And while many potter fans continue to love rereading each book, choosing harry potter book characters for halloween costume inspiration, and otherwise preparing for more adventures in the potterverse, from the fantastic beasts films to more books from j. The best book like harry potter i recently had the great pleasure of meeting the good folks at the book charity booktrust. The best books to read if you love harry potter time. Granger wrote his books in response to antipotter books, such as richard abaness harry potter and the bible. Breaking her silence on the muchdebated question as to whether religious themes permeate her books. The magic in the harry potter books did not strike my husband and me as dabbling in the occult, unlike books which feature pentagrams, demonpossession, and the like. John granger, a christian, a teacher of classic literature, and a father of seven children, explores the surprising reasons j. While i am a huge advocate for rereading the harry potter series as the rest of your library gathers dust, i can also admit that there are some other incredible books to read if you like harry. Religious debates over the harry potter series of books by j. The hp books are set in an entirely alternative reality, much like narnia or middle earth. Maybe youll never find a book better than harry potter, but that doesnt mean you cant enjoy reading other novels about magic, friendship. This essay from christian musician andrew peterson is abridged from a blog post at the rabbit room im a fan of the harry potter books. The problem with finding christian books similar to harry potter is that one of the main religious objections seems to be the inclusion of magic and the portrayal of magic in a positive light. Looking for god in harry potter book by john granger.
Fantasy series as alternatives to harry potter grateful. As the largest reading charity in the uk, booktrust provides books to close to 3. Rowling opens up about books christian imagery they almost epitomize the whole series, she says of the scripture harry reads in godrics hollow. Harry potter, vampire movies, and other movies centered on occult themes.
Nov 14, 2018 the following article on harry potter and the bible was written several years ago after the very first harry potter book came out on video. Jul 10, 2017 books like harry potter for high level readers these books are technically for older readers, due to complex plot and number of characters. And lucky for you, there are plenty of books for kids to read if they love harry. Rowlings books are so popular and examines what the author believes are strong christian themes throughout the harry potter books. Its sort of like harry potter meets lord of the rings. This is a great series for kids who want a book like harry potter with a full fantasy world to explore. Feb 12, 2019 a lot of the lists for books for potter fans tend to focus on people like me, adults who grew up with the books. In his book, harry potter, narnia, and the lord of the rings. Lewiss the chronicles of narnia, the harry potter books do not have a positive biblical worldview. Are there other christians who read books like the twilight and harry potter series. In the wake of harry potters popularity, marketers of books and other products are eagerly following the harry potter crowd with offerings like teen witchcraft kits, a spelladay tearoff calendar that features real spells, and other products that cross the line into genuine occult involvement.
Jan 02, 2020 unlike other fantasy childrens stories that contain witches and the like, such as c. These ten books like harry potter will instantly cure a. I just got the unofficial harry potter cookbook for my birthday its so amazing. When christians talk about the harry potter books by j. Jan 24, 2019 harry potter, vampire movies, and other movies centered on occult themes. Permit me to quote george macdonald, who wrote a good bit of literature for children himself. Harry potter author reveals books christian allegory, her.
We are told to cast down imaginations and lead every thought captive in obedience to christ jesus in 2 corinthians 10. I wanted to know more about the reasons the books had been banned in the first place and a book written from a christian perspective caught my eye. Strong, complex female characters, a good trioquartet of friends, and. But little did we know that there are tons of other amazing books like harry potter out there you just have to know where to look. Hogwarts school of prayer and miracles chapter 1, a. Rowling are based on claims that the novels contain occult or satanic subtexts. For the latest edition of this book that covers all 7 harry potter novels, see how harry cast his spell. Twins sophie and josh find out the legend is true when they become entangled in a battle for the book of abraham the mage. Harry potter inspires a christian alternative the new york times. The whole harry potter is not bad because is fiction excuse does not work. An eyeopening article about the popular harry potter movie and books, and the occultic themes contained in them. Nov 15, 2005 redeeming harry potter the initial christian outcry against the boy wizard seems to be dying down.
