7.14.2005 | "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live"

Thus saith the Lord (Exodus 22:18). How about a wizard named Harry Potter? The soon-to-be released sixth book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" raises the question anew for believing Christians and Jews. As a side note, isn't that a curious formulation: "believing" Christians. Actually, there is no other kind.

Scripture is plain; God forbids witchcraft. So how can a Christian read the Harry Potter books or see the movies, other than as an object lesson in avoiding the mark of the beast? I don't know, and here's a confession: I'm hooked on the Harry Potter series. I also see distinctly Christian themes in JK Rowling's works (examples would include fighting evil with good; Albus Dumbledore as a good shephard if not the Good Shephard Christ; Harry himself as a disciple of the Good; disdain for prejudice).

And yet, after all is said and done, there is not a direct acknowledgment of the source of Harry's goodness and power. These are, perhaps, Christian-themed works, but without Christ. Although, curiously, at Hogwarts they do have a "Christmas" holiday, and the characters give each other presents, and wish each other, in the English manner, "Happy Christmas."

There is no shortage of Christians who view the entire Harry Potter enterprise as evil; here's but one example. Before we are so quick to condemn JK and Harry, consider this question: When you download your e-mail, do you actually know how this seemingly simple task is done? Most of us, except for the techie wizards (yes, pun intended), haven't a clue; we simply click on "send/receive" and wait for the result.

To a Christian who lived prior to 1900, this would be indistinguishable from witchcraft. It is, frankly, magical to most Christians today, if they sat down and thought about it at all. Now we all know that e-mail is a tool of Satan...surely he must have invented spam. But the process is explainable in scientific terms, and is like any other technology -- morally neutral of and by itself.

For the "real" magic we find in Harry Potter, the same might apply. The same power, hidden to us muggles, is used for both good and evil purposes. Of and by itself, magic is presented as morally neutral. Sort of like technology.

The logical man's conclusion? Technology and magic are merely different aspects of the same thing: the application of power that we can't truly understand, and either may be used for good -- or evil.

Except, the Christian must remain uneasy at any celebration of the occult in Harry Potter. The reasonable Christian may enjoy the books and movies, but always, always, asking the question: where is Christ? And we must always be mindful that God has prohibited us witchcraft -- if it detracts from His glory, or separates us from salvation through His Son.

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