The Screwtape Letters: Confronting Evil in Our Time – Practical Christian Living & Spiritual Warfare

The Screwtape Letters: Confronting Evil in Our Time – Practical Christian Living & Spiritual Warfare

by Ian Faith, Galen Balinski, C.S. Lewis: Spiritual Warfare and Christianity
ChristianityPhilosophy
Season 3
EXCLUSIVE: The Devil's Story of Christmas - Audio Excerpt: Introduction & Chapter One.
AI
Get your copy today! Available in Kindle • eBook • Paperback • Audiobook Support independent Christian Authors. Amazon: https://amzn.to/4qY574O Author Site: https://screwtapeletterspodcast.com/product/the-devils-story-of-christmas-a-christian-allegory/ "A spiritually intense, imaginative retelling of the Nativity from the perspective of Hell’s failed campaign against the coming of Christ." What if Christmas wasn't Heaven's greatest surprise, but Hell's greatest fear? Inspired by the imaginative tradition of C. S. Lewis, John Milton, and J.R.R. Tolkien, The Devil's Story of Christmas tells the greatest story ever told from the perspective of God's greatest enemy. Through a series of confidential dispatches, a seasoned commander in Satan's army chronicles Hell's desperate attempts to thwart God's redemptive plan while exposing the lies, temptations, and strategies that continue to deceive humanity today. As the centuries unfold, he arrives at a growing and terrifying realization: every prophecy, every covenant, every seemingly insignificant event in Scripture has been pointing toward one child they cannot stop. More than a retelling of the Nativity, this is the story of the unseen war behind Christmas. It is a journey through Scripture that reveals the astonishing precision of biblical prophecy, the unwavering faithfulness of God, and the moment Hell finally understood the importance of that baby lying in a Bethlehem manger. 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
S3 · E30
Sep 21, 2026
11:32
How Trauma Shapes Perception an How We See God - Romas 8
NEW Book "The Devil's Story of Christmas" on Amazon https://amzn.to/4r9xXPS In Episode 11, we explore how our past experiences with authority can become lenses through which we interpret God, other people, and even the church. Drawing from C.S. Lewis’s Screwtape Letters, especially Letter 2 and the “man in the next pew,” we examine how irritation, disappointment, and projection can redirect our attention away from God and toward the flaws of the people around us. A flawed representative, however, is not necessarily evidence of a flawed God. The episode then turns to Scripture and asks a deeper question: Can I separate what happened to me from who God is? Experiences with parents, teachers, pastors, coaches, bosses, or other authority figures can shape expectations such as “correction means rejection” or “authority means danger.” But Scripture presents a radically different picture of God—as a Father who knows us, a Savior who sympathizes with our weaknesses, and an authority we can approach with confidence. Romans 8 contrasts bondage and fear with adoption and relationship, while Hebrews 4 invites us to approach the throne of grace boldly. Ultimately, this episode is about vision correction. Trauma and past experiences may help explain why we react a certain way, but they don't make every interpretation true. Spiritual maturity isn't pretending the past didn't affect us; it's allowing Christ to reshape the way we see the present. God's character is steady even when the authority figures in our lives were not. The question is whether we're responding to what is actually happening—or reacting through a lens formed long ago. 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
S3 · E29
Sep 20, 2026
25:32
Living as a Mature Christian. Colossians 3:15 - Calvary Chapel
Living as a Mature Christian. Colossians 3:15 - Calvary Chapel Tim Phelps’s message focuses on Christian maturity and the deliberate decision every believer must make to grow in Christ. Drawing primarily from Colossians 3, he explains that becoming mature in Christ is not simply something that happens with time—it requires intentionally setting our hearts and minds on the things of God. Tim shares how a missions trip to Mexico challenged him to realize that, although he had applied himself wholeheartedly to his career, he had not been applying that same commitment to following Christ. That conviction became a turning point: if Christ has changed us, we must consciously choose to live like the new creation He has made us. The message then contrasts the old life with the new life in Christ. Believers are called to put to death sinful desires and behaviors—including immorality, greed, anger, malice, slander, abusive speech, and lying—and to “throw them off” rather than continue carrying them. In their place, Christians are called to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. Tim emphasizes that trying to live with one foot in the world and one foot in Christ leaves believers miserable because the world can no longer satisfy them. True transformation comes from deliberately choosing Christ over the desires and compromises of the flesh. At the heart of the sermon is the repeated challenge from Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” Tim explains that “rule” can also carry the idea of an umpire or referee—Christ should have the deciding voice in our thoughts, decisions, words and actions. Whether facing traffic, long lines, financial difficulties, temptation or everyday frustrations, Christian maturity means allowing Christ to govern our responses rather than allowing the flesh to take control. Mature Christians continue growing, encourage the spiritual growth of others, live under Christ’s lordship, and allow His Word to dwell richly within them. The message ends with a simple call: set your mind on the things above, be who you are in Christ, and let the peace of Christ rule in your life.
