Recently Ray Gano sent me an article relating Harry Potter to Jesus and it seemed to strike a chord in all of us, from disappointment to being appalled. I have no inclination to take apart the whole article this person wrote. It is too time consuming to correct all the errors in it with the truth it. But I do want to take the time to address the main theme and the major flaws that are used as symbolism for Christ.

So what’s the big deal- the story is imaginary. Precisely, however there are real concepts, and practices of witchcraft presented in the books. The fact that someone would actually consider that Harry Potter as an allegory, or symbolic of Jesus elicits an immediate righteous response to refute this notion. I do not want to see anyone entertain this idea and be trapped by some crafty arguments. The allure of special powers to have control over nature and the world is what the occult is all about. The author of this article has exercised her imagination to a great degree to produce an apologetic for this book series. Though it is extensively documented with end notes some of her references are questionable because the author is searching for those who can justify her premise.

We are told by a certain segment of loyal readers that there is Christian symbolism in Rowling’s book, pictures of the Gospel in symbolic form ( a number of articles have appeared in christian magazines). But Biblical symbolism is always based on Scripture- types and shadows that God already gave to recognize the Messiah. We are not at liberty to invent our own, especially using another religion i.e. Wicca. So to take the position of this being a symbolic gospel or evangelism in cryptic form fails.

“Wicca” (a nature religion) has increased in its popularity mostly among kids, and young adults and some of it can be attributed to this book. So when someone is making an argument of Harry Potter being an allegory of Jesus Christ, they have some chutzpah; and they are off the narrow road.

Some may say that Paul used a pagan alter as the starting point to introduce Christ to the Greek philosophers (Acts 17:23). If we read this carefully we find used Paul did not call their statue God, he used their IDOLATRY as a springboard to present the truth clearly, accurately and concisely from what the Bible teaches. He did not condone their idolatry but addressed it, calling them ignorant and to repent. In the end, they did not recognize Paul’s God as their god.

Abigail starts her article by stating “The story of Harry Potter is, and always was, a Christian allegory - a fictionalized modern day adaptation of the life of Christ, intended to introduce his character to a new generation.”

We are told to keep away from even the appearance of evil, and Jesus did not have good words for those who stumble the little ones.

As I have conversed with many people on this subject we find the author Abigail is no different in that she is more familiar with the story in Harry Potter books than The Book- the Bible. For the Bible has much to say on the subjects of these “type” of books. Though someone may not actually become a sorcerer it certainly opens them up to the world of the occult. Consider it as little seeds being planted in young fertile impressionable minds.

From the Old Testament to the New, we are told Lev 20:6: “And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people” (KJV)

So this was a real concern, not make believe.

God’s word says…

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are v.20 Idolatry, witchcraft,…which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:19-21).

King Saul went to a witch (medium) and was severely punished by God for consulting her (1 Samuel 28:7-20).

1 Samuel 15:23: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubborness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord,…”

To willfully reject God's word is described as hardening ones heart toward their maker and refusing to receive good counsel. The Bible teaches to avoid witchcraft because it has nothing to do with God but leads away from Him, god calls it sin. To make one a hero that practices witchcraft is bad; to compare Harry to Jesus Christ is beyond absurd, it is contemptible.

This articles starts off with asking J. K. Rowling if she is Christian, In the year 2000, when asked about her own faith -- whether she was a Christian -- Rowling responded:

“Yes, I am, which seems to offend the religious right far worse than if I said I thought there was no God. Every time I’ve been asked if I believe in God, I’ve said yes, because I do, but no one ever really has gone any more deeply into it than that, and I have to say that does suit me, because if I talk too freely about that [her Christianity] I think the intelligent reader, whether 10 or 60, will be able to guess what’s coming in the books.” (found at accio-quote.org)

Why have we not heard of this before (or continually stated from Rowling? Would it impede her sales?). This is the first I (and others) have heard such a statement. Why keep this hidden this many years not state it plainly and publicly (as if no one has ever asked this before). But this omits a specific answer- what God? And to this we have no specific answer, anymore than if a Mormon or a Jehovah Witness said they were a Christian. In other words without a specific testimony it is opened to interpretation.

