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)
Looking at the symbolism in the JK Rowling creations, other people have gone so far as to claim that Harry Potter is even a symbol to represent the Son of God - Jesus.
"As we approach the release of the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series, Potter friends and foes alike are in for the surprise of their lives," wrote Abigail BeauSeigneur in an article on the most-visited Harry Potter fan site, Mugglenet.com. "The story of Harry Potter is, and always was, a Christian allegory - a fictionalised modern day adaptation of the life of Christ, intended to introduce his character to a new generation."
To back up her claims, she cites examples such as their prophetic births, personality traits, life events, opposition to authority, battles against evil, unfair trials, as well as similarities between Lord Voldemort and the devil.
So the question that remains is whether or not Rowling is a Christian in disguise.
"Rowling is a genius to tell a Christian story in the unexpected disguise of a witchcraft tale - people who would never pick up an overtly Christian story are reading Potter by the millions, attracted to it by its modern themed packaging," concluded Brown in a statement. "Christianity has always produced great writers. Tolkien, Lewis, Percy, Chesterton to name just a few. I believe JK Rowling is a Christian writer."
But then again, there are many Christians who would disagree.
"[T]he movie version of 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' is liable to still do great business at the box office," stated Dr Ted Baehr, founder of MovieGuide.org, as the fifth instalment of the "Harry Potter" film series released last week.
"Regrettably, however, this means that even more children will be lured away from God and His Infallible Word, which says that witchcraft is evil and abhorrent. Instead of dreaming about the joys that God gives us through Jesus Christ, they will be dreaming of casting spells, using magic spells, riding brooms, and rebelling against their parents."
According to the Associated Press, "Deathly Hallows" has a print run of 12 million in the United States alone, and Internet retailer Amazon says it has taken 2.2 million pre-orders for the book. The Royal Mail says it will deliver 600,000 copies on Saturday; the US Postal Service says it will ship 1.8 million. Over 20,000 requests were received at Amazon.com on July 17 alone.
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
