Bringing Harry Potter to Church (barf)

Christianity Astray (oops I mean Today) Blog ^ | July 23, 2007 | Caryn Rivadeneira

[Terriergal]

I think what’s so enthralling is that what we see happen with Harry is what we’d love for our own lives (though I could do without the Inferi or the Dementors). We all want to be told we’re somehow special, somehow destined for greatness. We all want someone to say, “You, you alone can do this.” Right?

And I hope at some time, we all find that. Frankly, Christians shouldn’t go through life any other way. Without sounding trite, God made us each special, each destined for greatness.

[xzins]

My take on Harry Potter — I can’t make it through an entire book or an entire movie.

I love fantasy/sci fi. I watch and rewatch the LOTR. Herbert, Heinlein, Clarke, Lawhead, .... loved all of it. Grew up with it.

But I can’t wade through Harry the P. It’s corny. It’s “Wendy the Good Little Witch” and “Caspar the Friendly Ghost” without the animation.

Sorry, but it isn’t interesting. Religious? — Hardly.

[jude24]

Sorry, but it isn’t interesting. Religious? — Hardly.

HP7 is strongly religious.

[xzins]

I guarantee you that it’ll be so corny that I can’t get more than a few pages into it.

I’ll be praying for Bugs Bunny to take over from Caspar. Maybe that’ll be religious. :>)

[P-Marlowe]

I’ll be praying for Bugs Bunny to take over from Caspar. Maybe that’ll be religious. :>)

I just bought season two and season three of Rocky and Bullwinkle -- (85 1/2 hour episodes).

Now that was a great show.

[xzins]

Rocky & Bullwinkle had the best grasp of the pun of any show ever.

[Corin Stormhands]

But I can’t wade through Harry the P. It’s corny.

Could be because it's written for children. Too many people keep forgetting that. No one, Rowling chief amongst them, is calling her Lewis or Tolkien. Keep that in mind.

That said, I don't give a bogart's patootie if folks like/read them or not. I happen to like them and enjoy them.

Sorry, but it isn’t interesting. Religious? — Hardly.

While I likewise have problems with this being a part of any church program/message, there ARE deeply religious (and Christian) themes in Harry Potter.

And, unlike most people who say there aren't, I've actually read all seven books.

That said, I'm not getting involved in ~another~ Potter thread.

But, if you won't read the books at least read this article: Harry Potter and the Fire breathing Fundamentalists

[blue-duncan]

“Could be because it’s written for children. ......I happen to like them and enjoy them.”

Dam-, you just let one of the neener secrets out of the bag. I’m going to tell the LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o* on you, I’m going to tell the LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o* on you! He’ll probably make you spring for the libations at the next annual pig roast.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“What about reformed eschatology are you speaking of specifically?”

postmil, amil or preterist.

[Terriergal]

lol

[Uncle Chip]

I watched J K Rowling’s interview last Sunday and what struck me was her obsession with death -— the death of her characters. For an entire hour she spoke of “killing off” her characters. It was eerie. She didn’t speak of their lives and living but their deaths and why she had to kill them or wanted to kill them. Though she spoke regretfully of having to “kill them off”, the obsession with the death of her characters stood out in the interview.

[Uncle Chip]

Must be why he is the most acclaimed 20th-century Christian author amongst pretty much every Christian denomination. His Mere Christianity has influenced several generations of Christians already.

And yet a closer look at his theology and his works raises questions as to whether he really understood the Scriptures and real Christianity.

[P-Marlowe]

And yet a closer look at his theology and his works raises questions as to whether he really understood the Scriptures and real Christianity.

I suspect a lot of people might say that about..... Uncle Chip.

[Uncle Chip]

I suspect a lot of people might say that about..... Uncle Chip.

.... and P-Marlowe -------- neither of whose words are worshipped like those of C S Lewis whose Inkling associatists were Theosophists.

[P-Marlowe]

and P-Marlowe -------- neither of whose words are worshipped like those of C S Lewis whose Inkling associatists were Theosophists.

Don't be so dramatic. Nobody worships C.S. Lewis; words. People quote him and often when he is quoted he sounds pretty orthodox. He never claimed to be any kind of theological expert. He was an expert in English Literature. His understanding of theology was superficial while at the same time often profound. Yet it is that kind of childlike superficial understanding of the Christian life that makes C.S. Lewis' work so appealing.

[Uncle Chip]

His understanding of theology was superficial while at the same time often profound.

I wonder shat kind of profound understanding of theology led him to write That Hideous Strength in which the magician Merlin is resurrected to save the world at a time of crisis????

[P-Marlowe]

I wonder shat kind of profound understanding of theology led him to write That Hideous Strength in which the magician Merlin is resurrected to save the world at a time of crisis????

I loved that book.

Did you read it, or are you just criticizing the Cliff Note version?

[Uncle Chip]

I read it —— quite awhile ago —— but never thought to ask at the time: Why Merlin the magician to save the world.

[P-Marlowe]

Why Merlin the magician to save the world.

Merlin was a wizard, not a magician.

As was Gandalf in LOTR.

Also, IIRC Merlin was awakened from a sleep rather than being resurrected. And IIRC, Gandalf was resurrected.

[jude24]

I loved that book.

I tried several times to get into that book, and never could.

[joebuck]

I don’t know anything about Potter or Narnia - never read them. But I have read the Bible and I know Jesus specifically said that those who believe in him are destined for greatness.