Harry Potter: a Christ-figure or Satan's ploy.

In the Christian community, there has been for sometime a debate on whether this series of books can or should be read while it is not my intention to say what others should or should not read; however, it is my duty to warn you all to what these works are putting forth. There is a clear and undeniable danger; and it can be seen in what JK Rowling wants the public to think when reading these books, she says: "it is to be taken in same vein as other Christian works such as the Lord of the rings or the pilgrims progress." The problem with this statement is clear: it is not being taken in that way at all. In fact, in one podcast the participants were speaking of how when they sit down and watch these film; their children will ask about Christian things after watching pilgrim's progress and not so with Harry Potter. 

In the letter to the Thessalonians we are told the following statement "but examine everything carefully; holdfast to that which is good; abstain from evil kind of evil." (5:21-22) And in the letter to Christians at Ephesus we read "do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them. for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things done by them." (5:11-12)  Now after having listen to each book very carefully to get a feel of what is be presented as if it were Christian in nature; I can say, that even with thinly veiled allusions to the Christian faith, it is still not clear in its over-all content. And to say that because it reference a bible verse or two in book 7 does not excuse it from the unbiblical nature that it presents in nearly 3,700 pages where there is nothing. 

So as we open up the pages of these book we learn a number of thing which will help us determine with kind ideal it is putting forth. And why upon a biblical worldview we must oppose it. 

A misapplication of a  principle

The whole series of books is predicated upon the idea that "love triumphs over evil" this can be seen in the explanation that Dumbledore gives to Harry as to how he defeated the evil wizard when he was a baby. Let us notice what we are told in the final chapter of the first book and consider it:

“Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign . . . to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin. Quirrell, full of hatred, greed, and ambition, sharing his soul with Voldemort, could not touch you for this reason. It was agony to touch a person marked by something so good.” (Book 1: pg. 266)

 And so, we see this fabricated notion that his survival was down to His mother love for him; now do not get me wrong-- I do believe a mother love can drive a mother to the extreme; but how many other cases has there been where it has caused the evil man to disintegrate because his work went wrong. None. But we are not talking about this incident totally since it is left as a mystery. No. How was it that by his own touch? Well, this goes beyond merely an act of love. it is possible that we are dealing with a soul container (horcrux). And that is why  the professor could not stop being burnt alive at Harry's touch. 

Why is this all wrong? The bible teaches us that it is the triune God who takes on a role each in the matter of man's redemption (Ephesians 1:1-14). It is not a mother giving herself in order to save her son without any real purpose.  But the big thing here is that the father never gave his life in order to save his son; but he gave his son up in order to save an undeserving people (John 3 16-20). I know that what she is trying to do here but by reversing the biblical truth she has led into a pagan witchcraft and pagan philosophies. 

                                            An ethic that denies absolute truth

Now for pretty much the first  8 chapters it is pretty uneventful; it is simply the background material that J.K Rowling is fond of repeating in nearly every book. But in chapter 9 and 10 we get the first evidence that Harry is not a good role modal to follow. In a lesson where they would be taught how to fly the instructor clearly and carefully tells no one to fly while she is dealing with an injured kid (Neville); he is goaded by the class and school bully to get an item from him; and therefore he breaks the first rule. (Book 1:pg. 137) Now what is his reward for this deliberate act of defiance? he is given a place on the quidditch team  (book 1: pg. 139-140) . So there is only one who is concerned with this action; and it is not the teacher but a fellow student. More on this in a moment. This trajectory to break the rules become even more prevalent in each book. but it starts here. 

This one student who took it upon herself to reprimand him, when no-one else would, is one Hermione granger. In both of these chapters she does this. And this is something to be admired as it shows something of a strong minded individual. But even this does not last. For example, when Malfoy challenges Harry to a duel, she tries to reprimand him about it being a serious error on his part but she is rewards with both harry and Ron belittling her. And they do the same in chapter 10 as well when she warns them (book 1: pg. 142; 154, 166).  There is a lot to admire about such an ethic but unfortunately it is not one that is consistent with the rest of the story about this wizarding world. it is a foreign ideal. And we see that it does not take much for it be replace with another ethic that is in keeping with this new world. And it all start with one little lie to a teacher on Halloween night. 

Take notice of what she says to endear herself to these two boys: 

 I went looking for the troll because I — I thought I could deal with it on my own — you know, because I’ve read all about them.” (Book 1: pg. 162)

If this is suppose to a Christian influenced story as Rowling has constantly stated. What is her justification for these kinds of things?  I find none to be had. Hermione the one decent student has gone from being a model of integrity to something that she would have been more than horrified at in less than 30 pages. And it continues in a downward spiral: (1) setting the robes of a professor alight (book 1: pg. 173) (2) makes a forbidden potion (book 2: pg. 161). (3) punches a fellow student (book 3:pg. 237). So there is this clear theme of abandonment of core values and principles in favour of a non-existent and often self contradictory idealism. And if this is what this apparent Christian influenced series is telling the kids to do then it is nothing more than abysmal.  There is nothing about this series which even suggests a Christian themed or influenced underpinning. 

