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Christianity Today, July (Web-only), 2007 |

Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The Gospel According to J.K. Rowling

The magic world of Harry Potter begins yielding to a 'deeper magic.'

Bob Smietana | posted 7/23/2007 09:50AM

[WARNING: PLOT SPOILERS THROUGHOUT THIS REVIEW.]

I first met Harry Potter when my grandmother was dying.

On New Years Day 1999, she had a massive stroke from which she would never recover. Not wanting her ...

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BobVoice

Posted: August 03, 2007 6:36 PM

the satan does promote "love", especially when it is "free love" with no consideration for its source and recipient. -"This book teaches to love no matter what, to be loyal no matter what situation you may be in, to fight for what you believe in and that's what this book teaches, not witch craft." They may all seem like noble and even Christian traits, but are actually more insync with occultist ideology. I have no doubt Harry Potter is a vehicle for occultism. Does this mean I shield my children from all media and commercial interaction? Do I turn my kids into social outcast's and prepare myself for the inevitable backlash of pierced body parts and black face painting? No thankyou. If you really are a Christian you will not fear the enemy, nor will your children. My kids read harry potter, but are educated enough to read it from a objective point of view. They know it is a tool of the enemy, and with this knowledge comes the impowerment to use it to reaffirm their own faith.

T.J.	Posted: August 03, 2007 1:55 PM


The theme park is coming in 2009 in Orlando....book your flights....buy your tix and bring your wand and harry glasses....stir the cauldren of destruction. Even Frank Perretti knows a whole host of demonic spirits reside over the Orlando area so the Hogwarts theme park will fit right in.

P.Williamson

Posted: August 02, 2007 3:50 PM


I heard Christ whispering in the first book and my anticipation built with each successive book and I was not disappointed with the last book with all the secrets revealed. It was a very satisfying ending to a great series. My thanks to J.K. Rowling for her collaboration with the "higher power."

Dan	Posted: August 01, 2007 10:39 PM

Nice review. I know some cannot see past the magical literary devices of HP books to the redemptive elements in the stories but they should try. These stories have a strong Christian worldview. Good is pretty much how God shows it to be and so is evil. Particularly telling was the horrible picture near the story's conclusion of Voldemort's ruined soul. It reminded me of Lewis' villian, Prof. Weston, in his book, Perelandra. It was this awful fate that caused Harry (rather graciously) to enjoin Voldemort to show remorse for the evil he had done so he could avoid this horrific destiny. The idea was clearly portrayed that evil has terrible consequences but that there is room for even an 11th hour repentance. Sounds an awful lot like grace to me. The stories are not overtly Christian but they definitely contain people who act honorably, mercifully, graciously, and altruistically. I only wish we Christians conducted ourselves as well.

Jeremy Pierce

Posted: August 01, 2007 3:58 PM

Harry's story drove the whole thing for her. That was what she first conceived, and she conceived it long before exploring the details like Every Flavor Beans and Chocolate Frogs. She had the overall plot taken care of before she wrote chapters. So I don't think the ending can fairly be treated as accidental or arrived at as she went. It's the little things that you can say that about, not the big things. I think she's made that clear in interviews several times.

CMC	Posted: August 01, 2007 3:58 AM


I totally agree with EEL - it is time Christians wake up and see the works of evil. Not only for filling your mind with rubbish, but especially the influence on the children, some of whom believe that it's o.k. to be like Harry Potter and even try the magic for themselves ... not knowing they are playing into the hands of the demonic, giving them rights to their lives.

Rachel McKinney

Posted: July 31, 2007 10:46 PM

Thank you for saying very well what I thought as I read the last book. It reminded me so much of C.S.Lewis "The Last Battle" and when I realized that Harry sacrificially gave himself up to die but then did not die . . . what a novel plot idea. I have read all of the books, too, and while they all clearly showed good against evil, this one really does "whisper of Christ" (I love that phrase). Thanks for having an open mind and for looking beyond the seeming occult references.

EEL	Posted: July 31, 2007 10:42 PM

It may be good that Rowling added some scripture and Christian symbolism for whatever reason, but you cannot and should not overlook the persistent evil in this series. It is overwhelmingly secular and non-Christian. There are spells being cast and all kinds of demonic situations. This is how the Devil works... he tries to hide evil by making it "look" like it is good. Please stop being naive and see through his lies. There is nothing that glorifies God in these books. Yes, there are good people and good acts, but they are meaningless if not done for God's glory. Don't be fooled by Satan's attempt to make evil appear good.

