Screwtape's 23rd Letter: Jesus, or your political mascot? With Historian, Dr. Gregory Lippiatt.

“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. LewisSurprised by Joy by C.S. LewisFirst and Second Things, essay by C.S. LewisThe Unintended Reformation by Brad GregoryThe Myth of Religious Violence by William T CavanaughTolkien's Letter 306 by J.R.R. TolkienSupport the showBecome a patron of Magic Like This for £5 a month here.OR leave a review for us on Apple Podcasts!Find me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/magiclikethispodcastRead my essays and join my Celtic Prayer Writing Workshops at The Battle Cry:https://christinalynnwallace.substack.com/subscribeFor fellow writers:Enrol in Pick Up Your Sword, my writing course for aspiring Christian writers who want to write their first book: https://christinalynnwallace.com/courseBattling imposter syndrome?Purchase my 7-day journalling devotional for aspiring Christian writers: https://www.christinalynnwallace.com/shop/p/invited-by-joy-digital-devotional-for-aspiring-authorsAlways wondered about the difference between a colon and a semi-colon?Join Swordsmanship, my free 21-day punctuation mark email course: https://www.christinalynnwallace.com/swordsmanship.Wanting personal support to develop your writing practice?Book a Writer’s Audit, 1:1 writing mentorship calls with Christina.Or if you just want a little magic sent straight to your inbox each month to encourage and inspire your writing practice, you can get my free monthly newsletter, The Grammarian, here: https://christinalynnwallace.com/newsletterClick here to find me on Fable This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit magiclikethis.substack.com/subscribe