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Wiser Than Serpents

Unveiling the Truth of Sin and Sanctity with C. S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters

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Pub Date 24 Jul 2026 | Archive Date Not set


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Description

In Wiser Than Serpents, Catholic speaker and theology professor Andrew Swafford—author of Lunatic, Liar, or Lord and Next Stop: The Afterlife—guides everyday Catholics through the surprising spiritual wisdom of C. S. Lewis’s beloved classic The Screwtape Letters.

The Screwtape Letters, first published in 1942, is a fictional series of letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his inexperienced nephew, Wormwood, who has been tasked with tempting an ordinary man away from God. Writing from the enemy’s perspective, Lewis exposes how subtle distractions, small compromises, spiritual pride, and misplaced fears erode a Christian’s faith and trust in God.

With pastoral clarity and a distinctly Catholic lens, Swafford “untwists” Screwtape’s demonic insights, helping readers recognize these same temptations in their daily lives. He translates Lewis’s imaginative satire into practical wisdom for modern Catholics seeking to grow in discernment, prayer, and holiness.

Whether you’ve read The Screwtape Letters many times—or not at all—this book serves as a modern spiritual survival guide for

  • resisting everyday temptations and growing in holiness;
  • navigating family tensions and difficult relationships with charity;
  • confronting anxiety and discouragement;
  • wrestling honestly with doubt;
  • persevering in prayer and allowing it to bring about lasting transformation;

and much more.

Through these real-life challenges, Swafford outlines a path of deeper trust and complete abandonment to God, reminding readers—in Screwtape’s words—that “when they are wholly His they will be more themselves than ever.” Wiser Than Serpents invites Catholics to live with greater spiritual awareness, freedom, and confidence in God’s grace.

In Wiser Than Serpents, Catholic speaker and theology professor Andrew Swafford—author of Lunatic, Liar, or Lord and Next Stop: The Afterlife—guides everyday Catholics through the surprising...


Advance Praise

“This book is extraordinary! C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters continues to be one of his most popular books—one that is always ‘in season,’ since the battle we have been born into will rage until Jesus returns and makes all things new. What Dr. Swafford has done makes Lewis’s brilliant insights even better. This book is not just a profound and accessible commentary on Lewis’s thought; it is indeed ‘a plan for spiritual survival in the twenty-first century.’”
Fr. John Riccardo
Founder and executive director of ACTS XXIX

“When unpacking a master’s work, you need a master teacher—and Andrew Swafford is just that. C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters is a timeless treasure, to be sure, but to truly appreciate that treasure modern believers need a map, something that will unpack its wisdom and richness for the overcommitted twenty-first-century soul. In this book, Swafford offers sage and strategic advice not only on how to survive in the modern world but also on how to prepare ourselves for the next one. A great read. I highly recommend it!”
Mark Hart
Chief innovation officer at Life Teen International

“To have a brilliant mind like Dr. Swafford flesh out The Screwtape Letters with his wisdom and guidance is an incredible gift to all who dive into this book. Dr. Swafford will teach you how to implement the life-changing themes and truth from C. S. Lewis’s writing into your everyday life so that you can be moved to receive a deeper freedom to turn away from the enemy’s tactics and live in the glorious light of Jesus Christ.”
Emily Wilson Hussem
International speaker and author of Sincerely, Stoneheart

Wiser Than Serpents is a punch in the face! Dr. Swafford unlocks C. S. Lewis’s wisdom in a way that allows us to apply crucial moral and spiritual realities to our everyday lives. It’s practical, applicable, and something I’d recommend for anyone.”
Kevin Cotter
Head of studios at Hallow

“This book is extraordinary! C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters continues to be one of his most popular books—one that is always ‘in season,’ since the battle we have been born into will rage until...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781646804863
PRICE $17.95 (USD)
PAGES 160

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