I (Dave) am doing something today I’ve never done before. I have previously published anonymous or pseudonymous articles for reasons I thought were valid, but I always knew the identity of the author. I received this submission today, ran it past Adam and others, and decided to go ahead and run it – even though I have absolutely no idea who wrote it.
I would never run a “hit piece” in this way, but this bit of pointed fiction takes a centrist position and makes some powerful points.
I honestly have no idea who wrote this. Even the email submission came from an anonymous source. But the message is worth reading, regardless of the source.
NOTE: you are welcome to disagree with my decision to publish this, but the comment stream should be reserved for the discussion of the post, not my decision.
Screwtape Letters: SBC Edition
Entry 1
My Dear Wormwood,
You are being assigned to a new patient – the Southern Baptist Convention. You must be clever in the devices you use to bring it down, for some of the traditional methods that made other denominations ineffective failed in the SBC. In the mid-twentieth century, Our Father Below was nearly successful with his Edenic attack on the SBC. In their institutions, they began to take seriously the question, “Hath God said?” Sadly, in the end, they decided the Enemy had indeed spoken, and spoken truly.
Surely there are disagreements about the Enemy’s word among them, but they are not the sorts of disagreements that can undermine their confidence in the word; rather, they are inessential issues that only those who love the Enemy’s word might find worthy of discussion.
No. You must opt for more subtle and cunning methods to make the SBC ineffective. And, you must make them ineffective for they are training over 15,000 young ministers in their academies, and they are planting hundreds of churches within their borders, and they have over 4,000-foot soldiers in far away lands assaulting our ranks in the name of the Enemy! Your mission is most critical. Learn your patient and report back what manner will best advance the attack.
Your affectionate uncle,
Screwtape
Entry 2
My Dear Wormwood,
I was delighted to read your most recent letter and learn of your attack plan. Politics could be a very promising method of engagement. It may well cause division. Many among them are so passionate about political developments that their world seems to rise and fall every four to eight years. Still others seem so dispassionate about politics they rarely engage at all. This is perfect. Each group will look upon the other in haughtiness. The politically motivated will judge the politically detached as foolish and naïve, while the politically detached will judge the politically motivated as too concerned about the things of this world. This may indeed prove to be a wise course of attack.
Your affectionate uncle,
Screwtape
Entry 3
My Dear Wormwood,
You are making great progress and have been the beneficiary of the most extraordinary turn of events. I was so pleased to receive your last report and to hear that a dark horse candidate, with multiple failed marriages, has emerged in the party the SBC supports so strongly, and a candidate that they are divided over! You must fully capitalize on this.
Success here depends on sharply dividing them. It is not enough for them to merely disagree. Christians have often disagreed and voted for different candidates. No, you must convince them there is only one right vote, and it’s the vote they will cast. Not only is anyone who votes differently wrong, they are going against what the Enemy wants.
Also, convince them this is the most important election in the history of the world. The very foundations of civilization are at stake. And if one does not choose the right side, they are contributing to the breakdown of society. Press the patient with these tactics.
Your affectionate uncle,
Screwtape
Entry 4
My Dear Wormwood,
Obviously you are making excellent advance in separating them. Now you must convince each side they are right and entrench them because any backup would be a compromise of conviction. Convince those for the candidate that the Supreme Court and abortion are more important than anything else and must be fought for at all costs, despite the candidate’s character. Convince those who will “never” be for the candidate that character trumps other concerns. After all, the candidate has been in Playboy!
You must pay attention to the rhetoric. This is how you can further divide them. It is not enough to hold different positions; they must attack each other’s positions in sarcastic and biting ways. Bring to the Never crowd’s recollection past resolutions on the character of public officials so that they can call those supporting the candidate hypocrites who have betrayed everything they believe in. And, let those who are for the candidate call the never crowd “panty-waisted, weak-kneed Christians.” Let each side speak condescendingly to the other with phrases like, “We aren’t electing a Theologian-in-Chief” or if you don’t agree with me then you have lost your soul.
Your affectionate uncle,
Screwtape
Entry 5
My Dear Wormwood,
I was delighted to hear that the candidate won, not because he was our Father’s candidate or the Enemy’s, but because this momentum will aid you in pressing the divisions further. You must act swiftly and resourcefully!
