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Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 2:46am By: Kevin Considine
Harry Potter isn't Jesus.
That should be obvious. Our own common sense should draw that conclusion. So we shouldn't need to be told that, right?
Wrong. Because apparently some of us missed the memo. Some Christian leaders have publicly condemned Harry Potter. Again. They say that children should be taught to emulate biblical figures rather than Harry. Again. They say the imaginary magic of J.K. Rowling's books is forbidden and might influence young minds to dabble in magic or New Age ideas. Again.
Also, some Christian leaders claim that Harry is not a role model and doesn't think and act in "Christian" ways. You know, because he feels scathing anger, holds grudges and is full of himself from time to time. You know, because he seems like a real human being with a heartbeat. Because apparently David didn't betray his wife, Moses didn't commit murder, Peter didn't deny Jesus, and the disciples didn't ask Jesus to rain fire from the sky upon others. Please.
For the record, Christians need not fear Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling's literary world is an artistic rendering of real life. It's imaginatively reconstructed to reflect our own world right back to us with some bells and whistles.
That's why stories such as Harry Potter hit a nerve with many people. They engage us in a way that theology, Scripture and sermons usually do not. This is because these types of stories have a long history and carry a specific culture and genre of storytelling. For many who resonate with this culture and genre, the themes, characters and story of Harry Potter are already known on some deep level because of our upbringing. This makes Harry's world much more accessible sometimes than the culture and terminology of Scripture and theology.
This is especially true for youth. There's a reason that so many have embraced Harry. They can relate to him and his struggles. It's that simple. They "get" Harry and his world. And Ms. Rowling speaks words of wisdom dealing with grief, suffering, hope and love directly back into the real world that they live in. They resonate with Harry in a way they may not yet be ready to with the adult Jesus. And in the meantime, the canvas of Harry's world may help some of our youth to understand what it means to live faithfully. That is, if we adults also make an effort to mentor them in meeting God, finding themselves, and maturing into young men and women.
This is doubly true for kids who've been abused. At least, I'm told this by a friend who has worked in a residential treatment center. It seems that Harry's trials with suffering, darkness and despair mirror the unwarranted trials and tribulations of many kids who have been abused, neglected or violated. Harry was first a victim just as they were. And just like them Harry is seeking to overcome his past and become a good, loving person and conquer the evil that seeks to destroy him and his world.
In short, I'm impressed with J.K. Rowling's work. As Harry grows up, the enchantment of his magical world slowly gives way to the painful reality of the adult world. And the magic in his world, like modern technological know-how, is morally neutral. It is a power, often unasked for, that can be used for good or for evil ends. As a boy, Harry is introduced to magic in wonderment. As he grows up, however, he is often repulsed by the horrible ends to which magic has been employed.
Harry's struggles with himself, his friends, foes and even death mirror the coming of age of many of us. And as Harry enters into adulthood, he finds out that even the most revered adults are not above hiding guilt and pain or retaining childhood grudges. Some even punish others for long-buried hurts.
Above all, Harry learns the hard truth that humans seek power and that power corrupts. This is the root of evil in Harry's world. Actively seeking power changes and distorts the seeker. Power transforms those who seek it, mostly for the worse. Even those who seem to be paragons of virtue can succumb to the seduction of power.
Sound familiar? This is one of the hardest lessons for us to learn in the real world, too. And this holds true inside the Church, as much as anywhere else. Heck, it would make an interesting read if instead of the Ministry of Magic, wizards and Muggles, the story dealt with the Church, Christians and non-Christians.
Ms. Rowling's series isn't perfect. But it should be admired for what it is: a powerful story with deeply relevant themes. For many, it can be a great means for understanding coming of age and the corrosive nature of power. Not only what power does to one person, but how that power when wielded affects others, for better or worse.
To Harry's Christian critics, there's not much else to say. Maybe it's pointless to remind them that Ms. Rowling is a church-going Presbyterian. And maybe it's equally as pointless to remind them that she is placing herself in the tradition of British fantasy literature along with such luminaries as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, neither of whom was exactly anti-Christian.
But then again, it should've been pointless to say that Harry Potter isn't Jesus, right?
— — —
Kevin Considine is a graduate student at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Recently he was married to a most wonderful woman, who keeps him in line and reads his columns to see if they make sense. He and his wife live on the South Side of Chicago. He welcomes comments, feedback or fits of anger and can be reached at {email considkp@yahoo.com}considkp@yahoo.com{/email}. © copyright 2007 by Kevin Considine.