Rowling in her Sun interview does explain why she hasn't made her faith more widely known: “If I talk too freely about that, I think the intelligent reader, whether 10 or 60, will be able to guess what’s coming in the books.”

So she is intentionally withholding her true belief for her books. Let us not forget. Rowling has stated in a Time magazine interview “Halloween, you'd not be surprised to know, is my favorite holiday.” I have never met a Christian who has said this about Halloween. Why would they, considering what it represents and means. Are we missing something here? And what Christian writes a series of books that makes witchcraft attractive and fun? Rowling has created a fantasy world with Harry Potter that encompasses popular symbols of her favorite holiday as well as the subjects of the occult, i.e. witchcraft, Spiritism, Astrology, Palmistry, shape-shifting, time-travel etc. She is introducing basic occult concepts and making them attractive to children through interesting reading. And we are to believe this author has a Christian intent in her books! It does not matter if the author is a Christian, what she wrote about is witchcraft and defined it as something which has both good and bad participants- it is all how you use it (like the Star Wars force). In fact, it does not matter if she was an atheist or a theist, it is the content of what she wrote that is absolutely clear.

There is the attraction to the occult on young influential minds because of the way it is written. I really cannot say if her motive is to intentionally try to lure children into occult activity but she certainly has opened up their minds to witchcraft, sorcery by the reading of her books, sparking an interest where they may have been none. If the Bible condemns the use of witchcraft, how can a Christian want to promote it? In her book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Hermoine was immersed in The Standard Book of spells, Grade 4. (p.136) Harry has a spell book (p.66 of first book). And in her insistent symbolic correlations to the Bible she has ignored the actual corresponding associations to the actual religion of witchcraft, where there are real books of spells. Yet we are to accept this as Christian symbolism.

The author (Abigail) rightly addresses this- “When a person states that they are a Christian, they may mean one of several things – “I believe in God,” “I’m not an atheist or Jewish or Muslim or Hindu,” “I go to church sometimes,” “I go to church every week,” or “I believe that Jesus Christ was the incarnate God who died to redeem the world of their sins, and I have a personal relationship with him as my Lord and Savior.”

This is about the only time she is Biblically correct for she then introduces a premise that runs through her apologetic of the books that has no proof but is a assumption. “If Rowling is a Christ follower, what might that mean for Harry Potter? I believe that it means that Harry is the Christ – of the wizarding world, that is – of J.K. Rowling’s created universe.” “If” is a big word when it comes to knowing a persons motives and intentions. The content that we will cover should speak for itself.

Saying Harry is the Christ of the wizarding world, is outrageous. There is a dichotomy throughout her apologetic-- light and darkness are not at odds with each other but compliment each other. In reality they cannot co-exist, yet she has no problem commingling them together to prove her assumptions. This becomes more apparent as we proceed.

Satan is a master counterfeiter – he takes portions of the truth and uses it to promote something similar, but it always leads away from the genuine truth. This is why a Christian should not use what is false or evil to promote the truth found only in God’s word. We are not to use something that the Bible calls evil so good may come of it (Rom.3:8) Paul says ‘Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Rom 12:9).We are to be “wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil” (Rom. 16:19). Paul explains “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.’ (1 Cor. 15:33). I propose that reading about witchcraft sorcery and spells, even for entertainment is in the category of what Paul is speaking of.

She writes: “A writer who uses symbolism from the tarot; a writer blamed for surging interest in witchcraft among teens; can this writer be a Christ follower, and actually be writing about Christ? I say yes”.

I say NO, you are no longer writing about Jesus but a different Christ.  Much of the argumentation in her article reminds me of the Emergent Church logic and syncretism- we might as well look for Christ in Tarot cards and be permitted to use the crystal ball to contact him.