Politics was such an ingenious means of attack because it stirs emotions. There are winners and losers. With winners and losers there is momentum. Convince the winners that not only were there politics differences but there are theological differences and leadership differences. Yes, the Never crowd is trying to wrestle control of the SBC from them and common Baptists. They are trying to take it in their own elitist direction. Strike while the iron is hot … you may well distract them from their assault on Our Father’s army and get them bogged down in a civil war for control.
Push them to consider what course of action they can take. Have them team up with people they wouldn’t normally team up with but share their same concerns. Don’t allow the disagreements to remain in private or be dealt with man-to-man. Make this play out on twitter and in national newspapers. The time is now!
Your affectionate uncle,
Screwtape
Entry 6
My Dear Wormwood,
It is wonderful news that some key leaders within your patient have made a public announcement that they will escrow missions dollars pending an investigation into their concerns. You wisely took my advice to have this matter play out in public for all to see rather than in private. It is wonderful because it may convince others to do so … perhaps we can get more of the Enemy’s soldiers off the field. But, it is also wonderful because it will now put public pressure on the Never leadership.
Act quickly to convince the Never leadership that they have made a principled stand and can do no other. They must not back up one wit or be guilty of compromising convictions. Press them to make an apology with the notion of bringing healing and unity but make sure the word “if” is in the apology. But, you must also assure them that they really have nothing to apologize for.
And, you must convince those who were for the candidate that they are owed an apology and are completely in the right. Withholding their money, talking to national newspapers and putting public pressure were genius. Don’t back off now. You are doing the right thing for the Enemy’s cause.
Let there be no compromise. Compromise is for wimps. Let there be no real unity – only feigned unity. Play to each sides’ vanity. Let them be convinced that their own vindication is more important than the Enemy’s fight against Our Father Below!
Your affectionate uncle,
Screwtape
Entry 7
My Dear Wormwood,
Your plan is very near completion. I see the doom of the SBC on the horizon. You have performed excellently. Politics was the right choice for now it has thrust generational and racial dynamics into the struggle as well. Stroke of genius! Churches on all sides are now considering disengaging from the SBC. If you act adeptly here you can deal the SBC a deathblow.
Push both sides to fight rather than cooperate. You must press those for the candidate to maintain their position and not be willing to come to a quick resolution. You must convince the never leadership either to entrench or humbly fall on their sword for the sake of “unity,” which will bring no unity at all, only further division! Convince supporters on both sides to start a social media war where they tweet and subtweet one another!
If both sides remain fixed, more churches with lots of money to spend on missions will choose other avenues for utilizing those funds and the Enemy’s war efforts will be crippled.
If the Never leadership walks away or is removed, many younger and ethnic churches will disengage. The SBC will have effectively eaten its young and communicated to minorities that they don’t belong in this denomination. It is the denomination of slaveholders after all.
Above all else, Wormwood, do not allow either side in this struggle to genuinely humble themselves and unify. That would be disastrous! Persuade them that any reversal here would be a compromise of conviction. The stage is set. The end of the SBC is near.
I look forward to seeing you very soon at the banquet to celebrate your accomplishments. Liberalism did not bring down the SBC but President Trump just might!
Your affectionate uncle,
Screwtape
This is brilliant. C.S. Lewis would be proud. I realize it’s inside SBC stuff, but this is so true and it applies to the Church as a whole as well. As long as we in the church are more concerned with the politics of the world as opposed to the people of the world we are playing Satan’s game.
I thought it was well written, balanced and powerful.
This is well done. Thanks for posting it and thanks as well to the author.
Word to this individual and their mother.
I’m personally not comfortable with the idea (even metaphorically) that either side of our present disagreement are being unwittingly manipulated by Satan to bring division. I think there is much in this piece, however cleverly written, that distorts what is actually happening on either side of our current dispute. Yes, I’m for unity, but unity by working through these issues and seeking true reconciliation, not dismissing the concerns of either side nor caricaturizing them in this manner. So yes the piece is clever, but I personally don’t find it particularly helpful. But then, that’s just my opinion.
My opinion is generally the same as Todd’s.
