This question raises huge amounts of debate among christian experts. A christian perspective on harry potter and the cursed. The true christian myth behind harry potter underlying harry potter, lord of the rings, and star wars is the one, true, historical myth of christianity. Dobson officially denounces harry potter the christian. Tolkien while others believe that the books promote the occult through witchcraft and spells. Harry potter remains a hot potato, polarizing christians left and right because.
No book in recent times has been as maligned by a religious group as. Connie neal, a veteran youth pastor and mother of three, is the author of a book titled whats a christian to do with harry potter. Jan 27, 2011 the harry potter books do seem to be in the former category rather than the latter. A christian perspective on the harry potter phenomenon by. In harry potter and the deathly hallows, harry gouges a small cross, the major symbol of christianity, into the tree under which he buried madeye moodys eye. A christian perspective on harry potter and the cursed child. So, i decided to inform myself and over the course of some very late nights watched all seven movies available on dvd. Redeeming harry potter the initial christian outcry against the boy wizard seems to be dying down. So because i was older than the target audience and fully enveloped in christian culture, harry potter was off limits. Religious debates over the harry potter series wikipedia. For further information or to subscribe to the christian research journal go to.
But the phenomenon of conservative christian opposition to harry potter succinctly. Instead of harry potter, colson recommends parents to introduce other fantasy books such as the chronicles of narnia and the lord of the rings, because they have more of a christian framework. Rowling, john tiffany and jack thorne, it is the eighth story in the harry potter series and. The initial christian outcry against the boy wizard seems to be dying down. A christian expert on pottermania says, it depends. Witchcraft and wizardry are central themes, and the lead roles are played by wizards, witches, and other magical creatures. Jul 29, 2009 ct movies has received quite a bit of feedback in recent days about the harry potter franchise, from christians who think the series is harmless fun to those who believe its straight from the devil. Harry potter books and films are full of stereotypical magic. Now books are coming out evaluating the series as christian literature. But as he read he saw many references to christian themes, symbols and virtue.
Im not a christian, and i picked up this book after id agreed to read a passage from the first harry potter novel at a reading of banned books. Rowling is touted as the worlds first author billionaire, due to. I definitely could see jesus recommending the harry potter books, or to suggest, as christianity today did, that the books would make great christmas gifts for christian kids. So your kid is reading harry potter a christian familys.
So your kid is reading harry potter a christian family. Rowling finally opened up this week about the christian allegory in her latest book, harry potter and the deathly hallows. The harry potter novels have created a new idol for millions of children around the world. Captivating audiences with its magical writing, these books provide a powerfully christian perspective on life and death. Jun 25, 2019 when christians talk about the harry potter books by j. A christian perspective on the harry potter phenomenon 1. An eyeopening article about the popular harry potter movie and books, and the. Rowlings harry potter series is vastly different from the christianbased. Ct movies has received quite a bit of feedback in recent days about the harry potter franchise, from christians who think the series is harmless fun to. To some of them the fictional harry seems almost real. Rowlings harry potter seriesmagical stories centered on one boys adventures at hogwarts, a. As confounding as this may be, it is a fact that when christians ask themselves what would jesus do with harry potter.
Jan 15, 2008 there is a classic eucatastrophic pattern to the seven harry potter books, with the central books, harry potter and the goblet of fire and harry potter and the order of the phoenix, taking the reader to the darkest, most desperate point in terms of both the plot and harrys own development. A few christians, though, argue that the harry potter books are not only compatible with christianity, but in fact contain implicit christian messages. Rowlings harry potter books as wonderful stories that teach that love is the most powerful. A number of protestant, catholic, and orthodox christians have argued against the series, as have some shia and sunni muslims. Insight is a unique series focused on hot topics at the intersection of culture and christianity. This question raises huge amounts of debate among christian. In harry potter and the deathly hallows, harry gouges a small cross, the major symbol of christianity, into. Sep 01, 2018 but the phenomenon of conservative christian opposition to harry potter succinctly.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with richard about his book. A christian perspective on the harry potter phenomenon. All his teachers are practicing occultists, and tutor their students in the dark arts of sorcery and divination. What you need to know about fantasy books and movies, he discusses why the j.
