Is Harry Potter and Narnia good for the church?

If blatantly Christian literature was even half as good as Potter, maybe we wouldn't be having these discussions. The fact of the matter is, children don't want to read the stuff on the Christian book shelves. It is sub-standard and a lot of it is complete dribble. It's on a VERY low reading level and the subject matter leaves the imagination mal-nourished. Maybe, rather than trying to refute contemporary secular fiction, Christians should try writing fiction that is actually worth reading.

 

If blatantly Christian literature was even half "as good as Potter, maybe we wouldn't be having these discussions. The fact of the matter is, children don't want to read the stuff on the Christian book shelves. It is sub-standard and a lot of it is complete dribble. It's on a VERY low reading level and the subject matter leaves the imagination mal-nourished. Maybe, rather than trying to refute contemporary secular fiction, Christians should try writing fiction that is actually worth reading."------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello, the Chrinicles of Narnia. Hello?

 

Chronicle or Narnia...good.

Harry potter...bad. (based on sorcery)

 

I agree with you on Narnia. I read it when I was a teenager and am now in the middle of it again. However, I'm not on the anti-HP bandwagon. I'm not a huge fan of it, but I have seen all but the latest film. I figure my strong relationship with Jesus Christ prevents any of the nonsense from taking me off course.

 

While I don't see Harry Potter as being good for the church, I do see it and other fantasy books as good for the development of the imagination, creativity and reading abilities of individual Christian children. I read some of the Harry Potter books as an adult but many other fantasy novels as a youth and they were pivotal in the development of my reading abilities and imagination. Some of the Harry Potter themes may be a little scary for really young children and the elements of learning wizardry/sorcery may encourage some children without proper guidance to seek out the occult. But I would consider those to be non-issues with proper parenting. Generally, the Potter books are very good writing that I would highly recommend, with the above cautions.

As for the Narnia series, I can't see how it is bad for Christianity since Christian imagery is dripping from many of the books. I loved it as a child and look forward with anticipation to the films.

 

I think Narnia has some Christian allegories while HP does not. I'm a big Narnia fan but don't really like the HP series. Not that I think they are of "satan" but I find them on a low reading level as one poster reffered to Christian works.Please don't hate me but just not my style although the HP movies are ok. So yes I think Narnia can be a good witnessing tool for the church!
In Christ,
Nate

 

One time through "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" as a young man and I knew it was an allegory of Christ's sacrifice. Only later did I read more of C. S. Lewis and learn he was a Christian. Allegories (including allegorical fantasy books) can be great for Christians, provoking thought. I do not say that all allegorical or fantasy books are good. But remember that great allegorical fantasy, Pilgrim's Progress? By a great Baptist?

Harry Potter? Haven't read the books, but I've opened one several times in the store and read enough to know I'm against them. A kid doing the spells of witchcraft? Even as fantasy? No way!

When our son was a little boy I let him do a C-64 (remember that great PC?) game in which you only pushed a button to cast a magic spell--didn't even have any words. He began to have nightmares and have voices inside his head. It took a lot of prayer and parenting to get past that.

Anyone, especially with children, who gives Satan a chance to influence his or her family through a book or game showing witchcraft as a good thing, as HP books and movies do, is nuts, IMO.

 

[Post edited: Non-Baptist posting in a Baptist Only section.]

[ November 29, 2005, 05:04 AM: Message edited by: Bible-boy ]

 

Deu 18:9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
Deu 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Deu 18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Deu 18:12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Act 13:10 And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

1Ti 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

 

Sorry for the second post here, but got bumped off line before I could get the rest out. Why would we want to expose our children or ourselves for that matter to something that is clearly forbidden and we are told to withdraw ourselves from?

 

Harry Potter wasn't around when I was little but I loved all kinds of books about witches and magic. There was nothing wrong with that because I knew it was just fantasy. I think it's fine to read that kind of stuff as long as you teach your kids that it's just for fun.

I don't think there is place for secular books/movies in church though.

 

One would have to refute Scripture to endorse the use of the aforementioned. God bans the usage of witchcraft and sorcery to advance His Kingdom.

 

They're works of fiction. Period. They're good works of fiction, imo. So are the Lord of the Rings books, Star Wars films, etc.

It's ridiculous to make doctrine of works of fiction. I absolutely love the CHronicles of Narnia, and, while I wholeheartedly look forward to the first film's release, I think a bit too much is being made of it. As much as it has Christian themes, it's not Gospel, folks. We can certainly get inspirational worth out of works of fiction, but we should not get our biblical doctrine from them.

