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Conclusion of Hogwarts Series
Aug. 26, 2007 Dave BarnhartThis upcoming Sunday will conclude our series, All I Really Need to Know I Learned at Hogwarts. I’ve had great fun preparing and preaching the series, but, just like the Harry Potter books themselves, it’s time for the finale. This Sunday’s message, Magic, Muggles, and God, will focus on how stories about magic teach us about the real world.
I do want to point you to an article that Tim Bailey sent me called Harry Potter Books are “Gateway Drug” to the “Good Stuff,” by Jerry Bowyer. It’s a great read. It contrasts starkly with this article by Lev Grossman. How can two people read the same story and come up with such different interpretations?
Perhaps the same way people read and interpret the Bible?
Your Comments
Hi, James!
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I am sure your experience in law enforcement gives you reasons for concern. I’d be interested to know if this particular sermon series on Harry Potter challenged your perspective at all. Did you see how many people (including me!) find echoes of the gospel in Harry Potter, instead of only darkness?
(Just in case you haven’t listened to the first sermon, in which I share my perspective on Harry Potter, you can find it here.)
I’d also be interested in what you thought of the articles I linked to.
Thanks again for sharing your views on the subject!
Grace and Peace,
Dave
Over the years bible study has given me tools to ask questins about issues that deal with the christian walk. I am a law enforcement officer and have dealt with actual people who dress up as the occult and who use the term the “darkside” which has a meaning that, to me, sets of alarms. Some of the issues with Harry Potter is who wrote it and is it “new age”. It concerns me about Joanne Murray’s treatment of magic and her using the occult as a medium for messages with a very powerful use of modern technology to cature a young audience who are not mature in the faith.
The religion of witchcraft (Wicca) is the fastest growing cult/occuot in existence and opening the door to the “darkside” does not help in proclaiming the Christian message to our young children. Leviticus 20:27, Duteronomy 18:9-12, and 2 Chronicle 33.6 in the Old testiment, and 1 Timoth 4:1 and Philippians 4:8 in the New testiment clearly indicate God’s view of the occult and the teaching of departing from the faith by devoting ourselves to deceitful spirits and the teaching of emons. We are to think on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lonely, whatever is pur, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellance, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
The series of Harry Potter is progressively darker and is getting about as dark as you can get. Those of us in authority over young children are held to a higher standard by your Lord and family to safe guard our children from the “darkside” and even the appearcne of evil.
Our church Bible studies taught us to use discernment in spiritual matters. The message of the old testiment does not condemn us, but it does convict us that we need as savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our sins. The New Testiment conveys this message.
As for me, I will seek to bring youg people to the Lord through Bible study and by turning on the “Light of the World” that will be a guiding light in a spiritally dard world. Between chosing the “darkside” and the “Light of the World”, I chose the “Light of the World”, the Lord. Between chosing from a “New Age” message, and the “Old Time Religion”, I chose the “Old Time Religion”. I do not condem any one for enjoying Harry Potter, the Bible does that. The Bibile will also convict when the Word of God is proclaimed by thiose in authority of our young children growing in Christ.
Thank you for listening to my view and especially for the reasons for the concern about the “darkside” sermons to convey the Christian message of hope and salvation.
August 25, 2007