What's a Christian to Do with Harry Potter?

Rating:
Summary: A very balanced and thought-provoking analysis!
Review: As an educator and a Christian I originally viewed the Harry Potter phenomenon with apprehension and fear. After telling several people not to read the books because they were blatantly occultic, a good Christian friend asked if I had actually read them or was just responding to hearsay. I admitted that I hadn't and decided to find out for myself. However, I found that other Christians were shocked that I would read the books and allow my 11-year old son to do the same.

Connie Neal realistically analyzes the views of those both for and against the Harry Potter books. One of the best things about being a Christian is being led by the Holy Spirit. What is permissable for one Christian may not be for another - a point that Connie argues from the Bible. The bottom line is that, as Christians, we need to not judge each other. We need to trust that the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of others and allow them to enjoy the freedom we have in Christ.

I strongly suggest this book as a thorough description of the issues involved in the Harry Potter debate, and as a great reminder of the freedom we have as Christians to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and do what we are led to do.

Rating:
Summary: Based on Faith AND Common Sense
Review: Finally! A comprehensive guide to the Harry Potter series that is not only faith-based, but also incorporates the much sought after common-sense approach so vital to all Christians. While we want to protect our children from material that is contrary to the Lord's word, common sense dictates that this in itself is a fantasy. We are, after all, living in the world, and cannot keep our children blind to reality. Therefore, Ms. Neal suggests ways in which we can communicate with our children about these things, offering ways to put into perspective the difference between the portrayal of "magic" in these fictional books and the deadly consequences of "magic" in real life. "What's a Christian to do with Harry Potter?" will enlighten both people with and without children. Because of its timeless usefulness in not just the Harry Potter books, but as a guide for living in the world we live in today, I give Ms. Neal's book my highest recommendation.

Rating:
Summary: A Fabulous, Biblical, Must Read!!!
Review: I want to highly recommend this book! Every Christian who works with, ministers to, or has children should read "What's A Christian To Do With Harry Potter?". It is a fabulously balanced and intelligent discussion of the Harry Potter phenomenon which the Christian community desperately needs. The fear-mongering and name calling has to stop. We need to have the freedom to discuss and think through these matters without resorting to near hysteria, or worse, condemnation, gossip and slander (which are just as bad as the sin of witchcraft). What ever happened to ...they'll know we are Christians by our love? This book is a call to love and a seeking of what God would have YOU do. Connie Neal's discussion in Chapter 5 regarding deciding for yourself about disputable matters is a great bible study in and of itself. It can and should be applied to every area of life, not just the Harry Potter books. She also shares wonderful guidelines of how to safeguard our children from the snares of the Devil. And, if you don't want to read the books yourself, her synopsis will give you the background to understand what kids are talking about. You can't lose with this book, it's a fast, enjoyable, thought-provoking read. You'll be recommending it to your friends and handing it to your Sunday School teachers and youth workers! You may even find yourself leading a child to Christ :-)

Rating:
Summary: This Is the Book to Read
Review: If you think any Christian who would be concerned about the Harry Potter books is a right-wing fundamentalist from the dark ages, don't read this book. If you are a serious Christian who wants to know whether your kids should be reading Harry Potter, or whether you should, THIS IS THE BOOK TO READ. Do NOT waste your time with "Pokemon & Harry Potter: A Fatal Attraction" or "Harry Potter and the Bible: The Menace Behind the Magick." Those authors are only a couple steps from the Inquisition, and they simply don't understand literature and how it works. Connie Neal, who works for Focus on the Family, explains why the Harry Potter books ARE good for Christian children. She explains the difference between the "wizardry" in these books and the witchcraft books found in the New Age section of your local bookstore. She shows how you can help your children find God in the Harry Potter books. I have a Ph.D. in literature and I teach the Bible on the college level and edit a theological journal, so I'm better qualified than most to say that the Harry Potter books are significant from both the literary and the spiritual viewpoints. They are at heart about the battle between good and evil, the same battle that swirls around us, and about the forces that are trying to lead us to choose the good and the competing forces trying to lead us into darkness. If you help your children find these themes in the books, the books can have a powerful influence for good.

Rating:
Summary: A Book That Helps You Decide for Yourself about Harry
Review: Several months ago I picked up this book out of sheer curiosity, assuming that it was just another Harry-basher. To my pleasant surprise, however, I found that it was in fact a refreshingly unbiased and intelligent discussion of the story of Harry Potter. Connie Neal explains not only why the books are popular, but also the values readers can learn from them and even their correlations with biblical principles.

