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

SPEAKING OUT

Harry Potter 7 Is Matthew 6

The young wizard may not have read the Bible, but someone else certainly did.

Dave Bruno | posted 8/02/2007 08:47AM

Yes, this article talks about all of the important final moments of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, so those not wanting to know what happens should disapparate now.

In fact, you might want to go ...

[Reader Reviews]

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Robert

Posted: August 15, 2007 10:28 AM


The fact that you are trying to justify "reading" the Potter series is a sad tale of the state of the church in the world today.

Osahon A.I. Benin, Nigeria.

Posted: August 14, 2007 7:06 AM

The story remains the same, Deception. Jesus Christ stripe the devil of his powers and left him with deception (for a reason). We can't paint a false story true.Thedevil is real andwill doNYTHING to draw people away. Enough of this stuff. Harry Potter movies and books PROMOTES WITCHCRAFT AND THE DEVIL's KINGDOM. Anybody can read the Bible. Why?. Because the Written WORDS are Just LOGOS. Let them try the RHEMA and see the POWER OF GOD IN THE WORD. People smoke with the Bible, and go to toilet with pieces from the Bible. I just hope the Boy Harry and other kids in those movies and books won't end up in destruction. The devil knows what the Natural man likes!!!!!!!!!. What will give them satisfaction and that which dosen't seems hurtful, but within lies the destruction, for there is a way that seems right to a man but the end thereof are the ways of death says the Bible. People will enjoy the words and every bit of actions from HP, but we all need to be VERY CAREFUL!!!!! Thanks.........

James

Posted: August 12, 2007 9:53 PM


I really like your article, but am i the only one that noticed that nearly every character in the book resembled as a role in the Bible? For instance Harry being Jesus, the D.A. and the Order being his deciples, Voldemort being the devil, etc. Please respond if you feel the same way, for i would like to know your opinion as well. My e-mail is Movies3mp@aol.com.

T	Posted: August 11, 2007 9:50 AM

It does *not* maatter what kind of fairy-tale magic Potter practices or how kind or "charming!" he might appear: In truth he would *never* be part of God's community, nor would he *ever* go to heaven: Deuteronomy Ch18 (King James Version) "9When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10There shall not be found among you any one that ... or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. 14For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do..."

Daniel

Posted: August 10, 2007 10:11 PM

Please, someoone, argue with me, try to persuade me on the pro's of religion. You can't because there aren't any. I live on a belief in love. I love life, there's no void in me and i am a moral man. No religion has made me this way. Yet, I see christians forcing their views on EVERYONE, forcing schools to teach intelligent design. Why not then, teach the beliefs of beginning of the greeks, moslems and hindus?i know of the conquerors, most of which conquered in the name of god, who killed millions of Aztecs, Indians, Africans and forced their ways on them. They raped and killed childred. I see moslems everywhere, blowing themselves up for a belief that god will love them. You are all crazy. Someone tell me different. Show me the "light"

Harmony

Posted: August 08, 2007 8:39 PM

This article talks about the similarities between Harry Potter and Matthew 6. The author points to various characters in the books who try to serve two masters or try to use earthly means for good. These characteristics line up with the Sermon on the Mount. The author bases his thesis on the fact that Dumbledore quotes the Bible twice. I never thought about the parallels this article brings up, so it was a refreshing and thought-provoking read. The author also ends the article with a short bit on Rowling's faith and what Christian critics say about it. To read what I've written about Christian themes in Harry Potter, go to: http://atthestudy.blogspot.com/search/label/Harry%20Potter

steve

Posted: August 08, 2007 9:20 AM


Christianity can be found in many other novels that are not considered "Christian." But you have to get beneath a literal reading first. Those who pan potter never do. Most likely most of them never get beneath a literal reading of the Bible either.

Bud	Posted: August 07, 2007 10:31 AM

When the series first came out, there were claims that interest in Wicca began to increase, etc. Ultimately, a spokesperson for Wicca publicly stated, "Harry Potter is to Wicca what Luke Skywalker is to Christianity." These not-well-thought-out comments about witchcraft get on my nerves. This is FANTASY witchcraft, people! The same kind as utilized in your beloved NARNIA stories, LORD OF THE RINGS novels, and Disney movies. Stop being hypocrites and wake up and smell the allegory and stop being so paranoid!

trevor

Posted: August 06, 2007 4:17 PM

Dear Dana. You say Potter is about Christian idealogy and ideals. But Christianity has no ideals; but it has Jesus personally and his own companionship. If we have any "ideals" then it is that we should not be living in a fairy tale but in the light of Christ. Fairytales take the flavour out of the salt of Christ. That is what truth is about. You say also Potter's "inner light" saved him. Well we have no inner light except that which we reflect of Christ as the true light. All these things mean we work hard on becoming holy and set apart purely for Jesus. Just like the magic people of Potter's world have set themselves apart from muggles, so similarly true christians set themselves apart from those who work magic and contact the dead or even try and raise the dead. Dealing with the dead and the undead are all signs of an unhealthy religion and regardless of how cute Potter "appears" he is just a crooked fairytale, while Jesus and his pure and wholesome truth is a light to life. Amen.

