Jeffery writes:
- Ok, how is this supposed to help anyone’s Christian walk? I don’t mean to be judgemental or counter-productive, but I don’t think the latest Harry Potter news, especailly illegally obtained, should be posted on thinkchristian
You make a good point, so I’m pulling this post, concerning a hacker who claims to know the ending of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, from ThinkChristian as well as my own Web site. I’m a firm believer in accountability in the Body of Christ and so must be, well, accountable.
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July 15, 2007 at 05:09
ok, how is this supposed to help anyone’s christian walk? I don’t meen to be judgemental or counter-productive, but i don’t think the latest harry potter news, especailly illigally obtained, should be posted on thinkchristian
July 15, 2007 at 07:33
Gabriel claims to have hacked the computer to protect “us”. In his mind, the end appraently justifies the means. Suppose that he truly hacked and obtained the information. I wonder if the thinking Christian might see this as thievery? Speaking only for myself, I really do not need any sort of protection that requires violence to one of the commandments. My guess is – and this is purely a guess – neither does God.
July 15, 2007 at 08:04
There is very little that is redeeming about any of the Harry Potter books, and to put them alongside CS Lewis of all people is ludicrous. The Harry Potter books are infested with the demonic and occult and has such an influence on younger impressionable readers, that it baffles the logic as to how any sensible Christian could find any redeeming value in them. CS Lewis wrote fantasy novels when he wrote the Narnia chronicles. The Potter books are beyond fantasy and right into witchcraft and demonology, a sphere that Christians are to leave alone. Endorsing them and promoting them, no matter how noble characters may be is err and to embrace that which ought to be rejected out of hand.
The problem in our society, is that unbalanced fascination with the duality of good and evil. Most “heroes” which are embraced are “dark” heroes with complex personalities, such as Tim Burton’s Batman character. Even the recent Spiderman film bore this out. The Harry Potter characters are a mix of similar characters whose flaws are just as glorified as their virtues. This supposedly makes characters more “human”, which I find in fact to be less human, and at the same time minimizing the effects of Christ in a person’s life. The bottom line is this duality exists when man tries to deal with his own heart and fix himself. Only Christ can redeem and transform the human heart. All else is failure.
The characters in Potter have nothing redeeming about them. Nothing.
July 16, 2007 at 11:32
Haven’t read any Harry Potter books, but have a couple of friends who have; both (early 20’s) rate the books highly in terms of readability, story, and fun; one is a professing Christian.
What I would like to address are Jeffrey’s question, “How is [reading Harry Potter supposed to help anyone’s Christian walk?” and Samthemacman’s comment ”...The characters in Potter have nothing redeeming about them. Nothing…” since I think these both deal with a deeper issue.
Reading Harry Potter books can help a Christian’s walk even though they have themes that deal with the occult by enabling Christian readers to:
1. See what the world is reading, and therefore be able to relate to unbelievers (especially young people) on their own playing field,
2. Understand that reading Harry Potter, the Koran, Elie Wiesel, the Iliad, the Book of Mormon, Oscar Wilde, Mein Kampf, Mary Shelley or any other work that is not Christian, educates us rather than hinders us or makes us worldly, for by reading we gain understanding when relating to others’ worldviews rather than merely condemning;
3. Encourages believers to truly apprehend what Christ meant when He said it’s not what is outside of us but what is inside of us, that defiles us.
July 16, 2007 at 15:39
How should this affect one’s walk?
1. Ministering to culture.
2. The teens and kiddies are seeing the movies and buying the books.
3. Even if illegallly obtained …(And how can one verify that?) it is still a theory and networking.
4. Are there policies or issues of which Christians must not talk about or discuss? I think the more we expose the things we disagree with and shed light into it … the better the discussion and better “ThinkingChristians” are out there!
Just a thought.
As to accountability ….kudos. There are lots of people out there with theories.
People have been for or against Harry Potter for a long time. Harry Potter and the Bible. the Problem with Harry Potter are just 2 examples of books in this hype.
What is the response as Christians, and as a parent myself, and as a youthworker? Well, I don’t bash Harry Potter. I let parents do what they do best: Parent! I do make distinctions between that of which is Fiction and that of which is true … it seems though in our “Christian Holy Huddles” that is hard to do at times.
July 16, 2007 at 19:37
I’m glad I got to the post AFTER you pulled it—I am a Potter fan and would have been disappointed to have it spoiled.
John Granger has filled an excellent book (Finding God in Harry Potter) with Christian themes in Harry Potter. No need for me to be redundant.
As I’ve talked to other believers about to Potter or not to Potter, I have discovered that evangelists and other “goers” to be pro-Potter while the sending pastors and shepherds (in gifting) to be the avoiders. While it’s true that a believer is only transformed through Scripture, ALL good things come from God and even Ravi Zacharias recommends using cultural illustrations to communicate spiritual application to unbelievers. Paul encouraged us to be all things to all people (not that grace is a license to sin) that we might save some—-but some whose faith is weak COULD be tempted, and we are NOT to offend with inconsiderate behavior. Hands (of the Body) do different things than feet—and they require different tools and v.v., so I see room for both positions in the discussions. Likewise, I wouldn’t dream of talking about Harry’s latest adventures with Christian friends who fear Potter-affects, but I’m glad it’s common ground with seekers.
However, I had a professor who jokingly accused a fellow student of “going evangelical” when the guy was uncharacteristically dogged in his critique of another’s writing. I thought, how sad that the followers of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords have acted so desperate that reference to our doctrine is becoming synonymous for immature, semi-hostile behavior… The Harry issue being case in point. Can’t we handle ourselves with a little more… love??
Do we know who wins or not?
Do people wander away by their own selfish desires—or because of evil, conniving publishers and satanic authors?
C’mon… seems to me that if more believers got hot and bothered about their relationship with Christ Himself, they would quit making gods out of their doctrine and wouldn’t have time to worry about yet another controversial issue within the church to the point that it also is elevated to demi-god…
July 20, 2007 at 20:54
This is absolutly rediculus, Harry Potter is a children novel that in no way undermines the Christian Faith. I am a firm believer and a possible future member of the Priesthood and I read and ejoy the books. It is Gabriel, not JK Rowling that is ruining the anticipating children.