The Dark Side of University Christian Fellowship
This is an imitation piece inspired by The Screwtape Letters and The Globdrop Letters. In this fictional satire, the senior demon Haughtyhide counsels and mentors his nephew and junior tempter, Follyscourge, in the art of subtle deception.
My dear Follyscourge,
Looking at your recent assignment, I must say, you have been given quite the case. It’s not often that we see a junior tempter like you being assigned to someone so young and impressionable. Take extra care with this one, lest you disappoint our Father below.
From your letters, I noticed your displeasure regarding a recent event. Your patient, a university student, seems to have stumbled upon a Christian fellowship and has begun attending. Unsurprisingly, this fellowship claims to be faithful to the Enemy and Gospel-centered, for which I do not fault you for being concerned. Many devils more mature than yourself have fallen into the same folly — fearing that our prey may be delivered from our grasps merely due to Church, fellowship, or small group attendance.
Before you blunder, my Nephew, let me remind you of this. We demons do not wage war like those vermin think we do.
Many often think that our work merely consists of dissuading the lost from joining such communities. But in reality? Our work is far more elegant. With the right touch of deception and a few well-placed dashes of deceit, rather than spreading the Enemy’s truth, those fellowships can serve to spread our leaven instead.
As every experienced tempter would tell you, “Christian” circles are in fact some of the best places to mislead our prey. In your case, this might be especially true. Allow me to explain.
An Army of Scarecrows
First, take a closer look at your student’s “Christian” fellowship. The pests claim to be a missional community, just as all true servants of the Enemy do, but there’s a catch. They’re bluffing. There’s no real hostility coming from their camps, and no actual warfare being waged. Rather than making advances against us by the Enemy’s command to teach and make disciples, we have them fully subdued by our finest diversion tactic — civilian pursuits.
The majority of them have been captivated, either by our subtle offers of “security” or by the sweet lures of worldly pleasures. Having their minds apprehended by entertainment, academic success, or employment stability, these “soldiers” will never set foot anywhere near the frontlines.
Week after week, the vermin attend fellowship for one simple and common aim: to mingle and be entertained. Despite their evangelical claims and supposed Gospel focus, they’re no more inclined to seek the Enemy than their unbelieving neighbours. In their gatherings, the Enemy’s significance is forgotten and His presence is neglected. Even His Gospel for their salvation hardly ever comes into mention. With their affections turned from our Foe and redirected toward the “good” things of the world, we managed to seize this hill without opposition.
Now, look at the fruits of our victory. Innately and naturally, their taste for the Enemy has dulled. Their interest in Him has waned. Matters pertaining to Biblical truths have become subjects to be discussed only when coerced by their programs. Even their (obligatory and perfunctory) prayers seldom escape the confines of “pray that everyone finds a co-op” or “pray that we do well in our exams.” Isn’t that a marvellous sight to behold? How they sound the trumpet call of the Enemy’s forces, but no one actually shows up for battle?
This, Follyscourge, is what we want to foster — an army of scarecrows. An infantry of noncombatants, wanting only to stay safe and comfortable in their trenches. We love seeing supposed battalions filled with nothing more than military imposters, who consciously avoid the heat of battle. When I picture the look on their faces as they collectively hear from their commander, “I never knew you; depart from me,” I can hardly contain myself.
With groups like these, the titles “Followers of Christ” and “Lights on campus” are labels we want them to wear. We want such fellowships to call themselves “missional” or “gospel-centred”, and even start believing the lie. Let them keep those shiny badges on their purpose statements and constitutions so that no one suspects otherwise, especially not themselves.
Widen the Narrow Road
For your student, welcome him into such a group with open arms. Instead of a hindrance to your corrupting endeavours, see this as an opportunity.
Over time, this community will serve as the perfect place to teach your patient not to take sin or the Enemy too seriously. Next to his callous-hearted peers, convince him that their apathy towards the Enemy and His commands is something else entirely — they simply like to keep things chill and casual. Show him their tolerance for gossip, slander, and misconduct, and set an example with their complacency. Lead him into following suit.
Slowly, but surely, their low opinion of the Enemy’s worth will seep into his own. With a collective lack of desire and love for the Enemy, your man will take spiritual complacency and lethargy as the standard for those who consider themselves Christian.
Do you see what I see, Junior? It’s the delightful sight of prey, ready to be devoured. And the cherry on top? They leave their city gates open.
Most members of this fellowship aren’t plugged into a Church body, leaving them without the irritating counsel, guidance, or spiritual nourishment that one typically provides. A good portion of them do not even regularly attend Sunday services. Make sure you keep things that way. Convince your patient that involvement with the fellowship is good enough. If that doesn’t work, limit his church involvement to attending Sunday services only. Above all, keep him from the truly dangerous ones; those who are willing to “speak the truth in love” and rebuke him for his sins. Without those troublesome safeguards that we usually have to fight through, our prey won’t stand a chance.
So encourage your student to attend (without thinking about why he does). Let him find in that fellowship a “nice” community (a social club with the added appearance of Christianity). Allow him to find friends, even, but never forget this warning: keep those relationships from pointing to the Enemy at all costs. Impede them from seeing their deep need for the Enemy’s grace. Most importantly, never allow them to truly seek the Enemy together.
Your expectant Uncle,
Haughtyhide
