In Response To Screwtape

My dear Screwtape,

I regret to inform you that my patient has strayed from my attentive care. I suppose some disappoint on your part is expected and your next letter shall most likely inform me of the dreadful penalties that are to follow. Yet, before you do so, I insist that all such "praise" of this unfortunate situation should be acclaimed to your alleged “advice”. I'll point out that it was your counsel that was followed; and to the letter I might add. Due to your counsel, my patient has become a blasted member of His dreaded army. However, I'll cast blame aside for the moment and return to the matter at hand; for no doubt, my dear Uncle, befuddlement and anxiety has overcome you.

Concerning my patient: The very moment, at which Christianity was proposed as an adolescent ideal that must be purged in order to retain a proper conception reality, my patient began appealing to logic and reason. At first I was delighted, for the present situation seemed opportune. Doubacious hailed me at once saying, “What a tremendous achievement! Take advantage of the situation my boy!” Eagerly, I began to exploit my patient’s position by encouraging the ideal of "infallible logic". I was well aware that if my patient held Christianity to be logically unsound, he would set his mind against the Enemy on his own accord and shall continue his life well protected from any future influence by Him or His selfless minions. This would entail much less work on my part and seemed the most likely to further our cause. From that moment on, I began to stalk his every move with a keen eye and anticipated his desires as best I could.

It was at this moment that victory turned to utter defeat. After debating Christianity for six months under special care and attention, all my work begot my own undoing. (More is to be inserted here at a later date in order to transition better) At the brink of tears, my patient spontaneously sank to his knees and called upon the Enemy. Blast his unpredictable nature. I ask you, in all of your time at work, have you ever discovered any consistency amongst the human race? It seems that when you have a man’s desires and passions understood, they then change. One moment he seems to be living in a sort of peak where he will take to anything with great vigor, and the next moment, he becomes desolate and reserve. One day he is pessimistic towards Christianity and the next, he has fallen to his knees. Such character is confusing and down right aggravating. Oh bother, I am afraid that I have fallen into a bit of a tangent. Where was I…ah yes, his dealings with the other side.

Though what was said between the Enemy and my patient remains quite the mystery, I witnessed this unfortunate event with my observant eye. My patient dashed to his library and threw open His accursed Book. He began to murmur certain words aloud, such as “grace” and “redemption”; these confounded words have destroyed my work. They are downright dangerous when allowed into the minds of man. They give a man hope and then all work on our part to make him believe that salvation is given to the most perfect of men, unravels. He rebukes the idea that he must not be a true Christian since he is not yet fully sanctified. The true light of Salvation through faith and mercy has been revealed to him by the Spirit. Regrettably, this is where my patient has arrived and I must say that I am at a loss of words and ideas. What must I do to assure his allegiance to Our Father Below? If I must not appeal to his logic and reason, what must be done? I believe I overheard you speaking with another at the council of another way; something about the paralyzation of the head. Pray tell.

In order that the situation may divert from its present course, I beg you to advise me at this time on what I must do. However, may your next letter be more profitable towards our cause than your last. Of course I realize that the fault is not solely your own, and I am afraid that I have not shown you the proper respect that is called from a nephew towards his uncle. I have seen from your previous successes that you are indeed quite clever at your work. It may not be because of you that my mission has failed. Perhaps it was due to some unseen work of the Enemy. For this, I apologize and look forward to your response.

Your affectionate nephew
Wormwood

(-Brian)