Charles

Posted: July 31, 2007 12:17 PM

I think some of the above comments miss the point of the article. The Harry Potter books are by no means Christian - however, the sacrifical love of Christ is demonstrated by characters in the book. Whether she means it or not, Rowling's emphasis on the highest value of love is nothing new - it is the definition of love given and shown by Jesus. Because of that, there are very important values that can be taken from this series.

Brenda C.

Posted: July 30, 2007 4:09 PM

Very interesting! Just last week we spoke about the Harry Potter books and quite frankly I have never read any of them. I always saw them as dark and satanic. In reading the article, I was pleasantly surprised and callenged to rethink my objections about the books. I may even read one some time. One gal in our Bible study asked the question what made them different from the Wizard of Oz. I really could not answer in an intelligent manner. Thank you for enlightening me on this subject.

CordascoOwl

Posted: July 30, 2007 12:08 PM

Thanks for the article. I am planning to subscribe to CT, and your article helped. Why? Because I believe in what others have called the "Moral Imagination", that the ultimate Scriptural truths can often be honored by art and literature(often far more than some sermons), and that we Christians do ourselves a very big disservice by claiming that fantasy, especially of the Tolkien and Lewis variety, is at best worthless and at worst pagan/evil non-Christian. I look forward to discussing all of this in heaven, with Tolkien, with Lewis, and with all beloved, believing artists from time immemorial who have, to paraphrase Bruner & Ware, 'have led others to Christ and the Scriptures when the front door seemed closed', and in the embrace of Christ, the King.

Darryl

Posted: July 29, 2007 4:42 PM

Both of my daughters have read all the HP books (as have I). I have been in ministry for 25 years. My oldest daughter is a sophomore in a Christian University. I just had the honor of baptizing my youngest daughter. Both are committed Christians. We love HP! The nuances and metaphors are rich--and there is no mistake Rowling is influenced by the themes of Christianity. Many of the posts I've read demonstrate a lack of honest evaluation (i.e., the claim witches think Rowling is an insider! Bald face inaccuracy!). I cannot understand the inconsistencies: HP=evil but Disney's Sleeping Beauty=Good (good witches are there!). HP=evil; Tolkien=good (Gandalf the WIZARD--with no references to Jesus). And what about the Christian, yes Christian fiction by George MacDonald? His writings inspired CS Lewis--yet he wrote of good witches. Even Lewis' last novel (his favorite) was a reworking of the Psyche-Eros myth: a PAGAN myth! Ah consistency: you are a jewel!

J.D. Dorman

Posted: July 29, 2007 1:41 PM


I couldn't agee with you more that we are called out body of believers, a peculiar people and a holy nation. The Lord cannot possibly be pleased with our agreement with the world. Two cannot walk together except they agree. We are the light of the world, and we are called to expose darkness! Lord, have mercy on the church!

Kathie Morgan

Posted: July 28, 2007 10:22 PM


Like C.S. Lewis the book uses magic.........deep magic to tell the tale. It is good to know that there are others that can see and appreciate both the great story and the battle between good and evil that it portrays.

enlighten

Posted: July 27, 2007 5:18 PM

We can't mix Jesus with other ideals, with excuses that the beauty of idols lies in "common grace". The beauty of Christ lies in his own Person and his individual counsel. His own grace comes through the special grace of the Holy Spirit, setting Jesus apart for the salvation of all. By including Jesus amongst magic ideals we dilute the special covenant that came specially through Jesus. We have to ask whether we treasure Jesus and his relationship enough to let go of the enchantments and aphrodisiac of esoteric literary ideas. 1Tim3 warns us that we can ever be seeking more and more knowledge and yet be far from the truth. That is the danger of expressly encouraging reading literature for the sake of broadening the mind. We can be ever hungry for knowledge and yet far from the truth and ever chasing after the stimulation of knowldedge but ignorant of the personal salvation of Jesus. Pagan society allowed nude figures of god/esses: should we view them, because we are still just flesh?

Aaron

Posted: July 27, 2007 2:02 PM


Please do yourselves a favor and read the books before criticising them and deeming them anti-Christian. Otherwise you look pompous and ignorant.

CQ	Posted: July 27, 2007 1:42 PM


Its called common grace people. and its in a lot of places if we chose to see it.