I think this is an excellent book on the topic of Harry Potter for two reasons. One, the author presents J.K. Rowling's series as literature rather than as a mere cultural phenomenon. I am a Christian who has grown up on classic fantasy by the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, C.S. Lewis, L. Frank Baum and other notable writers, and I have always thought that the Harry Potter books belong in this category. To me, they are simply good morality tales embellished with magical feasts for the imagination. As Connie Neal points out, classic fantasy uses magic as a literary device to make stories more exciting; writers of the genre usually make it clear that this magic is set within the context of an imaginary world and does not bear any direct correlation with the real-world practices of witchcraft and the occult. I believe Harry Potter should be examined within the context of the fantasy genre, and Connie does an admirable job of giving J.K. Rowling's stories fair treatment in this way.

The second reason I highly recommend this book is that Connie makes an earnest effort to bridge the gap between the two extremes of the Harry Potter debate by getting at the true heart of the argument: simply put, we must agree to disagree. And we must *graciously* agree. Most authors who write on controversial topics aim to persuade the reader to agree with their viewpoint. I really appreciate Connie's approach: she actually entreats you to "decide for yourself." She presents both sides of the debate and then arms the reader with Paul's guidelines for Christians who are in disagreement about personal conduct (Romans 14-15 and I Corinthians 8-10). I join the author in pleading with Christians, no matter which view they lean toward, to "stop passing judgment!" Connie points out that we do not gain anything by bickering with or criticizing the opposing viewpoint. I would go a step further and say that in this kind of hysteria we lose our focus and weaken our mission as Christians to love others as Christ loves us.

If you are uncertain what to think about Harry Potter, or if you are simply looking for a unbiased treatment of the issue, read this book. Connie Neal does not force-feed her opinions; instead, she equips you with enough information and background about Harry so that you can make your own decision regarding the world-famous wizard boy.

Rating:
Summary: A sane, common-sense approach to a divisive subject
Review: The Harry Potter series has been quite controversial in the Christian community, to say the least. Personally, I have read all four of the books and I found them to be extremely inventive, fascinating, and captivating. Other evangelical Christians regard them as dangerous and evil. Connie Neal takes a very even-handed approach to the Harry Potter saga, being very fair to both sides of the issue while being able to draw some positive values from the series. She examines some of the mythological roots used by J.K. Rowling in constructing these stories, and draws comparisons with the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Neal even presents a personal testimony about how she used the Harry Potter books to evangelize and to actually bring someone to Christ! The best thing to do is to read this book, read other books with differing views on the subject, and, with much prayer, make up your own mind. As for me, I can't wait for Book Five!

Rating:
Summary: A good attitude, a spiritual perspective
Review: This is a wonderful book. If Connie Neal had come out against Harry Potter I probably still would have been with her from the start - it is encouraging to read something which is less about defending or attacking Harry Potter, and more about uniting the church. She adeptly dispels some of the myths surrounding the books (that infamous Onion article you may have seen), and points out attitudes that are just plain silly (someone assured her that 'Of course J.K. Rowling is a witch! She looks like one!'). She can also see why Christian parents are so troubled - but gives a good argument for why the Harry Potter books should not be kept off our shelves. Was a gem to read, very good indeed. (My boyfriend claimed that her knowledge of witchcraft wasn't up to scratch, but I wouldn't know about that.)

Rating:
Summary: A change of heart
Review: When I first heard of the Harry Potter stories I was opposed to them without even looking at them because of the reference to sorcery and witchcraft. After reading Connie Neal's book "What's a Christian to do with Harry Potter", I realized that I had made a serious mistake in being so judgemental without even opening the book in question. After giving an overview of different literary components found in myth, fable and fantasy, Connie presents a very balanced, thoughtful, scripturally solid examination of the Harry Potter stories. This book is a MUST READ for every Christian. She gives a wonderful presentation of the pros and cons of Harry Potter. But beyond the Harry Potter issue, she presents relevant teaching on how to engage our culture for the sake of the kingdom, avoid conflicts in disputable matters, and how to use Harry Potter (or other cultural fads) to share the gospel of salvation, and teach the truths concerning the real occult to our children. This book is very easy to read and understand even though Harry Potter wasn't read first. I teach the Bible every week and am very conservative in my interpretation of the scriptures. A person would be hard pressed to find a better example of Biblical interpetation of a cultural phenomenon. Harry Potter is here and being devored by our youth and others. This book is an excellent guide on how to use the Harry Potter rage to give out the truth. Connie Neal gives great instruction on how to connect with your children for the sake of the kingdom. If your child has read, wants to read or knows someone who has read Harry Potter then read this book, and read Harry Potter along with them. If you want great ideas on how to explain difficult subjects like the occult to your child read this book.