BTW, I've read all the Narnia books many times, and love them. Also read the first 5 HP books, and love them (haven't seen the newest movie, but will eventually). Have read all three LOTR books and love 'em. Have read all of the Oz books, and love them. Have read the Left Behind series, and I think they stink.

I know how to discern between the two. Hopefully, we all do. Many who denounce or exult such story genres in their entirety often lack the discernment ability.

 

As many here know, I have written articles on the Harry Potter books and movies (I've read all the books except the latest one) and have strong concerns for many reasons. The HP books have a hero who casts spells, has a class called divination, studies magical potions (something that is actually used in the occult), and has a class on astrology. In the 5th book, Harry gives Hermione a book she's always wanted -- one on numerology.

Whether or not the way these things are presented is like the real thing (and in some cases, they do approximate it) is not the issue - the issue is that they present these things, which God has condemned, as a good thing.

I have HP fans who email me and ask me about doing "white" magic or learning witchcraft because of reading HP. Scholastics, the publisher in the US of the HP books, has on their website a page giving advice on casting spells and invites the kids to send in their spells. Some of the spells sent in are actual spells.

I have way too much to say on this, so if you want to read it, see my articles:
The books:
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_harrypotter.html
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_morehpotter1.html
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_HarryPotter_Phoenix1.html

The movies:
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_pottermovie.html
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_potter_chamber.html
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_HarryPotter_Azkaban.html
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_potter_fire.html

I've read LOTR and do not see the same problems as in HP. I have a page on that as well. I've now just started reading the Narnia Chronicles.

If people saw the number of young kids and teens that I do who have become involved in and in bondage to the occult, they might not take HP so lightly.

 

I think Harry Potter is well written and entertaining. All my kids have enjoyed it and it has introduced them to reading long, non-picture books. The plot, of course is the usual generic good vs. evil theme. I think my kids are intelligent (and spiritually mature) enough to see it as fiction, that spells and wizards are not real.

Narnia is much better since it is not only better written, but also has a clearly defined Christian theme. Aslan is "crucified" and resurrected to redeem Narnia and defeat the white Witch (Satan.) Of course, don't expect it to be a systematic theology textbook.

The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe describes Narnia's redemption by Aslan. The Magician's Nephew explains Aslan's creation of the world and how evil came to be. And the Final Battle is Lewis' eschatalogical book which explains how Aslan brings the world of Narnia to a close.

Lewis' "Space Trilogy" also is a Christian themed fiction series.

 

Here's the problem with HP, spells and wizards ARE real. They are controlled by Satan. If we start teaching them that witchcraft is just fantasy, we are wrong. We need to teach them that, yes, there is a dark side and that all witchcraft is evil. I know some and was around wiccans when I was in college.
(I even had a wiccan cast a spell on me that I would be ugly by the time I was 35!! you be the judge!!!)

Satan would just love for us as Christians to teach our children that evil is just a figment of our imagination.
Witchcraft is evil. REAL evil!!!

 

They're works of fiction. Period. They're good works of fiction, imo. So are the Lord of the Rings books, Star Wars films, etc.

It's ridiculous to make doctrine of works of fiction. I absolutely love the CHronicles of Narnia, and, while I wholeheartedly look forward to the first film's release, I think a bit too much is being made of it. As much as it has Christian themes, it's not Gospel, folks. We can certainly get inspirational worth out of works of fiction, but we should not get our biblical doctrine from them.

BTW, I've read all the Narnia books many times, and love them. Also read the first 5 HP books, and love them (haven't seen the newest movie, but will eventually). Have read all three LOTR books and love 'em. Have read all of the Oz books, and love them. Have read the Left Behind series, and I think they stink.

I know how to discern between the two. Hopefully, we all do. Many who denounce or exult such story genres in their entirety often lack the discernment ability. </font>[/QUOTE]These are my thoughts. I love LOTR and my husband loves Star Wars.

I remember someone mentioning "The Matrix" has Biblical meaning to it, good vs evil sort of thing.

 

Here's the problem with HP, spells and wizards ARE real. They are controlled by Satan. If we start teaching them that witchcraft is just fantasy, we are wrong. We need to teach them that, yes, there is a dark side and that all witchcraft is evil. I know some and was around wiccans when I was in college.
(I even had a wiccan cast a spell on me that I would be ugly by the time I was 35!! you be the judge!!!)

Satan would just love for us as Christians to teach our children that evil is just a figment of our imagination.
Witchcraft is evil. REAL evil!!! </font>[/QUOTE]I agree with this also. Though, I see it as fiction just as I do most movies. I find it entertaining but I would be cautious when introducing it to young Christians. I don't know, it's something I have mixed feelings about.

 

The spell obviously was a total failure, tinytim. At least so far!!