Let us notice one biblical passage which is very helpful in this regard: 

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,  a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.  (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Now think for a moment on those words. We do not even need to leave the first book to see all of these things taking place; and that is in just 262 pages. To make a point here each of these attitudes are clearly seen as virtues in the wizarding world; or at least, they can be seen in all three of the protagonists.  I don't particularly feel the need to catalogue them for each of these three people.  But know this: since each of these seven things are detestable to God; and should never find their way into something that a Christian is doing to promote their faith. We can be sure that it is not in reality promoting Christianity but against it in principle. How, then, should the Christian be prepared when reading any of these works? Exercise much discernment and be very cautious. There is nothing more dangerous than an undisciplined mind when it comes to these vital matters.

     Christian themes devoid of a Christian context. 

 One of the common claims from the Christians who believe that Harry Potter is a Christian Allegory is that "it has a lot of Christian motives running through its pages." Now after reading the seven books to see how true that statement is-- it is my conclusion that it is not anything of the kind. It should be considered as work which is synchronistic in nature; it blend a lot of different ideas together with no primary focus. Let me make this all the more clearer to you, so that we can come to an understanding. Think for a moment: the fantasy "lion, witch and the wardrobe" and "Harry Potter" are both claimed to be Christian inspired; and yet, both of these works goes from the real world to a place in which does not exist. But I can tell you that they both are a mixed bag of ideas which hold many of the same themes. They both have Greek mythology as a theme. But one has pure good and pure evil in battle that being Narnia; and harry Potter does not. 

There seems to be four predominant themes running through the seven books; at least this is the what we are told, but they do not have a Christian context as it is claimed. Let us take note of them one at a time. 

Good vs evil: the scriptures are clear on the fact of good and evil being at odds with one another; they even tell us of their distinct origins: good being of God and evil being of the devil. However, is this the same thing we are being told in the Potter saga about the two opposing sides; or is there something distinctly different taken place. What if we are being told that instead of two powers being at war-- we are being told of one power being used in two distinct ways. In Matthew 12 we are told this about the great deceiver:

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.  If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand. (vs. 26-27)

Think about it for a moment. Both Harry and Voldemort, we are told, have two wands which are crafted out of the same materials which include the same Phoenix  tail. And in the two main battles as seen in the end of book 4 and the end of book 7; we see that they come to stale mate because one's wand cannot be used against the other because of the fact that they are made of the same material. And in this we see the prophecy was never fulfilled or it was invalidated because neither died at the hands of the other. Now we need to deal with the actual source being described in this series. let me be clear that the bible does not speak to the idea of there being dark or light magic; it only speaks of the origin being evil and of the devil. It speaks against those who teach it and those who practice as they are both tied in together. 

Death and resurrection: apart from the words being attributed to the 7 part work; neither are seen in light of a fully drawn out Christian context. And we must recognise this. Like in the pagan and occult, the Harry Potter saga, both have widely unbiblical underpinnings being drawn upon and expressed. for example, just as life can be prolonged through magical means as we are told in regard to the "philosopher's stone"  in book one; death can be prohibited by the same magical means as we see in the 7th film with a stone called the "resurrection stone."  what does this all mean? well, quite simply that man cannot die if they have this chunk of rock which has had magic infused to it. That is a far cry from what the bible teaches.  Man does not have the power to cheat death; and it is inevitable:

 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”  (Acts 17: 30-31)

And here is why this series is not based on a Christian world-view; because within its pages it presents a pagan world view as the backdrop to a synchronistic mish-mash.  And to say that Harry Potter went to his death willingly and was resurrected is a folly. for when we read the 7th book he clearly went to death but did not actually die but merely passed out to wake up later. In theological terms this is what is called the swoon theory. This much is answered by the fact that he was able to communicate with Narcissa Malfoy's question. So why would we see this as a resurrection when it was nothing but a lie? And is pretty much on the trajectory that he has been on for the last 6 years. A man that is will to use deceit to accomplish his own ends. A man who will not let a guilty conscience deter him from getting his own way. a truly despicable character he is.

Now we should be very clear the bible in no way endorses the occult and pagan philosophy such as wicca; it condemns it in such clarity. for example when King Saul beseeches a medium in 1 Samuel 28 he is judged for his breaching the faith; so to is King Manasseh was judged by God for his descent into witchcraft in 2 Kings 21. That is the Old Testament. The apostle peter rebukes and condemned a magician who tried to bribe him as we see in Acts 8; and then after many practitioners of witchcraft turn to the lord; they burn all the works they once held too in Acts 19. So there is a clear and united testimony which flows from the law's condemnation of the practice (Deut. 18:9-13).  

It is impossible for these two world-views to be aligned in the way J K Rowling has tried to do; because one while give way for the other to have the predominant place while the other is marginalised and narrowed down to the most basic concept. And this is what has taken place: the only biblical theme to be seen is a watered down misdirected attempt at a sacrifice which does not even get a clear depiction until the last book. if it were the most important element it should be seen right at the beginning to give us the correct flow of events..  It is wiccan in nature and wiccan in expressed form.