Synopses & Reviews
“The Potter stories, far from being ‘wicked or ‘Satanic, ... are in fact narratives of robust faith and morality ...“What Ms. Rowling has furnished us, besides what the Brits call ‘a good read, and a whopping good one, ... is a modern interpretation of the gospel, the wonderful news that ‘God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself and making sure that the goodness of creation would never be obliterated by the forces of darkness and evil.”
Since their first publication, J. K. Rowlings Harry Potter novels have brought joy to children and adults alike. Many conservative Christians in the United States, however, have decried the books as wicked, as preaching witchcraft and the occult, and as glamorizing dishonesty. A minister in New Mexico held a “holy bonfire” on the Sunday after Christmas 2001, at which he publicly torched the Potter books, declaring them “an abomination to God and to me.”
John Killinger, a Congregationalist minister and an academic in the field of contemporary literature, beautifully demolishes the objections of right-wing Christians to this bestselling childrens series. He compellingly argues that, far from corrupting childrens morals, the Potter stories actually influence young readers to follow the teachings of Jesus. He cites passage after passage to illustrate how the world of Harry Potter would be inconceivable apart from the strictures of Judeo-Christian theology and the way human existence should be approached by every follower of Jesus. Additionally, he reflects on the possibility that Harry Potter, like Dostoevskys Prince Myshkin and others, is a witting or unwitting Christ figure who actually battles the forces of darkness for the souls of the faithful.
All through this extraordinarily well-written, compelling, and very entertaining little book, the author points out that stories like this are worth more than any sermon toward producing people who truly follow the lessons of Jesus.
Review
Advance Praise for
God, the Devil and Harry Potter“At last! A sensible Christian reading of Harry Potter. ... Remember, even Jesus himself was accused of necromancy by his enemies!” --Harvey Cox, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School, author of Common Prayers: Faith, Family, and a Christians Journey Through the Jewish Year
“A great read ... A wonderful antidote to some of the sheer silliness and malice of other religious commentators on the Potter books.” --Joseph C. Hough, Jr., President, Union Theological Seminary, New York
“Augustine said that Christian truth is ever ancient and ever new. John Killinger has placed Christian truth in a significant new setting, the struggle of good and evil in the Harry Potter novels. His book is a must-read for all who seek to understand these best-selling novels and how the Gospel intersects with them. Creativity abounds, not just in Rowlings novels, but also in Killingers analysis.” --Dr. William B. Oden, resident bishop of The United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas
“John Killinger brings the mind of a theologian and the heart of a writer to the task of successfully uncovering deep Christian values and traditions in the Harry Potter stories. For fans of Harry Potter, Killingers scholarship can only deepen their enthusiasm. For Harry Potters naysayers, Dr. Killingers book adds convincing new arguments to the discussion.”
---Robert D. Black, executive producer of 30 Good Minutes and president of Chicago Sunday Evening Club
“It is always such a joy to read a book written by John Killinger. He is a breath of fresh air in a world of oppressive conservatism which sees evil in so many good things. His latest book, God, the Devil, and Harry Potter: A Christian Ministers Defense of the Beloved Novels, is a delightfully playful and enjoyable diagnosis of the popular Harry Potter series. I am sure others will find the same refreshing experience as I did in this wonderful defense of Harry Potter against the modern-day Inquisition.” --Fr. Joseph F. Girzone, author of the Joshua series and Trinity: A New Living Spirituality
About the Author
John Killinger, who holds doctorates in both theology and literature, has taught courses in the theological aspects of contemporary literature at Vanderbilt University, the University of Chicago, City College of New York, and Stamford University. An ordained clergyman, he has been a minister in parishes in Virginia and California, and presently serves as the minister of the Little Stone Church, a resort parish on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Among his many publications are several books in the field of literary criticism, including
Hemingway and the Dead Gods and T
he Failure of Theology in Modern Literature. He has also written two novels,
Jessie and
The Night Jessie Sang at the Opry, which feature Christ as a woman in modern times.