129-458: The Screwtape Letters is a Christian apologetic novel by C. S. Lewis and dedicated to J. R. R. Tolkien . It is written in a satirical , epistolary style and, while it is fictional in format, the plot and characters are used to address Christian theological issues, primarily those to do with temptation and resistance to it. First published in February 1942, the story takes the form of
258-438: A means to an end , to increase emotional connection , and to alleviate insecurity . Most people engage in sexual activity because of pleasure they derive from the arousal of their sexuality , especially if they can achieve orgasm . Sexual arousal can also be experienced from foreplay and flirting, and from fetish or BDSM activities, or other erotic activities . Most commonly, people engage in sexual activity because of
387-541: A Toast" (1959), first published as an article in The Saturday Evening Post , is an addendum to The Screwtape Letters ; the two works are often published together as one book. The sequel takes the form of an after-dinner speech given by Screwtape at the Tempters' Training College for young devils. In stage adaptations it is sometimes added as a prelude, making the work a prequel. "Screwtape Proposes
516-632: A Toast" is Lewis' criticism of leveling and featherbedding trends in public education ; more specifically, as he reveals in the foreword to the American edition, public education in America (though in the text, it is English education that is held up as the purportedly awful example). The Cold War opposition between the West and the Communist World is explicitly discussed as a backdrop to
645-614: A biblical basis for Christian apologetics is God's entreaty in the Book of Isaiah : "Come now, let us reason together." Other scriptural passages which have been taken as a basis for Christian apologetics include Psalm 19 , which begins "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands," and Romans 1 , which reads "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." There are
774-422: A case for the historicity of the resurrection of Christ per current legal standards of evidence or undermining the pagan myth hypothesis for the origin of Christianity. Regarding evidence for the historicity of the Book of Acts , A. N. Sherwin-White states that: For Acts, the confirmation of historicity is overwhelming. Acts is, in simple terms and judged externally, no less of a propaganda narrative than
903-557: A child or adolescent is sometimes referred to as the sexualization of the child, and may be considered a milestone or a change of status, as the loss of virginity or innocence. Youth are legally free to have intercourse after they reach the age of consent . A 1999 survey of students indicated that approximately 40% of ninth graders across the United States report having had sexual intercourse. This figure rises with each grade. Males are more sexually active than females at each of
1032-989: A comic book adaptation of The Screwtape Letters in 1994. Focus on the Family Radio Theatre was granted the rights to dramatize The Screwtape Letters as a feature-length audio drama. Production began in 2008, and the product was released in the fall of 2009. Andy Serkis , known for playing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy , provided the voice for Screwtape, with Bertie Carvel as Wormwood, Philip Bird as The Patient (identified in this production as "John Hamilton"), Laura Michelle Kelly as The Girl (identified in this production as "Dorothy"), Roger Hammond as Toadpipe, Christina Greatrex as Slumtrimpet, Janet Henfrey as Glubose, Eileen Page as John Hamilton's mother, Susie Brann as Viv Brett, Robert Benfield as Noel Brett, and Geoffrey Palmer as C.S. Lewis. There
1161-490: A given relationship – are known as switches . The precise definition of roles and self-identification is a common subject of debate within the community. In a 2013 study, researchers stated that BDSM is a sexual act where participants play role games, use restraint, use power exchange, use suppression and pain is sometimes involved depending on individual(s). The study serves to challenge the widespread notion that BDSM could be in some way linked to psychopathology . According to
1290-562: A good show!" by The Wall Street Journal . The production has also toured worldwide. In some productions, the role of Screwtape has been performed by a woman. The Barley Sheaf Players of Lionville, Pennsylvania performed James Forsyth's play Screwtape in September 2010. It was directed by Scott Ryan and the play ran the last three weekends in September. The production was reviewed by Paul Recupero for Stage Magazine . Marvel Comics and religious book publisher Thomas Nelson produced
1419-548: A higher need for fulfillment. When this need was satisfied, they felt better about themselves. This was correlated with greater closeness to their partner and higher overall satisfaction in their relationship. Though both sexes engaged in sexual activity for self-determined reasons, there were some differences found between males and females. It was concluded that females had more motivation than males to engage in sexual activity for self-determined reasons. Females also had higher satisfaction and relationship quality than males did from
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#17327879664071548-620: A long lifetime. In the last letter, the Patient has been killed during the Blitz and has gone to Heaven , and for his ultimate failure, Wormwood is doomed to suffer the consumption of his spiritual essence by the other devils, especially by Screwtape himself. He responds to Wormwood's final letter by saying that he may expect as little assistance as Screwtape would expect from Wormwood were their situations reversed ("My love for you and your love for me are as alike as two peas ... The difference
1677-407: A need. The participants have remarked that they enjoy pleasing their partner in any way they can and many surveyed have felt that this is one of the best things about BDSM. It gives a submissive pleasure to do things in general for their Dominant while a Dominant enjoys making their encounters all about their submissive and enjoy doing things that makes their submissive happy. The findings indicate that
1806-525: A pregnancy. To reduce the risk of unintended pregnancies, some people who engage in penile-vaginal sex may use contraception , such as birth control pills , a condom , diaphragms , spermicides , hormonal contraception or sterilization. The effectiveness of the various contraceptive methods in avoiding pregnancy varies considerably, and depends on the method rather than the user. Sexual activity that involves skin-to-skin contact, exposure to an infected person's bodily fluids or mucous membranes carries
1935-455: A profound sense of relaxation, especially in the postcoital period. From a biochemical perspective, sex causes the release of oxytocin and endorphins and boosts the immune system. People engage in sexual activity for any of a multitude of possible reasons. Although the primary evolutionary purpose of sexual activity is reproduction, research on college students suggested that people have sex for four general reasons: physical attraction , as
2064-438: A relationship but want to hide polygamous activity (possibly of opposite sexual orientation) from their partner, may solicit consensual sexual activity with others through personal contacts, online chat rooms , or, advertising in select media. Swinging involves singles or partners in a committed relationship engaging in sexual activities with others as a recreational or social activity. The increasing popularity of swinging