S3 · E28
Sep 13, 2026
28:46
Solving Spiritual Numbness - Return to Joy! - Romans 12:15
NEW Book "The Devil's Story of Christmas" on Amazon https://amzn.to/4r9xXPS The episode marks the return of The Screwtape Letters Podcast after the summer break, with Ian and Michael continuing their Lenses series by examining emotional repression and spiritual numbness. They explore how numbness can appear to be maturity when it is actually a form of self-protection. Suppressing pain may feel safe, but it also suppresses joy, connection, and spiritual awareness. Both hosts emphasize that true Christian joy is deeper than temporary happiness—it comes from knowing Christ and being content in His presence regardless of circumstances. A major theme is the connection between emotional health, relationships, and spiritual life. Ian and Michael discuss how childhood experiences can teach people to suppress emotions rather than process them, eventually leading to isolation and difficulty being vulnerable with others. They point to David as an example of someone who experienced the full breadth of human emotion while continually turning back toward God. Social media is also examined as a potential source of emotional and spiritual numbness, providing temporary dopamine hits and external validation rather than the lasting fulfillment that comes from God. The episode encourages listeners to honestly examine what they may be avoiding or numbing rather than allowing small problems to grow into larger spiritual strongholds. The conversation ultimately challenges Christians to pursue a fully engaged, seven-day faith, rather than treating Christianity as something reserved for Sunday or church. Spiritual awareness means being present with God, present with other people, and willing to enter into their struggles, joys, and pain. The hosts encourage listeners to move beyond isolation and self-focus, build genuine brotherhood, examine their hearts, and recognize that ministry happens everywhere—in workplaces, families, friendships, and everyday conversations. The goal is not simply to avoid pain, but to endure it with Christ and rediscover the deeper joy and peace that come from knowing Him. 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
S3 · E27
Sep 11, 2026
28:47
Lindsay Clancy, Free Will, Spiritual Warfare, & The Devil’s Story of Christmas
After a summer break, Ian and Michael are returning with new episodes, including the completion of our popular Lenses series and a deeper exploration of Confronting Evil in Our Time. With more than 500 copies of the companion book sold, we’re excited to continue exploring the Christian wisdom needed to recognize and confront evil in our time. We’ll also be expanding our journey through the great works that have shaped Christian thought, including C.S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce and Mere Christianity, along with John Milton’s Paradise Lost. And on September 8, Ian’s new book, The Devil’s Story of Christmas, arrives—a fictional journey through the Christmas story that explores prophecy, Christ’s birth, spiritual warfare, and the battle between Heaven and Hell. We also had a difficult conversation about the Lindsay Clancy case and what it forces us to consider about the relationship between mothers and children. When does love become possession? When does protection cross the line into control? And how do we distinguish compassion for someone’s circumstances from accountability for their actions? These are uncomfortable questions, but they matter because our culture increasingly struggles to define the boundaries between love, responsibility, autonomy, and protection. Interestingly, these same themes appear in The Devil’s Story of Christmas, particularly in the “Killing of Innocents” chapter, where Ian explores the darker side of what can happen when love and control become dangerously intertwined. At the heart of it all is a question we can’t ignore: How do we confront evil without surrendering our responsibility to choose what is right? Spiritual warfare is real, but so is human free will. The answer begins with Christian wisdom, Scripture, community, and the courage to face difficult questions. Subscribe and follow along—the podcast is coming back this fall.
