From Harry Potter to Jesus Christ (Movie Analysis)

From Harry Potter to Jesus Christ by Brandie McAllister

From Harry Potter to Jesus Christ is a visual essay examining the Christian imagery in the final Harry Potter books, with images and clips from the movies as well as interviews with the books’ author, J. K. Rowling. Here following are some comments by the creator of this video, Brandie McAllister.

Regarding Witchcraft

As Brandie McAllister says, “In the video, witchcraft is denounced in scripture, but it’s the practice of it, leaning on magical spells or a crystal ball rather than prayer that is denounced.” Brandie has steeped herself in these books and movies since the 90s when they first came out and taken a college course on them, and has never once been tempted to turn her back on her Christian faith or start brewing potions in her kitchen. “There is no devil worshiping, demon conjuring, or pentagram drawing in the books. At the end of the day, they’re books. Complete fiction. Incredibly enjoyable, yes, but in danger of conflicting with my faith, no. I hope you at least give the first book and/or movie a chance.”

Spellcraft

You will notice in the first few books that Harry and his friends rarely use spells. They do so only to allow them to transport from one place to another. Or to make an object levitate. When they do begin to use it for more than that (in the later books) there are typically severe consequences. In regard to the Jesus/Harry comparison, there are still overt similarities between the two (father-like figures who act as moral compasses, kindness as an inherent and invaluable virtue, self-sacrifice, etc).

The Fear of Witchcraft

As J. K. Rowling has said, in all the book signings and events that she’s been to in her twenty-plus year career, she’s never had a child run up to her and say, “Because of your books, I’m now going to start practicing witchcraft!” She makes a good point in that even children think that it’s completely, 100% fictional. When we read the books and watch the movies, we allow ourselves a certain “suspension of disbelief”.  We allow ourselves to believe what’s happening on the page or on the screen is possible while it’s happening. But then we come back to “the real world” where we think that none of it is real. Believing in witchcraft is what validates witchcraft’s power, what gives it weight and influence in our lives. So for a man or woman who doesn’t believe, it won’t have any effect. {note from admin – we do not agree with the last part of this statement by Brandie}

Superstitions

An example would be people who believe in superstitions. Let’s say that someone believes that black cats will cause bad luck in their life if they cross paths with one. They’ll avoid black cats at all costs because they believe bad things will happen. However, for a non-superstitious man or woman, they see a black cat and walk right by, entirely unaffected. They may stop for a minute to enjoy the animal’s company (just as a reader enjoys the company of Harry, Ron, Hermione, etc) but he or she doesn’t believe anything supernatural is going to come of their meeting.

Faith in Jesus Christ

It’s the same if someone believes that Jesus came to this Earth in the flesh and died for their sins. They are taught to ask for forgiveness and can be made new. Compare this man or woman to someone who doesn’t believe: if they don’t even believe in Jesus, how likely are they to come under His forgiveness? I know these are not perfect metaphors by any means, but I hope they illustrate my point.

Brandie McAllister

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