When one group of Christians disagrees with another group by playing the “Satan” card (or, in my opinion, the “race” card or the “generation” card), then I think it assumes motivations that are rarely, if ever, present.
I don’t think the people in the SBC who view Moore as a GOOD representative of Southern Baptists and therefore support him remaining in his current role are being manipulated by Satan in the least. I do not think they are racists. I think they only want what is best for the next generation of Southern Baptists.
I don’t think the people in the SBC who view Moore as a POOR representative of Southern Baptists and therefore support his removal from office are being manipulated by Satan in the least. I do not think they are racists. I think they only want what is best for the next generation of Southern Baptists.
What if Satan is most pleased when we start blaming Satan for the convictions of fellow Christians who simply disagree with us? When you think about it, that really magnifies the influence of the Enemy—especially if EACH side starts believing that the OTHER side is the one that has been overtaken by Satan.
What if all we have here are two groups of Southern Baptists who love Jesus and want to fulfill the Great Commission, but simply disagree about whether or not we can do that most effectively with Moore at the helm of the ERLC or somebody else? No Satanic motive. No race motive. No generational motive. Just a difference of opinion regarding God’s will for the future of this convention entity.
To say that the enemy is always working to sow discord and divide is different than attributing people’s works to Satan’s credit.
The whole point of the Screwtape thing is to show that which is not of God.
It’s not perfectly analogous but it certainly made me think of how I may have contributed to discord. I think someone who considers themselves squarely in the middle or on the outside got sick of the bickering and got inspired to write something that will get everyone to shut up and be friends again.
If either side is not being manipulated by Satan then what are they giving into? What is another explanation for the division? I know this might sound antagonistic but I mean it as a genuine question. If division isn’t from sin in some way then where is it from?
Conviction.
Regarding baptism, mainline Protestant denominations sprinkle babies, while evangelicals immerse believers. There is DIVISION there, but it is NOT of Satan, right?
I don’t think Satan is behind the mainline Protestant groups. However, my convictions regarding biblical understandings are not the same as theirs. We are not on the same page, but it is NOT a Satanic matter, in my opinion.
That’s a fair answer, and the one I expected. I don’t think would be right to throw the possibility of satanic division completely out, though.
Rick, it all depends on how one defines ‘mainline protestant’ — 7 of 10 PCUSA pastors don’t believe Christ bodily rose from the tomb, many in the Episcopal Church no longer believe Christ is divine, many in the ‘mainline protestant’ churches are universalist, so the differences extend far further than pedobaptism by sprinkling versus adult immersion. At the heart of it is the Bible, specifically is the Bible the inerrant Word of a God or is it the work of men?
The real divide is over the fundamental inerrancy of scripture not in subtly different interpretations of inerrant scripture represented by differences over baptism. Some individual ‘mainliners’ are adherents of inerrancy but none of the ‘mainline protestant’ denominations hold that view as a denomination. All the mainline denominations have embraced liberal theology, some have moved on to open theology.
Liberal theology is in reality not Christian theology at all, it is built upon higher criticism and thus the denial of the inerrancy of God’s Word. It is an easy step from the rejection of the inerrancy of scripture to the rejection of the unique divine nature of Jesus, “sure Jesus is divine but then so are we, we all have that divine spark”. The unique divine nature of Christ is central not just to Baptist beliefs but to Christian theology as a whole.
The PCA, OPC, and EPC and I am assuming other mainline offshoots like the Anglican Church in America are holding to inerrancy and thus the uniquely divine nature of Christ, but then they are the breakaways so not really mainline are they? Yes Satan is alive and well and reveling in division and squabbling.
The SBC was well on its way to following the ‘mainline denominations’ with its seminaries taken over by higher criticism and liberal theology, even though they kept right on baptizing adults by full immersion, until the Conservative Resurgence of the 1980s and early 90s. That was a hill worth dying on. But there is a huge difference between liberal theology and liberal politics (note — liberal actually meant what we call libertarian until the 1920s when the term was appropriated by progressives, so I cringe as I type that word here, I honestly don’t believe that Russell Moore is a progressive so I have no term other than liberal to describe him politically). I can not fellowship with those who embrace liberal theology though I can fellowship with those that embrace liberal politics. So this is not a hill worth dying on.
