The Screwtape Letters: Confronting Evil in Our Time – Practical Christian Living & Spiritual Warfare

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The episode centers on the idea of catharsis, its roots in Greek tragedy and how it shows up today in social media outrage, reality TV, and public emotional outbursts. Ian and Galen contrast classical and modern understandings of catharsis with Christian wisdom, arguing that while emotional release is often celebrated as healthy or therapeutic, unrestrained emotion can become destructive when detached from truth, reason, and moral order. They frame catharsis as something that, when unchecked, stands in opposition to civilization itself.

Drawing from C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, particularly Letter 22, the hosts explore how evil reacts violently to genuine goodness. Galen explains that Screwtape’s explosive response to a wholesome woman illustrates how evil cannot tolerate what is pure, ordered, and joyful. This insight is connected to modern cultural and political reactions, where perceived wrongs often provoke irrational fury rather than thoughtful engagement. They also reference contemporary thinkers and events to show how emotional manipulation, through media, fake news, and outrage cycles, fuels chaos and societal breakdown.

The conversation concludes with a call for wise emotional restraint and civil discourse, especially among Christians. Citing Scripture such as Proverbs 29:11, Ian and Galen emphasize that wisdom governs emotion rather than venting it freely. They discuss the role of social media as a catalyst for unhealthy catharsis and stress the importance of responding with love, discernment, and truth instead of rage. The episode wraps with reflections on the mission of the podcast and the encouraging reception of their book, Confronting Evil in Our Time, reinforcing their aim to help listeners navigate a culture increasingly driven by unchecked emotion.

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Ian Faith Co-Author of Confronting Evil in Our Time provides a reading of Chapter 15, "Breaking Anxiety's Grip.”

Introduction: In the quiet of his study, C.S. Lewis leaned forward, his fingers tracing the delicate lines of the manuscript that explores one of humanity's most profound spiritual struggles. Anxiety, he understood, was not merely an emotion but a demonic strategy, a subtle weapon designed to tear humans away from the sacred present.

The demonic realm understands something crucial: when our minds are fixated on potential disasters or imagined triumphs, we miss the sacred reality of today. This letter exposes how anxiety functions as a spiritual weapon, pulling us away from where God actually meets us, right here, right now. Lewis points out that the demonic will always try to get us to go in one of two directions: either tortured fear or stupid confidence. This revelatory tactic, once identified and confronted with a biblical strategy, will change how anxiety affects your life exponentially.

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This episode is an in-depth interview with Max McLean, an award-winning actor, producer, and founder of Fellowship for Performing Arts, whose career has been devoted to bringing Christian literature and Scripture to life on stage, screen, and audio. McLean is best known for his acclaimed portrayal of Screwtape in the stage adaptation of The Screwtape Letters and for portraying C. S. Lewis in The Most Reluctant Convert. He shares his own conversion story as an adult, describing how reading Scripture, especially the Gospel of John, and Lewis’s writings profoundly shaped his faith, awakening him to both the beauty of Christ and the reality of spiritual deception.

Beyond the stage, Max's voice has become a cherished companion to countless listeners through his narration of The Listener's Bible in multiple translations, earning him multiple Audie Award nominations. He's also recorded spiritual classics like Pilgrim's Progress and Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Max has been honored with the C.S. Lewis Foundation Award for his contributions to dramatic arts and faith-based storytelling. He lives in New York City with his wife Sharon and their two daughters, and continues to create work that bridges faith, literature, and the transformative power of live performance.

The conversation explores McLean’s creative journey, his philosophy of faithful adaptation, and the challenges of translating Lewis’s deeply word-centered works into theater and film without losing their theological weight. He explains how The Screwtape Letters was adapted as a predator–prey drama with clear spiritual arcs, remaining true to Lewis while making it accessible to modern audiences. The episode closes with reflections on Lewis’s enduring relevance, current and upcoming projects, including national tours and film development, and a shared conviction that Lewis’s work remains vital for confronting evil, cultivating humility, and pointing people toward truth in an increasingly deceptive age.

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For tickets and show times: www.screwtapeonstage.com

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In this episode of The Screwtape Letters: Confronting Evil in Our Time, Ian opens with prayer and a teaching on the biblical relationship between faith and work, stressing that God calls believers to active obedience, not passive spirituality. Drawing from Scripture, he emphasizes integrity, diligence, and purposeful action, encouraging listeners to “sow seeds” through faithful effort rather than relying on prayer alone. Ian connects this message to everyday life, work, job searching, and spiritual growth, urging listeners to live out their faith through meaningful action aligned with God’s values.

The episode also highlights C. S. Lewis’s faith journey through The Most Reluctant Convert, the film starring and produced by Max McLean, which Ian strongly recommends for its thoughtful portrayal of Lewis’s conversion and the role of reason and faith. Ian ties the film to the current stage adaptation of The Screwtape Letters, noting its successful run in Phoenix and Tucson, and encourages listeners to attend. He closes with updates on the growing impact of his book Confronting Evil in Our Time, inviting the audience to share photos with the book, leave Amazon reviews, purchase the companion study guide, and look forward to an upcoming in-depth interview with Max McLean across the podcast’s platforms.

