“That’s not my Jesus.” It’s a sentiment we see all the time on social media — maybe we’ve even used it ourselves — when people cherry pick parts of Scripture to create a version of Christ that suits their world view. Uncomfortably prophetic to this cultural moment, Screwtape’s 23rd Letter shows us that this phenomenon is not new. It was happening in Lewis’ day through what he defines as the “historical point of view.” In other words, a “historical” version of Jesus which people of all faiths and none have used as a prop for their own agendas.
Do we still look at Jesus through the “historical point of view” today? Or has our culture in the West moulded Jesus into a different kind of mascot? And most importantly, how is Screwtape using this “mascot Jesus” to destroy a life of devotion to the actual Jesus? I’m joined by Dr. Gregory Lippiatt, Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Exeter (who also has a fascinating personal connection to Lewis) to pick apart what Screwtape can teach us about our own Christian devotion today.
Mentioned in this episode:
(Please buy from your local bookstore wherever possible. Note: I have not personally read all books mentioned in this episode. Sharing them here is not necessarily a personal endorsement.)
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
First and Second Things, essay by C.S. Lewis
The Unintended Reformation by Brad Gregory
The Myth of Religious Violence by William T Cavanaugh
Tolkien's Letter 306 by J.R.R. Tolkien
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