Topic
Harry Potter
Since the 1997 release of its first book, the Harry Potter series (along with the film adaptations) has gained immense popularity worldwide. Many Christian leaders initially embraced the book as “wholesome, good-versus-evil fantasy in the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien or C.S. Lewis.” But a populist Christian backlash emerged to the books’ witchcraft elements and their increasingly dark tone. As audiences flocked to the final installment, Christian commenters seemed split on whether the series was a Christian allegories or a dangerous gateway.
Harry Potter Is Here to Stay
Why the final movie is only the beginning of the Harry Potter phenomenon.
July 13, 2011
Positive About Potter
Despite what you've heard, Christian leaders like the children's books.
December 6, 1999
Still 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.
July 26, 2007
More on Harry Potter
Harry Potter, Jesus, and Me
Wherever we see beauty, light, truth, goodness, we see Christ—even in a story about a boy wizard.
July 15, 2011
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows: Part II
The franchise comes to a satisfying close with an emotional and action-packed finale.
July 14, 2011
Harry Potter Is Here to Stay
Why the final movie is only the beginning of the Harry Potter phenomenon.
July 13, 2011
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Darker and slower paced than the other films, but an intriguing character study. Also: HP on Mars Hill.
November 18, 2010
Harry Potter on Mars Hill
How the popular series—the books and the movies—bridge the secular-sacred divide ... not to mention the conversational gap between parents and kids.
November 17, 2010
Harry Does His Magic. Is That Good or Bad?
Christian film critics have mixed views on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Walk the Line, Paradise Now, and Christmas in the Clouds. Plus, more on Pride & Prejudice.
October 29, 2009
Harry Potter's Best Yet? Or His Worst?
Christian film critics debate the pros and cons of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Plus, more reviews of Saved! and Super Size Me.
October 29, 2009
Harry Potter and the Vampire Battle
Yet another reason for evangelicals to embrace the boy wizard.
July 15, 2009
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The boy wizard and his friends grow up, experience romance, learn about Voldemort's beginnings, and more. PLUS: Is Harry the Chosen One?
July 14, 2009
Is Harry the Chosen One?
As Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince opens, we are once again reminded of the characteristics that make him something of a Christ figure.
July 14, 2009
Spoiler Alert
The Harry Potter craze suggests we're not telling the Christian story right.
August 2, 2007
Harry Potter 7 Is Matthew 6
The young wizard may not have read the Bible, but someone else certainly did.
August 2, 2007
(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.
July 26, 2007
What Would Jonathan Edwards Say About Harry Potter?
How the preacher responded to pop culture's version of transcendence.
July 24, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The magic world of Harry Potter begins yielding to a 'deeper magic.' A review of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'
July 23, 2007
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.
July 11, 2007
Mad About Harry
Our readers seem to be absolutely mad about Harry Potter—both ways. They love him, or they hate him.
November 22, 2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Things get more emotional, and more intense, in 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.'
November 18, 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.
November 15, 2005
Second-Best Kid Lit Ever 
John Granger considers the Potter series the best thing since The Chronicles of Narnia.
October 1, 2004
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
'The Prisoner of Azkaban' is perhaps the most emotionally complex of the Harry Potter stories to date
June 4, 2004
A Christian Harry Potter?
Shadowmancer, Britain's hit fantasy novel, conjures darkness so the light will shine brighter.
June 1, 2004
Connie Neal
The author of The Gospel According to Harry Potter talks about leading a friend to Christ through the wizard hero.
November 1, 2002
Christian Critics Split on Second Harry Potter
Harry Potter's return reignites debate among religious press reviewers. Plus: Half Past Dead, The Emperor's Club, Far from Heaven, 8 Mile, and Tuck Everlasting
November 1, 2002
Saint Frodo and the Potter Demon
The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series spring from the same source.
February 1, 2002
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
It's well nigh impossible to hate the warm-hearted Harry Potter. A review of 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.'
January 7, 2002
Let Harry Potter Conjure Up 'Gospel Magic', Says Christian Magician
Andrew Thompson and others agree that some Christians have a false understanding of what Harry Potter is about.
December 1, 2001
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.
December 1, 2001
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.
November 1, 2001
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.
January 1, 2001
Matters of Opinion: The Perils of Harry Potter
Literary device or not, witchcraft is real—and dangerous.
October 23, 2000
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.'
September 4, 2000
Children's Literature: Parents Push for Wizard-free Reading
Bestsellers now under fire in some classroom
January 10, 2000
Editorial: Why We Like Harry Potter
The series is a 'Book of Virtues' with a preadolescent funny bone.
January 10, 2000
Positive About Potter
Despite what you've heard, Christian leaders like the children's books.
December 6, 1999
Jesus Daily Beats ‘Harry Potter’ For Most Engaging Page
Harry Potter and Justin Bieber rank 2nd and 3rd in Facebook interactions. (All Facebook)
Opinion: Harry Potter and the power of myth
Harry’s walk toward the Forbidden Forest gains the reflected emotional power of the walk from Gethsemane to Golgotha. It is the recycling of the greatest myth — a myth that some also regard as true. (Michael Gerson, The Washington Post)
Opinion: How Christians Warmed to Harry Potter
As the final movie opens, many ex-doubters now see the boy wizard as a good egg. (Sarah Pulliam Bailey, The Wall Street Journal)
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