S3 · E26
Sep 4, 2026
10:40
The Paradox of Patriotism. Surrendering Independence: C.S. Lewis’s Guide to True Freedom
If you’re tired of pretending everything is fine, this is the book you need. Confronting Evil in Our Time - Now on Amazon https://amzn.to/3XgCodL In this special milestone episode of the Screwtape Letters podcast, host Ian explores C.S. Lewis’s nuanced perspective on patriotism, democracy, and freedom to mark America's 250th Independence Day. Drawing from Lewis’s Christian philosophy, the discussion centers on balancing a natural love for one’s homeland with the critical warning against political idolatry. While healthy patriotism fosters community and a willingness to sacrifice for one's neighbors, Ian notes that Lewis strongly cautioned against extreme nationalism. True patriotism, through a Lewisian lens, requires historical honesty, celebrating founding ideals while humbly acknowledging past systemic injustices rather than succumbing to historical amnesia. The podcast deeper connects the American Declaration of Independence to objective moral law, highlighting Lewis’s belief that "unalienable rights" are inherently derived from a Creator God rather than mere social convention. Ian explains Lewis’s paradox of freedom: while political independence is worth celebrating, true spiritual freedom is found not in absolute self-will, but in surrender to God. Furthermore, Lewis viewed democracy not as a testament to human perfection, but as a necessary safeguard against mankind's fallen nature, protecting society from the unchecked tyranny of flawed leaders who might otherwise abuse total power. Concluding on a reflective note, Ian imagines a casual July 4th barbecue with the Oxford scholar, envisioning conversations centered on home, community, and Christ. The episode serves as a call to celebrate national liberties with profound humility, recognizing that human rights ultimately stem from a divine source. Ian closes the broadcast by encouraging listeners to cherish time with family over the holiday weekend while lifting up prayers for individuals globally who are still yearning for true freedom from oppression. 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
S3 · E25
Jul 3, 2026
18:02
Listener Questions, Our Journey, Stories, Prayer & What's Coming
If you’re tired of pretending everything is fine, this is the book you need. Confronting Evil in Our Time - Now on Amazon https://amzn.to/3XgCodL In this special listener feedback episode, Ian Faith reflects on the growth of Confronting Evil in Our Time and shares updates on the podcast's co-hosts, including Galen Balinski's exciting expansion into a historic winery and Michael Blueitt’s Montana cowboy adventures. Ian explains why prayer requests from listeners are taken seriously, emphasizing that prayer is an act of sincere faith submitted to God's will rather than a means of controlling outcomes. He encourages listeners to make prayer an everyday part of family, work, and community life, trusting that God often answers in ways greater than we could have imagined. The episode also answers several listener questions about The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis, and the ministry behind the podcast. Ian reflects on his interview with renowned Lewis scholar Dr. Michael Ward, highlighting the importance of genuine conversation, careful listening, and understanding how small thoughts can shape habits and ultimately our spiritual lives. He also announces a new book, The Devil's Story of Christmas, scheduled for release this fall, while asking listeners to support the ministry by reviewing Confronting Evil in Our Time and helping its message reach more people through word of mouth rather than profit. Finally, Ian responds to heartfelt letters from listeners who share their struggles and aspirations. He encourages aspiring Christian writers to use storytelling to communicate biblical truth, discusses the dangers of churches becoming exclusive or cliquish instead of welcoming, and reminds listeners that "the ground is level at the foot of the cross." The episode concludes with practical answers about podcast sponsorship, the Screwtape Letters stage production, and raising children in a culture that exposes them to mature influences too early. Above all, the message is one of gratitude, encouragement, and a renewed commitment to helping believers deepen their faith, discern spiritual warfare, and proclaim Christ with humility and hope. 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
S3 · E24
Jun 27, 2026
24:26
The Safest Road to Hell: Inside The Screwtape Letters with Dr. Michael Ward
Ian Faith interviews Dr. Michael Ward , Oxford scholar, Catholic priest, and leading C.S. Lewis expert, about the depth and relevance of The Screwtape Letters. Dr. Ward traces his lifelong immersion in Lewis's work from childhood, through living at The Kilns, to his Oxford PhD and beyond. The conversation opens with the book's dual purpose: mocking the devil (drawing on Luther and More) while simultaneously holding spiritual warfare in deadly seriousness, a balance Lewis maintained by focusing on ordinary, accumulative sin rather than dramatic evil, captured in the famous line that "the safest road to hell is the gradual one." The discussion moves through several of Lewis's central themes: the church-pew temptation of spiritual pride, the psychological age's tendency to medicalize what may be spiritual, and the connection between The Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce, particularly the lizard-of-lust passage as Lewis's most vivid portrait of the painful but transformative cost of holiness. Dr. Ward also shares his thesis from Planet Narnia, that the Narnia books are structured around the seven medieval planets, reflecting Lewis's conviction that no corner of the universe is spiritually neutral. The interview closes with Dr. Ward recommending The Horse and His Boy or Till We Have Faces for spiritually exhausted modern readers, and identifying social media's role in diabolical polarization, the scattering, dividing work of diabolos, as what a modern Screwtape would most exploit today. "Michael Ward has established himself not only as the foremost living Lewis scholar, but also as a brilliant writer" (N.T. Wright in The Times Literary Supplement). Dr Ward is Associate Member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford and Professor of Apologetics at Houston Christian University, Texas. On the fiftieth anniversary of C.S. Lewis's death, Ward unveiled a permanent national memorial to him in Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey. He presented the BBC television documentary, 'The Narnia Code', made by Bafta-winning director, Norman Stone. He handed a pair of X-ray spectacles to Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond film, 'The World Is Not Enough', and played the part of C.S. Lewis's vicar in 'The Most Reluctant Convert', starring Max McLean and Nicholas Ralph. A Catholic priest in real life, Ward assists at Hinksey Parish in Oxford, alongside his work as an academic. He read English at Oxford, Theology at Cambridge, and has a PhD from St Andrews. More details at www.michaelward.net. Michael Ward - Amazon Books Planet Narnia https://amzn.to/4omcemh The Narnia Code https://amzn.to/3SmbstA After Humanity https://amzn.to/3S5qyUn 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
S3 · E23
Jun 15, 2026
53:31
When is it Time to Leave My Church?
