In his book looking for god in harry potter, he argues extensively that just about every name, character, and event points in some way to christianity. John grangers book ought to be mandatory reading for those, especially christian pastors, who have so quickly condemned the harry potter books and movies. Reading harry potter as literature, is the first event in the world to look at the series as a literary text. However, inferring the meaning of your question, yes, the harry potter series is a very wellwritten collecti. May 21, 2004 millions of children, even christian children, are reading the megaselling harry potter book series and are exposed to the harry potter movies. John granger on looking for god in harry potter youtube. Provides a christian interpretation of the first six books, arguing that the. 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.
Looking for god in harry potter by granger, john, 1961publication date 2006 topics. 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. Here are 25 books your child should read after harry potter. Provides a christian interpretation of the first six books, arguing that the series supports biblical teaching as opposed to the practice of the occult, and offers insights into character names, imagery, and themes. Harry might not have known much about apollo, but he had heard how apollo had met the kids mothers and it usually involved a bar and a good number of drinks. 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.
Is there christian meaning hidden in the bestselling books. He argues that the centaurs are christian symbols because jesus rode into jerusalem on a donkey. Not only is this book up to date with reference to every potter book rowling has written, it is also edited in a superior fashion. Is there christian meaning hidden in the bestselling books amazon. Take a look at the walmart books best sellers section. Oozing with the occult and dressed with disgusting details, these stories by j. Millions of children, even christian children, are reading the megaselling harry potter book series and are exposed to the harry potter movies. Below, weve gathered the best books that combine harry potter s genre with its immersive quality.
This is a good place to start your search for your next book. John granger, a devout christian, teacher of classic literature, and father of seven children, first read the harry potter books so he could explain to his children why they werent allowed to read them. John granger, a christian, a teacher of classic literature, and a father of seven children, explores the surprising reasons j. But its also true that no book has been defended as vigorously by a religious group as the harry potter books have. Looking for god in harry potter by john granger goodreads. John granger despite the controversy that surrounds them, millions of christian kids are reading the phenomenally bestselling harry potter books and watching the harry potter movies. In looking for god in harry potter, granger provides mother and father and academics a roadmap for utilizing the harry potter books to show christian fact to youngsters. Rowlings books are so popular and examines what the author believes are strong christian themes throughout the. Jul 16, 2005 finding god in harry potter harry potter and the halfblood prince is hitting bookstores today. With all of the media hype, even in the catholic press, i could not help looking over the harry potter books while shopping one day. Looking for god in harry potter o n june 26, 1997, the world was forever changed by the publication of a story, which singlehandedly sparked a love of reading in the hearts of millions, generated billions of dollars in profits, and led to one of. If you question whether god resides within the harry. As always, berit kjos has done a masterful, detailed analysis of a very tough subject.
Saltriver logo are trademarks of tyndale house publishers. My story, as it reflects the perspective and consequent insights that became this book, is perhaps the fitting way to introduce looking for god in harry potter. This weekend the last of the harry potter movies opens in theaters. After intense study, however, he became convinced that the books are underestimated as literatureand reflect important christian truths. On june 26, 1997, the world was forever changed by the publication of a story, which singlehandedly sparked a love of reading in the hearts of millions, generated billions of dollars in profits, and led to one of the most contested debates in the history of literature. Harry continued blinking at him, then cleared his throat and offered his hand. Im not going bar hopping with you, harry instantly stated. Granger helps readers understand the classic literary devices used in the potter books and contends that rowling is writing in the tradition of. When a child gets to a point where he or she has a personal relationship with god and is able to fully discern between what is good and bad according to gods standards, a parentled discussion of the harry potter books and movies might serve as a way to teach godly discernment and raise up wise christian thinkers. As images of god designed for life in christ, all humans naturally resonate with stories that reflect the greatest story ever told the story of god who became man.
Millions of children, even christian children, are. That started to abate with the publication of books like looking for god in harry potter by john granger, which helped many christians find an ally in harry potter where previously they had seen a. After intense research, nevertheless, he turned satisfied that the books are underestimated as literatureand mirror essential christian truths. But in harry potter, voldemort was referred to as the dark lord but he was just a normal wizard who chose the dark and became extremely powerful. In looking for god in harry potter, granger gives parents and teachers a roadmap for using the harry potter books to. Looking for god in harry potter memorial university of. Looking for god in harry potter book discussion guide written by looking for god in harry potter author, john granger introduction. Looking for god in harry potter book by john granger. Whether or not rowling intended harry to be viewed as a messiah remains unknown, but it is fair to conclude that the sevenbook harry potter series does not. For the latest edition of this book that covers all 7 harry potter novels, see how harry. Looking for god in harry potter book discussion guide.
May 18, 2012 the seven harry potter books by j k rowling. The harry potter novels, the best selling books in publishing. Reading harry potter as literature, is the first event in the world to look at the series as a. Of course, i couldnt possibly pick a favorite harry potter book, so i simply started rambling through these wonderful lessons that i hadnt yet realized i had learned from these books. Harry, ron and hermione teach us that if you surround yourself with bright, positive, encouraging people that genuinely love and care for you that there isnt. Now it seems, judging by the chatter, that the series is either accepted or rejected based upon your liking of the genre or the story rather than the supposed spiritual. Finding god in harry potter will open the way for the reader to find the quiet, and sometimes not so quiet, references that any christian looks for in fiction, so hop aboard the hogwarts express, settle in and enjoy finding god in harry potter. John granger gives parents and teachers a roadmap for using the harry potter books to teach christian truth to children.