2193-405: A series of letters from a senior devil , Screwtape , to his nephew, Wormwood, a junior tempter. The uncle's mentorship pertains to the nephew's responsibility in securing the damnation of a British man known only as "the Patient". By 1999, the novel had 26 English and 15 German editions, with around half a million copies sold. In The Screwtape Letters , Lewis imagines a series of lessons on
2322-635: A sex act, it may be referred to as group sex . Autoerotic sexual activity can involve use of dildos , vibrators , butt plugs , and other sex toys , though these devices can also be used with a partner. Sexual activity can be classified into the gender and sexual orientation of the participants, as well as by the relationship of the participants. The relationships can be ones of marriage, intimate partners , casual sex partners or anonymous . Sexual activity can be regarded as conventional or as alternative , involving, for example, fetishism or BDSM activities. Fetishism can take many forms, including
2451-473: A sexual relationship when the participants have positive feelings associated with the relationship. These participants do not feel guilty or coerced into the partnership. Researchers have proposed the model of self-determined sexual motivation. The purpose of this model is to connect self-determination and sexual motivation. This model has helped to explain how people are sexually motivated when involved in self-determined dating relationships. This model also links
2580-442: A span to allow the mythical tendency to prevail over the hard historic core. Moral apologetics states that real moral obligation is a fact. Catholic apologist Peter Kreeft said, "We are really, truly, objectively obligated to do good and avoid evil." In moral apologetics, the arguments for man's sinfulness and man's need for redemption are stressed. Examples of this type of apologetic would be Jonathan Edwards ' sermon " Sinners in
2709-521: A star in the Book of Revelation ), a younger and less experienced devil, charged with guiding a man called "the Patient" toward "Our Father Below" ( Satan ), and away from "the Enemy" ( God ). After the first letter, the Patient converts to Christianity , and Wormwood is chastised for allowing this. A striking contrast is formed between Wormwood and Screwtape during the rest of the book, wherein Wormwood
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#17327879664072838-678: A study, sexual experiences help teenagers understand pleasure and satisfaction. In relation to hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, it stated that teenagers can positively benefit from sexual activity. The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008 and 2009 at a rural upstate New York community. Teenagers who had their first sexual experience at age 16 revealed a higher well-being than those who were sexually inexperienced or who became sexually active at age 17. Furthermore, teenagers who had their first sexual experience at age 15 or younger, or who had many sexual partners were not negatively affected and did not have associated lower well-being. Sexual activity
2967-533: A variety of Christian apologetic styles and schools of thought. The major types of Christian apologetics include historical and legal evidentialist apologetics, presuppositional apologetics, philosophical apologetics, prophetic apologetics, doctrinal apologetics, biblical apologetics, moral apologetics, and scientific apologetics. Biblical apologetics include issues concerned with the authorship and date of biblical books, biblical canon , and biblical inerrancy . Christian apologists defend and comment on various books of
3096-458: A variety of ways, and may or may not express it in their behaviors. Research indicates that many gay men and lesbians want, and succeed in having, committed and durable relationships. For example, survey data indicate that between 40% and 60% of gay men and between 45% and 80% of lesbians are currently involved in a romantic relationship. It is possible for a person whose sexual identity is mainly heterosexual to engage in sexual acts with people of
3225-506: Is 13.8 billion-years-old and Earth is 4.54 billion-years-old. Old Earth creationists, such as astrophysicist Hugh Ross , see each of the six days of creation as being a long, but finite period of time, based on the multiple meanings of the Hebrew word yom (day light hours/24 hours/age of time) and other Biblical creation passages. Human sexual activity Human sexual activity , human sexual practice or human sexual behaviour
3354-638: Is a 7-and-a-half minute video preview of the Radio Theatre production with interviews and making-of footage. This production was a 2010 Audie Awards finalist. An annotated edition of The Screwtape Letters was released in 2013 by HarperOne. Paul McCusker , who adapted the book for Focus on the Family 's audio drama, wrote the footnotes. McCusker does not provide any theological commentary or interpretation, but instead clarifies vocabulary, literary passages and customs which might not be immediately clear to
3483-552: Is a branch of Christian theology that defends Christianity . Christian apologetics have taken many forms over the centuries, starting with Paul the Apostle in the early church and Patristic writers such as Origen , Augustine of Hippo , Justin Martyr and Tertullian , then continuing with writers such as Thomas Aquinas , Duns Scotus , William of Ockham and Anselm of Canterbury during Scholasticism . Blaise Pascal
3612-455: Is an innately physiological function, but like other physical activity, it comes with risks. There are four main types of risks that may arise from sexual activity: unwanted pregnancy , contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), physical injury, and psychological injury. Any sexual activity that involves the introduction of semen into a woman's vagina, such as during sexual intercourse, or contact of semen with her vulva, may result in
3741-613: Is characterized by the potential for aesthetic attraction, romantic love , or sexual desire towards people without regard for their gender identity or biological sex . Some pansexuals suggest that they are gender-blind ; that gender and sex are insignificant or irrelevant in determining whether they will be sexually attracted to others. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary , pansexuality "encompasses all kinds of sexuality; not limited or inhibited in sexual choice with regards to gender or practice". Although
3870-483: Is depicted through Screwtape's letters as anxious to tempt his patient into extravagantly wicked and deplorable sins, often recklessly, while Screwtape takes a more subtle stance, as in Letter XII, wherein he remarks: "... the safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." In Letter VIII, Screwtape explains to his protégé
3999-454: Is generally influenced by social rules that are culturally specific and vary widely. Sexual ethics, morals, and norms relate to issues including deception/honesty, legality, fidelity and consent. Some activities, known as sex crimes in some locations, are illegal in some jurisdictions, including those conducted between (or among) consenting and competent adults (examples include sodomy law and adult-adult incest ). Some people who are in
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4128-454: Is not good for the soul". Fitzhugh also explains how he thought it was interesting Lewis wrote from the perspective of Screwtape and that he wrote from the same perspective in the song. The group The Oh Hellos released the album Dear Wormwood , which they have described as a form of speculative fiction from the point of view of "the patient". The three-part song "Salt (in the Wounds) of
