Magic Like This – A C.S. Lewis Book Club – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Oh dear. The Patient is becoming humble. Not artificially humble – no, but truly humble in a way that has Screwtape quaking in his boots. But ahh… for the counterattack. How can Satan sideswipe the rest and ease of true humility in exchange for something… manufactured and exhausting? In this episode, we dive deep into the mechanics of humility, and you might find that the invitation to be truly humble brings more ease and rest than you ever realised.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. LewisMy essay on jealous: Dear jealous creative, what if this was the answer all along?Beauty is NOT “in the eye of the beholder.” C.S. Lewis on Beauty by Isaac Angel MezaGentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

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How to become a paid subscriber:Join the Book Club for £5 a month to get the extended, 1-hour version of each podcast episode (and join Book Club discussions) by clicking here: https://magiclikethis.substack.com/subscribe

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In Letter 13, Screwtape admonishes Wormwood for a fatal mistake: he allowed the Patient to enjoy a book and go on a lovely country walk, all on his own, for no other reason than to experience pleasure. Once again, Lewis beautifully explores not only the ways in which Satan tries to tempt us but the ways in which we can fight back against him. And one of the most beautiful, underrated ways to exercise the victory already won for us in spiritual warfare is that of joy – not just the joy that comes from suffering (which we’re so great at talking about), not just joy separate from happiness, but real, sweet, simple, bubbling joy.

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Links and episode mentions:

Currently reading The Screwtape LettersDusty’s website Dusty on InstagramDusty’s Voice Memos podcastMy HarperCollins essay on C.S. Lewis’ Surprised by Joy Gentle and Lowly by Dane OrtlundMagic Like This on Instagram

How to become a paid subscriber:

Join the Book Club for £5 a month to get the extended, 1-hour version of each podcast episode (and join Book Club discussions) by clicking below:

https://magiclikethis.substack.com/subscribe

Or, if you'd like access to the extended Magic Like This episodes AND my exclusive podcast, The Waffler, you can become a paid subscriber of my primary Substack, The Battle Cry, and I will comp you a paid Magic Like This subscription as well for one year. You can become a paid subscriber for £8 a month by clicking below. (NOTE: due to GDPR laws, you’ll need to message me to let me know that you would like to claim your comped Magic Like This subscription once you’ve subscribed to The Battle Cry).

https://christinalynnwallace.substack.com/subscribe

For fellow writers:

Join The Writer’s List to get writing tips rooted in Scripture and exclusive updates when I launch new writing resources.

Click here to find me on Fable.

Screwtape's 9th letter is a hot take on all the crappy ways that we choose to cope with seasons of depression and dryness. Buckle up for Christina's spicy opinions on purity culture, pleasure, and the more fleshy delights of life (spoiler alert: this episode isn't REALLY about any of those things). Also, she gets a little dramatic, but it wouldn't be a podcast hosted by an Enneagram 4 if she didn't, right?

Mentioned in this episode:

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (always)

A look at "Deny thyself" by Phylicia Masonheimer

Enough Hope Left to Torture: Substack by Breanne Rodgers

Into the Wild

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Aaaand we're back! Diving straight in to Letter 8 (my favourite letter in the book). This letter covers so much: the Law of Undulation (i.e. the peaks and valleys of our faith), suffering, submission, freedom, and I maaaay also segue into a full break down of the gospel (sorry not sorry).

Join the Magic Like This Book Club here.

Books mentioned in this episode (apart from The Screwtape Letters, obviously):

God on Mute by Pete Greig (a fabulous book to read as we begin Lent about connecting with God when we feel He is being silent)

Even If He Doesn't by Kristen LaValley (pre-order this week to REALLY help support the author – this is a fabulous resource to address some of the trite advice we receive as Christians in seasons of suffering).

*I am in no way affiliated or paid to promote these books – I just believe in them and hope that they help you too!*

Dusty and I continue our conversation, looking at how to parent our children (and re-parent ourselves) in the context of disagreements/extremism and loving others well. This is the last episode of the year, and I look forward to joining you again as we resume our deep dive into the Screwtape Letters in the New Year!

You can join Book Club at magiclikethis.substack.com

Hang out with us on Instagram at @magiclikethispodcast

Christmas is such a magical time for us as children, but then adulthood hits, and we often lose the magic of the Christmas season (along with the magic in almost everything else – thank you adulting, ha!). But Jesus invites us, literally, to have faith like a child. So as we enter approach Christmas (a season that often carries as much pain as it does joy), I'm joined by mum of three, Dusty Hegge of The Business Brewery, to look back on some of the themes we've read in The Screwtape Letters so far – but through the lens of parenting. How can we embrace a magical faith-filled life like a child? And how can we, literally, disciple our children when they face their little Screwtapes? Both Part 1 and Part 2 are available now as a little Christmas gift!

Storybook Bible recommendations from Dusty (Note – these are the US affiliate links, and Dusty will receive a small affiliate sale if you purchase through this link): https://www.amazon.com/shop/dustyhegge/list/G58XLDVOI9M0?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_aipsflist_aipsfdustyhegge_QKEWC2GRP5R64GDY6CJY&language=en_US

Even if He Doesn't by Kristen LaValley: https://www.kristenlavalley.com/evenifhedoesnt

You can join Book Club at ⁠magiclikethis.substack.com⁠

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Religion and politics: people's two favourite discussion topics at the Christmas dinner table, right? LOLZ.

As we look at the 7th Screwtape Letter, we dive into the topic of political extremism and how its toxicity corrupts even (maybe especially) the Church, as these savvy demons remind us: "All extremes, except extreme devotion to the Enemy, are to be encouraged."

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As Wormwood's patient prepares for the possibility of going to war, Screwtape narrows in on one of the best tools at their disposal: fear. In short, Screwtape thinks that the more we focus on WHAT we're afraid of, the more we forget that God wants to help us with the fear ITSELF. So how can we fight back? How should we pray when we're afraid? Turning this letter on its head might give us a few ideas...

Mentioned in this episode: Try Softer by Aundi Kolber https://www.amazon.co.uk/Try-Softer-Aundi-Kolber/dp/1496439651

You can join Book Club at ⁠⁠magiclikethis.substack.com⁠⁠

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Screwtape's 5th letter looks at how faith is built up or torn down in times of war and conflict; and while it may have been written in the context of the Second World War, Lewis' work has not lost its potency or relevance for today's audience. News headlines remind us of the stark contrast of war and suffering against the hopeful invitation we're painted in the gospel. The numbers of lives lost are thousands of individual grieving souls, crying out in agony in this broken world. Does God see them? Does He care about our suffering? What's more – does He even understand it? I don't have all the answers, but I'm joined by theology graduate and retired Air Force Engineer, Steve Millington, as we engage these daunting but oh-so-relevant questions.

You can join Book Club at ⁠⁠magiclikethis.substack.com⁠⁠

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Screwtape's clever tactics in Letter 4 break break down how we trick ourselves into thinking that our prayers aren't heard, that God doesn't care, or that prayer itself is fruitless. But as C.S. Lewis warned us in the Preface, "The devil is a liar!" So in this episode, let's dig into the truth: what is prayer, really? Does it matter? And does God care? (Spoiler alert: He absolutely does).

You can join Book Club at ⁠⁠magiclikethis.substack.com⁠⁠

Hang out with us on Instagram at ⁠⁠@magiclikethispodcast