The Screwtape Letters
Letter 28 - Perseverance
Summary
Wormwood’s failures keep mounting. The demon was unable to entangle the patient with worldly friends. The
patient has fallen in love with a dedicated Christian woman, and none of the attacks on his spiritual life are
working at the present. To top it off, Wormwood is showing too much enthusiasm over the potential for human
fatalities due to war. In fact, Screwtape says that they must guard the patient ’s life in order to let real worldliness
take root and grow into his middle-age years.
Discussion Questions
1. It seems strange that demons would actually want to keep up safe! Why does Screwtape want to avoid
the patient’s death at this point in his life? (¶1)
2. Wormwood assumed the war would have a negative effect on the patient’s spiritual life, but it has
actually proven to be that opposite. How so? (¶1)
3. Screwtape said, “Do not let us be infected by our own propaganda.” What is the propaganda that he is
referring to? How does Philippians 1:21 counter that argument? (¶1)
4. Screwtape discloses that only if the man is kept alive, will Wormwood have the opportunity to attack him
in the middle-age years. What advantage does Screwtape foresee for this period of the man’s life?
5. Screwtape suggests attacking the man through either adversity or prosperity in his middle-age years.
How are each different? Which of these temptations would be fertile ground for you ?
Adversity –
Prosperity -
6. Read 2 Timothy 4:7 and Philippians 3:12-16. What does the Bible say about finishing well? (¶1)
7. Screwtape says that while we are young, it is hard to keep humans ignorant of religion because of the
fascination with music, poetry, love, songbirds, or a sunset. In contrast, as we grow older, what does
Screwtape say that we steadily apply ourselves towards? Do you agree ? (¶2)
8. Why would Screwtape want us to believe that this would can be turned into heaven? (¶2)
They, of course, do tend to regard death as the prime evil and survival as the
greatest good. But that is because we have taught them to do so. - Screwtape