4257-576: Is one of the strongest human drives. It is an innate feature of human nature, and may be related to the sex drive . The human mating process encompasses the social and cultural processes whereby one person may meet another to assess suitability, the courtship process and the process of forming an interpersonal relationship . Commonalities, however, can be found between humans and nonhuman animals in mating behavior. The physiological responses during sexual stimulation are fairly similar for both men and women and there are four phases. Sexual dysfunction
4386-606: Is perhaps the best known modern, English speaking Eastern Orthodox apologist. Among the Evangelicals there is the Anglican C. S. Lewis (who popularized the argument now known as Lewis's trilemma ). Among Protestant apologists of the 19th century there was William Paley who popularized the Watchmaker analogy . In the first half of the 20th century, many Christian fundamentalists became well known apologists. Some of
4515-616: Is popular in Calvinist circles. Others include William Lane Craig , Douglas Groothuis , Josh McDowell , Hugo Anthony Meynell , Timothy J. Keller , Francis Collins , Vishal Mangalwadi , Richard Bauckham , Craig Evans , Darrell Bock , Frank Turek , John F. MacArthur , R.C. Sproul , Michael R. Licona , Ravi Zacharias , Allister McGrath and John Lennox . The original Greek apologia ( ἀπολογία , from Ancient Greek : ἀπολογέομαι , romanized : apologeomai , lit. 'speak in return, defend oneself')
4644-685: Is punctuated by varied dances including tap , Latin ballroom , jazz , martial arts , and rock – and whips and fire-eating. Screwtape performs these dances with his secretary, Toadpipe. The Fellowship for the Performing Arts obtained from the Lewis estate the rights to adapt The Screwtape Letters for the stage. The initial production opened off-off-Broadway at Theatre 315 in New York City in January 2006. The initial three-week run
4773-600: Is recognized, and promotion of equity between men and women is crucial for attaining sexual and reproductive health , as stated by the UN International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action: BDSM is a variety of erotic practices or roleplaying involving bondage , dominance and submission , sadomasochism , and other interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of practices, some of which may be engaged in by people who do not consider themselves as practicing BDSM, inclusion in
4902-522: Is regarded by some as arising from the upsurge in sexual activity during the sexual revolution of the 1960s. Some people engage in various sexual activities as a business transaction. When this involves having sex with, or performing certain actual sexual acts for another person in exchange for money or something of value, it is called prostitution. Other aspects of the adult industry include phone sex operators, strip clubs , and pornography. Social gender roles can influence sexual behavior as well as
5031-487: Is revealed that the young man may be placed in harm's way by his possible civil defence duties (it is stated in an earlier letter that he is eligible for military service, but it is never actually confirmed that he was indeed called). While Wormwood is delighted with this and by the Second World War in general, Screwtape admonishes Wormwood to keep the Patient safe in hopes that they can compromise his faith over
5160-475: Is that I am the stronger"), mimicking the situation where Wormwood himself reported his uncle to the Infernal Police for Infernal Heresy (making a religiously positive remark that would offend Satan). Screwtape starts every letter with "My dear Wormwood", except the last letter, which sarcastically says, "My dear, my very dear Wormwood; my poppet , my pigsnie ." The short sequel "Screwtape Proposes
5289-522: Is the inability to react emotionally or physically to sexual stimulation in a way projected of the average healthy person; it can affect different stages in the sexual response cycles, which are desire, excitement and orgasm. In the media, sexual dysfunction is often associated with men, but in actuality, it is more commonly observed in females (43 percent) than males (31 percent). Sexual activity can lower blood pressure and overall stress levels. It serves to release tension, elevate mood, and possibly create
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5418-419: Is the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality . People engage in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone (e.g., masturbation ) to acts with another person (e.g., sexual intercourse , non-penetrative sex , oral sex , etc.) in varying patterns of frequency, for a wide variety of reasons. Sexual activity usually results in sexual arousal and physiological changes in
5547-581: Is true. To remedy this, we must begin by showing that religion is not contrary to reason; that it is venerable, to inspire respect for it; then we must make it lovable, to make good men hope it is true; finally, we must prove it is true." Christian apologetics continues in modern times in a wide variety of forms. Among Catholics there are Bishop Robert Barron , G. K. Chesterton , Ronald Knox , Taylor Marshall , Arnold Lunn , Karl Keating , Michael Voris , Peter Kreeft , Frank Sheed , Dr. Scott Hahn , and Patrick Madrid . The Russian Orthodox Seraphim Rose
5676-569: The Marine Corps Gazette began publishing a series of articles entitled "The Attritionist Letters" styled in the manner of The Screwtape Letters . In the letters, General Screwtape chastises Captain Wormwood for his inexperience and naivete while denouncing the concepts of maneuver warfare in favor of attrition warfare . Writer David Foster Wallace praised the book in interviews and placed it first on his list of top ten favorite books. Called to Arms ' concept album Peril and
5805-619: The Kinsey Institute , the average frequency of sexual intercourse in the US for individuals with partners is 112 times per year (age 18–29), 86 times per year (age 30–39), and 69 times per year (age 40–49). The rate of sexual activity has been declining in the 21st century, a phenomenon that has been described as a sex recession . The age at which adolescents become sexually active varies considerably between different cultures and times. (See Prevalence of virginity .) The first sexual act of
5934-499: The U.S. Supreme Court appointed by Reagan, had professed his admiration for the book. In a 2013 interview with New York magazine, Scalia remarked: " The Screwtape Letters is a great book. It really is, just as a study of human nature." The book was mentioned in the highly publicized interview during Scalia's discourse regarding the nature of his Catholic faith. Christian apologetics Christian apologetics ( Ancient Greek : ἀπολογία , "verbal defense, speech in defense")
6063-660: The norms of certain societies or cultures. Two examples that are criminal offences in most jurisdictions are sexual assault and sexual activity with a person below the local age of consent . Sexual activity can be classified in a number of ways. The practices may be preceded by or consist solely of foreplay . Acts involving one person ( autoeroticism ) may include sexual fantasy or masturbation . If two people are involved, they may engage in vaginal sex, anal sex , oral sex or manual sex . Penetrative sex between two people may be described as sexual intercourse , but definitions vary. If there are more than two participants in