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Harry Potter isn't Jesus.
That should be obvious. Our own common sense should draw that conclusion. So we shouldn't need to be told that, right?
Wrong. Because apparently some of us missed the memo. Some Christian leaders have publicly condemned Harry Potter. Again. They say that children should be taught to emulate biblical figures rather than Harry. Again. They say the imaginary magic of J.K. Rowling's books is forbidden and might influence young minds to dabble in magic or New Age ideas. Again.
Also, some Christian leaders claim that Harry is not a role model and doesn't think and act in "Christian" ways. You know, because he feels scathing anger, holds grudges and is full of himself from time to time. You know, because he seems like a real human being with a heartbeat. Because apparently David didn't betray his wife, Moses didn't commit murder, Peter didn't deny Jesus, and the disciples didn't ask Jesus to rain fire from the sky upon others. Please.
For the record, Christians need not fear Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling's literary world is an artistic rendering of real life. It's imaginatively reconstructed to reflect our own world right back to us with some bells and whistles.
That's why stories such as Harry Potter hit a nerve with many people. They engage us in a way that theology, Scripture and sermons usually do not. This is because these types of stories have a long history and carry a specific culture and genre of storytelling. For many who resonate with this culture and genre, the themes, characters and story of Harry Potter are already known on some deep level because of our upbringing. This makes Harry's world much more accessible sometimes than the culture and terminology of Scripture and theology.
This is especially true for youth. There's a reason that so many have embraced Harry. They can relate to him and his struggles. It's that simple. They "get" Harry and his world. And Ms. Rowling speaks words of wisdom dealing with grief, suffering, hope and love directly back into the real world that they live in. They resonate with Harry in a way they may not yet be ready to with the adult Jesus. And in the meantime, the canvas of Harry's world may help some of our youth to understand what it means to live faithfully. That is, if we adults also make an effort to mentor them in meeting God, finding themselves, and maturing into young men and women.
This is doubly true for kids who've been abused. At least, I'm told this by a friend who has worked in a residential treatment center. It seems that Harry's trials with suffering, darkness and despair mirror the unwarranted trials and tribulations of many kids who have been abused, neglected or violated. Harry was first a victim just as they were. And just like them Harry is seeking to overcome his past and become a good, loving person and conquer the evil that seeks to destroy him and his world.
In short, I'm impressed with J.K. Rowling's work. As Harry grows up, the enchantment of his magical world slowly gives way to the painful reality of the adult world. And the magic in his world, like modern technological know-how, is morally neutral. It is a power, often unasked for, that can be used for good or for evil ends. As a boy, Harry is introduced to magic in wonderment. As he grows up, however, he is often repulsed by the horrible ends to which magic has been employed.
Harry's struggles with himself, his friends, foes and even death mirror the coming of age of many of us. And as Harry enters into adulthood, he finds out that even the most revered adults are not above hiding guilt and pain or retaining childhood grudges. Some even punish others for long-buried hurts.
Above all, Harry learns the hard truth that humans seek power and that power corrupts. This is the root of evil in Harry's world. Actively seeking power changes and distorts the seeker. Power transforms those who seek it, mostly for the worse. Even those who seem to be paragons of virtue can succumb to the seduction of power.
Sound familiar? This is one of the hardest lessons for us to learn in the real world, too. And this holds true inside the Church, as much as anywhere else. Heck, it would make an interesting read if instead of the Ministry of Magic, wizards and Muggles, the story dealt with the Church, Christians and non-Christians.
Ms. Rowling's series isn't perfect. But it should be admired for what it is: a powerful story with deeply relevant themes. For many, it can be a great means for understanding coming of age and the corrosive nature of power. Not only what power does to one person, but how that power when wielded affects others, for better or worse.
To Harry's Christian critics, there's not much else to say. Maybe it's pointless to remind them that Ms. Rowling is a church-going Presbyterian. And maybe it's equally as pointless to remind them that she is placing herself in the tradition of British fantasy literature along with such luminaries as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, neither of whom was exactly anti-Christian.
But then again, it should've been pointless to say that Harry Potter isn't Jesus, right?
— — —
Kevin Considine is a graduate student at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Recently he was married to a most wonderful woman, who keeps him in line and reads his columns to see if they make sense. He and his wife live on the South Side of Chicago. He welcomes comments, feedback or fits of anger and can be reached at {email considkp@yahoo.com}considkp@yahoo.com{/email}. © copyright 2007 by Kevin Considine.
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