Whenever Janelle and I drive long distances we love it. It's a special time that we can have to talk about life, our dreams, our problems, or sometimes to just make funny noises that no one else can hear. (If you have ever spent any time with us, this is normal)
Anyway, on this particular trip back from Fort Bragg, we listened to The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. In a sentence, my brain couldn't unpack the wisdom fast enough. I had to literally stop the cd after every letter to ask Janelle, "Did you get that?" When really, I was just making sure I got that. But don't tell I think she is smarter than me, shhhhh.
I digress, I'd like to review the entire book, but that would take forever and I really don't want you to know how much time I can waste writing reviews on books. Therefore, let me fast forward to the tail end and comment on the last portion of the updated version, which includes a toast to graduating tempters from Screwtape some years later. Here is an excerpt to catch you up.
"The scene is in Hell at the annual dinner of the Tempters' Training College for young devils. The principal, Dr. Slubgob, has just proposed the health of the guests. Screwtape, a very experienced devil, who is the guest of honour, rises to reply."
"You can get him [your assigned human] to practise, not only without shame but with a positive glow of self-approval, conduct which, if undefended by the magic word, would be universally derided. The feeling I mean is of course that which prompts a man to say, "I'm as good as you."
The first and most obvious advantage is that you thus induce him to enthrone at the centre of his life a good, solid, resounding lie. I don't mean merely that his statement is false in fact, that he is no more equal to everyone he meets in kindness, honesty, and good sense than in height or waist measurement. I mean that he does not believe it himself. No man who says I'm as good as you believes it. He would not say it if he did. The St. Bernard never says it to the toy dog, nor the scholar to the dunce, nor the employable to the bum, nor the pretty woman to the plain. The claim to equality, outside the strictly political field, is made only by those who feel themselves to be in some way inferior. What it expresses is precisely the itching, smarting, writhing awareness of an inferiority which the patient refuses to accept.
And therefore resents. Yes, and therefore resents every kind of superiority in others; denigrates it; wishes its annihilation. Presently he suspects every mere difference of being a claim to superiority. No one must be different from himself in voice, clothes, manners, recreations, choice of food."
- Screwtape
I believe that Mr. Lewis has better described my little war against pseudo racism and the hypocritical positions they, who stand on their soapboxes, preach. This combined with false humility (counterfeit humility which lowers oneself instead of lifting up others), is what modern socialism is.
It is the entitlement generation, my generation which knows not oppression but voluntarily oppresses itself for the pity of others, to only then raise themselves to their superiors with, as C.S Lewis would state, "I am as good as you." This is the most deceptive pride in our post modern world.
This type of person will ask for help out of the mudpit of circumstance but when a ladder or rope is lowered, rebuke the helpers efforts since they were unwilling to carry them out. Additionally, anyone who takes the initiative to climb out, they rebuke, belittle and berate in attempts to guilt them into wallowing with them in misery.
Socialism, our liberal government, can only guaranty the equality of results to the point in which no results can be produced. In other words, if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. This is no way for any free nation to live and prosper. This is no way that God intended man should live, so why do I find myself living in a nation that promotes suffering and submission to an overlord state as a legitimate ideal? To which some Christians can be the worst.
If you are one of the better humans, one to whom are told, "I am as good as you." I encourage you to keep growing and keep prospering. Realize that this phrase comes out in different words like,"You are arrogant" or "You think you're better than me." Know the lies and act appropriately.
If you are embarrassed to discover your own weakness living in the other camp, I encourage you to change your ways and become competent and confident in the life and choices you have. Change only happens in the present. Don't let the future hold you back.
I implore you to read this book, material that has survived the test of generations. I have included links to the audio and hardback versions below.
The Screwtape Letters, Hardcover
The Screwtape Letters, Audio Collection
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