6192-403: The physiology of the reproductive system , sex drive , sexual intercourse, and sexual behaviour in all its forms. In some cultures, sexual activity is considered acceptable only within marriage , while premarital and extramarital sex are taboo . Some sexual activities are illegal either universally or in some countries or subnational jurisdictions, while some are considered contrary to
6321-466: The sexual desire generated by a person to whom they feel sexual attraction ; but they may engage in sexual activity for the physical satisfaction they achieve in the absence of attraction for another, as in the case of casual or social sex . At times, a person may engage in a sexual activity solely for the sexual pleasure of their partner, such as because of an obligation they may have to the partner or because of love, sympathy or pity they may feel for
6450-681: The transcendental argument for the existence of God . Clark held that the Scriptures constituted the axioms of Christian thought, which could not be questioned, though their consistency could be discussed. A consequence of this position is that God's existence can never be demonstrated, either by empirical means or by philosophical argument. In The Justification of Knowledge , the Calvinist theologian Robert L. Reymond argues that believers should not even attempt such proofs. In his book Science Speaks , Peter Stoner argues that only God knows
6579-465: The BDSM community or subculture usually being dependent on self-identification and shared experience. BDSM communities generally welcome anyone with a non-normative streak who identifies with the community; this may include cross-dressers , extreme body modification enthusiasts, animal players , latex or rubber aficionados , and others. B/D (bondage and discipline) is a part of BDSM. Bondage includes
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#17327879664076708-665: The Bible. Some scholars who have engaged in the defense of biblical inerrancy include Robert Dick Wilson , Gleason Archer , Norman Geisler and R. C. Sproul . There are several resources that Christians offer defending inerrancy in regard to specific verses. Authors defending the reliability of the Gospels include Craig Blomberg in The Historical Reliability of the Gospels , Mark D. Roberts in Can We Trust
6837-609: The Catholic Church. Creationist apologetics aims to defend views of origins such as Young Earth creationism and Old Earth creationism that run counter to mainstream science. Young Earth creationists believe the Bible teaches that the Earth is approximately 6,000 years old, and reject the scientific consensus for the age of the Earth . They apply a literal interpretation to the primordial history in Genesis 1–11 – such as
6966-740: The Contemplative Life and more explicitly in Josephus ' Against Apion . Christian apologetics first appear in the New Testament (e. g. Paul's preaching on Mars Hill in Acts 17:22–31). During the subapostolic age Christianity was already competing with Judaism as well as with various other religions and sects in the Greco-Roman world. Christian apologetics can be first seen in the ''Preaching of Peter'' ( Gospel of Peter ), but
7095-585: The Earth" on the 2021 album Laysongs by mandolinist Chris Thile was inspired by The Screwtape Letters . David Bazan references the book in the lyrics of the title track of the 2024 Pedro the Lion album Santa Cruz . US President Ronald Reagan quoted from The Screwtape Letters in his 1983 speech to the National Association of Evangelicals . Antonin Scalia , an Associate Justice of
7224-426: The Gospels, liable to similar distortions. But any attempt to reject its basic historicity, even in matters of detail, must now appear absurd. Roman historians have long taken it for granted.... The agnostic type of form-criticism would be much more credible if the compilation of the Gospels were much later in time.... Herodotus enables us to test the tempo of myth-making, [showing that] even two generations are too short
7353-413: The Gospels? Richard Bauckham , Craig Evans and Darrell Bock . Experiential apologetics is a reference to an appeal "primarily, if not exclusively, to experience as evidence for Christian faith." Also, "they spurn rational arguments or factual evidence in favor of what they believe to be a self-verifying experience." This view stresses experience that other apologists have not made as explicit, and in
7482-554: The Greek rationalist tradition. In the 2nd century, apologetics was a defense or explanation of Christianity, addressed to those standing in opposition and those yet to form an opinion, such as emperors and other authority figures, or potential converts. The earliest martyr narrative has the spokesman for the persecuted present a defense in the apologetic mode: Christianity was a rational religion that worshiped only God, and although Christians were law-abiding citizens willing to honor
7611-601: The Hands of an Angry God ." The Four Spiritual Laws religious tract (Campus Crusade for Christ) would be another example. C. S. Lewis, Norman Geisler, William Lane Craig and Christians who engage in jurisprudence Christian apologetics have argued that miracles are reasonable and plausible wherever an all-powerful Creator is postulated. In other words, it is postulated that if God exists, miracles cannot be postulated as impossible or inherently improbable. Philosophical apologetics concerns itself primarily with arguments for
7740-507: The Infernal authorities), Screwtape notes that the Patient has fallen in love with a Christian girl, and through her and her family, had adopted a very Christian way of life. Toward the end of this letter, in his anger, Screwtape becomes a large centipede, mimicking a similar transformation in Book X of Paradise Lost , wherein the devils are changed into snakes. Later in the correspondence, it
7869-637: The Mercury Theater in Chicago in September 2008, and continued on a national tour including San Francisco , Phoenix , Louisville , Chattanooga , Fort Lauderdale , Houston and Austin , through January 2010 as well as playing at The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C. for ten weeks. The Screwtape Letters played for 309 performances at New York City's Westside Theatre in 2010. The 2011 tour visited performing arts venues in cities throughout
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#17327879664077998-584: The Patient (August 10, 2010) is based entirely on The Screwtape Letters . In U2 's music video for the song " Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me " (1995), an animated Bono is seen walking down the street holding the book The Screwtape Letters . While on stage during the Zoo TV Tour Bono would dress as Mr. MacPhisto, his alter ego. Bono would wear a gold suit and devil horns and usually make prank calls to politicians. The lyrics for The Receiving End of Sirens ' song "Oubliette (Disappear)", from
8127-455: The Saviour was on earth, but also after his death, they were alive for quite a while, so that some of them lived even to our day. ( Church History iv. 3. 2) One of the first comprehensive attacks on Christianity came from the Greek philosopher Celsus , who wrote The True Word ( c. 175 CE ), a polemic criticizing Christians as being unprofitable members of society. In response,
8256-724: The United States including Los Angeles , Houston, Dallas , Atlanta , Seattle , Minneapolis , and Boston . The 2012–2013 tour began in Los Angeles in January 2012, with return engagements in San Francisco, San Diego , Seattle, Chicago and Atlanta as well as stops in several other cities. The Screwtape Letters has been described as "Humorous and lively ... the Devil has rarely been given his due more perceptively!" by The New York Times , "A profound experience" by Christianity Today and "Wickedly witty ... One hell of