But the phenomenon of conservative christian opposition to harry potter. Dobson officially denounces harry potter the christian post. The christianity of harry potter the imaginative conservative. The attending films have just increased the impact one aspect of the harry potter phenomenon that has been particularly interesting to me, as an evangelical observer, is the christian. I wanted to know more about the reasons the books had been banned in the first place and a book written from a christian perspective caught my eye. What does the bible say about witchcraft and similar practices. This post is about how to handle books your kids want to read that have potential issues, not a discussion of the merits or demerits of the harry potter books in particular. The literary magic of harry potter by greg garrett baylor university press and baptizing harry potter. Pastor don bashams book is a classic introduction to the deliverance ministry. The overarching story in harry potter is a common one, but that does not make it less christian. Kids love the harry potter books, but should christian parents be concerned. Should christians be reading the harry potter books. Nineteen years later, however, an older, wiser harry would explain to his young son albus severus potter why he named him after two great hogwarts headmasters, telling him that severus snape was the bravest man i ever knew. The harry potter books do seem to be in the former category rather than the latter.
As the harry potter generation of children ages we will see more demonized kids, and this book will equip you to deal with them. Some equate the books with the fantasy novels written by c. The defeat of darkness and the victory of the forces of good are a staple in fantasy books. Sirius black, remus lupin, peter pettigrew and james potter the bullies of snapes youth, with one of them happening to be the man who married the love of his life, lily. May 15, 2001 answers to the burning questions christian parents, educators, and others are asking about harry potter. Supporters of the series have said that the magic in harry potter bears.
An eyeopening article about the popular harry potter movie and books, and the occultic themes contained in them. I was then asked to justify how a christian could possibly accept and endorse a series of books and films that promotes the occult. Severus snape was a hero, but died knowing barely anyone knew it. Assistant professor of old testament baptist bible seminary, clarks summit, pennsylvania. In his book, harry potter, narnia, and the lord of the rings. Feb 12, 2017 the harry potter series is the most successful set of books in history. The long debate of whether christians should read harry potter or not goes back to when the books were first released. Rowlings harry potter books as wonderful stories that teach that love is the most powerful magic of all and that its always right to stand up. Whats a christian to do with harry potter neal, connie. This article first appeared in the news watch department of the christian research journal, volume 24, number 4 2002.
Harry potter author reveals books christian allegory, her. Rowlings harry potter seriesmagical stories centered on one boys adventures at hogwarts. Jan 24, 2019 harry potter, vampire movies, and other movies centered on occult themes. Harrys books are about a young 11yearold generational wizard, harry potter, who attends the prestigious yearold occult boarding school, hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry.
With the release of the newest harry potter film this week, and the upcoming final book in the series just days away, the debate about harry potter is heating up again. Lisa holton, president of the childrens publishing house scholastic, was referring not to the appearance of a rock band or blockbuster movie but to the release in july of harry potter and the deathly hallows. Religious debates over the harry potter series of books by j. Spiritual life what would jesus do with harry potter. Oct 20, 2007 the pope may have condemned the harry potter books, but j k rowling has now revealed that christianity has been one of her major inspirations. Nov 15, 2005 redeeming harry potter the initial christian outcry against the boy wizard seems to be dying down. However, with the huge build up in recent months about the last harry potter movie i have received more inquiries about a christian perspective of the series. Jul 15, 2011 in its early years, harry potter was a litmus test of orthodoxy for some conservative christians, who expressed concern over its portrayal of witchcraft. Cries of satanism, youll recall, attended the release of each new book, from christian parents. The blockbuster films about middle earth and harry potter have given christians two opportunities to respond to magical fantasy on the big. A christian lawyer sued a public library for encouraging young readers to check out the series. Rowlings harry potter series is vastly different from the christianbased works of c. The pope may have condemned the harry potter books, but j k rowling has now revealed that christianity has been one of her major inspirations.
Apr 22, 2009 this article first appeared in the news watch department of the christian research journal, volume 24, number 4 2002. Answers to the burning questions christian parents, educators, and others are asking about harry potter. This post is about how to handle books your kids want to read that have potential issues, not a discussion of the merits or. John granger, a homeschooling father, english teacher, and eastern orthodox christian, has developed a cottage industry of influences in the harry potter books.