Daniel

Posted: August 06, 2007 4:13 PM

ummm, Is everyone here completely stupid? I love the way you all base your lives on a book which some people have written hundreds of years ago. It is like people believing in Harry Potter in 2000 years from now. You people are exactly the same as the moslems and Jews. Look at this world and all the Destruction that you have caused. Pushing your faith on people who don't want it, telling them that it is the only way and that they will go to hell if they don't believe in this story. You have done this for far too long. I hate the way you cause riots and uproars just because people state how terrible your religion is, when you are always saying how the rest of us are evil. If we don't worship jesus we worship satan.

Carlos Rojas H.

Posted: August 06, 2007 2:33 PM

Excellent article! It has enhanced my enjoyment of the book which is by far the best of the series. Through the books Harry is trained, not to fight death, but to love enough so as to be able to lay down his life for others. If one disposes of what is wrong in the books (and as no person is perfect but Jesus, no book is perfect but the Bible), that fine solid and very Christian theme shines clearly.

No writer should sell Jesus just for money

Posted: August 06, 2007 1:34 PM


In Jesus' day there were those on the outskirts of the temple selling religious goods for money. Holy Bible Book of Mark Ch.11:15 "On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves..."

Gabriel

Posted: August 06, 2007 12:48 PM

To Billy; Here I quote one of my favorite quotes from the Harry Potter series, "It is our choices, not our abilities, that make us who we are". The witches and wizards in the harry potter series did not CHOOSE to acquire magic, nor did they practice their art in the name of Satan. They were merely born with that ability. You speak the truth when you say that Witchcraft and wizardry are works of the Flesh, of the body, because magic was an inborn trait they all had since birth. It is how they CHOOSE to use that ability that truly reflects the nature of their souls, and that particular motif is something that comes up alot in the books. When you were born you had the gift of your hands to do the work of god, and the gift of speech to praise his gospel, but can you not also use your hands to throttle and your speech to deal out falsehoods with the intention of harm?, Can you not use a knife to perform surgery and save a life, but can you not also use a knife to kill?

Dana	Posted: August 06, 2007 10:09 AM

Wow, you are really clueless. The whole point of Harry Potter, TJ, seems to be showing that good prevails. What is so wrong about that? Witchcraft is not a religion i these books. Magic is a natural ability, a talent that the characters are born with. It has nothing to do with any sort of theology. Harry Potter says more about Christian ideals and idealogy than it does about Satanism or any other evil that detractors would like to compare it to. Magic is incidental, and not crucial to the story. Actually Harry doesn't use any particularly complex magic to get him out of tough spots, usually what saves him is his love, and his internal light.

Chris

Posted: August 05, 2007 9:50 PM

I have to say, that a lot, not all, but quite a few christians are just completely ignorant. This book isn't teaching people witchcraft. The people out there that practice witchcraft most likely were doing it before they read these books, and if they started after, it doesn't necessarily mean these books influenced them to do it. I'm not a christian, and I love the Harry Potter series, have read it multiple times, and never have I got the urge to grab a piece of wood and start shouting incantations or grab a broom and try to fly. If J.K. Rowling thought practicing witchcraft was such a great thing, I think she would be out there doing it, yet she isn't. I don't see why all these christians have such a problem with Harry Potter, yet love things like "Lord of the Rings" or "The Chronicles of Narnia". They all have magic, and there was actually a book out there written by a christian man who compared Jesus to Gandalf, who happens to be a wizard. Stop freaking out.

T.J.	Posted: August 05, 2007 4:03 PM

uh...even satan can quote scripture.....what's the point of the verse on the tombstone? The whole story revolves around HOWART'S SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT...there are now even schools (one here in my state of Illinois) that have sprung up to teach people witchcraft. This has only happend since HARRY POTTER has made witchcraft MAINSTREAM.....now wiccans are suing to get pentegrams on their deceased one's tombstones (happened in the military of a dead soldier) ...so it's maintream baby. Witchcraft is hot, cool and in vogue. harry Potter has done it's part in the conditioning process. Jesus did not use THE DARKNESS to bring people to the LIGHT of HIS KINGDOM.