8385-426: The age, gender, marital status or other factors of the participants, or otherwise contrary to social norms or generally accepted sexual morals . In evolutionary psychology and behavioral ecology , human mating strategies are a set of behaviors used by individuals to attract, select, and retain mates . Mating strategies overlap with reproductive strategies, which encompass a broader set of behaviors involving
8514-469: The album The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi (2007), were inspired by a passage from The Screwtape Letters . In the Christian metal band Living Sacrifice 's album Ghost Thief , there is a track titled "Screwtape". Frontman Bruce Fitzhugh explained that the song is "about temptation and the proverbial 'devil on your shoulder.' It's about the thought process we go through to justify a thought or action that
8643-598: The aroused person, some of which are pronounced while others are more subtle. Sexual activity may also include conduct and activities which are intended to arouse the sexual interest of another or enhance the sex life of another, such as strategies to find or attract partners ( courtship and display behaviour), or personal interactions between individuals (for instance, foreplay or BDSM ). Sexual activity may follow sexual arousal. Human sexual activity has sociological, cognitive, emotional , behavioural and biological aspects. It involves personal bonding , sharing emotions,
8772-606: The author of the Epistle to Diognetus . Augustine of Hippo was a significant apologist of the Patristic era. Some scholars regard apologetics as a distinct literary genre exhibiting commonalities of style and form, content, and strategies of argumentation . Others viewed it as a form of discourse characterized by its tone and purpose. R. C. Sproul, quoting the First Epistle of Peter , writes that "The defense of
8901-460: The autoerotic case due to the isolation and lack of assistance in the event of a problem. Sexual activity that is consensual is sexual activity in which both or all participants agree to take part and are of the age that they can consent. If sexual activity takes place under force or duress, it is considered rape or another form of sexual assault . In different cultures and countries, various sexual activities may be lawful or illegal in regards to
9030-405: The best known are R. A. Torrey and John Gresham Machen . Evangelical Norman Geisler, Lutheran John Warwick Montgomery and Presbyterian Francis Schaeffer were among the most prolific Christian apologists in the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st, while Gordon Clark and Cornelius Van Til started a new school of philosophical apologetics called presuppositionalism , which
9159-465: The book, Screwtape gives Wormwood detailed advice on various methods of undermining God 's words and of promoting abandonment of God in "the Patient" (whom Wormwood is tempting), interspersed with observations on human nature and the Bible . In Screwtape's advice, selfish gain and power are seen as the only good, and neither devil can comprehend God's love for man or acknowledge human virtue. Versions of
9288-742: The business of tempting his "patient" (in the play, given the name "Michael Green"). The ending is changed as well, with Wormwood trying to repent and beg for forgiveness, when it appears that his mission has failed. Dear Wormwood premiered in Luther High School North , Chicago in April, 1961. Philadelphia playwright and actor Anthony Lawton's original adaptation of The Screwtape Letters has been staged several times since 2000 by Lantern Theater Company , most recently in May/June 2014. In Lawton's adaptation, each of Screwtape's letters
9417-417: The character of Screwtape once, in "Screwtape Proposes a Toast", the format, referred to by Lewis himself as a kind of "diabolical ventriloquism", has inspired other authors to prepare sequels or similar works, such as: The stage play Dear Wormwood (later renamed Screwtape ), written by James Forsyth, was published in 1961. The setting is changed to wartime London, where we actually see Wormwood going about
9546-416: The church father Origen published his apologetic treatise Contra Celsum , or Against Celsus , which systematically addressed Celsus's criticisms and helped bring Christianity a level of academic respectability. In the treatise, Origen writes from the perspective of a Platonic philosopher, drawing extensively on the teachings of Plato . Contra Celsum is widely regarded by modern scholars as one of
9675-492: The community explain their beliefs and justify positions. Origen 's apologetic Contra Celsum , for instance, provided a defense against the arguments of a critic dead for decades to provide answers to doubting Christians lacking immediate answers to the questions raised. Apologetic literature was an important medium for the formation of early Christian identity. In addition to Origen and Tertullian, early Christian apologists include Justin Martyr , Clement of Alexandria , and
9804-523: The contraceptive pill and other highly effective forms of contraception in the mid- and late 20th century has increased people's ability to segregate these three functions, which still overlap a great deal and in complex patterns. For example: A fertile couple may have intercourse while using contraception to experience sexual pleasure (recreational) and also as a means of emotional intimacy (relational), thus deepening their bonding, making their relationship more stable and more capable of sustaining children in
9933-437: The definition of sexual practice, abstinent or autoerotic (including masturbation ). Additionally, different religious and political movements have tried to influence or control changes in sexual practices including courting and marriage, though in most countries changes occur at a slow rate. Homosexuality is the romantic or sexual attraction to the same sex. People with a homosexual orientation can express their sexuality in
10062-489: The desire for certain body parts ( partialism ) such as breasts , navels , or feet . The object of desire can be shoes , boots , lingerie , clothing , leather or rubber items. Some non-conventional autoerotic practices can be dangerous. These include autoerotic asphyxiation and self-bondage . The potential for injury or even death that exists while engaging in the partnered versions of these fetishes (choking and bondage , respectively) becomes drastically increased in
10191-784: The different purposes that God and the devils have for the human race: "We want cattle who can finally become food; He wants servants who can finally become sons." With this end in mind, Screwtape urges Wormwood in Letter VI to promote passivity and irresponsibility in the Patient: "(God) wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them." With his own views on theology , Lewis goes on to describe and discuss sex , love , pride , gluttony , and war in successive letters. Lewis, an Oxford and Cambridge scholar himself, suggests in his work that even intellectuals are not impervious to
10320-550: The educational issues. Screwtape and other devils are portrayed as consciously using the subversion of education and intellectual thought in the West to bring about its overthrow by the communist enemy from without and within. In this sense "Screwtape Proposes a Toast" is more strongly political than The Screwtape Letters , wherein no strong stand is made on political issues of the day, such as World War II . Though C. S. Lewis had resolved not to write another letter, and only revisited