Aug 18, 2015 6 reasons why harry potter is the best story of a generation louise mcdowell august 18, 2015 i have been a harry potter fan ever since i was 7 years old when my mum brought home the first book. Granger offers information and insights which reveal positive evidence within the potter series that supports rowlings hidden christian message on. Well, to be extremely nitpicky, harry potter by itself, is the name of a character, the titular one, and the protagonist of the series. Looking for god in harry potter forbes and fifth university of. Many we have read, are reading, or are on our list to read. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Looking for god in harry potter by john granger books for mks is a charity organization that donates books to missionary kids on the foreign mission field all over the world. Jan 20, 2016 looking for god in harry potter by john granger books for mks is a charity organization that donates books to missionary kids on the foreign mission field all over the world. Feb 20, 2020 in all likelihood, whenever a muggle is searching for a book like harry potter, they really just want a read that feels like harry potter. And while some christians still ban the fantasy novel, others are finding god through the story about a young wizard boy. According to reg grant, a professor of pastoral ministries at dallas theological seminary, more and more christians are discovering in these novels many lessons to celebrate and shake hands on, reported the dallas morning news.
Looking for god in harry potter is an updated and improved version of grangers earlier writing on the subject. Oct 28, 2008 john granger on looking for god in harry potter. Youll find modern classics such as game of thrones or the harry potter books and books that are the basis for movies such as a wrinkle in time. Redeeming harry potter the initial christian outcry against the boy wizard seems to be dying down. We are told to cast down imaginations and lead every thought captive in obedience to christ jesus in 2 corinthians 10. Looking for god in harry potter by john granger, hardcover.
Unfortunately, there is no replacing harry potter, but there are fantastic books and book series to keep your child engaged, entertained, and reading. Ah harry potter, i have been looking forward to meeting you. A parental shift from alarm to approval what initially concerned john granger about the harry potter books so much that he wouldnt allow his children to read them. Looking for god in harry potter book by john granger thriftbooks. Jul 15, 2011 looking back at the early days, judging from the evangelical reaction, it seemed as though these books and movies were characterized as overtly demonic and expressly anti god. Given that they use this description for christian believers ranging. Jun 25, 2019 in his book looking for god in harry potter, he argues extensively that just about every name, character, and event points in some way to christianity. Looking for god in harry potter book discussion guide written. Below, weve gathered the best books that combine harry potters genre with its immersive quality. The practise of appointing godparents is a christian one, for one thing. Saltriver logo are trademarks of tyndale house publishers, inc. Looking for god in harry potter o n june 26, 1997, the world was forever changed by the publication of a story, which singlehandedly sparked a love of reading in the hearts of millions, generated billions of dollars in profits, and led to one of the most contested debates in the history of literature.
See all books authored by john granger, including looking for god in harry potter, and harry potters bookshelf. Rowling has captivated a generation with her books about the british wizard and his epic adventures. After reading a few pages, i put potter down with a shudder. And reading this book lead me to other scholarly books on harry potter both by this author and by others. Seeing harry s continued confused expression, he elaborated, im a writer. Feb 20, 2020 the whole harry potter is not bad because is fiction excuse does not work. Buy a cheap copy of looking for god in harry potter book by john granger.
Fans keep trying to track me down most of them just want to bitch about the books. In looking for god in harry potter, granger gives parents and teachers a roadmap for using the harry potter books to teach christian truth to children. The great books behind the hogwarts adventures, and more on. A parental shift from alarm to approval what initially concerned john granger about the harry potter books so much that he wouldnt allow his. Looking for god in harry potter by granger, john, 1961. In all likelihood, whenever a muggle is searching for a book like harry potter, they really just want a read that feels like harry potter. God is to be found around every corner and this is the true magic in the harry potter series. I guarantee you will appreciate her writing skill and the books themselves significantly more after reading this guide. Maybe thats because more and more of us are discovering multiple redemptive themes in the series. Jul 01, 2004 after intense study, however, he became convinced that the books are underestimated as literatureand reflect important christian truths.
John granger books list of books by author john granger. Apollos face fell as it was indeed a suggestion for later on. Rowlings books are so popular and examines what the author believes are strong christian themes throughout the harry potter books. The potter stories are great on their own but looking for god in harry potter allows you to see the deep themes rowling is baking into these stories. Yes, there are references to religion in the harry potter books, albeit very few. Rowling are not the kind of thing i would read my little ones at bedtime. Jesus condemned the mind sin of lust which is fantasy in matthew 5. For the latest edition of this book that covers all 7 harry potter novels, see how harry cast his spell. Granger offers information and insights which reveal positive evidence within the potter series that supports rowlings hidden christian message on so many levels. The whole harry potter is not bad because is fiction excuse does not work.
In looking for god in harry potter, granger gives parents and teachers a road map for using the harry potter books to teach christian truth to children. There are picks for all ages, beginning with middle grade and ending with adult. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. Is there christian meaning in the bestselling books. The sixth harry potter book, harry potter and the halfblood prince, is hitting bookstores today. I am what reporters without fail call a traditional christian.
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