You are right in that both sides in this fight love Jesus and want to fulfill the Great Commission. But I think you’re wrong when you suggest that Satan is not behind this. This fight is not between Satan worshipers and Christians or even unbelievers and Christians, it is a fight between Christians. Neither side is on Satan’s side here, but Satan will seek to take advantage of our differences to sow discord and to ruin witness. So yes I do believe that Satan is manipulating this to his advantage, because too many Baptists are putting politics above God. The SBC has become far too often, as I so fondly like to say, the cheating abused mistress of the GOP rather than the Bride of Christ. We have become the Republican Party at prayer. Too many within the convention have made an idol of politics and power. And that is of Satan. But we can cast aside our idols and break down the high places.
We are at war and will be until the King returns, it is primarily a spiritual war though it sometimes manifests itself as political warfare or even military warfare. Neither the Trump-supporters among the SBC nor the Never-Trumpers are the enemy, Satan is the enemy. Whenever the Church fights among itself we inflict blue on blue casualties, it’s time to end the fratricide amongst those of us who do accept Biblical Inerrancy. Both sides need to reflect here, humble themselves, repent, turn from their wicked ways and together seek the face of God.
Well, okay, Doc, thanks for that, and I do see where you’re coming from, particularly on the questionable doctrine espoused by many mainline groups.
So let me change the hypothetical a bit and bring it within the SBC. SOME of us believe in a rapture. OTHERS don’t. So there’s an issue that DIVIDES us, but it is NOT Satanic in origin or driven by demons in the least.
ALSO, it is not a WAR. Some people seem to call every issue a WAR. Do you disagree with Calvinism? Then you are fighting a WAR. Do you disagree with our Denominational Long Range Plan? Then you are fighting a WAR. Do you think Southern Baptists should replace a hothead entity leader who has offended millions of Southern Baptists? Then you are fighting a WAR.
And the thing you need to do is REPENT of the WAR and acquiesce to everything that comes down the pike whether you believe in it or not. Otherwise, you are promoting disunity and fighting a WAR.
But what if your principles and convictions REQUIRE you to speak out against that which you cannot, in good conscience, support? What if you do not see yourself as fighting a WAR, but just trying to make the SBC better?
In that case, it’s not something from which one should repent. Rather, it’s something one should embrace and work toward, precisely because one wants what is best for Southern Baptists in the future as we reach people for Christ.
Rick, I agree that we constantly need to be 1) humble 2) repentant and 3) conciliatory on all these issues. But, I think you missed the point again, I didn’t say we are at war with one another, whether over Reformed Theology vs Arminianism or the Long Range Plan or even Russell Moore or that we ought to be at war with each other over these, rather we as God’s people are at war with Satan. I will not repent of that war.
Now as far as differences between us over what are non-essentials (think the Nicene Creed here as the essentials, oh wow an SBC member bringing up a creed, stone him! And yes I think the disagreement over Calvinism and Arminianism is a non-essential even though Arminians will get the basement apartments in heaven while the Calvinists will get the penthouses ;-), I think we need to seek reconciliation or the brotherly agreement to disagree in good cheer over non-essentials and I honestly believe that the Russell Moore issue is non-essential. What we do tend to do however is both shoot our own wounded and shoot at one another in the heat of the moment (it’s called fratricide in the military or blue on blue). When churches begin to withhold funds over personality, something other than brotherly disagreement is afoot. I do not believe Prestonwood Baptist Church or any of the other 100 odd, has been taken over by Satan, nor do I believe that Russell Moore or his supporters have been taken over by Satan (at least I hope not, though I disagree with Dr. Moore probably more than I agree with him on policy matter, I treasure the way he challenges us all to think through our positions Biblically) but I do think that Satan is encouraging us all to get our backs up here. We all need to take a deep breath, remember who the real enemy is, talk quietly with one another, reconcile, and go back on the offensive against Satan not each other. I think we are actually on the same side here.