Steve Schaper

Posted: July 27, 2007 12:16 PM

Those hints were present in the books from the beginning. From Lily's sacrifice to Dumbledore telling Harry "as long as you can go to the place where the blood that was shed to save you, yet lives, so often as you can call it home, you will be kept safe from the dark lord" to numerous discussions of Tom Riddle being unable to understand love, to the discussion of the moral failure of wizards who created "ghosts" of themselves, becasue they were afraid of death, to Harry hearing Sirius and others from the other side of the "veil" in Order of the Phoenix (gelded in the movie, alas), to the early mirror of desire (erised), and the discussion regarding that. Oh, the Christianity has been there all along, for those who had eyes to see. She, a fan of C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton, wrote seven books in honor of Narnia, who was worried that people would figure out the ending of the s Rowling was deeply hurt by those who had zeal but no wisdom who have been attacking her this past decad

Carlos Rojas H.

Posted: July 27, 2007 9:52 AM


Excellent review! The story wasn't spoiled at all and I find myself more excited than ever about reading the book. The light of our Lord shines upon even the darkest places for those who are, like Rowling, willing to seek the truth.

Aaron

Posted: July 27, 2007 8:40 AM


Mr Smietana, thank you for opening the Christian messages in Harry Potter to both secular and Christian critics of Harry Potter.

Paul	Posted: July 27, 2007 6:26 AM

I don't know if Rowling is a Christian, but I do agree that the values and morals portrayed in the series do carry and impart a sense of morality. There is, I agree a lot of secular stuff as in any other book, but I can't find any reason to overly criticise HP and label it as demonic, and I would also be a bit careful before labeling it as Bible based, but as I said , the series is good and portrays characters who are selfless and who are really very noble characters, the wise sayings of Dumbledore are so true even when looked from a Biblical perspective, and though Harry is a rebel at heart, he is of noble blood and stands up to the test and wins! Great stuff!

Nikki

Posted: July 27, 2007 4:23 AM

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 surely warns Christians against mixing with the darkness of the world . I have read comments by Rawlings where she is disparaging about our Lord and Saviour. Our home has lways been "Harry Potter free " but when sections have been quoted in press etc it confirms to me that J.K.Rawlings has no knowledge of the true Light . In fact witches who have read the books say she has such a deep knowledge of witchcraft and question whether she is in fact a witch !! The success of the books is so phenominal an the grip on fans so strong - I question the power behind it . Let us obey Philippians 4:8 . from bits have seen quoted from the books they do not fit this criteria.

kenimo3

Posted: July 27, 2007 12:39 AM

My ten yr old received her first invitation to a HP movie this month and SHE decided she just wasn't interested (she says it's too scary - she saw the previews - she hasn't read the books, either- her choice - she has the freedom to check them out at school) and asked to see a different movie. We are raising our kids in church and they know God is Real. They know the Bible is God's Word and completely relative to their lives and that Jesus is their Lord. Someday she may decide to read the books, someday she might see the movies. I won't stop her, or her siblings. They know that Harry Potter is a fictional character, not a role model. It's just a book! I have read the first three books, I am amused at how many of you haven't taken the time to read the books before watching the movies. I think JKR's writing is extremely creative, but my children are too young for such a dark story. I think she just wanted to write a good story. Well done, JKR. P.S. I've also read "Wicked"

Christina Rothman

Posted: July 27, 2007 12:09 AM

To Bob Smietana and the Editorial Staff. "Gospel" means "Good News". How sad that you would use that word in your byline to "Grab Attention" and show such disrespect towards Jesus Christ. Can you really compare this author to C.S. Lewis? Be honest, you justify your "desire" and the joy you get from reading these books by trying to equate them to Scripture (Good vs Evil) or a "Bible Lesson". I am a fiction writer, stories can be a tool to teach children and adults many things about life, but the HP series is NOT God's Truth. It is NOT the gospel. It distorts truth for fantasy sake. Adventure and Fantasy Stories can be good, but To think HP does not promote magic, witchcraft and other books of darkenss or to say it is harmless. is being more than just "naive" it's irresponsible journalism. Perhaps you should consider promoting a follow up book to Harry Potter, "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti, now thats an adventure !

Steve

Posted: July 26, 2007 9:19 PM

Having read the first three books and seen several of the movies - I now yawn at comments such as "Christ whispering in the books". Garbage! I guess you could say Christ whispers in wicca or any other world religion. But that is a load of Boggart Bog as well. I was amused for a little while at the books but they then became tedious and irrelevant to real life and death issues. Teenagers continue to enter hell without Christ despite such garbage 'whispers' from the books. We Christians so earnestly covet acceptance from the creeds of the world it is pathetic. Stand up and be someone different...ouch, that hurts. Can't be seen as queer or flowing againt the tide of current opinion. I am tired of the whole thing really...

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