10449-657: The emperor, their belief in a single divinity prevented them from taking the loyalty oaths that acknowledged the emperor's divinity . The apologetic historiography in the Acts of the Apostles presented Christianity as a religious movement at home within the Roman Empire and no threat to it and was a model for the first major historian of the Church , Eusebius. Apologetics might also be directed to Christians already within
10578-483: The end, the concept that the Holy Spirit convinces the heart of truth becomes the central theme of the apologetic argument. A variety of arguments has been forwarded by legal scholars such as Simon Greenleaf and John Warwick Montgomery , by expert forensic investigators such as cold case homicide detective J. Warner Wallace , and academic historical scholars, such as Edwin M. Yamauchi . These arguments present
10707-457: The existence of God , although they do not exclusively focus on this area. They do not argue for the veracity of Christianity over other religions but merely for the existence of a Creator deity . Omnipotence and omniscience are implied in these arguments to greater or lesser degrees: some argue for an interventionist god, some are equally relevant to a Deist conception of God. They do not support hard polytheism , but could be used to describe
10836-426: The existence of God, Christian apologists have also attempted to respond successfully to arguments against the existence of God. Two very popular arguments against the existence of God are the hiddenness argument and the argument from evil. The hiddenness argument tries to show that a perfectly loving God's existence is incompatible with the existence of nonresistant nonbelievers. The argument from evil tries to show that
10965-557: The existence of evil renders God's existence unlikely or impossible. Presuppositional apologetics is a Reformed Protestant methodology which claims that presuppositions are essential to any philosophical position and that there are no "neutral" assumptions from which a Christian can reason in common with a non-Christian. There are two main schools of presuppositional apologetics, that of Cornelius Van Til (and his students Greg Bahnsen and John Frame ) and that of Gordon Haddon Clark . Van Til drew upon but did not always agree with,
11094-583: The expression of deleterious recessive mutations . The avoidance of inbreeding as a constraint on human sexual activity is apparent in the near universal cultural inhibitions in human societies of sexual activity between closely related individuals. Human outcrossing sexual activity provides the adaptive benefit of the masking of expression of deleterious recessive mutations. Alex Comfort and others propose three potential social aspects of sexual intercourse in humans, which are not mutually exclusive: reproductive, relational, and recreational. The development of
11223-509: The faith is not a luxury or intellectual vanity. It is a task appointed by God that you should be able to give a reason for the hope that is in you as you bear witness before the world." The verse quoted here reads in full: "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." Another passage sometimes used as
11352-446: The findings, one who participates in BDSM may have greater strength socially and mentally as well as greater independence than those who do not practice BDSM. It suggests that people who participate in BDSM play have higher subjective well-being, and that this might be due to the fact that BDSM play requires extensive communication. Before any act occurs, the partners must discuss their agreement of their relationship. They discuss how long
11481-485: The first explicitly apologetic work comes from Quadratus of Athens ( c. 125 CE ) in which he writes a defense of the faith to emperor Hadrian . Only a fragment, quoted by Eusebius , has survived to our day: But the works of our Saviour were always present, for they were genuine:—those that were healed, and those that were raised from the dead, who were seen not only when they were healed and when they were raised, but were also always present; and not merely while
11610-408: The first god who created many other gods; however, the arguments are only relevant when applied to the first god (the first cause , pure act and unmoved mover ; it is a contradiction a priori to suppose a plurality of "pure acts" or "first causes" or "unmoved movers"). These arguments can be grouped into several categories: Other philosophical arguments include: In addition to arguments for
11739-420: The future (deferred reproductive). This same couple may emphasize different aspects of intercourse on different occasions, being playful during one episode of intercourse (recreational), experiencing deep emotional connection on another occasion (relational), and later, after discontinuing contraception, seeking to achieve pregnancy (reproductive, or more likely reproductive and relational). Human sexual activity
11868-471: The future and that Biblical prophecies of a compelling nature have been fulfilled. Apologist Josh McDowell documents the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Christ, relating to his ancestral line, birthplace, virgin birth, miracles, death, and resurrection. Apologist Blaise Pascal believed that the prophecies are the strongest evidence for Christianity. He notes that Jesus not only foretold, but
11997-454: The grade levels surveyed. Sexual activity of young adolescents differs in ethnicity as well. A higher percentage of African American and Hispanic adolescents are more sexually active than white adolescents. Research on sexual frequency has also been conducted solely on female adolescents who engage in sexual activity. Female adolescents tended to engage in more sexual activity due to positive mood. In female teenagers, engaging in sexual activity
12126-618: The greatness of the Creator." The theologian and mathematician Marin Mersenne used celestial mechanics as evidence in his apologetic work, while Matteo Ricci engaged in scientific apologetics in China. In modern times, the theory of the Big Bang has been used in support of Christian apologetics. Several Christian apologists have sought to reconcile Christianity and science concerning
12255-469: The importance of taking a deliberate role in Christian faith by portraying a typical human life, with all its temptations and failings, seen from devils' viewpoints. Screwtape holds an administrative post in the bureaucracy ("Lowerarchy") of Hell. Until the book's final pages, Screwtape acts as a mentor to his nephew Wormwood, an inexperienced and incompetent tempter. In the 31 letters which compose
12384-406: The influence of such devils, especially during complacent acceptance of the " Historical Point of View " (Letter XXVII). In Letter XXII, after several attempts to find a licentious woman for the Patient "to promote a useful marriage", and after Screwtape's narrowly avoiding a painful punishment for having divulged to Wormwood God's genuine love for humanity (about which Wormwood had promptly informed
12513-536: The integration of educated Christians into the cultural life of the Roman Empire , particularly during the "little peace" of the 3rd century , and of their participation in the Greek intellectual movement broadly known as the Second Sophistic . The Christian apologists of the early Church did not reject Greek philosophy , but attempted to show the positive value of Christianity in dynamic relation to
12642-711: The letters were originally published weekly in the Anglican periodical The Guardian during wartime , from May to November 1941. The book adds an introduction explaining how the author chose to write his story. Lewis wrote a sequel, "Screwtape Proposes a Toast", in 1959. The satirical essay criticizes trends in British society, education, and public attitudes. The essay was included, with a new preface by Lewis, in editions of The Screwtape Letters published by Bles in 1961 and by Macmillan in 1962. The Screwtape Letters became one of Lewis' most popular works, although he said it
