A Christian Praises Harry Potter
I've been a fan of the Harry Potter stories for several years now. That might elicit some comments on a conservative Christian site, but I challenge anyone who has ever actually read any of the books to argue that the themes of the stories are anti-Christian. I don't believe that the books were written to teach the central Christian message, but as a Christian I find them to be drenched in that universal, absolute truth. If there are any fans reading, I don't want to spoil anything about the end of the seventh book for you. You might want to come back after you've finished it yourself. But I have finished reading and there are several things about the Harry Potter stories - especially in light of the final book - that are extremely encouraging to me as a Christian, and that I think will spark great discussion with my oldest son (who is now eight) when he reads them.
To begin with the end; after finishing the seventh book, I am struck by the way that the whole story culminates with this truth: salvation, redemption, and protection from the evil of the world comes from one person's sacrifice. Harry Potter must willingly, knowingly and without defense, lay down his life for his friends. In fact, evil is ultimately vanquished by the hero's willingness to do just that. Hopefully, this story sounds familiar to Christians.
There is really no "Christ" figure in these stories because every character with any importance to the plot, is three-dimensional. Each hero is flawed, and many villains show some positive characteristics. But, the description of Harry's thoughts when he realizes that he has to die willingly for his friends caused me to fully identify with Christ's struggle in Gethsemane for the first time. Perhaps it is sad, even shameful, but the language of the first century never moved me as much as the language of this young, fictional twentieth-century character. It's easier for me to identify with Harry Potter than it is for me to identify with Christ. I am so much more like this flawed boy. But Christ, though without flaw, must have had similar thoughts as a true man. My imagination is stimulated by Harry Potter, so that I can put myself more fully into Christ's story when I read the Bible. I'm happy to have the help. I do not believe that Mrs. Rowling identifies Harry with Christ, yet his sacrifice is so similar that anyone who loves Christ will, I think, immediately be moved by that part of the story. I think it is pure genius to take that level of sacrifice and describe it believably to young people, and I think it will help my sons understand what Jesus did for them when they really start to contemplate it.
Another thing I love about these stories as a Christian mom is that they are truly counter-cultural in a way that Christianity was meant to be. In our current culture - both academic and popular - it is overwhelmingly assumed that there is no absolute truth. Christianity tends to offend people who believe this, because we assert that we know and offer objective truth - Jesus is the only way to the Father, for instance. This is often a big problem when speaking to non-Christians about Christian truth these days.
The Harry Potter stories strike a dissonant note in the chord of this cultural belief. The author draws on classical themes of great literature, universal human experience, and even on the events of history to weave a story based on the assumption that there is absolute truth. Good can be discerned and chosen over evil. Selfishness and pride are associated with evil and ultimate defeat. Selflessness, love and trust are associated with good, and they are the keys to ultimate victory. Life after death and the ultimate defeat of death are themes of these stories. In the seventh book, there is even a description of an afterlife which includes terrible consequences for the character who chooses a life of evil, and refuses the remedy of remorse. Again, this should sound familiar.
In light of the usual messages with which most children are bombarded by secular culture today, I feel completely confident that Harry Potter will help, rather than hinder, my boys' ultimate acceptance of Christ. And I think they will help lay the groundwork for non-Christian kids. Any fan of Harry Potter will not be offended by the assertion that ultimate truth does exist and that good can be discerned and chosen over evil. Imagine talking to that young person about God as the source of Truth, and the Holy Spirit as the power to choose good. Then imagine talking with one who firmly believes only in relative truth and existentialism. Harry Potter fans will more easily believe the Gospel. I am happy to have this tool - these great stories - to help teach values and virtues as my kids grow up. Instead of encouraging self-obsession, these stories focus on choosing Truth and defending it even to the death. A death which is not an end, but a beginning.
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Author: sjakoby
Location: Savoy Illinois USA
Gender: Female
Age: 40
Blog Entries: 3 (archive)
Blog Comments: 1
my name is susan jakoby. i'm a 37 year old christian mom to two boys; a third grader and a kindergartner. we are a homeschooling family. i have been married to my husband for fifteen years. before my second son was born i was a high school history teacher. during...
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