls on Skype or on the phone really drives me crazy!   

4. Give an example or two of situations in which you have neglected the obvious (Lewis, 12).

A. Walking passed a pile of trash at school, and not even thinking about picking it up. 

B. Seeing a lost seventh grader, and not helping him get to his class.

5. What does Lewis suggest when he says “...whatever their bodies do affects their souls” (Lewis, 16)?  

He suggests that a person's wrong actions may lead to eternal punishment.

 

Copyright

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The Writing Assignment

1. I understand that writing is such an important skill needed to succeed in life, mainly through the art of communication. I personally think that writing can be both easy or hard, depending on the topic that is being written upon. Writing is such a great way to express my thinking, which is one of the reasons why I like to write. Most of the writing I do are assignments given in school, in exception to texting and instant messaging. One of the most memorable writing awards that I have received in the past was the "Essay Winner" pin given by the DARE program.

2. Reading is another very important skill needed in life. Without reading, so many things would not be known or accomplished in this world, including finding out about our past through books, stories, and biographies. I personally know that I do not read enough, mainly because I never read during my own free time. Almost all the reading I do are school assingments and summer reading. When I was young, my mom and grandpa always took me to the public library to check out different books and novels. This is where I found out about my favorite writer, Gary Paulsen. I really enjoy a lot of his books, including Hatchet and Brian's Winter.

3. I really enjoy using technology! I have used technology ever since the early elementary days. Awhile back, I voluntarily worked in a forum creating sigs and avatars for the members. I used programs like Jasc Animation Shop and Photoshop to create them. To this very day, I am an intense gamer, playing a variety of MMORPG to Third-Person Shooter games. I am not really paranoid about identity and security, but I am very cautious of who I may add to my Facebook or chat room.

4. To grow as a person, I must be able to learn. Learning is so important to me because it helps me to cultivate my mental, physical, and spiritual thinking. Just as long as I'm learning, I will try my best to complete the assignment with 100% effort. I am definitely not a big fan of tests and quizzes, but I understand that those have an enormous impact on learning.

5. I want to take this course because I know that this course will definitely push me to my limits. I need a college preperatory course to prepare me for what is to come in the next years. This course will also give me better study habits and self-discipline.