The purpose of Vibes is to encourage dialogue about faith and popular culture. The opinions expressed on this page should not be interpreted as official statements by the Brethren in Christ Church. To join in the discussion, please use the comment box below.

In this issue’s Vibes section, we take a look at the Harry Potter series of books. Since the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, was released in 1997, these works of fiction have taken the publishing world and the reading public by storm. As the popularity of the Harry Potter books continues to grow—with 325 million copies of the books sold to date—the Christian community finds itself divided about the appropriateness of the books for the church’s children. Many people, including some BIC pastors and parents, firmly state that the books do not belong in Christian homes. Other sources, including Focus on the Family's Focus on your Child site and Christianity Today's Christian Parenting site, point to Christian values that can be found in the Harry Potter books.

We’ve already heard from a number of readers about the article titled “Wizardry and selfless love” (Seek, Summer 2007), and we welcome additional comments and perspectives. Take a look at the resources listed below, and then join the conversation in our continuing exploration of popular culture and faith.

Let us know what you think by joining in on our discussion board!

Books of Interest

Looking for God in Harry Potter by John Granger

A Christian, an educator, and a father of seven, John Granger offers a unique and thorough investigation of the Harry Potter books. Publisher’s Weekly referred to it as “a painstakingly well-researched book” and suggests that it offers “a serious literary and Christian appraisal of the first five books” in J.K. Rowling’s series.

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What’s a Christian to Do with Harry Potter? By Connie Neal

In her self-penned description of this book, author Connie Neal states that “If you are firmly set against Harry Potter, I won't try to dissuade you, as that is one biblically viable position. . . . If you are a Harry Potter fan, I will explain how this can be a biblically viable position and give you insight to ways you can profitably use these stories.” Neal’s thoughtful book observes that spiritual discernment is important for every Christian and key to a child’s development.

Harry Potter and the Bible: The Menace Behind the Magick by Richard Abanes

Helpfully differentiating between “magic” (the sleight-of-hand, rabbit-from-the-hat tricks employed by stage illusionists) and “magick” (a word used to describe occult practices), Abanes offers a book-by-book summary for parents and, additionally, explores the various types of occultism presented in the Harry Potter series of books. He also includes his own research into the growing world of the occult and its influence in the world today, as well as a Scripturally based condemnation of the Harry Potter books.

A Charmed Life: The Spirituality of Potterworld by Francis Bridger

A theologian and principal of Trinity College in Bristol, England, Bridger offers a discussion and investigation of the ways in which, according to Publisher’s Weekly, that J.K. Rowling—author of the Harry Potter series—“is heir not only to Tolkien and Lewis's imaginative tradition, but to their theological tradition as well.” Arguing that the magic used in Rowling’s work is “more a literary device than the central interest of her writing,” Bridger gives Christians reasons to—at the very least—take a closer look at this series of books and the lessons in it.

Hour of the Witch: Harry Potter, Wicca Witchcraft, and the Bible by Steve Wohlberg

Investigating the world of witchcraft described in the Harry Potter series of books, Wohlberg points out that many of the spells, séances, and supernatural elements described in Harry Potter have a basis in the Wicca form of witchcraft that is present in our world today. As the book description asks, “Does being immersed in images of witchcraft have a lasting impact on an impressionable mind?” In this book, Wohlberg aims to answer that question.

Harry Potter, Narnia, and the Lord of the Rings: What You Need to Know about Fantasy Books, Movies, and Games by Richard Abanes

Award-winning journalist Richard Abanes—himself a professed fan of science fiction and fantasy literature—“clears away the confusion” surrounding fantasy works and their authors, including familiar icons like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and J.K. Rowling. According to the book description, “readers will come away thoroughly equipped to differentiate between stories and films that are harmless, even inspiring—and those containing spiritual dangers.”

Websites on the Topic

www.cbn.com/special/HarryPotter
The Christian Broadcasting Network provides a number of links for readers who are interested in Christian investigations of the Harry Potter series, offering sources that both support and criticize the books and subsequent film adaptations.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/cpt/2000/005/4.44.html
This resource from Christian Parenting Today offers a summary of the Harry Potter series, a pro-Potter and anti-Potter discussion, and some literary alternatives for parents and their children.

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/p03.html
The Apologetics Index provides helpful resources—both pro and con for the controversial series—from such respected Christian sources as Focus on the Family and from author J.K. Rowling herself.

A critical reading of Harry Potter through the eyes of faith

Discussion questions for groups and individuals

In her article, “Wizardry and selfless love” (Seek, Summer 2007), Brooke Phipps writes, “The Harry Potter series is packed with examples of loyalty, justice, and sacrifice. . . . This kind of selfless love is the essence of the Christian faith.”

These discussion questions are designed to help readers assess for themselves the theological implications—both positive and negative—of the Harry Potter books. You need not read the entire series in order to use this resource; however, you will want to read at least a significant portion of one book before answering the questions below.

Conflicting interests

Throughout the Harry Potter books, Voldemort’s and Harry’s lives are continually linked by Voldemort’s attempt on Harry’s life when he was just a baby. But their characters and choices could hardly be more different.

What, would you say, is Harry’s primary motive?
And how about Voldemort’s?
What matters most to each of them?
What kinds of moral and/or spiritual lessons may be learned from each of these characters and their motives? In what ways is Harry a role model for juvenile readers?

Of wizards and magic

Ever since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone hit bookstores in 1997, Christians and other people of faith have shunned, banned, and labeled Rowling’s magical novels as guidebooks for the occult. Yet others have noted that writers such as C. S. Lewis have used magic to convey great spiritual messages.

From your own reading of the Harry Potter series, does the magic described in the books seem opposed to God? How/why?
How does the fictional nature of Harry Potter affect the way you view the books’ magical content? Would you treat a nonfiction magic book differently from Harry Potter? Why?
Does the magical content in the Harry Potter books compromise their positive moral and spiritual messages? Or is it nothing more than entertainment?

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