Should christians be reading the harry potter books. In 1999, the harry potter books were challenged 23 times in states. Harry potter has not been well received in the christian community as a whole. Despite the fact that rowlings books are loaded to the brim with witches, potions, and evil incantations, there can be little doubt that the christian tradition informs much of harrys story. While most christian teens considering reading the harry potter books never turn to occult practices, some christian teens may have a background that makes reading the books tempting, because there are some christian teens that have been drawn in toward occult practices at some point and time in their lives. This series of 4 books plus a prequel has a rich, creative, magical setting. I was harry potter for halloween before it was cool. Although the books present a clear picture of the epic battle between good and. However, these books keep a mediumlevel of violence and pg romance, making them a great option for highlevel reading teens. Unlike other fantasy childrens stories that contain witches and the like, such as c. Rowling, its most often to complain about them for example, their use of magic. Theres a reason why the love for harry potter and his friends has been going strong for over twenty years. Do not continue reading if you dont want to be sucked into books like harry potter.
Neal says parents must use discernment in deciding whether to allow their kids to read harry potter. Here is a pile of books like harry potter guaranteed to bedazzle your imagination into the small hours of the morning long after the candle flame has. Connie neal, a veteran youth pastor and mother of three, is the author of a book titled whats a christian to do with harry potter. But they will settle into your bookshelf and become wellworn favorites that you dont lend out for fear they wont return. French t he reading phenomenon known as harry potter is sweeping the globe, and it truly has an international presence as readers in 200 nations, in over 40 languages, indulge in this series. Legend has it that the reallife flamel discovered the secret to eternal life. Rowling has captivated a generation with her books about the british wizard and his epic adventures.
Oct 18, 2007 after years of averting questions on whether christian themes were present in her wildly popular harry potter books, author j. Since harry potter is about a boy wizard who goes to school to learn magic, you probably wont find much that directly compares. After years of averting questions on whether christian themes were present in her wildly popular harry potter books, author j. Jul 15, 2011 in its early years, harry potter was a litmus test of orthodoxy for some conservative christians, who expressed concern over its portrayal of witchcraft. Jul 29, 2009 ct movies has received quite a bit of feedback in recent days about the harry potter franchise, from christians who think the series is harmless fun to those who believe its straight from the devil. Without further preamble, here is my list of suggested fantasy books for kids who are growing up with the books right now, but arent quite ready for the. The fascinating parallels between two of the worlds most popular literary characters by derek murphy 4.
The distinction between good and bad can become blurred as both the good and evil characters participate in different types witchcraft and magic. A number of protestant, catholic, and orthodox christians have argued against the series, as have some shia and sunni muslims. Harry potter inspires a christian alternative the new. The pope may have condemned the harry potter books, but j k rowling has now revealed that christianity has been. Sep 01, 2018 granger wrote his books in response to antipotter books, such as richard abaness harry potter and the bible. Christian fantasy novel rivals harry potter christian. As soon as my daughter turned 11, she began asking when she could start the harry potter books. Dare them to have daniel as their role model, not harry potter.
Are there other christians who read books like the twilight. Religious debates over the harry potter series wikipedia. The following article on harry potter and the bible was written several years ago after the very first harry potter book came out on video. Christian media have hailed book as christian harry potter for its. Maybe thats because more and more of us are discovering multiple redemptive themes in the series. A few christians, though, argue that the harry potter books are not only compatible with christianity, but in fact contain implicit christian messages. Any good christian alternatives to the harry potter books. Lewiss narnia books and tolkiens lord of the rings trilogy. So your kid is reading harry potter a christian familys. Why christians should read harry potter the archives. A christian expert on potter mania says, it depends. Since it was published in 1997, children and adults alike have fallen in love with j.
Some equate the books with the fantasy novels written by c. If anyone disagrees with my choice, id still love to hear a reason that qualifies harry potter as christian. Kids love the harry potter books, but should christian parents be concerned. Rowlings wizarding world into other enchanted literary universes, theres no shortage of books like harry potter. Eventually the site took on a broader remit as kidspeak. Ive raved about my favorite harry potter fan sites my most popular post, actually. Christian fantasy novel rivals harry potter christian books. The harry potter series exploded in popularity because it represented themes of the gospel, and that is something every heart has a connection to because the. So your kid is reading harry potter a christian familys response. Texas pastor john hagee called the books a precursor to witchcraft. First, we should all be suspicious of the medias hype of christian parents objecting to the books. Please put on and vote on any books that you think harry potter fans would like. Jul 24, 2004 like some other committed christians, he had been disturbed by the amount of witchcraft and the occult in childrens literature.