12771-513: The long life spans of people such as Methuselah , the Flood , and the Tower of Babel . Among the biggest young Earth creation apologetic organizations are Answers in Genesis , Institute for Creation Research , and Creation Ministries International . Old Earth creationists believe it is possible to harmonize the Bible's six-day account of creation with the scientific consensus that the universe
12900-526: The main adaptive function of human sexual activity is reproduction, human sexual activity also includes the adaptive constraint of avoiding close inbreeding , since inbreeding can have deleterious effects on progeny. Charles Darwin, who was married to his first cousin Emma Wedgwood, considered that the ill health that plagued his family was a consequence of inbreeding. In general, inbreeding between individuals who are closely genetically related leads to
13029-737: The meeting of the genitalia between same-sex partners – tribadism (generally vulva -to-vulva rubbing) and frot (generally penis -to-penis rubbing). People who have a romantic or sexual attraction to both sexes are referred to as bisexual. People who have a distinct but not exclusive preference for one sex/gender over the other may also identify themselves as bisexual. Like gay and lesbian individuals, bisexual people who pretend to be heterosexual are often referred to as being closeted . Pansexuality (also referred to as omnisexuality) may or may not be subsumed under bisexuality, with some sources stating that bisexuality encompasses sexual or romantic attraction to all gender identities . Pansexuality
13158-479: The modern reader. He also cross-references passages to Lewis' other works dealing with particular subjects. In Calvin and Hobbes , Bill Watterson named Miss Wormwood (Calvin's elementary school teacher) after Lewis' apprentice devil. Affectionately Yours, Screwtape: The Devil and C.S. Lewis (January 1, 2007), directed by Tom Dallis and written by Amy Dallis, aired on the History Channel . In 2010,
13287-432: The most important works of early Christian apologetics. Other apologists from this period are Aristides of Athens , the author of the Epistle to Diognetus , Aristo of Pella , Tatian , Justin Martyr , Melito of Sardis , Athenagoras of Athens , Theophilus of Antioch , Irenaeus , Origen , Hippolytus of Rome , Tertullian , Minucius Felix , Cyprian , and Victorinus of Pettau . Anselm of Canterbury propounded
13416-575: The ontological argument in his Proslogion . Thomas Aquinas presented five ways , or arguments for God's existence, in the Summa Theologica , while his Summa contra Gentiles was a major apologetic work. Aquinas also made significant criticisms of the ontological argument which resulted in its losing popularity until it was revived by René Descartes in his Meditations . Blaise Pascal outlined an approach to apologetics in his Pensées : "Men despise religion; they hate it and fear it
13545-621: The opposite sex. People who engage exclusively in same-sex sexual practices may not identify themselves as gay or lesbian. In sex-segregated environments, individuals may seek relationships with others of their own gender (known as situational homosexuality ). In other cases, some people may experiment or explore their sexuality with same (or different) sex sexual activity before defining their sexual identity . Despite stereotypes and common misconceptions, there are no forms of sexual acts exclusive to same-sex sexual behavior that cannot also be found in opposite-sex sexual behavior, except those involving
13674-635: The partner. A person may engage in sexual activity for purely monetary considerations, or to obtain some advantage from either the partner or the activity. A man and woman may engage in sexual intercourse with the objective of conception . Some people engage in hate sex which occurs between two people who strongly dislike or annoy each other. It is related to the idea that opposition between two people can heighten sexual tension , attraction and interest. Research has found that people also engage in sexual activity for reasons associated with self-determination theory . The self-determination theory can be applied to
13803-400: The passive, receiving, or obedient role are known as submissives or bottoms . These terms are sometimes shortened so that a dominant person may be referred to as a "Dom" (a woman may choose to use the feminine "Domme") and a submissive may be referred to as a "sub". Individuals who can change between Top/Dominant and bottom/submissive roles – whether from relationship to relationship or within
13932-500: The play will last, the intensity, their actions, what each participant needs or desires, and what, if any, sexual activities may be included. All acts must be consensual and pleasurable to both parties. In a 2015 study, interviewed BDSM participants have mentioned that the activities have helped to create higher levels of connection, intimacy, trust and communication between partners. The study suggests that Dominants and submissives exchange control for each other's pleasure and to satisfy
14061-420: The positive outcomes, (satisfying the need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness) gained from sexual motivations. According to the completed research associated with this model, it was found that people of both sexes who engaged in sexual activity for self-determined motivation had more positive psychological well-being. While engaging in sexual activity for self-determined reasons, the participants also had
14190-537: The pubic area but sometimes are found on coarse hair elsewhere on the body (for example, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, mustache, chest, armpits, etc.). Pubic lice infestations (pthiriasis) are spread through direct contact with someone who is infested with the louse. Some STIs like HIV/AIDS can also be contracted by using IV drug needles after their use by an infected person, as well as through childbirth or breastfeeding . Factors such as biological and psychological factors, diseases, mental conditions, boredom with
14319-739: The purpose of encouraging people to have sex only within marriage. Sodomy laws have been used to discourage same-sex sexual practices, but they may also affect opposite-sex sexual practices. Laws also ban adults from committing sexual abuse , committing sexual acts with anyone under an age of consent , performing sexual activities in public, and engaging in sexual activities for money (prostitution). Though these laws cover both same-sex and opposite-sex sexual activities, they may differ in regard to punishment, and may be more frequently (or exclusively) enforced on those who engage in same-sex sexual activities. Different-sex sexual practices may be monogamous , serially monogamous, or polyamorous , and, depending on
14448-555: The question of origins. Theistic evolution claims that classical religious teachings about God are compatible with the modern scientific understanding about biological evolution and that the Creator God uses the process of evolution. Denis Lamoureux , in Evolutionary Creation: A Christian Approach to Evolution , states that "This view of origins fully embraces both the religious beliefs of biblical Christianity and
