The Gospel According to Harry Potter

The Boston Globe has an interesting story* about the growing acceptance of the Harry Potter mythology into the Library of Christian Allegory**. Initially enraging to evangelicals, the series has been grudgingly embraced by many as another pop culture picture of Jesus. Now i’ve heard it said that every narrative is the same narrative: Creation-Fall-Redemption. And every story lives somewhere on that continuum. (Except for those crazy Surrealists!) I’m no lit major, so maybe that point is arguable, but it seems true in most fiction i’ve read. Though that could be because i am drawn to that story for obvious reasons.

Having read the Harry Potter series there are some moments that harken to the christian story. I mean, The One who must die and resurrect to save humanity? Yeah, it’s been done. But this is another unfortunate example of the christian world jumping into pop culture in either a desperate attempt to seem like critical thinkers*** or to make a little money off a hot trend or maybe both. One commentator makes this point:

“When stories become as popular as the Harry Potter stories, they no longer simply reflect the religious views of the author, but become artifacts of the culture…”

While that statement is true, my own view on art in all its forms is that it is a specific reflection of the existential views of its author. That is what gives art value – first as self expression, secondarily as general expression. I approach art by asking “what is the artist saying?” If i can satisfy that answer, i may ask “what is the art saying to me?” or i may not.

And that brings me to my next point: Rowling’s world is not a supernatural free-for-all with God and Dumbeldore speaking face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. In fact God is rather loudly absent. Aside from celebrating christmas there is nothing remotely christian about the world of harry potter. The supernatural is barely present: spells are basically recipes or litanies to be memorized and dissected, fantasy monsters are merely secretive beings, and good and evil have no higher authority. To me the absence of God (see: Buffy the Vampire Slayer) says more about Rowling’s theology than harry’s turn as saviour of the world.

Until the prequels that is, when we learn all about the source of the Force magic.

* Only interesting if you’re a nerd.
** I’m trademarking this. Someone at least make an unofficial list.
*** I’m describing myself again, aren’t i?