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In this special episode, Ian and Galen examine the recent freedom movement in Venezuela through a moral and biblical lens, challenging listeners to look beyond politics and international law to confront clear acts of evil. They frame the situation as a test of moral clarity, comparing inaction in the face of oppression to ignoring the abuse of an innocent victim. By drawing on contemporary and historical examples, Ian urges listeners to reassess how justice, sovereignty, and intervention should be weighed when human dignity is systematically violated.

Ian then traces the theme of freedom throughout Scripture, from God’s deliverance of Israel in the Exodus to the cycle of rescue in Judges, and ultimately to Christ’s mission to proclaim and bring true freedom. He emphasizes that God consistently hears the cries of the oppressed and acts to break both visible chains, such as political tyranny, and invisible ones, including sin, fear, shame, and spiritual bondage. Revelation, he notes, culminates this story by revealing and defeating the corrupt powers that enslave humanity.

The episode concludes with reflections drawn from C.S. Lewis and historical figures, stressing that courage is essential to freedom and that true liberation comes through submission to God, not autonomy from Him. Ian calls listeners to celebrate the hope and joy sparked by Venezuela’s deliverance while remaining vigilant and compassionate toward those still suffering under oppression elsewhere. Ultimately, he frames freedom as a core biblical and moral imperative, one that demands courageous action, moral discernment, and a willingness to confront evil wherever it appears.

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Ian Faith’s appearance on the Seth Leibsohn Radio Show, Dec 31st, 2025 where Leibsohn shares how deeply moved he was by Confronting Evil in Our Time, a Christian devotional inspired by Lewis’s work. The discussion centers on how a paraphrased Screwtape insight about “noise” drowning out the voice of God became a catalyst for the book and podcast. Faith explains that spiritual warfare is usually quiet and gradual, not dramatic, working through distraction, anxiety, and self-absorption rather than overt evil.

Throughout the conversation, Faith and Leibsohn reflect on themes such as anxiety, distraction, addiction, and the corrosive effects of constant noise and social media. Drawing heavily from Lewis, they emphasize that evil thrives by isolating individuals, turning their focus inward, and crowding out truth, faith, and community. The book and podcast ultimately call listeners to recognize these subtle battles, seek silence and truth, strengthen family and faith, and consciously live lives oriented toward God rather than the noise of the world.

The Seth Leibsohn Radio Show on AM960 The Patriot in Phoenix (Salem Radio Network) is a nationally respected talk radio program known for its thoughtful, principled analysis of culture, politics, faith, and public life. Hosted by Seth Leibsohn, an award-winning columnist, author, and longtime radio broadcaster. The show blends historical insight, moral clarity, and intellectual rigor with deep respect for the American tradition. Leibsohn is widely recognized for his work on conservatism, Jewish thought, and Western civilization, and he brings a rare combination of scholarship and accessibility to daily radio.

Broadcast primarily from Arizona and syndicated to a national audience, the program is distinguished by long-form conversations, literary and philosophical references, and a commitment to civil discourse. Leibsohn regularly engages authors, academics, clergy, policymakers, and cultural leaders, creating space for ideas that challenge listeners to think deeply rather than react emotionally. Above all, the Seth Leibsohn Radio Show is known for taking ideas seriously, whether discussing faith, freedom, education, or the moral foundations of society. For listeners seeking substance over sound bites, and wisdom over outrage, the show stands as a trusted and influential voice in American media.

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Hear the story about a family man who had stage 4 metastasized cancer in multiple forms, how he heard the voice of God and what He told him, and how he was healed through his faith in Christ.

After enjoying Christmas with your family. If you’re tired of pretending everything is fine, this is the book you need. Confronting Evil in Our Time - Now on Amazon https://amzn.to/3XgCodL

This interview with Dan Thompson is bonus content by Ian and Galen for the Screwtape Letters Podcast. Dan shares his powerful testimony of healing through faith in Christ after receiving a cancer diagnosis.

Dan introduces himself as a family man, married for 17 years with three children, and recently found out he is to become a grandfather. He describes his background as a lukewarm Christian raised in the Roman Catholic faith. Dan’s faith was dramatically activated when he received a shocking cancer diagnosis two years and three days prior to the interview.

The diagnosis came unexpectedly when Dan visited an urgent care facility for back pain and difficulty breathing. A CT scan revealed small-cell lung cancer that had metastasized to his liver and lymph nodes. Additionally, he was diagnosed with unrelated colon cancer. Dan underwent surgery for colon cancer and received treatment for the other cancers, eventually achieving remission for the lung, liver, and lymph node cancers. Today he is “Cancer Free.”

Throughout his journey, Dan experienced a profound spiritual moment on the first night in the hospital. When he asked God “Why now?”, he heard an audible voice answer, “For my glory.” This experience became a cornerstone of his faith during his battle with cancer. Dan approached his diagnosis with the mindset that it was “not his fight” but God’s, refusing to accept a prognosis and instead trusting in divine intervention.

