11 thoughts on “What would Jonathan Edwards say about Harry Potter?”

1. Isnt it funny how we as people can justify and unjustify easily what we desire to be true facts/good. For example our enjoyable reading time can be fantacys portraying truth and then there is the truth, scripture-witchcraft is a sin. How easily this truth can be over looked/forgotten.

2. Er, Harry Potter is fiction and as such is not meant to be a complete and accurate retelling of Scripture.

   However, J.K. Rowling is a Christian and therefore there is strong symbolism throughout the books. I don’t have children, but if I did, I would prefer for them to emulate Harry Potter’s character over the many other choices presented in the culture.

   I sort of suspect the success of Harry Potter has more to do with the hints of truth, love, and redemption in the story than the “magic.”

   PS.–I don’t recall there ever being a book of spells for sale (A History of Quidditch and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them were written for charity) and Rowling does not actually believe in the magic she invented for the book.

3. The problems are many here. First the Bible forbids witchcraft, Paul however used/ found a bridge in Athens by quoting from ‘one of their poets’. I’m sure that the poem from which the quote was made was full of mythology, possibly magic. The key is that Paul was ‘….schooled….’ He was grounded in the truth. Lewis and Tolkien had a Judeo-Christian background, Lewis in particular. Rowling’s is grounded more in Shirely McClainism/Tameyism than Biblical Christianity. I may be wrong here, so correct me if I’m wrong, but as I understand it there was a Book of Spells that could be purchased to go along with the Potter series. No such thing was ever encouraged in either of Tolkien’s or Lewis’ writings.
   The major problem today is (general lack of Biblical knowledge). We as individual Christians may school our children in things Biblical, but by and large our kids are flooded with Pottery from all sides. The success of the De Vinci Code was due to the general lack of Biblical understanding. Here’s the rub though; Paul’s Gentile converts faced the same problem, hence the Corinthian epistles. It was the entrance of ‘The Light of Scripture and the Light of the world’ that changed peoples lives.
   The bottom line for me is how much time in the Bible vs. Pottery; the addage is true,’ You’ll never find time for Bible study, you’ll have to make it ‘. ‘Finding’ time for anything is one of the decievers most subtle lies, we make time in our schedules for everything.
   Here’s a practical application. NAVPRESS has an excelent seven book Discipleship series. The whole series is about $35 to $40. It is an in depth study of scripture. To much info for children? I doubt it. They don’t have to be the ones actually doing the study, but include them in the activity. Have them help you look up the scriptures, take time to discuss what the scriptures mean etc.
   I know, I know, can’t seem to find the time to………..

4. Fellas,

   I’m missing something here. Do we not take positions against churches for their lack of standing for the “whole council of God”, for their attempts at watering down of the message. But do they not present good vs evil also? Good vs evil is in Law and Order, Star Wars, Hinduism, the Muslim faith, Jehovah Witness’s doctrine, Mormonism, etc.

   The reading and enjoyment of these writings is not wrong in and of itself, but the issue being presented here is that they represent a sliver of a gospel message.

   I derive great pleasure from the pursuit of antiques, but do not presume there is any spiritual value in them. Many activities in life are healthy and fun without being spiritual.

   Enjoy them, but please let us not dilute the real message. Not every thing in life needs to be a direct correlation to the message of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. In my opinion, when we present the message of atonement for sin it should be full strength, as He presented it.

   As I said, enjoy these, fellowship with a family member is good, but please, leave a line of distinction between the grace of God and books and movies such as these.

   I love to tell the story, of unseen things above;
   Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
   I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
   It satisfies my longings, as nothing else can do.

   I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
   What seems each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
   I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
   The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

   May we endeavor to keep the story, the pure and unadulterated story.

   Lord bless all of you this day.

   Don

5. Ed, I have to admit the only thing I know of Lewis and Tolkien is the big screen, I have not read the books. Seems to be very magical, which to me is something we need to try to balance between legalism and too liberal. There is certainly a move in our culture to make this type of stuff cool, cache or at the very least innocent fun.
   With regards to our radio host and blogger here, he seems to be getting attacked on all fronts, Bob Dylan, Catholics, Harry Potter and me with his support of the Bush administration. Must be tough being Paul Edwards lately. HAHA

   Paul, if you read this I would love to hear you interview Ron Paul, the guy the epitome of integrity, he wants to limit government, give our freedoms back, only go to War when declared by Congress. BTW, that comment in the debate a while back that Giuliani stepped in, Ron Paul was right, it is called blowback, consequences of our forceful actions. Look it up. We Christians are for honesty and integrity, why then is the Christian community silent on this guy?

6. Jeff,

   I mentioned this to my oldest, 19 in college, and he was a little shocked at anyone being wary of Tolkien, he sees it as classic literature, and I can agree. The Hobbit is the best intro out there, and is one of my favorite books. Great fun to read. There is more to reading fun books with your children than I can address, but it is part of life, and Tolkien fits in so nicely in at our house. In someway the good vs evil fight builds character along the way.

   We have never allowed Harry Potter in til lately, and my oldest, 19 years old, and I are just now going to see if they can fit in with our need for good vs evil adventures. Apparently it must be OK because our radio host allows his 15yr old to read the books!

7. Ed, that is be best way to do it is to watch it together and point out the things that your kids need to be away of in their spiritual journey. Great thoughts

8. Jeff,

   Gotta confess, my family and I see Tolkien as good clean fun to read. I personally like it immensly. That said, Tolkien in no way replaces my love for God’s Word at all. I understand elements of the story may be objectionable, but good fighting evil is there, and enjoyble.

   I don’t know if I will enjoy Harry Potter the same way. My son and I are going to watching it together soon.

9. Jeff

   You get my point.
   When a person is seeking God, there is in my opinion, ample literature to find Him. It is called The Word Of God. This series runs the edge too close for me.

   What ever happened to finding God through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ?
   There’s room at the cross for you, tho millions have come, there’s still room for one, yes there’s room at the cross for you.

   “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” John 17:17

10. I have friends that think Harry Potter is just fine, in fact JK Rowlings influences are JRR Tolkin and C.S. Lewis. I have resevations about those as well, I think we need to be careful when we endorse this kind of mystical magical stuff especally those like myself with little ones.

    Don,
    Seems like quite a few leaders are trying to justify this when they endorse books like “Finding God in Harry Potter”.

11. More importantly, what are the leaders saying today. Jonathan Edwards has moved on, all we have is his influence left.

    ” What shall we then say to these things?”

Comments are closed.