Why “Christianity And” Is Screwtape’s Favorite Phrase

Stop Adding to What Already Contains Everything
This reflection examines Screwtape’s strategy of reducing Christianity through the phrase “Christianity and”—Christianity and politics, psychology, social justice, etc. The author argues that adding “and” shrinks the infinite into one option among many, making Christ a supporting actor rather than recognizing all stories happen inside Him. At the cross, all categories collapse: insider/outsider, right/wrong, heaven/hell converge in Christ’s crucified body where “the principle of exclusion has been excluded.” Trying to add anything to infinity is mathematically absurd—Christianity already contains everything. The title “Christ” means the one in whom all things unite; adding “and” negates this meaning. True identity comes not from being a distinctive type of Christian, but from union with Christ who contains everyone. Screwtape’s masterstroke is convincing Christians their uniqueness comes from being different rather than from drowning in Christ’s vastness.
Christianity Isn’t a Club With Members—It’s the Club With No Outsiders