So Much Stuff!
The amount of Harry Potter-related news and commentary is overwhelming. As we move closer to D-Day — July 21 — expect a lot more.
With “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” hitting theaters next week and Book 7 theories here, there, and everywhere, there’s plenty to satisfy even the most hardcore Harry fan and the most ardent Harry hater.
By the way, set your DVRs and TiVos for A&E's Harry Potter: The Hidden Secrets to see interviews with John Granger, Janet Batchler, and the Lexicon's Steve Vander Ark. The first airing is Sunday, July 8 at 10 p.m. EDT. And HP blogger and podcaster Travis Prinzi of Sword of Gryffindor will present papers at Prophecy 2007 in Toronto, Canada, on August 2-5.
Christian Symbolism
What’s been amazing to me throughout the Harry Potter hype is the way Christians have come out of the closet to openly discuss the series’ Christian themes. You’d have to be willfully obtuse to miss the Dumbledore-as-God, Harry-as-savior, and Voldemort-as-Satan symbolism. Or that Gryffindor House’s (Harry’s house) mascot is a Griffin, a mythical half-lion, half-eagle creature considered a symbol of Christ in medieval days. Slytherin, the house of Voldemort and Harry’s enemy Draco Malfoy, is symbolized by a snake, which symbolizes evil generally and Satan specifically.
And what about the place where Harry Potter’s parents lived and died, Godric’s Holllow, where Harry will return (or must return?) in Book 7, and Hogwarts co-founder’s name, Godric Gryffindor?
That's not even the tip of the iceberg. (See Harry Potter and the Charmed Christians Part I and Part II) The symbolism is deep and rich, and the series will keep fans and even haters busy for decades.
John Granger of HogwartsProfessor.com addressed the unicorn symbolism in Book 1. A Voldemort-possessed Professor Quirrell killed unicorns and drank their blood to sustain his master. Granger says that in medieval literature, the unicorn was a symbol of Christ. So is this the image of “Satan” Voldemort drinking the blood of “Christ” in communion?
More profound are overarching “Christian” themes that reverberate through every human alive, whether or not they’re Christ followers: salvation and redemption (to buy back or pay off). What’s been building across seven books is the culmination of sacrificial love, a love that conquers death. Harry will have to harness that power within himself if he’s to defeat Voldemort. We’ve gotten enough hints throughout the series that love will be Harry’s advantage over the Dark Lord, not expert spellcasting. How will that play out?
(Also see "Christian" Elements in Narnia)
There will always be Christians like Laura Mallory around, misrepresenting the books and going on crusades to ban the books without having read them. Admittedly, you can’t get around God’s condemnation of practicing sorcery, consulting with the dead (which doesn't happen in HP unless you count talking portraits), and the like. But did God condemn reading about sorcerers and mediums? Are Christians forbidden to read about evil? Of course not.
Is J.K. Rowling promoting witchcraft? Of course not. Rowling herself said she doesn’t believe in witchcraft. In fact, she said that when Wiccans thank her for writing the books, she tells them not to because she doesn’t believe in what they do.
The magic in Harry Potter is a vehicle to move the story forward. It’s background. I wonder if Christians who avoid reading the Harry Potter books and watching the movies also avoid books, movies, and TV shows that contain fornication and adultery, and depict lying and thievery, all of which are condemned in the Bible?
One more item before I sign off. I don’t know if religion reporter Jeff Diamant is a Christian, but as a new Harry Potter reader, he recognizes Christian symbolism in the books, albeit reluctantly (“Harry Potter and the Gospel of J.K. Rowling):
I never much enjoyed literature lessons on Christ imagery. I felt them too presumptuous of what authors were thinking, and I didn't like that they effectively telegraphed the readings, if only in retrospect. Still, critics have long enjoyed noting similarities to Jesus in classic fictional characters — from Santiago in "The Old Man and the Sea" to Aslan in the "Chronicles of Narnia."
By the second Harry Potter book, I began to think the relationship of Harry and Dumbledore was underpinning the narrative in a supernatural, and distinctly Christian, way.
Mainstream media types are discussing Christian symbolism in HP? That's new.
