About Churchgoing

I have been reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, a clever and unique book.  It is a fictional series of letters from uncle Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, the older demon giving advice concerning how to influence his "patient," the soul assigned to his care, to ensure he goes to hell.  In this book everything is upside down:  the "Enemy" is God and the "Father" is Satan.  Whilst this book was never intended to be a book of theology, it turns the thinking of born again Christians to profitable self-examination.  We are told there is a spiritual battle we are to contend in, having been provided spiritual armor by the Holy Spirit, yet the reality of it can be lost on us.  The insights of C.S. Lewis are helpful to expose the subtle ways the enemy of our souls works to undermine the good work God intends to do in and through us.

Lewis hit upon a topic of great relevance for people today:  the need for Christians to be in regular fellowship.  Consider what uncle Screwtape wrote to his demon trainee:

"You mentioned casually in your last letter that the patient has continued to attend one church, and one only, since he was converted, and that he is not wholly pleased with it.  May I ask what you are about?  Why have I no report on the causes of his fidelity to the parish church?  Do you realise that unless it is due to indifference it is a very bad thing?  Surely you know that if a man can't be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighbourhood looking for the church that 'suits' him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches.

The reasons are obvious.  In the first place the parochial organisation should always be attacked, because, being a unity of place and not of likings, it brings people of different classes and psychology together in the kind of unity the Enemy desires.  The congregational principle, on the other hand, makes each church into a kind of club, and finally, if all goes well, into a coterie or faction.  In the second place, the search for a 'suitable' church makes the man a critic where the Enemy wants him to be a pupil.  What He wants of the layman in church is an attitude which may, indeed, be critical in the sense of rejection what is false or unhelpful, but which is wholly uncritical in the sense that it does not appraise--does not waste time in thinking about what it rejects, but lays itself open in uncommenting, humble receptivity to any nourishment that is going. (You see how grovelling, how unspiritual, how irredeemably vulgar He is!)  This attitude, especially during sermons, creates the condition (most hostile to our whole policy) in which platitudes can become really audible to a human soul.  There is hardly any sermon, or any book, which may not be dangerous to us if it is received in this temper.  So pray bestir yourself and send this fool the round of the neighbouring churches as soon as possible.  Your record up to date has not given us much satisfaction." (Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity & the Screwtape Letters: Complete in One Volume. HarperSanFrancisco, 2003. pages 321-322)

I have often marveled at the diversity of backgrounds, ages, interests, and personalities at one church.  It is Jesus Christ who unites us as one Body yet we are so different!  When our hearts are humbled and meek before God by the indwelling Holy Spirit we can be receptive and discerning of truth at the same time.  We can joyfully attend a fellowship where God has directed us to go even when personalities, programs, and philosophies differ from our liking.  It is love, grace, and unity only Christ brings which keeps us from clashing and instead labour to edify and strengthen the Body as we follow our Saviour faithfully.  When Christians walk in an attitude of humility we are receptive to God and this is most devastating to Satan's devices.  Until God takes you elsewhere according to His divine purpose, flourish in the local church where He has established you.  Instead of becoming critics of others let's remain receptive and teachable by God--and this means we will welcome instruction and correction of men.