Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and last book in J. K. Rowling's best-selling series, will be released to crowded bookstore Potter parties on July 21. As with the last six volumes and five films, there will be hand wringing and discussion not just over the quality, but whether it encourages witchcraft or Christian values. Since 1999, Christianity Today and its sister publications have been discussing the content of the books, along with questions of whether—and more importantly how—the books should be read by children and parents."
For and Against Potter
(A Bit Less) Positive About Potter
How Focus on the Family, Prison Fellowship, and others have—and haven't—changed their views about the books over the years. by Ted Olsen | posted 07/26/2007
Speaking Out Harry Potter 7 Is Matthew 6
The young wizard may not have read the Bible, but someone else certainly did. By Dave Bruno | posted 8/2/2007 8:47:59 AM
Speaking Out Spoiler Alert
The Harry Potter craze suggests we're not telling the Christian story right. By Al Hsu | posted 8/2/2007 8:49:25 AM
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.' By Bob Smietana | posted 07/23/2007
Somewhat Wild About Harry
It's well nigh impossible to hate the warm-hearted Harry Potter. A review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. By Douglas LeBlanc | posted 12/28/2001
Virtue on a Broomstick
The Harry Potter books, and the controversy surrounding them, bode well for the culture. A review of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. By Michael G. Maudlin | posted 9/7/2000
Weblog: Frodo Good, Harry Bad
Harry Potter has magic. Lord of the Rings has magic. Harry Potter has wizards, dark evil, and an unlikely hero who overcomes obstacles with friendship and courage. So does Lord of the Rings. Yet reactions from conservative Christian critics have not been so similar. By Todd Hertz | posted 12/28/2001
Potter's Field
Harry doesn't always make money magically appear. By Ted Olsen | posted 11/15/2001
Books about the Books
Harry Beasts
The animal symbols in Potterdom are powerful pointers to Christian reality. An excerpt from John Granger's Looking for God in Harry Potter | posted 07/15/2005
The Dick Staub Interview: Connie Neal
The author of The Gospel According to Harry Potter talks about leading a friend to Christ through the wizard hero. posted 11/18/2002
Movies
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a dark, grim, serious film, with little of the joy or whimsy that animated the first four movies. Review by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 07/10/2007
The Sacrificial Boy Wizard
Harry Potter, reviled by many Christians, might actually be something of a Christ figure, as each of his adventures takes him through a life, death and resurrection. by John Granger | posted 07/10/2007
Mad About Harry
Our readers seem to be absolutely mad about Harry Potter—both ways. They love him, or they hate him. by Mark Moring | posted 11/22/2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Things get more emotional, and more intense, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Review by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 11/17/2005
Redeeming Harry Potter
The initial Christian outcry against the boy wizard seems to be dying down. Maybe that's because more and more of us are discovering multiple redemptive themes in the series. by Russ Breimeier | posted 11/15/2005
Has the Pope Condemned Harry Potter?
Cardinal Ratzinger's letters raise questions about whether the Vatican has a "position" on Potter. by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 07/18/2005
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban The Prisoner of Azkaban is perhaps the most emotionally complex of the Harry Potter stories to date Review by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 04/23/2004
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Christianity Today Movies did not review this film, but here's what other critics are saying … compiled by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 10/31/2002
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Is the big-screen Harry Potter as delightful as the one in the book? And should you be worried about his witchcraft? Critics and viewers respond. Review by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 11/21/2001
Film Forum: Wary About Harry
Is the big-screen Harry Potter as delightful as the one in the book? And should you be worried about his witchcraft? Critics and viewers respond to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. By Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 11/21/2001
From Our Sister Publications
I Like Harry Potter
I was wondering about the Harry Potter movies. If I don't practice what is in the movies, is it OK to watch them just as entertainment? by Mark Matlock | Campus Life, June/July 2003
Surrounded by Sorcery
10 ways to protect kids in an occult-filled popular culture by Connie Neal | Today's Christian, September/October 2001
How to Handle Harry
Millions of Harry Potter books are dog-eared. Video games and fan Web sites abound. Kids are wearing the clothing and carrying around the merchandise. So how do we handle Harry Potter with our kids and their friends? by Connie Neal | Today's Christian Woman, Nov/Dec 2001
Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only.
If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless.
Subscribe to Christianity Today magazine today!