Update: "Taj" at Quadrivium comments: "As for Christological symbols – La Shawn, you left out one of my favorites. The stag at the climax of the third novel represents some amazing stuff, especially when you consider “expecto patronum” is Latin for “I look for the figure of my father.” (But you’ve read Granger’s work, so you already knew that). 
"
Indeed! Instead of writing about it here, I'll direct you to Travis Prinzi's post about John Granger's quotes about the white stag. (Got that?)
Also see:
"Christians have long recognized that these practices are not only based on mistaken concepts of reality, they also render the practitioner vulnerable to deception and harm by evil spirits. Furthermore, they nurture an unhealthy attraction to the gnostic lure of hidden, esoteric knowledge and power accessible only to special elites or adepts.
"At the same time, many Christians on both sides of the Harry Potter debate will also be willing to acknowledge that Christians may accept and enjoy at least some fictional works that involve the depiction of magic, and even of “good” magic — magic imagined to be both real and lawful, performed by good characters specializing in good magic: good wizards, sorcerers, and the like. As noted above, many of Rowling’s sternest critics are also passionate devoteés of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. Nor are many Christians today likely to mount campaigns against Glinda the Good Witch or Cinderella’s fairy godmother.
"Christian defenders of Harry Potter point to all these cases as evidence that magic in fiction, as opposed to magic in fact, can legitimately be treated as good and innocent. "
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For Christian Harry Haters
July 3rd, 2007 at 12:47 pm
I've not read any of the HP books but have seen the movies. I have no problems with it just as I have no problems with C.S. Lewis' Narnia series.
As to finding Christian symbolism in the Potter books and movies…frankly, if one uses their imagination, one can find symbolism of any sort in just about any literature. I think that's how a lot of Ph.D. candidates come up with some of their thesis ideas. LOL!
July 3rd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Ohh….I forgot to include J.R.R. Tolkien and Frank Baum in with C.S. Lewis. Probably some other authors as well.
I was always big into science fiction and fantasy fiction growing up and still am today. Also enjoyed plenty of Louis L'Amour westerns, too. Hmm…maybe I'll go pick up a copy of a L'Amour western to reaquaint myself. It's been a long time and my eyes have gotten bad in my middle age but my imagination still works.
July 3rd, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I keep coming up with additional comments and now a recommendation…my apologies La Shawn if I'm posting too many times…but a series of fun and funny fantasy books I highly recommend (which I wish they've make into a movie) is the "MythAdventure" series by Robert Asprin. Not deep reading by any stretch of the imagination but a lot of fun nonetheless. The first book in the series (and where you really need to start to get the nuances of the main characters Aahz and Skeeve) is entitled "Another Fine Myth."
Oh, and if you hadn't figured it out by now, puns figure heavily in all the books' titles.
July 3rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I find your insights into HP to be quite shrewd and enlightening. I also agree with you that there are definitely some Christian themes in the HP series, just as with the Narnia series.
As a [Catholic] Christian, I try to avoid things with excessive violence and sex, although I can't avoid those things totally or else I wouldn't be watching/reading just about anything at all.
Although I'd like to inflict violence on the horrible people out there who post HP spoilers out there trying to ruin the story for everyone! Grr!
July 3rd, 2007 at 1:22 pm
We try.
July 3rd, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I have no doubt that a great deal of the fussing about Harry Potter is simply intended to attract attention. They fuss about Harry Potter because it is convenient to do so. If Harry Potter were not here then they would find something else to complain about. In any case the issue that they are directing criticism at is not the point. The point is to be able to direct criticism at SOMETHING and thereby get others to pay attention to them and think them important.
July 3rd, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I try to avoid media which makes a bad thing look good. Extra-marital sex, witchcraft, gratuitous violence, vulgar language and so on.
There's a subtle effect on the mind and spirit when we begin to take the things God says are bad and continually view them in a good light. That's just one of the reasons I had to stop watching "Charmed" many years before it went off the air. (The other was 'cause I knew I was also watching it for the babes!)
We slowly begin to find these things acceptable in whatever way we reason, and forget that God finds them unacceptable in totality.
