In Christian circles, Harry Potter is viewed by many with great suspicion; and by some, not at all. I understand this perfectly well. Any story that features heroes who are witches and sorcerers would seem to fall foul of certain biblical injunctions (see particularly Deuteronomy 18). Christians are rightly wary of anything that has even the slightest flavour of the occult.
In fact you might want to stop reading at this point and pray for me. I suffer from a wildly optimistic streak that always makes me want to see good. Even in J.K. Rowling.
But first, what I don't like about Harry Potter is all the quasi-occult associations that sometimes build up around the story. I don't like the idea of children dressing up as witches and wizards even if it is to attend a book launch.
And there lies a paradox for evangelicals - the books have sold 400 million plus, and have encouraged countless children to take up reading. It would be nice to think they might in some cases move on to the Bible. It is shorter, after all.
If we deal with the stories themselves rather than what some people choose do do with them, I find some great positives. We can't refuse to read something because it mentions witches. So does the Bible. Some say they portray occultists as positive characters, and that's the problem. I can see that it could be, but we'd certainly have to throw away the Lord of the Rings and even the Narnia stories for the same reason. (I have heard someone say that all fantasy is evil).
On the other hand, we can pragmatically accept that the HP books and films are out there, are massively popular, and we need to deal with the phenomenon as best we can.
We need to see that the magic in the stories is not actually the subject matter. It's just the way the HP universe works, and functions much like technology does in ours. The stories are about relationships, growth, and virtue. And ultimately, the triumph of good over evil.
I'm going to spoil some plot if you read any further, so be warned. J.K. Rowling was interviewed in The Telegraph on the publication of the final novel, and revealed that it does draw heavily on Christianity. So much so, in fact, that to have revealed that in advance would have been to give the ending away. Here's a couple of plot points from the final book. Look away now.
Harry visits a graveyard, where he finds the inscription, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death". Later he finds something called the Resurrection Stone. He then chooses to sacrifice himself for his friends, going freely to meet his death, which he accepts without a struggle. He then finds himself in a strange, very light place, where some expository dialogue takes place, including mention of the function of his blood. The chapter devoted to this in the book is called "King's Cross". (How obvious is that!)
Harry returns to life, his followers are inspired, and he finally defeats evil.
It's an imperfect analogy, but that's a tautology anyway.
There are many other themes going on too. Redemption is a common one. The Snape character is fascinatingly balanced between good and evil, right to the end of the series. It turns out he is ultimately motivated by unrequited love, and was possibly the bravest character of all.
I like it when belief in good is ultimately rewarded.
1Corinthians 15 (KJV)
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
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