Marie

Posted: August 04, 2007 6:39 PM

I'm surprised that people are falling for this! We were warned (through Scripture!) that we are to stay away from sorcery and divination! As a former Pagan who, by God's grace and His changing of my heart, became a Christian, I know the trappings of witchcraft; it's not to be messed with. While it's nice that Ms. Rowling used Scripture verses and whatnot, Satan did the exact same thing when tempting Christ in the desert (Luke 4:1-13). The demons know Scripture even better than most of humanity!

Ruth	Posted: August 04, 2007 12:26 AM

Although I have a storied Biblical name, I am not a practicing Christian. However, I want to thank Dave Bruno for this insightful, positive article - and all the Christian people who have looked past the antiquated and patently false connection between "witchcraft" and Satan to see the clear themes in Rowling's books (no, I am not a Pagan either, just a spiritual nondenominational person, in case you were wondering). If God is love, and indeed goodness is love, what can be a more traditional Christian message? Congratulations on your openness, and what a great job researching the Biblical passages and their meaning in terms of the series!

Barbara

Posted: August 03, 2007 10:19 PM

I am so glad that I was not the only one who felt that J.K. Rowling's writing is much deeper than people give her credit for. I loved these last chapters of the book. And I actually saw redemption for Snape, who told Dumbledore that it was his love for Lily (obviously not verbatim) that encouraged him to keep after Harry ("Always."). It's my goal now, in hindsight, to go back and reread the entire series to enjoy it knowing what I now know. It's going to be a pleasure introducing new readers to the Harry Potter series, especially knowing now the depth of the message of sacrificial love entailed within it. Thanks for sharing your review.

Debbie

Posted: August 03, 2007 10:33 AM


That was wonderful. I have long contended that Harry is a wonderful story full of Christian themes and symbolism. It has blessed me and my family immensely. I was thrilled with Hallows. Your article gave me even more to ponder. I particularly loved the connection between what Dumbledore experienced with his family and the inscription on the grave.

Cathy

Posted: August 03, 2007 4:35 AM

That was purely lovely. It's about time someone hasn't talked about Harry Potter leading everyone to the Devil. There are even more wonderful quotes from Dumbledore in previous books, that have given Harry wonderful advice. Like the following: "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that." "Call him Voldemort, Harry. Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself." "The truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." "Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. "It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." And Yes: There are TONS more wonderful advice in these books that any Kid or an Adult for that matter can learn from. I would post more but there is no room. Thank You for a wonderful article.

Tamara Johnson

Posted: August 02, 2007 8:37 PM

THANK YOU SO MUCH for such a splendid article. As a Believer AND a Harry Potter fan, it does my heart good to read something supporting Harry instead of trying to tie him, the books and JK Rowling to the occult or the right hand of Satan. I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Bruno's assesment of these passages and pray that people who pan Potter (and who have never read the books I might add) may take this opportunity to explore his fictional world and find even more Christianity lurking in the pages of these fine books. Kudos to Mr. Bruno and CT for publishing this article.

Sue	Posted: August 02, 2007 7:12 PM

Bravo to you, Dave Bruno. I am a Christian. I also love the Harry Potter books (as does my husband) and find them emotionally and spiritually uplifting. I have never found any book in a "Christian" book store (Bible excluded) that has touched my soul as much as Harry's journey has in the Potter books. I think it makes Jesus happy to see strangers of all ages and nationalities bonding together - and we don't condemn even those fans who want to be in Slytherin House. It's all about love in Harry's world - love for his family, friends, even enemies sometimes. If you think the Harry Potter books are satanic because of the "magic" then you better throw out all your Disney books, too and all those old Herbie movies because I'm sure that car was demonic.

Patrick

Posted: August 02, 2007 12:10 PM

Art, are you calling Dave Bruno Satan? How do you hold yourself as the judge of either Rowlings relationship with God or Dave Bruno's that you would deny the work of the Spirit in teaching and leading them? It is amazing to see the number of people who see evil where there isn't and ignore the evil where it really is. What does Satan really want? To distract people and get them focused on attacking other people of faith.

artm	Posted: August 02, 2007 11:22 AM


satan used Scripture in an atempt to deceive Jesus in the wilderness. I am amazed at the number of people who are determined to make excuse for reading this book. and to call it a revelation is really stretching things a bit, it certainly is not a revelation of the Holy Spirit. art.

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