I'm not a big fan of C. S. Lewis' work either because there are so many people who have no clue what the Bible itself actually says that spending time allegorizing it seems to me a lost opportunity.
July 3rd, 2007 at 2:48 pm
"Do you also avoid reading books and watching TV shows and movies that contain fornication and adultery, and depict lying and thievery and murder, all of which are condemned in the Bible?"
Yes, I try. And that is a personal decision based upon the choice I made when I pledged that "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Christ not only changes what one does, but what one ~wants to do.
Christ is the author of liberty, and the world will do as it wishes. Your choice.
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:54 pm
I am always curious whenever someone answers "I try" to the question of whether he or she (or they) avoids books, TV shows or movies that contain fornication, adultery, lying, etc. Stories involve conflict. The absence of conflict = the absence of story. These things are something everyone, Christian or no, would find themselves in conflict with some point or another in life. Scripture doesn't even ignore the gory details of such things (just have a look at the last few chapters of Judges). They have been a part of life since the fall - ignoring their depiction, in my mind, invites a gross miscomprehension of reality.
The graphicness of their depiction warrants caution, of course, as does viewing material that glorifies such acts. Abstaining from such material is an admirable thing – I have to avoid certain content myself. At the end of the day, these are what Paul calls “disputable matters,” and Harry Potter would tend to fall right along side the question of whether or not to eat meat.
If someone is already convinced that the books are instruction manuals for occult, then there is likely not much I can do or say to dissuade him or her or them.
As for Christological symbols – La Shawn, you left out one of my favorites. The stag at the climax of the third novel represents some amazing stuff, especially when you consider “expecto patronum” is Latin for “I look for the figure of my father.” (But you’ve read Granger’s work, so you already knew that).
I have to admit that I was never really sold on the emphasis on Godric Gryffindor’s name. Allegorically applying his name to God would mean that Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw would need a distinction applied to their identity as well (although you could easily make a case for an allegorical understanding of Slytherin), and Granger never established that well enough for me.
At any rate, the books are filled with things that glorify and uphold Godly principles. I look forward to introducing them to my kids.
July 3rd, 2007 at 7:58 pm
I normally don't respond to responses, but for you, I will make an exception.
"I try" is simply an acknowledgement that we live in an imperfect world, and are fallable creatures who make mistakes. The fact that scripture examines the ugliness & depravity of the human condition is not done for entertaiment purposes, but for God's revelation of our futile sin and His eternal providence.
The same cannot be said for man's temporal glimpse into his own kind via 'entertainment'. To tolerate or condone a matter is one thing, but be careful what you applaud. Christ is the author of liberty, and by the grace of free will, we are to determine, in our own life, where the line between license and liberty should be drawn.
If you are comfortable with the HP books, et al, then by all means, use its allegory & symbolism to champion the Kingdom. But, 'I try' not to indulge in such things.
July 4th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
I don't object to magic use in Harry Potter. In the real world, magic is, by its nature, demonic: the real thing requires one to consort with demons (whether the user realizes it or not). In Rowling's world, however, magic is more like a force of nature that a some people are able to use. That's a huge difference.
But I don't think the question you pose is a good comparison.
While I will see some movies where sin is portrayed in a negative light, I won't watch the ones where it is portrayed in a neutral or positive light. In Harry Potter, magic is by itself neutral (with the exception of dark magic); it is a tool which a person can use for good or for evil. So, though I love the Harry Potter books and movies and don't object to them for other reasons, I'd say it's not a good comparison.
July 4th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
I am a Christian and I really like HP. Its not as good as Narnia - but what is? I am a PK. and several years ago, I was asked to send an email to my father re: the evils of Harry Potter. I refused to because it was all lies and told my sister so. My sister had another sibling forward it, and Dad ended up reading it from the pulpit. A while later, I was on Snopes and I looked up that email. It was from the Onion. My father read as serious a satire. Looks great up.
And that is why I get angry at people condemning Harry Potter, because they probably read that stupid satire article and are making Christians look like fools.
Harry Potter is a good read - no more no less and if Christians wants to boycott a children's book, try His Dark Materials.
Oh, and although I don't agree with my sister's stance on HP, I do respect it and have to refuse to lend my niece my Harry Potter books so she reads Barbie, Mary Kate and Ashley instead.
