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The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis was first published in February 1942 as a series of epistolary satirical letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, instructing his nephew Wormwood on tempting a human soul. It was originally serialized in The Guardian during WWII. It was a weekly Anglican church newspaper based in London, founded in 1846. Not to be confused with today’s Guardian Newspaper.

Early editions of the Screwtape Letters never included the “Toast from Hell” or the other title, “Screwtape Proposes a Toast” Written in 1959 this short sequel takes the form of a devilish after-dinner address by Screwtape at the Tempters' Training College and was added to later editions of the book release.

C.S. Lewis himself never labeled The Screwtape Letters as “satire.” There is talk that he only wrote 31 letters as the subject matter was very heavy and weighed on him.

In his own introductions and letters, Lewis usually called it a series of letters or a fantasy in reverse, and sometimes just “a little fun” he had writing in the voice of a senior tempter.

Publishers quickly saw “satire” as a useful marketing hook.

By the time the omnibus editions with Screwtape Proposes a Toast appeared in 1961, back covers and dust jackets openly called it “a classic of religious satire.”

Lewis’s private correspondence shows that he was wary of the term “satire,” partly because satire implies ridicule of people, whereas his aim was to illuminate spiritual warfare and human frailty. He preferred to think of it as diabolical correspondence or “theology in reverse.”

When the Toast was added, the satirical label stuck even harder because of its social commentary on education and democracy. With John Cleese of Monty Python fame narrating it in 1999, the push for it not to be taken as seriously as C.S. Lewis intended continued.

The question has to be asked: Was it just a money decision by the publishers, or was it also an attempt to hide what Lewis was revealing about spiritual warfare in our lives and confronting that evil?

We remastered the recordings after we found them openly available online, but in poor audio quality. Here for your enjoyment is the Toast from Hell.

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🙏 Reserve your signed, first edition book, “Confronting Evil in Our Time” today!

Limited copies available. Release date: September 2025. Bless a friend with a copy.

https://screwtapeletterspodcast.com/confronting-evil-in-our-time-the-book/

The podcast episode explores the depth and intentionality behind C.S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters," highlighting how Lewis subtly weaves biblical motifs and spiritual truths into his writing. The hosts appreciate Lewis’s creative use of "Easter eggs" from scripture and his nuanced understanding of Christianity, emphasizing that while his insights are profound, Lewis remains a fallible human and his letters are not infallible scripture. Their discussion recognizes Lewis’s ability to articulate complex Christian themes and his clear distinction between core and non-core beliefs in the faith.

A key topic centers on the dangers of adding anything to the core message of the gospel, summarized as “Jesus plus anything ruins everything.” Drawing from Galatians and Lewis’s concept of “Mere Christianity,” the hosts warn against the common tendency among Christians to conflate faith with political ideologies or cultural movements. They stress the importance of keeping the gospel pure and caution that even well-meaning causes—be it political activism, social justice, or specific church doctrines—should not be treated as essential to salvation or as grounds for division among believers.

Throughout the conversation, the hosts reflect on contemporary examples where Christians add to the gospel, such as justifying moral compromises or merging faith with partisan identity. They lament how such distortions lead to division, undermine the church’s witness, and risk turning faith into a tool for personal or political ends. Ultimately, they advocate for letting the gospel inform all areas of life without allowing external influences to reshape or dilute the central truth of Christianity, urging listeners to pursue spiritual growth with grace, discernment, and fidelity to the unchanging foundations of the faith.

Look out for our upcoming book "Confronting Evil in Our Time,” which will be released this year.

Subscribe and join us and our guests on this journey.

Show site www.screwtapeletterspodcast.com

Truth @screwtapeletterspodcast

X @screwtapepodcst

IG @screwtapeletterspodcast

Facebook https://linktr.ee/screwtapeletterspodcast

Podcast management by www.globalcreativegroup.com

🙏 Reserve your signed, first edition book, “Confronting Evil in Our Time” today!

Limited copies available. Release date: September 2025. Bless a friend with a copy.

The episode opens with the hosts highlighting the importance of prayer and faith within the Christian community, sharing a personal request for prayers for a sick child and recognizing how acts of faith and gratitude can inspire others. The hosts emphasize humility, noting that no one is more special than another in God’s eyes, and offer encouragement for collective support and outreach among listeners.

Diving into “The Screwtape Letters,” the discussion centers on the subtle tactic of spiritual pride, as depicted in Lewis’s narrative. They unpack the scenario where the demonic strategy shifts from typical temptations to leveraging the patient’s sense of belonging and superiority in a particularly pious Christian circle. Drawing from scriptural examples, such as Paul’s warning in Philippians and Jesus’s critique of the Pharisees, they explore how knowledge and zeal in faith—though positive in themselves—can easily be twisted into pride, exclusivity, and a sense of being ‘holier than thou.’ Both hosts reflect on personal experiences in ministry and church, warning of cliquishness, the dangers of prioritizing doctrinal correctness or spiritual status over genuine care, and how this can stifle authentic spiritual growth or community.

The episode concludes by striking a balance between truth and grace, pointing out that while confronting false teachings and upholding sound doctrine is vital, it must be paired with compassion and humility. The hosts caution against forming exclusive cliques and urge listeners to remain open, welcoming, and grounded in both love and truth. They note how Lewis may have intentionally juxtaposed letters addressing discernment and pride to remind believers that a mature Christian walk requires both a commitment to truth and an attitude of grace, ensuring that neither becomes a source of self-righteousness or division.

Look out for our upcoming book "Confronting Evil in Our Time,” which will be released this year.

Subscribe and join us and our guests on this journey.

Show site www.screwtapeletterspodcast.com

Truth @screwtapeletterspodcast

X @screwtapepodcst

IG @screwtapeletterspodcast

Facebook https://linktr.ee/screwtapeletterspodcast

Podcast management by www.globalcreativegroup.com