Final 'Harry Potter' Hits Shelves ... as a Christian Tale?
Whether Christians may agree with it or not, the newest and final volume of the "Harry Potter" series has come full force into bookstores.
by Kevin Jackson, Christian Today US Correspondent
Posted: Sunday, July 22, 2007, 9:01 (BST)
Whether Christians may agree with it or not, the newest and final volume of the "Harry Potter" series has hit bookstores worldwide.
Excitement reached fever pitch over the last few weeks ahead of the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", and that anticipation was finally satisfied midnight Saturday for the many who queued up to get their hands on a copy.
"Speculation has been mounting for weeks, if not years in fan circles, as to how the final book will conclude the best loved story of the modern day," explained Christian author Nancy Carpentier Brown in a statement. "Will Harry die? Is Snape really a good guy or bad guy? Will the dead Dumbledore play a part in the last book? Will Harry conquer the evil Lord Voldemort?"
While many Christians have criticised the boy wizard of occult magic, others have been quite impressed with the children's novels. And with all the press going towards the seventh book in the "Potter" series, Christian groups have been jumping in as well to promote Christian values that they feel are inherent in the fantasy tale.
The Church of England just recently came out with a study guide to accompany "Harry Potter" using the popularity of the literature to tie in with Christian themes.
Other Christians have gone even further, however. Some say that the books are indeed Christian-centered novels and always have been.
"In the midst of all this political correctness, this tolerant, non-judgmental, relativistic world, enters a story about a school where right and wrong are defined, rules are enforced, misbehavior comes with detention, evil is evil and must be fought and goodness is rewarded," said Brown, author of "The Mystery of Harry Potter: A Catholic Family Guide" and a former opponent of the novels.
"Rowling has packaged a Christian story with a wrapping of witchcraft and magic, and through this disguise had drawn millions of children - millions of adults to read a redemptive moral story that perhaps can teach more than a religion class ever could," she added.
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Thursday, August 2, 2007, 10:53 (BST)
I just finished reading the last HP book, and before knowing anything about this subject, it was obvious to me that the message of Scripture is hidden in there.
For example the fact that Voldermort's symbol is a snake, Harry has to sacrifice himself for his friends, the protective power of sacrificial blood.
Though in the other books is not so obvious, in this last book 2 Bible verses are quoted : "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" page 283, and
" Where you treasure is, there will your heart be also." page 281.
As for the fact of hiding the message in witchcraft story, I think is the same as the Chronicles of Narnia of C.S. Lewis. Is a great way to give the message to millions of children. My opinion.
danny, timisoara romania
Added: Monday, July 23, 2007, 23:58 (BST)
ok let me see if i understand this correctly, Jesus may be represented as a male witch and the story of Christianity is wrapped up in witchcraft???
"Rowling is a genius to tell a Christian story in the unexpected disguise of a witchcraft tale..." does this even make any sense? Have Christians today gotten so lax in their faith that they actually think this is ok? Where have we gone if we do not pull our basis of the Christian life from Scripture, you know, the Bible, the infallible Word of God? I guess the next step is we will start promoting the satanists bible as a form of new style of hymns to be sung across the Christan church. I am disgusted to see where the Christian faith is headed. There is no more dignity anymore. Christians have gotten so used to living the lifestyle of today that they will pass off anything as a good Christian principle. Come Lord Jesus, we need your return desperately.
Its no wonder the other religions of today laugh at us Christians. We are the worlds biggest hypocrites!
Christ\'s Crusader, West Virginia, USA
Added: Monday, July 23, 2007, 17:58 (BST)
Now that the last book in the Harry Potter series is out, we know Abigail BeauSeigneur's analysis is correct: J.K. Rowling did, in fact, intend Harry Potter as a Christian allegory.
So, will Christians use this opportunity to share the Gospel with Harry Potter fans or consider themselves too holy to stoop to the level? One may question Rowling's approach (I do), but clearly she has gone deep behind enemy lines to seek the lost.
So the question is this: Will we be evangelists or Pharisees?
James BeauSeigneur, Derwood, MD USA
