Witch is in the Title

This was my December Church Newsletter article written in mid-November...

From the Christian Education Office

I am certain by now that you've seen the ads for the new Harry Potter movie and for The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Knowing full well that both would hit the theatres very soon - I wanted to share some thoughts, readings, and converstions on the topic.

Scripture tells us clearly to have NOTHING to do with magic - and yet so many of us will see both films. "But the Chronicles of Narnia are written by C.S. Lewis!" "But Harry Potter doesn't cast real spells." "Witches aren't real." Well, I went to a sneak peek of the Narnia film and the question arose, "If Christians are making such a fuss about Harry Potter, how can we endorse a film that clearly has the word Witch in the title?" hmmmm. Even Lord of the Rings (also written by a Christian) has magic and wizards and spells in it. So what is the difference? Well, I did a lot of reading on the subject.

One of the more convincing articles I found suggests that while both series (Potter and Narnia) are about British children encountering fantasy worlds, with admirable characters and good fighting evil, one writer believes the "difference between the two hinges on the concept of authority. From a Christian perspective, authority and supernatural power are linked." In Harry Potter magical power is inherited or learned. There is no higher power but there are equal antagonistic and unaccountable wizards (Dumbledore and Voldemort). This idea sort of divorces power from authority. In Narnia, Aslan the Lion is the creator and ruler or Narinia. Good powers are bestowed in accordance to his will and evil power is seized or conjured and used selfishly.

I honestly don't think it's even a fair comparison. Tolkein and Lewis knew what they were doing when they each wrote their series. They were both Christians. They would meet together and talk about the imagery and the allegories they were writing. J.K. Rowling wasn't trying to allude to the Bible. She wasn't making any attempt to lead people to Christ or teach them about God. She wrote a children's fantasy. That doesn't excuse her for intriguing kids with the idea of witchcraft - but that wasn't her point either; Her intention was not that kids would read about Harry and seriously consider the religion of Wicca.

There's this story in Acts where Paul is preaching in Greece and refers to their idol to the unknown god. He uses that idol to tell them He knows who that God is and introduces them to Christ. He quotes some of their very own pagan poets to get his message across. I love that story. Paul was being a cross cultural missionary. What if we could find ways to use Harry Potter to convey Biblical messages and even Jesus?

I was hugely challenged with 2 questions almost a year ago. If something isn't bearing a "Christian" label does that make it untrue? And if something is bearing a "Christian" label does that make it true? We can tell our kids to run from Harry Potter and hide their eyes. (Not that they would, but we could.) OR perhaps we can teach them to see bits of truth in something that was never intended to glorify God. Maybe Harry Potter is a springboard for discussion. It can certainly start discussions about witchcraft. But it can start discussion about discerning good and evil, or discussions about fears, or desires, or belonging, or being called to something amazing but not knowing our destiny just yet. And maybe, just maybe, if we are equipped ourselves, those discussions can lead us to the Word. THE Truth.

I know that witchcraft is real. I do. And I know it's bad. But I'm still probably going to watch the Wizard of Oz the next time it's on. And I really want to see Wicked when the show comes to town. And as long as I know people are reading and watching Harry Potter - I'll probably be keeping abreast of the situation. Will you?

Have a very Merry CHRISTmas!