July 4th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
This is why I have no problems with Harry Potter. Those very things ARE evident in the series.
July 4th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
taj–
I know where you're coming from, but on the other hand, I recently checked out a book from the library that was supposed to be a touching family story. The third chapter contained such a lurid, graphic sex scene that I stopped reading in disgust after a sentence or two.
It's not only what's presented, but how.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:28 am
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2
In my opinion, getting caught up in the Harry Potter hype is conforming to the world.
July 5th, 2007 at 10:59 am
"Do you also avoid reading books and watching TV shows and movies that contain fornication and adultery, and depict lying and thievery and murder, all of which are condemned in the Bible?"
Yes, I try my best to avoid TV shows and movies containing these things. That pretty much leaves me with the cooking or home improvement channels which I love. My wife and I do go to movies once in a while. (PG-13 and below only) We stick to comedies and romances mostly, but we often find that the plots are rooted in a lie or some sort of deception. I am also opposed to seeing movies containing horror and witchcraft.
La Shawn,
While I do disagree with you on the support of these books, I do understand your argument from a literary standpoint. That said, how do you feel about the movies and the upcoming theme park? The movies and the theme park each take the HP stories past the literary benefit.
Disclaimer: I have not read any of the book or seen any of the movies, but my wife has seen one HP movie. She is a former public school teacher in SC. The school district paid the movie admission for all the teachers in her school. (Your tax dollars hard at work) She was convinced by that movie that the books and the movies were not for her due to the witchcraft and magic. She arrived at this opinion a couple of years before we started attending church regularly and before we recommitted our lives to Christ.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
My family avoids movies/books/cultural propaganda in which things that the Bible condemns (lying, stealing, fornication etc.) are glorified. It's impossible to avoid representations of sin in art, but when sinful things are portrayed as harmless or not sin at all, then yeah, I take issue with that.
Keep in mind, the Bible itself doesn't always condemn lying or killing. Think of Rahab, the harlot who lied to protect the Jewish spies, or Israel's various wars against apostate people. I look for those nuances when I'm choosing our entertainment. If you can point out a passage in the Bible where sorcery and witchcraft is acceptable, by all means do so. I'd be happy to compare the Bible's guidelines for using witchcraft to the way it is used in the HP books.
Harry is obviously important to you. However, your tone towards your fellow Christian brothers and sisters who don't share your love of the books has become increasingly hostile and borderline rude — challenging us with trick questions and calling us "Harry Haters." I would ask, why is Harry Potter so very important that you would not reach out to your fellow Christians with grace? The more that I see Christians set aside tact and good manners as they adamantly insist these books are the best thing ever, the more that I am determined to leave them alone.
July 6th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Elizabeth–
I would ask the same question of you.
July 6th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Do you begin to see what I meant in my posts last month about the words, "warlock", "witch", and "witchcraft"? There is no question that these words have historically evil associations, and that naturally some Christians would have an automatically negative reaction to these words. Rowling has an extensive knowledge of folklore; I believe she knew the reaction she would get.
But there is also a Christian theme, and many Christian symbols. Rowling herself has said that she is a Christian.
We don't all have the same perspective on things. There's a certain song I always found enjoyably amusing; someone recently called it "depressing." Same song, different perspective.
If the books are a stumbling block for you, don't read them. But believe me, there are much better ways to witness than harrassing people for enjoying Harry Potter.
July 7th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I am a christian, and I loved the movies. I won't lie I have never read even one Harry Potter bood. Not that I am not a reader, I just didn't read it! But I have all of the movies and I am anticipating the next movie to come out.
I know there is alot of hype about Harry Potter and the witch craft that is in it. But I looked upon it as make believe just as I would treat Cinderella and the majic with in that movie.
I believe that Christians were talking about it, because there is a culture of people who are wicas. Which are real life Witches and the bible specifically talks about witchcraft and how we are not to engage in it. I know some of the books that were in Libraries had information where children can get information in regards to Wica. I think that is where people draw the line. Then you have those who watch t.v. only on PBS and PAX and make sure that all the stuff you mentioned are not in the film.