If you’re tired of pretending everything is fine, this is the book you need. Confronting Evil in Our Time - Now on Amazon https://amzn.to/3XgCodL Ian emphasizes the importance of church leadership, community, and transparency. He noted that scandals, financial concerns, and poor leadership have caused many people to question organized religion and seek more authentic faith communities. He advocates for churches centered on Christ, sound biblical teaching, and strong local community rather than individual personalities. Additionally, he stresses the need for transparency in church finances, accountability for misconduct, and open communication with church members, encouraging people to investigate concerns and leave a church if leaders are unwilling to be transparent or align with Christ’s teachings. Ian discusses the common decline in church attendance during the summer, noting that travel and vacations do not necessarily indicate a weakening of faith. He encourages believers to maintain a consistent relationship with God throughout the week through practices such as prayer, Bible reading, worship music, and midweek studies rather than relying solely on Sunday services. He also addresses reasons people leave churches, emphasizing the difference between questioning faith itself and becoming dissatisfied with a particular church or institution. A major theme of the discussion was concern about modern church trends that may be driving people away from authentic faith. Ian criticizes entertainment-focused services, celebrity pastors, megachurch culture, and churches that, in his view, prioritize inclusivity or cultural trends over biblical teaching. He contrasts churches that emphasize repentance, spiritual growth, and accountability with those that offer a more comfortable, feel-good message. He argues that excessive technology, prerecorded sermons, and formulaic worship experiences can weaken genuine community and distract from true worship. 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
S3 · E22
Jun 5, 2026
19:13
A Spiritual Warfare Bible Study for Individuals or Small Groups | Confronting Evil in Our Time
Amazon Purchase Link $9.99 https://amzn.to/4v9E0ou In this episode of The Screwtape Letters Podcast: Confronting Evil in Our Time, Ian Faith introduces the Spiritual Warfare Study Guide that accompanies Confronting Evil in Our Time and explains why summer can be a meaningful season for spiritual growth, personal study, and group discussion. Ian shares how the guide was designed to work for individuals, accountability partners, or small groups, with space for journaling, reflection, and prayer built directly into each chapter. He encourages listeners to approach the study honestly and intentionally, setting aside time, engaging Scripture thoughtfully, and allowing God to reveal areas of growth. Whether studying alone or with others, the emphasis is on moving beyond information and into transformation, letting faith become active through reflection, prayer, and obedience. Ian then walks through practical advice for leading or participating in a study group. He highlights the importance of choosing a leader marked by discernment, compassion, and wisdom, someone able to create a safe environment where people can speak openly without fear of judgment. He encourages groups to establish commitment and confidentiality from the beginning, remain consistent each week, and make room for people at every stage of faith, from longtime believers to those just beginning to explore Scripture. Throughout the conversation, he reminds listeners that spiritual growth doesn’t happen by “fixing” everyone around us, but by listening well, encouraging one another, and allowing God to work uniquely in each person’s life. The study guide, he says, becomes a tool for deeper community and honest conversations about the realities of spiritual warfare. The episode closes with a deep dive into chapter one, “Breaking Through the Noise,” which focuses on distraction, fuddlement, and jargon as common strategies the enemy uses to keep believers spiritually shallow. Ian unpacks how busyness, confusion, and even overly complex religious language can create distance between people and God, often without them realizing it. He explores reflection questions from the study guide, asking listeners to identify their greatest spiritual distractions, areas of confusion, and ways knowledge about faith can sometimes crowd out simple devotion to Christ. The goal of the study, Ian emphasizes, is not merely academic understanding but spiritual readiness: learning to recognize distraction, hear God clearly, and stand firm in faith with the confidence that victory is found in Jesus Christ. He closes by previewing an upcoming interview with Michael Ward and inviting listeners to continue the journey deeper into faith and spiritual warfare. 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
S3 · E21
May 26, 2026
22:47
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