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Posted: December 10th, 2007 at 2:22am By: Rev. Kristi Denham
On the third Sunday of my sermon series on the Harry Potter books, I looked out from the pulpit over a congregation that was about one-quarter Muslim. The imam of our local mosque had asked if he could bring his youth group to church to learn about Christianity. We had welcomed them enthusiastically and encouraged them to sit up front in the best seats.
I opened my sermon with a somewhat risky observation and a series of questions: We are all known as people of the book. How many of you have read the entire Bible? Hands went up here and there. How many of you have read the Koran? Hands went up again. I was pleased to see that some regular members of our church raised their hands and only a few of our Muslim students had completed the book. Finally, I asked, how many of you have read the Harry Potter books? This time many more hands went up throughout the congregation, including the imam's. My point had been made. These wonderful stories have had a powerful impact on all of us. Why not use them to deepen our faith and understanding, if we can?
In previous presentations we've looked at Harry Potter's humility and his courage in making choices, and how those choices began to define who he would become, even as the freedom to make better choices always remained possible for every character in the books.
Now we will look at what happens when we (with Harry) face our greatest fears. In "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the story becomes darker. We are introduced to "Dementors," terrible beings who thrive on fear and are able to suck your soul right out of you, leaving only a half-dead, empty shell.
Harry learns to face these terrible creatures through the help of his teachers, his father's powerful spirit and his friends.
First, Professor Lupin teaches Harry and all his students how laughter can be used as a powerful antidote to fear. When we can find a lighter side to our worst fears, we can conquer them.
C.S. Lewis once emphasized this in his "Screwtape Letters," reminding us that the devil thrives if we ignore him, or worse, take him too seriously.
Next, life's circumstances force Harry to protect his godfather from the Dementors, and he is able to do so with the help of his father's "Patronus" - an image and spirit that stands between Harry and the Dementors when he is able to claim and call on its shining power.
Finally, Harry's friends, and especially Hermione, help him to overcome impossible odds through impossible time travel. This is a fantasy, after all. But the point is still made. We are stronger when we reach out for help from our friends.
As the powers of this world continue to believe in the myth of redemptive violence and to tell us that fear and terror can be conquered through more fear and terror, our Harry Potter story challenges us to use laughter, love and friendship to conquer terror.
Jesus told us that God is love and that love casts out fear. He stands with Harry Potter on this one.
To be continued.
— — —
Rev. Kristi Denham is pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California (United Church of Christ). Her email address is {email RevKristi@aol.com}RevKristi@aol.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Kristi Denham.
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On the third Sunday of my sermon series on the Harry Potter books, I looked out from the pulpit over a congregation that was about one-quarter Muslim. The imam of our local mosque had asked if he could bring his youth group to church to learn about Christianity. We had welcomed them enthusiastically and encouraged them to sit up front in the best seats.
I opened my sermon with a somewhat risky observation and a series of questions: We are all known as people of the book. How many of you have read the entire Bible? Hands went up here and there. How many of you have read the Koran? Hands went up again. I was pleased to see that some regular members of our church raised their hands and only a few of our Muslim students had completed the book. Finally, I asked, how many of you have read the Harry Potter books? This time many more hands went up throughout the congregation, including the imam's. My point had been made. These wonderful stories have had a powerful impact on all of us. Why not use them to deepen our faith and understanding, if we can?
In previous presentations we've looked at Harry Potter's humility and his courage in making choices, and how those choices began to define who he would become, even as the freedom to make better choices always remained possible for every character in the books.
Now we will look at what happens when we (with Harry) face our greatest fears. In "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the story becomes darker. We are introduced to "Dementors," terrible beings who thrive on fear and are able to suck your soul right out of you, leaving only a half-dead, empty shell.
Harry learns to face these terrible creatures through the help of his teachers, his father's powerful spirit and his friends.
First, Professor Lupin teaches Harry and all his students how laughter can be used as a powerful antidote to fear. When we can find a lighter side to our worst fears, we can conquer them.
C.S. Lewis once emphasized this in his "Screwtape Letters," reminding us that the devil thrives if we ignore him, or worse, take him too seriously.
Next, life's circumstances force Harry to protect his godfather from the Dementors, and he is able to do so with the help of his father's "Patronus" - an image and spirit that stands between Harry and the Dementors when he is able to claim and call on its shining power.
Finally, Harry's friends, and especially Hermione, help him to overcome impossible odds through impossible time travel. This is a fantasy, after all. But the point is still made. We are stronger when we reach out for help from our friends.
As the powers of this world continue to believe in the myth of redemptive violence and to tell us that fear and terror can be conquered through more fear and terror, our Harry Potter story challenges us to use laughter, love and friendship to conquer terror.
Jesus told us that God is love and that love casts out fear. He stands with Harry Potter on this one.
To be continued.
— — —
Rev. Kristi Denham is pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California (United Church of Christ). Her email address is {email RevKristi@aol.com}RevKristi@aol.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Kristi Denham.
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