I would like to ask what Christian would ever make a story up that promotes someone going to a school of witchcraft that centers around learning the things of witchcraft. Immediately this is a bad argument. And it goes from bad to worse as the author tries to find Biblical correlations for the things Harry does. This is not about whether Rowling is a Christian but whether she has placed specific correlations through symbolism to the Bible and the Christ. Many of the ideas can be seen in the Book of Shadows which Wiccans use, or other occult literature, not the Bible. In fact one can find similar correlations from Peter Pan and

Did anyone get a Christian message from this book? Did it help people draw nearer to Christ and His word, or did it increase ones openness to sorcery and witchcraft. We find it is the later. So there is not basis for us to accept this symbolism presents the biblical Christ.

A 2002 Barna survey that found 12% of kids who saw the Harry Potter movies were more interested in witchcraft. And Wiccans, neo-pagans are using the popularity of Harry Potter books to promote their own (real) witchcraft books (in both fiction and non-fiction). They are introducing young readers to their materials and this worldview. In this respect our concerns about Harry Potter are valid.

“Teen-agers who have read Harry Potter books or have seen the Harry Potter movie were more likely to have experimented with psychic or occult activities than those teens who had not, a recent study found.” http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=28124

Consider the article ‘Witchcraft and Wicca, the Heart of the Harry Potter Controversy” where the author is well aware of the antagonism there is and tries to refuel the fire from an Old Testament viewpoint on witchcraft adding to the dichotomy

“Harry Potter breaks through that rule, and while fiction, does open the mind to the possibility of magic and that Witches might be real. So Harry Potter might kindle interest, and those interested might find out that a real Wiccan community with schools, temples, and a growing culture actually exists, that these Nature Worshipping people are not Christians and believe many things that contradict their world view.” http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/7/prweb261778.htm

(article on WorldNet Daily, Boy wizard changing teens into witches? Wiccan group says Potter books boost interest in witchcraft.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=33032

Wiccan covens are found in high schools all over and one is never too young to start. One young child said of the age of 10 said, I was eager to get to Hogwarts first because I like what they learned there and I want to be a witch.” (Gioia Bishop, age 10 “What Readers Think About Goblet?”  (San Francisco Chronicle, 7-26)

Newsweek, where the spokesman for the Pagan Federation in England reported that he receives an average of 100 inquiries a month from young people who want to become witches-an unprecedented phenomenon which he attributes in part to the Potter books. An article Time magazine (the December 17, 2000) reported that an organization in Germany has had an increasing number of inquiries, which they too attribute to the Potter books. This taking place in many different countries.

Numerous other quotes can be produced that enforce the concept that this book is a positive influence for witchcraft, not the Bible. In this article the author presupposes that Harry Potter and the objects in the story are symbolism for Jesus. From what I can tell this concept is traced to Flu network- (http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2000/0711-time-hunt.htmld). Though they my not be the originators or the only ones trying to fly this flag (or broom in this case).

For example, another article states: “The climax of the second book, Chamber of Secrets, he asserts, works as pure Christian allegory. "It's the story of Harry fighting a serpent and overcoming it with the sword of Gryffindor. He is unable to accomplish this by himself and must call for help, which comes from above, most often in the form of the word of truth or a double-edged sword….the phoenix weeps in his wound to heal him. That's a classic symbol of Christ's passion. It's Christ's tears that make us whole." Gibbs, Nancy [et al]. "The Real Magic Of Harry Potter." (Time June 23, 2003) http://www.accioquote.org/articles/2003/0623-time-gibbs.html (emphasis added)

With this kind of argumentation many have disqualified themselves, not having a small working knowledge of what the Bible actually teaches they cannot comment on any allegorical presentation.

