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Harry
Potter and the Bible : The Menace Behind the Magick by Richard Abanes Paperback - 275 pages Available at: |
From back cover:
Harry Potter and his magical adventures as a wizard-in-training continue
to mesmerize millions worldwide. Related products such as trading cards,
role-playing games, clothing and even furniture have flooded the market.
But several questions must be asked: Does Harry offer any positive moral lessons for today’s children? Is Harry’s magick* truly fictional or is it based on actual occultism? How do the Harry Potter tales compare to other fantasy books like those written by C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien?
[* The word “magic” refers to stage illusions by sleight-of-hand, whereas “magick” refers to occult practices.]
In this user-friendly and helpful volume, Richard Abanes answers these question, provides a hard look at society’s not-so-subtle drift toward paganism and examines the reasons why God says “no” to occultism.
Book excerpt:
…the whole “Harry-Potter-is-a-great-series-because-it-shows-a-battle-between-
good-and-evil”
argument is, in truth, without merit. This oft-quoted defense of Rowling’s
works is irrelevant, because the books do not contain a “battle between good
and evil.” The war in Rowling’s novels is a conflict between a horrific evil
(Voldemort and his Death Eaters) and a lesser evil (Harry and the “good”
characters) that only appears virtuous because it is so much less offensive and
frightening than the greater evil.
Biblically speaking, Harry and all the other “good” characters are simply using one set of sinful behaviors to defeat another set of sinful behaviors. Drawing concepts of morality from either side is problematic, especially for children. Indeed, the Harry Potter series is not morally compatible with Christianity, which stands in direct opposition to using evil actions to conquer evil. Christians are instructed to overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21).
The Bible also states that it is best to avoid seeking revenge (Lev 19:18; Rom 12:17,19; 1 Peter 3:9), pray for our enemies (Luke 6:27), consider others more important than ourselves (Phil 2:3), view all people as inherently equal (Acts 17:26; Gal 3:28), reject lying (Prov 12:22; Eph 4:25; Col 3:9), turn from drunkenness (Eph 5:18), live honestly (Heb 13:18), walk with integrity (Psa 15:2, 26:1; Prov 11:3), flee hypocrisy (Luke 6:42; Rom 12:9; James 3:17), refrain from using corrupt and vulgar communication (Col 3:8, 4:6; Titus 2:8), accept the rule of higher authorities (Rom 13:1-5), remain at peace with everyone if at all possible (Rom 12:18), forgive those who have hurt us (Matt 6:14-15; Eph 4:32) and avoid activities like occultism that lead away from God (Isa 44:25; Gal 5:20; Rev 21:8). In summation, Scripture tells us to behave in a way that is diametrically opposed to how Harry Potter and other “good” characters live.
Oddly, it is Rowling’s series that many public schools are now using to teach morality to students…
Philologos Comment:
Please be advised that this book contains one chapter that promotes the works of
C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. I am not a fan of either one but felt that the overview
of the Potter books was very indepth and worthwhile. Please be cautious as you
read that chapter.
Part One: The World of Harry Potter
1. Sorcery in a Stone: A Brief Summary
2. Sorcery in a Stone: A Closer Look
3. Enter the Chamber: A Brief Summary
4. Enter the Chamber: A Closer Look
5. Azkaban’s Prisoner: A Brief Summary
6. Azkaban’s Prisoner: A Closer Look
7. Goblet of Death: A Brief Summary
8. Goblet of Death: A Closer Look
Part Two: Out of the Darkness
9. The Enduring Battle: Good versus Evil
10. The Enduring Battle: Choosing Sides
11. Beyond Fantasy: An American Tale
12. Beyond Fantasy: Tolkien, Lewis and Rowling
13. Lessons Learned: Comments and Controversies
14. Lessons Learned: Closing Thoughts