Operation Screwtape: The Art of Spiritual War, by Andrew Farley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Andrew Farley is the bestselling author of The Naked Gospel and God Without Religion. He is also a linguistics professor at Texas Tech University and pastor of Ecclesia Bible Church. 

MY THOUGHTS:  Picking up where C.S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters ends, Operation Screwtape is the transcription of secret documents recovered from the dark realm, never meant to be seen by humans.  Read as a tactical war manual, the book outlines various techniques that Satan's minions (dragons) can employ in the war for men's souls (patients).

The superior who wrote this manual is careful to explain ways in which the plans can go awry, and what should be done in each circumstance.  A prologue in the beginning sets the tone for how this manual came into the hands of Dr. Andrew Farley, detailing the risk the translator took in publicizing what he'd found.

Although this is obviously a fiction book, the methods of spiritual warfare described in its pages are clearly part of the real battles raging around us each day. By thinking about our world in terms of our enemy's tactics to steal, kill, and destroy us, the author sheds light on how to avoid the traps of the enemy and engage in what is going on in the lives of our friends and family. In this way, a very entertaining book also serves as an important weapon.

I listened to an audio version of the book, and the voice of narrator David Cochran Heath was perfect, oozing villainy and disdain.  I could almost see the military leader behind this manual grimacing as he referenced holy things, and snarling as he issued evil threats to his inferiors.

Chapters were short enough to take in small bites, then stop and digest what I'd heard. Listening to them with my family led to some great conversations on how the enemy of our souls works, and how we can recognize and avoid his schemes.

PARENTAL RATING:   PG.  I highly recommend this book for teens and adults, and with some guidance, children might also enjoy the audio version or hearing it read aloud.

I received a copy of this book from christianaudio.com in exchange for my honest review.