In literature, a few ideas stand out as truly unique. One such idea is C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, written as a series of letters from one demon to his subordinate. Much of what Lewis wrote still applies today, but it is decidedly of its time. Few have attempted to copy Lewis’s approach in the intervening decades. Perhaps it is simply too uncomfortable a voice to write in, or perhaps there is not a demand. Into this relative void stepped Randy Alcorn in 2000 with Lord’s Foulgrin’s Letters. An interesting note: Lewis’ work appeared during WW2, and Alcorn’s was first published in June 2000, with a revised paperback published on September 13, 2001. Alcorn’s work is superior in this reviewer’s opinion for two reasons, First, Alcorn provides narrative snippets from the life of Jordan Fletcher, the central focus of the subordinate demon receiving Foulgrin’s letters. These episodes give context for the letters and give us a relatable demonstration of what the demonic activity might actually look like in day-to-day life.
Foulgrin’s Letters Summary
Second, Foulgrin and his subordinate have their own narrative arc, tied to the events in Jordan’s life, showcasing the interaction between the two realms. Foulgrin’s tone shifts throughout the book, making him more of a character in his own right than a mouthpiece for Alcorn’s ideas.
We must also mention that Alcorn’s work, while dated, does address more contemporary concerns such as the effects of the internet, etc. I’ll confess that for me, the dated elements feel welcome as a kind of nostalgic reminder of a simpler time in my own life, helped by the fact that I first read this a year or two after its release as a teenager. The author acknowledges his debt to Lewis Boh in the epigraph (which readers should read and apply with each visit to this book) and within the text itself, making this almost an indirect sequel.
Foulgrin sounds demonic. His tone is arrogant, sarcastic, snide, rude, impatient, and threatening. He is given too much excess in a way that is far from comical, and is profane without the use of any four-letter words. In place of cussing, the writing instead shifts to a language of snarling guttural words said to be an ancient demonic tongue.
Here I must pause to praise the excellent work of Frank Muller in the audio version. It is a showcase for the actor’s wide range as he moves seamlessly from the everyman Jordan Fletcher to his gruff boss and moody pre-teen son, to the softer female voices, to the wonderfully definitive bombast of the demon Foulgrin. Muller brings Foulgrin to life in an occasionally unnerving way. From snarling curses to desperate whimpers, each line is enhanced by the interpretation. The background audio sets the scene nicely, especially the grating, tormented noises that play behind Foulgrin’s ravings and ranting. I do recommend getting the audio version; I do not recommend listening to it with children under the age of twelve. I also wouldn’t listen to it late at night in a dark room, but that’s just me.
I do not want to give away the plot too much, but it has a beginning, a middle, and an end that encompass every stage of the Christian life. The author manages to touch nearly every arena of life, from finances to parenting, evangelism to romance. The book does deal with the occult in a few places. While references to divination, channeling, etc. might make some uncomfortable, nothing Alcorn says would make any of it appealing unless a reader is seriously deranged. To this point, Alcorn is thoroughly Biblical throughout, often grounding his points in Scripture.
That said, the first issue with any work of fiction like this is that it has to assume some things. Do demons write letters? I don’t know. Randy Alcorn addresses these sorts of speculations and licenses in the epigraph. I do wish some of the material appeared in a foreword, so that readers entered the work with guidance.
A second issue is that we do not get clear indicators of how much time passes between episodes of Jordan’s life. Regardless, the author acknowledges that events must play out faster than they typically would. This is necessary for the book to succeed in its aim of showing the full scope of spiritual warfare. The reader needs to bear this in mind, though less so should they become discouraged by the pace of their walk with Christ. As I type this, I find it sounds silly, but in my experience, we are silly people.
There are not many books that deal with demonic activity in a relatable and applicable way; writing in a demon’s voice comes with inherent issues. Randy Alcorn pulls it off, providing a believable character delivering grounded insight. Yes, there are some areas where no direct Biblical proof exists, but these areas are at least plausible given extrapolation from Scripture’s clear teachings. I do not agree with everything Alcorn suggests. I would not give this book to a young believer. I would recommend it to a believer who has a solid foundation in the Bible and is trying to grasp the reality of spiritual warfare. I would not give this book alone as a guide to that topic, but as a companion to more straightforward teaching.
Few authors could pull off what Alcorn has accomplished here. It is a risky venture, and one has to admire the gumption of a pastor willing to attempt it. With Lord Foulgrin’s Letters now two decades old, and the impact of social media and AI shifting the culture significantly, one wonders if another attempt at this unique format might be warranted.
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