They're Not So Wild About Harry

I recently read "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." I decided to read the first book in J.K. Rowling's hot-selling series because I had heard so much about the stories. While my initial motivation was to keep up on an important item in popular culture, I plan to read further installations simply for the sake of enjoyment. The Harry Potter books may be written for children, but they are also a good "read" for adults. I highly recommend them.

I must quickly add that my endorsement here would upset some Christians, especially in the evangelical world. They are warning against these books, as they have since the Potter books have become popular, and in some cases have succeeded in having them banned from schools. These folks worry about the fact that Harry Potter, an orphan who at the beginning of the story is living with a mean-spirited aunt and uncle, discovers that he is a wizard. He finds his way, helped along by people who know he has unique magical powers, to a school for wizards, where he learns the occult arts.

Harry's Christian critics think they see some dangerous ideas at work here. Not too far beneath the surface of these seemingly harmless adventures, they insist, lurks a worldview that stands in stark contrast to the biblical story. And they don't want Christian children exposed to a view of reality where magical spells and curses and trickery is the rule of the day.

The Bible doesn't look too kindly on sorcerers and witches. In the New Testament's Book of Acts, for example, the apostles come across a sorcerer who tries to compete with them for a potential convert. The Apostle Paul addresses him with some harsh words: "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?" (Acts 13:10).

I take these concerns seriously. There is indeed a new fascination with the occult in our culture. Disillusioned with the notion that scientific technology can provide all the answers to our problems, many people want something that allows for more mystery and that gives them access to more "spiritual" forces. They are fascinated with wizardry and witchcraft, astrology and tarot cards. And have no doubt, Christians should not rely on magical means to deal with our problems. Biblical faith is grounded in our total dependence on a sovereign God who cannot be made to do our bidding by magical incantations or the casting of spells.

J.K. Rowling's Christian critics are deeply concerned about their children. They see so many things in our culture that make raising children in the Christian faith difficult. Many evangelical teachers and preachers make much these days of the theme of "spiritual warfare"; Satan, they insist, is very busy attempting to influence our hearts and minds, turning us from the paths of obedience so clearly marked out in the Scriptures. It doesn't help that Harry Potter, unlike other fantasy-fiction characters, lives in contemporary London and works his magic in homes and schools not all that different from the ones that we know so well.

Continued on page 2: »