What's a Christian to do with Harry Potter?: an Interview
MI: What are your aims and goals and what do you hope to achieve in writing it ?
CN: To give Christians the accurate information, biblical knowledge, and tools they need to make up their own minds regarding Harry Potter. To call Christians who have set up camp for or against Harry Potter, to try to understand how another sincere Christian could come to a conviction directly opposite their own, and still be right with God. Then to commit themselves to conduct any discussion of this disputable matter in a godly way (according to Eph. 4:1-3, James 1:19-20, and Galatians 5:13-26); to explain New Testament teachings that helps us make conscientious decisions on such matters. To protect kids from occult influences in the real world. I wrote one chapter directly to the kids at a 2nd grade level, teaching them what God forbids in our world and how to avoid it. Whether or not kids read Harry Potter, they are bombarded with occult references and influences. This way kids can be equipped to guard their own hearts. It also leads them to seek supernatural power ONLY from God Almighty.
For those who are free to read Harry Potter with a clean conscience, or to help kids who have already read it, I offer ways to use the stories for godly purposes.
MI: What are the issues at stake in the Harry Potter controversy ?
· Spiritual protection of children · How one interprets literature · Whether Christians are free to read literature popular in their culture that includes references to occult practices forbidden in the Bible · Whether some who interpret fantasy literature in a way that threatens their sense of well-being have a right to try to restrict its accessibility in the public domain (public schools and libraries).
MI: Why are these important issues to discuss ?
CN: What is more important than the spiritual well-being of our children? What is more frightening than to think that Satan could influence little children and lead them into danger? Remember Hansel & Gretel: that gingerbread house was a frightful sight because it would draw kids, and we knew the evil intent of the witch living within. Many see Harry Potter as the equivalent of that gingerbread house, thus their reaction makes perfect sense.
On another level, how important is literature, fantasy stories, and fairy tales? Those who treasure literature, literacy, and the richness
Latest Articles