In favor of this allegorical theory the author of the article “Is Harry Potter the Son of God” states: “I do not claim that every character and event in the Harry Potter series has a biblical parallel, nor would I ever assume to know the exact design of one of the greatest and most intentional authors of our time. However, there is much compelling evidence for my theory, which, when considered as a whole, makes a rather strong argument.”

Wait a second, she presents this theory with no proof but her personal opinion and yet she wants us to believe your parallels are intentional? As we will see it is based on assumptions and is putting words in the author’s mouth. This person writing this does not represent nor is authorized to speak for Rowling on this matter. There is no evidence for any of this, until this apologist for the Harry Potter book series that promotes wizardry and witchcraft cunningly put this together. When you hear people say things with no proof and build up a case on mostly speculation they usually have an agenda.

Let’s look at the allegories and symbols CAREFULLY.

She begins by saying “Harry’s last name, Potter, is connotative of Christ. Isaiah calls God the potter – “you are our father, we are the clay and you are the potter.” This consequently points to Christ, since in Christian theology God the father and God the son (Christ) are one and the same.

The name “Potter” has no significance to this anymore than the Potters field has to do with God forming it. The Bible says God is the Potter, man is the clay. Is the author claiming that Harry is GOD? One who has darkness in him? Jesus is not an occult Son of God. And who is Harry forming? This is an extremely bad argument. Potter means someone who molds another object. Who is actually molding who and into what by the Harry Potter books. In the Bible God is the potter not man (Harry), so this correlation is fallacious.

We call this a counterfeit not symbolic. I have encountered those who use maybes and ifs to present their own personal theory as biblically relevant; and this author certainly fits in this category. Yes, a priest was holy to the Lord when he ministered in the Tabernacle. What does a lightning bolt say? Tying a box on the forehead or hand is not the same as tattoo i.e. mark.

These arguments sound like those under the Toronto blessing, where they find anything that sounds the similar even though it does not have the same meaning. The high priest wore many things not just a Turban. But this turban consisted of dark blue color, on the front was a diadem of pure gold which was engraved "Holy to the Lord," (Exod. 8:36-38; 39:30-31). The priest is also to make a difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; Lev 10:10).Witchcraft is unclean.

The author makes no distinction of the words meanings--those marked to destruction and those sealed to salvation. These are different words – “sealed” is sphragizo in Greek meaning-to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest:

Mark is charagma in Greek -meaning- a scratch or etching, i.e. stamp (as a badge of servitude), or sculptured figure (statue).

Those who receive a mark in the forehead that can be seen are those who refuse Christ and worship Satan- his world system and government (Rev.13). Those who are marked by God are a specialized group (only Jewish men) to evangelize the world, and only God can see who they are. They are not marked but sealed.

Jesus did not have any mark on his forehead, but a puncture wound around his whole head. Nor did He have any visible mark during his ministry. The mark is a symbol of Satan; a lightning bolt, according to Jesus, describes Satan’s fall. Luke 10:18 ‘And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

But we know of this mark is from the author of the books and this has absolutely no correlation to Jesus. Harry explains in the book, "I thought I was a snake, I felt like one - my scar really hurt... It was like something rose up inside me...." (p. 481) Seems like it has more to do with the snake of Kundalini (in Hinduism- enlightenment) than Jesus. So the author of this article has again overreached in her symbolic explanations.

She continues in this venue: “Harry’s stag patronus (a conjured protector that drives away certain dark creatures) provides even more symbolism. The stag is historically a symbol of Christ and an enemy and overcomer of the serpent, a common symbol for Satan. The stag patronus is used in the Potter series to link Harry to his father, James, who was an animagus, (a wizard who can turn into an animal at will) whose animal form was a stag. For this reason, James’s nickname was Prongs. It seems as though Rowling is trying to bring attention to that part of the creature. Interestingly, Christian stag representations often hold a cross in prongs of the antlers. As the image of the stag is present on the inside flap of the cover of the British Children’s version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, we are assured the stag will come into play again.”