Whats a christian to do with harry potter neal, connie. A christian lawyer sued a public library for encouraging young readers to check out the series. My little ones have been asking to read the harry potter books. This weekend the last of the harry potter movies opens in theaters. Books like harry potter for high level readers these books are technically for older readers, due to complex plot and number of characters. Lets take a closer look at some of the arguments surrounding these seven books. Rowling finally opened up this week about the christian allegory in her latest book, harry potter and the deathly hallows. Sep 16, 2009 the problem with finding christian books similar to harry potter is that one of the main religious objections seems to be the inclusion of magic and the portrayal of magic in a positive light.
Supporters of the series have said that the magic in harry potter bears little resemblance to occultism, being more in the. Supporters of the series have said that the magic in harry potter bears. The attending films have just increased the impact one aspect of the harry potter phenomenon that has been particularly interesting to me, as an evangelical observer, is the christian. Mar 19, 2017 permit me to quote george macdonald, who wrote a good bit of literature for children himself. This question raises huge amounts of debate among christian experts. Im not a christian, and i picked up this book after id agreed to read a passage from the first harry potter novel at a reading of banned books.
Hogwarts school of prayer and miracles chapter 1, a harry. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Tolkien while others believe that the books promote the occult through witchcraft and spells. Rowlings harry potter books are some of the most immersive and masterfully written fantasy novels out there. Blog posted on wednesday, jan 02 20 magical books like harry potter after harry potter and the deathly hallows was released, some of us thought wed never find another worthy book series again. A lot of the lists for books for potter fans tend to focus on people like me, adults who grew up with the books. And if your kids do enjoy harrys magical world, you should give them copies of c. There are scads of terrific pastors and teachers and even a pastorteacher that is also a fantasyfiction author who have written on the inappropriateness of harry potter books as compared to. Im christian, and i love to read these fantasy novels, and i get criticized for liking these books, because others feel convicted about reading them or dont think theyre deemed readable by someone pursuing a relationship with god. Since then, there have been 5 other books released in this series, with the sixth one actually being released this week. Some have decided to keep a safe distance and look suspiciously at any christians who have read the books or watched the movies. Okay, so we could read it over and over, but weve also compiled a list of books like harry potter for when you need a new magical series in your life. But the magicians is not an appropriate followup to hp for a 6yearold.
Jesus condemned the mind sin of lust which is fantasy in matthew 5. So your kid is reading harry potter a christian family. As a result, many of us are wondering, how should i respond to this harry potter thing. Harry potter fans may remember nicholas flamel from his appearance in harry potter and the sorcerers stone.
What does the bible say about witchcraft and similar practices. Many of them cite shadowmancer as a desirable alternative to the harry potter series. Are there other christians who read books like the. Feb 20, 2020 the whole harry potter is not bad because is fiction excuse does not work.
The menace behind the magic and connie neals whats a christian to do about. Im really not going to get into a debate about harry potter. A wizard school fantasy adventure book for kids and teens aged 915. As a committed evangelical christian with over 20 years experience of ministering to people. So use this occasion to teach them to be discerninglike daniel. Why we like harry potter the series is a book of virtues with a preadolescent funny bone. I felt like that needed to be addressed because there is a movement within christianity now, within the christian church, of a small group of people who are trying to say that the harry potter books are actually a christian series just like the the chronicles of narnia series and the lord of the rings series. This question raises huge amounts of debate among christian. May 15, 2001 in the wake of harry potters popularity, marketers of books and other products are eagerly following the harry potter crowd with offerings like teen witchcraft kits, a spelladay tearoff calendar that features real spells, and other products that cross the line into genuine occult involvement. Jul 09, 2008 are there other christians who read books like the twilight and harry potter series.
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