Doc
Demons like Screwtape are not sticklers for accuracy, but in Entry One, he wrote that Southern Baptists had OVER 4,000 missionaries on the field. However, on December 31, 2016, we had ONLY 3,596—10.1% FEWER than the demon claimed.
https://www.imb.org/vision-and-mission/
Rick, I realize that you are trying to sneak in a shot here at Platt and IMB leadership, but I think the figure here is “field personnel.” The 4000 number likely refers to all missions personnel, not just those who serve on foreign shores.
“and they have over 4,000-foot soldiers IN FAR AWAY LANDS” (Screwtape, emphasis mine)
My comment was directed at the demon, who clearly referrred to those on foreign shores.
My goodness, it’s as if God is not sovereign over the affairs of men (and numbers of missionaries) at all! It makes you wonder what He could have done had Gideon been able to raise a bigger army than 300 men?
So what would the “average” SBC member , who does not follow SBC proceedings, unaware of ERLC/Moore or blogs of this type take away from this Screwtape blog if it was the only comment that read about the election? I voted for Trump as did 80 percent of the SBC, were we under the influence of Satan? Is that the point. Because of secular political reasons of (1) illegal immigration/border security- I agreed with Trump on political view. (2) trade – anti TPP and NAFTA – agree with Trump (3) Repeal ACA- agree with Trump and on down the political list. I made a political not a faith based decision. Now read entry 3 , based on my political viewpoint Trump supporter were lectured by Dr. Moore in the manner that has been covered in great detail. I did not even know the extent of anti Trump rhetoric in the ERLC until I came across Dr. Moore’s articles in the secular press, then became aware of the ERLC activity. This whole “division” in the SBC for me individually would not have happened without being aware of Dr. Moore’s strong anti Trump position using his SBC position. Did Trump attack SBC/ERLC or did the ERLC go full throttle attack mode on a political candidate? If Trump had lost “big league” would we have the R. Moore apology? I believe R. Moore brings more negatives than positives and the ERLC just is not needed. Again the sleeping giant is the opinion of the majority of SBC members really do not know what is going on, will they become aware of what is going/gone on. Witty , well written blog that was entertaining.
My church has 6 people right now, maybe a tad more that are in far away lands that are not counted on IMB roles. With 40000 plus churches in the SBC, I bet that 404 number discrepancy isn’t one at all.
4004
It is possible that the IMB needs to update their website and list the correct number. But there’s simply no denying that the number they list right now is 3,596.
You guys can blame me for a lot of things, but you really cannot blame me for accurately quoting IMB website statistics while debating a demon on SBC Voices.
No, just for needless pedantry.
Yeah, Rick is also good at math.
But since my church as 6 in far away lands, the closer to correct number is at least 3602. And if 1/10th of the churches we have in the SBC have just 1 person in far away lands then by gosh, the demon is right. But then demons lie and exaggerate since they tell not truth so I fail to see the problem.
Nah, he’s just good at deflection.
I mean, an argument about a rounded number that a fictional character threw out in a somewhat entertaining metaphor, and thus the point of it was proven.
Sad commentary. I think it is important to be Christians first and SB’s second. If we really believe that God is in control, then it would not have mattered if Hillary got elected. Many Christians think that the Democrats would take our Religious Freedom away, maybe that is what we need to trust in God.
There’s plenty of people who seem to trust in government, politics, and supreme courts more than they trust in God. If judgment is to come, it will come, and should come, because God is smarter than us.
(insert inevitable “then why do you care about religious liberty” argument here)
As I understood the story, it’s not that either side is working for Satan — by being for/against Trump or for/against Moore. It’s that either side is unwittingly working for Satan when they advocate for their position in way that is uncharitable, misleading, or divisive.
Amen Jeff 🙂
Can we stop with all the sky is falling in the SBC bit?
There seems to be some troubling theology here. This whole “Satan is/isn’t using a particular dog in the fight” is ridiculous.
Satan will use any means at his disposal to destroy the kingdom of God, including prideful workers who sincerely think they’re doing right!
Satan is all in the current infighting of the SBC. He may not have started it, but our sinful actions have opened the door to him. And, unless we truly reconcile as Screwtape warned Wormwood to prevent, this time Wormwood will have success in his endeavor!
I don’t think you understand the point of fiction
I understand the point of fiction, but sometimes there is truth in fiction. (The same argument we’ve made against The Shack)