Breaking her silence on the muchdebated question as. Rowling has admitted to injecting christian ideals into the harry potter series. In 1997 a penniless british divorcee and single mother named joanne rowling published a book entitled harry potter and the philosophers. Rowling opens up about books christian imagery they almost epitomize the whole series, she says of the scripture harry reads in godrics hollow. Texas pastor john hagee called the books a precursor to witchcraft. Since their release, both the newly released movie and book have been drawing in record numbers. Harris conducted the same poll in 2008 and four books are new to the list this year. For nineteen years of my life, i avoided both the books and the movies, having been previously warned against them. Since then, there have been 5 other books released in this series, with the sixth one actually being released this week.
Captivating audiences with its magical writing, these books provide a. Engaging entertainment from a faith perspective, each entry in the series will equip you to reach adults, youths and seekers by asking three relevant questions. Rowling, john tiffany and jack thorne, it is the eighth story in the harry potter series and is the first of the stories to be presented on stage. Fourth, what is the overarching worldview reflected in the books and how does it compare or contrast with the christian worldview. Now the series is 20 years old, and these stories are still going strong. Harry potter and the lord of the rings christian research.
After years of averting questions on whether christian themes were present in her wildly popular harry potter books, author j. For years now, christian writers have been delving into harry potter. Rowling are based on claims that the novels contain occult or satanic subtexts. Some parents have called for the books to be banned, while others including some christians. Since the first harry potter book was published in 1997, there have been protests against j. The excitement, anticipation and just plain hysteria that came over the entire country this weekend was a bit like the beatles first visit to the u. Rowling, has been both embraced and criticized by christian audiences. The true christian myth behind harry potter beliefnet. Jan 02, 2020 harry potter books and films are full of stereotypical magic.
Rowling is touted as the worlds first author billionaire, due to the success of the books, movies, and theme parks. Maybe thats because more and more of us are discovering multiple redemptive themes in the series. This weekend the last of the harry potter movies opens in theaters. A christian authors perspective on harry potter victoria. The harry potter books from severus snapes perspective. His legacy in lily potters family lived on forever. The harry potter series is the most successful set of books in history. Some think of the books as fun and entertaining tales of the archetypal struggle between good and evil. Sep 19, 2017 so because i was older than the target audience and fully enveloped in christian culture, harry potter was off limits. In the world of publishing, few successes have equaled that of j. Get insight on new movies, music, and books all from a christian perspective. Harry potter, vampire movies, and other movies centered on occult themes. And that attitude of suspicion toward the harry potter books magic. The following article on harry potter and the bible was written several years ago after the very first harry potter book came out on video.
But concern is growing among some christian segments that the potter series, replete with lessons in practical witchcraft, is opening a door to an occult reality for the worlds. Harry potter, death, and the christian experience youtube. But from a spiritual perspective meaning, in the real world outside the books. A general view of the palace theatre in central london which is showing harry potter and the cursed child, on saturday, july 30, 2016. French t he reading phenomenon known as harry potter is sweeping the globe, and it truly has an international presence as readers in 200 nations, in over 40 languages, indulge in this series. Growing up in a christian household, i had heard the debate for many years on whether christians should read harry potter books and involve themselves in the series. When christians talk about the harry potter books by j. Rowling has captivated a generation with her books about the british wizard and his epic adventures. He originally read them so he could tell his kids why they couldnt read them. Although the characters practice casting spells, reading crystal balls, etc. They sat on my shelf for many years because i was not sure if it was wise for me to read them. Supporters of the series have said that the magic in harry potter bears little resemblance to occultism, being more in the.
Nov 04, 2010 no book in recent times has been as maligned by a religious group as the harry potter books have. Lets take a closer look at some of the arguments surrounding these seven books. The unwelcome reunion occured when potters old friend remus lupin secured snapes dream job of. Rowling, its most often to complain about them for example, their use of magic. A harry potter fan in australia reading the last book in the series. This was the story where our hero had to confront the villains of his past. No book in recent times has been as maligned by a religious group as the harry potter books have.
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