Also I did not see all of the symbolism in it that was mentioned, I think I will relook at them again with a different eye.
Thanks
Londa
July 7th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Elizabeth,
The witchcraft and wizardry that is in the Harry Potter stories has nothing in common with what the Bible condems - except the name, of course. God is against the seeking of power from other sources than Himself, for our own safety. Witchcraft is something that can be learned and studied in the real world. In the Harry Potter world magic is like saying "Abra Kadabra" or "open sesame!" it's just a couple of Latin or Greek words said by the witch or wizard. And, most importantly, being a witch or wizard is not something you learn it is something you are born as and you go to school to lean how to control it and to be responsible in it's use. In the stories it is a parallel to technology. What we might use a remote control to do the witch or wizard uses their wand.
Anyway, the magic ISN'T the point of the stories, it's just the setting in which Rowling is exploring the serious issues and giving so much excellent, advice and instructions to her readers- all from a clearly Christian worldview and standpoint.
Matthew
July 8th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Trish,
I'm not exactly sure what your question is for me. I am responding to LaShawn's "trick" question for Harry "haters," which is, why is he so important? If my tone showed a lack of grace or love, I am heartily sorry. I'm not exactly sure how to point out to a sister that her passion for a fictional character is compromising her witness and I did it as lovingly as possible.
But again, I am responding to her invitation to share my opinions. Harry is not that important to me — I have a food sacrificed to idols approach when it comes to him. I don't think it's beneficial, and I'll tell you why, but in the end, it's up to your own conscience. However, when Christians aren't content with the live and let live approach and want to bait me with trick questions into defending my position, then Harry seems less and less harmless. I hope that clarifies things.
July 8th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Matthew,
I'm not following your logic. You say, "God is against the seeking of power from other sources than Himself, for our own safety."
I agree.
Then you say, "Witchcraft is something that can be learned and studied in the real world."
That seems irrelevant to your previous acknowledgement that God prohibits for our own safety seeking power from other sources than him. How does being able to study witchcraft in the real world somehow make it less of a violation of God's edict?
It seems that you are saying that (in HP) one who is born a witch or wizard may manipulate the physical realm using magical phrases. I'm not exactly sure how that manipulation is anything but turning to a source other than God for power.
July 8th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Elizabeth–
I didn't really need any clarification. I was trying to make you ask yourself the question, "Why am I being so hostile to fellow Christians?"
The question is the same–why is Harry Potter so important to you? In case you haven't noticed, you're here, too. You're spending as much time here as the rest of us are. Why, if this isn't important to you?
Did you realize that when you said LaShawn was being "increasingly hostile and borderline rude" that you came across as being a bit hostile and impolite yourself? I don't see that she has in any way compromised her witness.
You don't seem to be exhibiting the attitude you claim to have. You seem to be using Harry Potter as an excuse to question the faith of others. That's not a "food offered to idols" approach.
Don't you understand that the so-called "trick question" wasn't aimed at "baiting" you into "defending" anything? It was meant to start you thinking about the reason you hold the position you do. Your posts make it seem as if you do it to be "holier than thou." If that's not the case, I apologize, but it certainly is the way you are coming across.
July 8th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Elizabeth,
What I am saying is that in the Harry Potter books magic is an ability rather than the study of forbidden practices. It's more like the powers of a superhero - it's part of them. It's not seeking power outside of God. It's something that is part of the witch or wizard.
I did not say that being able to learn witchcraft in the real world makes it less of a violation. I don't know how you could have read it that way. What I did say is that the magic in the HP books is NOT real world magic. Elizabeth, you can study magic in the real world if you wanted to. It is impossible for you to do the magic of the Harry Potter books. Just as it is impossible for you to leap tall buildings in a single bound or to be more powerful than a locomotive. It's just not reality.
You outlook must indicate that any superhero is practicing evil as their powers come from themselves rather than God. You have the power to move physical objects with your body -like picking up a can of baked beans. You have just used power from yourself. That's not wrong. It's an ability of how you have been created. That's the same for the witch or wizard in the HP books- it's an ability they have been created with, not an indicator of seeking power other than God. Is your problem with the stories that it is called witchcraft?
Matthew