We have all heard the debate, whether or not Harry Potter was based on some sort of biblical truth…And there are some, even me, who (in the beginning) would have said, “You can find Christ in anything.”
But now, I have realized that, in reading and fully comprehending “Harry Potter” that it would be impossible not to find Christ in these books. It would almost, notice I emphasize “almost” be to say that it is as obvious as finding Christ in the Bible. But I shan’t go that far.
We, who understand magic, fairy tales, and the mystery of life, would not even contend with placing The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia on the side of evil, or “Satan” (if you will) We full believe, that Christ is present.
So, why is it so hard to imagine Harry Potter as nothing more than a beautiful story of Christ. Some would argue that since magic wands, broomsticks, thestrals, and magical charms are nothing more than Satan working through the minds of young adults to bring them closer to himself. I would have to object.
How many stories with this kind of magic are fully based on love and the absolute desire to “lay down one’s life for his friend?”
Nothing short of Christ’s own story. Harry, although far from perfect, understands the meaning of the word: hope. This may seem to some as not the basis of the “Harry Potter” stor, but what then is the basis? If not good prevailing evil, then what?
I have read the words of J.K. Rowling, I have delved into the world of magic, with curses and charms, dragons and hippogriffs, wands and invisibility cloaks, and found myself truly believing that “love conquers all”
Through the series, we (those who have read the books) have heard the great “Dumbledore” explain to Harry, that love is the reason you are the boy who lived…nothing but love. Not greatness, not perfection, not works of our own, but love.
But, as I sit back with a grin on my face, as I relish the memory of the seventh and final book, I stand to applaud J.K. She has surprised me…once more. With a book of action and more death defying moments, Rowling goes against the current and writes the only way she knows how: her way.
As I read the last 5 chapters and watched as the final book unfolded, I was dealing with emotions that vary from anger to fright, from happiness to saddness, something that has failed to transpire since I read “A Skeleton in God’s Closet” by Paul L. Meyers
We all want Harry to win; we always have. We always hold out hope that good will prevail, but with the life of good on the brink of death, we all assume there is only one way that J.K. can truly conquer death…by killing good. Perhaps, that is why in the last 5 chapters…I sat with bated breath, on the edge of my chair, with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth left unattended, and I read.
I read with a prejudice that a writer or someone who loves the written word can only have.
And she shattered what I desired…she shattered all pretenses and created, once again, her own story.
So, without giving the ending up…I encourage all those who deem Harry Potter nothing more than a “Witches Invitation” to seek, not the instruments which are so obviously intriguing, but to truly see. To see what J.K. set out to accomplish. What writers for centuries have set out to accomplish: the battle between “good” and “evil”
But all this to say, I enjoyed the book…and will contest with anyone, the beauty and integrity of this childlike story.
I wrote this the moment I finished the 7th book. July 21, 2007. I still feel this way about Harry Potter. I still feel this so my wishing Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling happy birthday should come as no surprise.
But now, I have realized that, in reading and fully comprehending “Harry Potter” that it would be impossible not to find Christ in these books. It would almost, notice I emphasize “almost” be to say that it is as obvious as finding Christ in the Bible. But I shan’t go that far.
We, who understand magic, fairy tales, and the mystery of life, would not even contend with placing The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia on the side of evil, or “Satan” (if you will) We full believe, that Christ is present.
So, why is it so hard to imagine Harry Potter as nothing more than a beautiful story of Christ. Some would argue that since magic wands, broomsticks, thestrals, and magical charms are nothing more than Satan working through the minds of young adults to bring them closer to himself. I would have to object.
How many stories with this kind of magic are fully based on love and the absolute desire to “lay down one’s life for his friend?”
Nothing short of Christ’s own story. Harry, although far from perfect, understands the meaning of the word: hope. This may seem to some as not the basis of the “Harry Potter” stor, but what then is the basis? If not good prevailing evil, then what?
I have read the words of J.K. Rowling, I have delved into the world of magic, with curses and charms, dragons and hippogriffs, wands and invisibility cloaks, and found myself truly believing that “love conquers all”
Through the series, we (those who have read the books) have heard the great “Dumbledore” explain to Harry, that love is the reason you are the boy who lived…nothing but love. Not greatness, not perfection, not works of our own, but love.
But, as I sit back with a grin on my face, as I relish the memory of the seventh and final book, I stand to applaud J.K. She has surprised me…once more. With a book of action and more death defying moments, Rowling goes against the current and writes the only way she knows how: her way.
As I read the last 5 chapters and watched as the final book unfolded, I was dealing with emotions that vary from anger to fright, from happiness to saddness, something that has failed to transpire since I read “A Skeleton in God’s Closet” by Paul L. Meyers
We all want Harry to win; we always have. We always hold out hope that good will prevail, but with the life of good on the brink of death, we all assume there is only one way that J.K. can truly conquer death…by killing good. Perhaps, that is why in the last 5 chapters…I sat with bated breath, on the edge of my chair, with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth left unattended, and I read.
I read with a prejudice that a writer or someone who loves the written word can only have.
And she shattered what I desired…she shattered all pretenses and created, once again, her own story.
So, without giving the ending up…I encourage all those who deem Harry Potter nothing more than a “Witches Invitation” to seek, not the instruments which are so obviously intriguing, but to truly see. To see what J.K. set out to accomplish. What writers for centuries have set out to accomplish: the battle between “good” and “evil”
But all this to say, I enjoyed the book…and will contest with anyone, the beauty and integrity of this childlike story.
I wrote this the moment I finished the 7th book. July 21, 2007. I still feel this way about Harry Potter. I still feel this so my wishing Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling happy birthday should come as no surprise.
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