A Closer Look at Harry Potter
A CLOSER LOOK AT HARRY POTTER
by John Paul Jackson July 18, 2001
info@streamsministries.com
Many of you have asked me to comment on the astronomically popular Harry Potter books that have sold more than 30 million copies over the past 3 years. I have read two books in the series and am beginning the third. In this article, I will share some of my impressions with you.
FRUIT FROM THE TREE -- WHAT HARRY IS TAUGHT ABOUT GOOD AND EVIL
The primary problem with the Harry Potter books is they offer information from the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" that leads to death (Genesis 2:9, 16-17). On this tree, evil is packaged to attract children and to lure them into sin. In addition, evil is
referred to as "good" and good is referred to as "evil." In fact in the Harry Potter books, one character named Quirrell tells Harry:
"A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil. Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was. There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it..."
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THE CRITICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
C. S. LEWIS' "CHRONICLES OF NARNIA"
AND THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS
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Many Christians and non-Christians have compared the Harry Potter books with C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. Although both series portray fantasy worlds that involve young children who encounter magical creatures, a critical difference exists between the works of these two authors hinging on the concept of power and authority.
Nothing in the Harry Potter books points to God, to salvation, or even to a metaphorical concept that a specific character might be God, which is true in C.S. Lewis' writings where that character is Jesus in the character of Aslan, the creator and sovereign ruler of Narnia.
CLEVER TO PRACTICE THE OCCULT?
Despite superficial similarities, Rowling's and Lewis' writings have distinct differences. For example, Harry Potter teaches children that it is acceptable and even clever to practice the occult, to look into crystal balls, to practice witchcraft, to join a coven, to practice sorcery, to cast spells, to fly on broomsticks, to turn yourself into an object, or to talk with spirits of the dead. However, God specifically forbids us to do these things (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). We are called as a holy nation, to reflect God's nature in everything we do (1 Peter 1:15; 2:9).
THE WORLD OF WITCHCRAFT INTRODUCED THROUGH HARRY
J. K. Rowling's first book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," introduces Harry, an orphaned baby who along with his parents--a wizard and a witch--were attacked by an evil wizard, Lord Voldemort. Although Harry's parents died in the attack, Harry survives and becomes an instant legend in the world of witchcraft.
Rescued by the "good wizard forces," Harry lives with his cruel aunt and uncle, both of whom are described as "Muggles," someone of low intelligence, idiotic, and harsh. Throughout the book, anyone who does not believe in witchcraft is described as being "muggles."
HARRY ENROLLS IN THE SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT
Interestingly, Harry discovers that he was born a wizard on his eleventh birthday. This discovery entices him to enroll in Hogwarts, the premier boarding school for witchcraft and wizards. Equipped with a broom and magic wand, Harry receives lessons in chanting, spells, curses, potions, magic, transfiguration, and the dark forces.
Throughout "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," the number 11 and the color green were prominent. The number eleven can portray the prophetic or it can symbolize the counterfeit prophetic. In a similar way, Harry's newspaper is called, "The Daily Prophet" which I believe portrays the counterfeit prophetic. In addition, the color green stood out in the first book. Green, which can symbolize life or resurrected, eternal life in a positive sense, can also refer to the flesh or being driven by the soul, a counterfeit to a godly, spirit-led conscience.
TEACHES LAWLESSNESS TO OUR CHILDREN
Even more troubling, Harry Potter teaches children to be disrespectful, to lie, to break rules, and to disobey authority figures. These describe what happens when sin rules our lives. They are evidence of Satan's fruit (Galations 5:16-21), which is diametrically opposed to God's fruit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, longsuffering, kindness, gentleness, and self-control (Galations 5:22-25).
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HARRY POTTER FUELS RAPIDLY GROWING
INTEREST IN WITCHCRAFT AMONG CHILDREN
PAGAN FEDERATION APPOINTS YOUTH OFFICER
TO HANDLE INQUIRIES FROM CHILDREN
Claims Christian Church has failed...
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Therefore, we should not be surprised to discover the Harry Potter books have fueled a rapidly growing interest in witchcraft among children. In fact, the demand to know more about witchcraft is so great, the Pagan Federation has appointed a youth officer to handle the flood of inquiries and to offer advice and information to youngsters. Although the Pagan Federation refuses to admit new members who are under the age of 18, nonetheless it reports that each month an average of 100 inquiries come from children who want to become witches.
Explaining the growing interest in witchcraft, the Pagan Federation claims the Christian Church has failed to provide "the right degree of spirituality for young people." They also say that paganism involves "direct communication with the divine."
SATAN'S MASTER PLAN--LURE A PROPHETIC GENERATION
These events point to the elevation of Satan's master plan--a plan to gather the most prophetic generation in history and lure them into embracing evil. Ten years from now, our children will welcome things that we would never accept today.
I am not just speaking about the Harry Potter books, which contains progressive deception. Instead, I am referring to the dark progression in our world of embracing a form of paganism and calling it "good." As our culture is deceived by the darkness that appears as light, an unprecedented fueling of the occult is happening in our day.
THE TIME OF GREAT DECEPTION --- THIS IS THAT TIME
I am absolutely convinced that we are living during a time of great deception spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12. Many will stumble headlong into evil, unaware they are being deceived. Some will fail to heed the warnings that foretell of the deception and allow themselves to be hardened to the truth.
A generation will arise that will persecute the Church. They will regard the Body of Christ as intolerant and spiritually egocentric. Tragically, our children will be the ones to pay the price for the flood of evil.