14577-690: The reaction of individuals and communities to certain incidents; the World Health Organization states that, "Sexual violence is also more likely to occur where beliefs in male sexual entitlement are strong, where gender roles are more rigid, and in countries experiencing high rates of other types of violence." Some societies, such as those where the concepts of family honor and female chastity are very strong, may practice violent control of female sexuality, through practices such as honor killings and female genital mutilation . The relation between gender equality and sexual expression
14706-451: The relationship, and widowhood have been found to contribute to a decrease in sexual interest and activity in old age, but older age does not eliminate the ability to enjoy sexual activity. Heterosexuality is the romantic or sexual attraction to the opposite sex. Heterosexual practices are institutionally privileged in most countries. In some countries, mostly those where religion has a strong influence on social policy , marriage laws serve
14835-474: The restraint of the body or mind. D/s means "Dominant and submissive". A Dominant is one who takes control of a person who wishes to surrender control and a submissive is one who surrenders control to a person who wishes to take control. S/M (sadism and masochism) is the other part of BDSM. A sadist is an individual who takes pleasure in the pain or humiliation of others and a masochist is an individual who takes pleasure from their own pain or humiliation. Unlike
14964-484: The risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection. People may not be able to detect that their sexual partner has one or more STIs, for example if they are asymptomatic (show no symptoms). The risk of STIs can be reduced by safe sex practices, such as using condoms. Both partners may opt to be tested for STIs before engaging in sex. The exchange of body fluids is not necessary to contract an infestation of crab lice. Crab lice typically are found attached to hair in
15093-404: The same sex. Gay and lesbian people who pretend to be heterosexual are often referred to as being closeted (hiding their sexuality in "the closet"). "Closet case" is a derogatory term used to refer to people who hide their sexuality. Making that orientation public can be called " coming out of the closet " in the case of voluntary disclosure or " outing " in the case of disclosure by others against
15222-421: The scientific theories of cosmological, geological, and biological evolution. It contends that the Creator established and maintains the laws of nature, including the mechanisms of a teleological evolution ." One of the most influential examples of a Christian-evolutionary synthesis is the work of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin , which was intended as apologetics to the world of science, but was later condemned by
15351-487: The sexual activity. Overall, research concluded that psychological well-being, sexual motivation, and sexual satisfaction were all positively correlated when dating couples partook in sexual activity for self-determined reasons. The frequency of sexual activity might range from zero to 15 or 20 times a week. Frequency of intercourse tends to decline with age. Some post- menopausal women experience decline in frequency of sexual intercourse, while others do not. According to
15480-447: The subject's wishes (or without their knowledge). Among some communities (called "men on the DL" or " down-low "), same-sex sexual behavior is sometimes viewed as solely for physical pleasure. Men who have sex with men , as well as women who have sex with women , or men on the "down-low" may engage in sex acts with members of the same sex while continuing sexual and romantic relationships with
15609-450: The timing of reproduction and the trade-off between quantity and quality of offspring (see life history theory ). Relative to other animals, human mating strategies are unique in their relationship with cultural variables such as the institution of marriage . Humans may seek out individuals with the intention of forming a long-term intimate relationship , marriage, casual relationship , or friendship . The human desire for companionship
15738-439: The usual "power neutral" relationships and play styles commonly followed by couples, activities and relationships within a BDSM context are often characterized by the participants' taking on complementary, but unequal roles; thus, the idea of informed consent of both the partners becomes essential. Participants who exert dominance (sexual or otherwise) over their partners are known as Dominants or Tops , while participants who take
15867-463: The work of Dutch Calvinist philosophers and theologians such as D. H. Th. Vollenhoven , Herman Dooyeweerd , Hendrik G. Stoker , Herman Bavinck , and Abraham Kuyper . Bahnsen describes Van Til's approach to Christian apologetics as pointing out the difference in ultimate principles between Christians and non-Christians and then showing that the non-Christian principles reduce to absurdity. In practice, this school utilizes what has come to be known as
15996-452: Was "not fun" to write and "resolved never to write another 'Letter ' ". Both "The Screwtape Letters" and "Screwtape Proposes a Toast" were released on audio cassette and CD, with narrations by John Cleese , Joss Ackland , and Ralph Cosham . Cleese's recording was a Grammy Awards Finalist for Best Spoken Word. The Screwtape Letters consists of 31 letters written by a senior devil named Screwtape to his nephew, Wormwood (named after
16125-429: Was a formal verbal defense, either in response to accusation or prosecution in a court of law. The defense of Socrates as presented by Plato and Xenophon was an apologia against charges of "corrupting the young, and ... not believing in the gods in whom the city believes, but in other daimonia that are novel". In later use 'apologia' sometimes took a literary form in early Christian discourse as an example of
16254-400: Was an active Christian apologist during the 17th century . In the modern period, Christianity was defended through the efforts of many authors such as John Henry Newman , G. K. Chesterton and C. S. Lewis , as well as G. E. M. Anscombe . According to Edgar J. Goodspeed in the first century CE Jewish apologetic elements could be seen in works such as The Wisdom of Solomon , Philo 's On
16383-454: Was directly positively correlated with being older, greater sexual activity in the previous week or prior day, and more positive mood the previous day or the same day as the sexual activity occurred. Decreased sexual activity was associated with prior or same day negative mood or menstruation. Although opinions differ, researchers suggest that sexual activity is an essential part of humans, and that teenagers need to experience sex. According to
16512-551: Was extended to eleven and finally closed because the theater was contractually obligated to another production. It was co-written by Max McLean (who also starred) and Jeffrey Fiske (who also directed). In this production, there are two characters - Screwtape and Toadpipe, the latter who is played by a female. A second, expanded production opened off-Broadway at the Theatre at St. Clements on 18 October 2007, originally scheduled to run through 6 January 2008. The production re-opened at
16641-540: Was foretold, unlike in other religions, and that these prophecies came from a succession of people over a span of four thousand years. Many Christians contend that science and the Bible do not contradict each other and that scientific fact supports Christian apologetics. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "The question about the origins of the world and of man has been the object of many scientific studies which have splendidly enriched our knowledge... These discoveries invite us to even greater admiration for
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