Summary
The bombs are coming, and Screwtape calls the question of Cowardice (Courage, a virtue, is beyond Hell's power to induce). Cowardice is a tricky vice because it's so shameful and painful that it can inspire self-reflection.And we can't have any of that.
He notes that in some cases Cowardice is so unpleasant it leads to "despair" but as an advancing Christian, the young man may know better than to practice the sin of Despair.
He concludes with the warning that fear, itself, is no sin -- Cowardice must be an act to be spiritual toxic.
My Thoughts
I'm not troubled with the idea that Cowardice is a sin, but the idea of Despair being a sin scares me. The idea that someone feeling Despair is not simply a victim of the darkness but, in succuming, is actually polluting their relationship with God seems to double the horror of Despair, itself.I mean... if someone's going to be damned, at least the should have some fun, right?
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