AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Operation Screwtape by Andrew Farley

C.S. Lewis’ classic work The Screwtape Letters is unique because, at the time it was published, Christian satire was rare.  Conceived as a conversation between two demons on the best way to tempt a man, called “the Patient,” Lewis’ novel turned the Christian living conversation on its head by depicting the morally-reversed world of the demons.

Andrew Farley’s Operation Screwtape is written as a companion piece to Lewis’ book, and depicts this same world.  But instead of following the epistolary style of The Screwtape Letters, Operation Screwtape is formatted as a propaganda-filled war manual for the legion of demons.  Different approaches to tripping up “the Patients” are laid out and seem to be formatted in a way that echoes the “steal, kill, destroy” warning of Jesus in John 10:10 (i.e. chapters like “steal influence,” “kill contentment,” “destroy unity”).  The focus here is on an army of demons trying to trip up the Church as a whole, so it’s not as personal as Lewis’ Wormwood taking lessons from Screwtape on how to best tempt his single “Patient.”

This book is very insightful and broad-reaching.  I found it to be an interesting mix of funny and stinging in its truths.   Farley certainly satirizes our many hang-ups in the Church, and the variety of ways we lose our way.  Farley laments (and the demons celebrate) our over-emphasis of certain doctrines and wrong interpretations of scripture.  But he also emphasizes the power we have in Christ (called “the One”), living by the Spirit (called “the Ghost”), as the demons cower in fear and frustration.  If they can keep us from fully grasping the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection (called “the Work”), and our resulting state of freedom and victory (called “the Life”), they win.  Otherwise, they certainly lose.

David Cochran Heath’s over-the-top narration is a great touch.  He is all-at-once sinister, angry, bitter, and mocking in his tone, punctuating the many rants with evil laughter.  The language is colorful and Christians are referred to—among other things—as “stupid,” “losers,” “misguided,” “short-sighted,” and “small-minded.”  That last jab is directed at those who mindlessly follow those who claim to be able to predict the end of the world.  It made me wonder if Farley maybe enjoyed being able to get a few shots in on those who truly bother him while writing as the demon.

Farley puts forward some biblical interpretations and theological ideas that I don’t completely agree with.  However, in general, I found myself being confronted with many of my own weaknesses and insecurities in a healthy way by this book.

Please Note: This audiobook was gifted as a part of the Christianaudio Reviewers Program in exchange for my unbiased review of this work. This has in no way influenced my opinion or review of this work.  More information can be found about this and other Christian audiobooks at christianaudio.com.