Dan’s story is marked by his unwavering faith, his use of both traditional and alternative treatments, and his conscious decision to avoid researching his condition online. The interview concludes with Dan acknowledging that his doctors have used the term “our miracle patient” to describe his recovery, highlighting the remarkable nature of his healing journey through faith.

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This final episode of the Christmas series concludes the Screwtape Letters–themed exploration of Jesus’ birth by focusing on the immediate aftermath and the first witnesses to Christ’s arrival. Ian explains the meaning of Jesus’ name, Yeshua, “Yahweh saves,” and shows how it encapsulates God’s redemptive purpose. Drawing primarily from Luke 2, he highlights the angelic announcement to the shepherds, emphasizing that the good news of great joy was first revealed to the humble and overlooked, affirming that Christ came for all people.

The episode also weaves in Matthew’s account of the Magi, showing how God revealed the birth of the Messiah not only to the poor but also to the wealthy and learned from distant lands. Ian explores how the shepherds’ worship and the Magi’s journey confirmed Mary’s faith and fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, particularly the theme of light breaking into darkness. These parallel accounts demonstrate the universal scope of God’s revelation and the historical and spiritual weight of Jesus’ birth.

The narrative turns darker with Herod’s reaction to the news of a newborn king. Ian explains Herod’s paranoia and his brutal order to slaughter the children of Bethlehem, framing it as a demonic attempt to destroy God’s plan. He discusses Joseph’s obedience in fleeing to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, fulfilling prophecy and preserving the Messiah’s life. The episode closes by reflecting on the reality of evil and how we need to confront it, the mystery of suffering, and the certainty that God’s purposes prevail, encouraging listeners to share the Christmas story and find Victory in Jesus Christ.

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In this episode, Ian continues his Christmas series by walking listeners through the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. He explains the historical and biblical context behind Caesar Augustus’ census, which required Joseph to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. Ian highlights Joseph’s obedience to earthly authority while remaining faithful to God’s plan, underscoring how divine purposes often unfold through ordinary, even inconvenient, circumstances.

Ian then explores the practical and geographical realities of the journey, describing the distance, terrain, and dangers Mary and Joseph likely faced, especially with Mary late in pregnancy. Drawing from Scripture, historical records, and even non-canonical writings like the Gospel of James and Pseudo-Matthew, he discusses ancient travel conditions, desert hardships, and early Christian traditions surrounding Jesus’ birth. While affirming the authority of the biblical account, Ian notes that historical and archaeological evidence supports parts of the Gospel narrative and its setting.

The episode culminates in a reflection on the humility of Christ’s birth in a stable, emphasizing the profound contrast between the divine nature of Jesus and the lowly circumstances of His arrival. Ian reflects on the miracle of God becoming human, born in a manger under the open sky, and the faith of Mary and Joseph amid uncertainty and hardship. He closes by pointing listeners toward the wonder of creation and the meaning of Christmas, setting the stage for the next episode, which will focus on the Magi and the shepherds.

Join us for EPISODE 4 — “Those Who Found Him: Shepherds and Magi”

After enjoying Christmas with your family. If you’re tired of pretending everything is fine, this is the book you need. Confronting Evil in Our Time - Now on Amazon https://amzn.to/3XgCodL

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After enjoying Christmas with your family. If you’re tired of pretending everything is fine, this is the book you need. Confronting Evil in Our Time - Now on Amazon https://amzn.to/3XgCodL

The episode opens with lighthearted conversation about Christmas memories before turning to its central message: Celebrate Christmas intentionally. The hosts thank listeners for their support throughout the year and emphasize that Christmas is a constant, an annual reminder of the birth of Jesus Christ. They encourage joy, gratitude, and smiling in a season that can otherwise be rushed or taken for granted, reminding listeners that Christmas holds deep spiritual and cultural significance beyond gifts and routine traditions.

The discussion highlights how Christmas uniquely places Christian truth into public culture through hymns, decorations, and shared traditions. The hosts argue that this visibility is a privilege and an opportunity, something many cultures historically or currently do not have. They defend Christmas customs like gift-giving, lights, caroling, and family gatherings as meaningful reflections of God’s gift in Christ, shaping memory, community, and culture. Christmas, they note, often transcends political and social division, drawing families, neighbors, and even non-believers together around joy, beauty, and shared celebration.

The episode also acknowledges that Christmas can be painful for those experiencing loss, loneliness, or grief. The hosts urge listeners not to withdraw, but to seek community through churches, service, and shared traditions, holding mourning and joy together rather than choosing despair. Serving others, especially during the holidays, is presented as a powerful antidote to sadness and isolation. Ultimately, the episode is a call to reclaim Christmas fully, to lean into its joy, preserve its traditions, use it as a witness of hope, and keep it alive for future generations as a bright and defiant celebration of Christ in a broken world.

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