Harry Potter and Changing The Ocean Around a Rain Drop
Here's an honest question - what difference would it actually make to create a world-wide “Harry Potter-Free” zone? You'd think by some rhetoric on behalf of the church that this series of novels has a whole generation perched precariously over the edge of devil worship. You'd think it was one of the last, few, big parts of a logjam keeping thousands from faith.
Or… It might just be a story. Do we really think we can change the world around our message? Could we change the ocean around a rain drop? Do we really have that much to fear from a children's story about witches and wizards?
I guess it's true that sometimes destructive outcomes are packed in small, innocent packages. But let's remember Paul was made famous for his discourse on Mars Hill in Acts 17. In a city filled with idols, he preached FROM idolatry not AGAINST it. Idolatry! Now as bad as a novel can be, it can't be worse than overt other-God idol worshipping. His standards about idolatry hadn't changed. Just his starting point for a dialogue that could lead to a new conclusion about Christ.
I think if Paul were around today, he might preach from Harry, too.
So maybe the church could be something like a best seller. Or at least learn something from them. Maybe we could use the story in culture to tell the story of Christ. Many of the parables Jesus used to make His points weren't actually His to begin with. They were spoken-word way back then equivalents of our current day bestsellers. He used the power in those stories to bring His listeners to a new set of conclusions.
Or… It might just be a story. Do we really think we can change the world around our message? Could we change the ocean around a rain drop? Do we really have that much to fear from a children's story about witches and wizards?
I guess it's true that sometimes destructive outcomes are packed in small, innocent packages. But let's remember Paul was made famous for his discourse on Mars Hill in Acts 17. In a city filled with idols, he preached FROM idolatry not AGAINST it. Idolatry! Now as bad as a novel can be, it can't be worse than overt other-God idol worshipping. His standards about idolatry hadn't changed. Just his starting point for a dialogue that could lead to a new conclusion about Christ.
I think if Paul were around today, he might preach from Harry, too.
So maybe the church could be something like a best seller. Or at least learn something from them. Maybe we could use the story in culture to tell the story of Christ. Many of the parables Jesus used to make His points weren't actually His to begin with. They were spoken-word way back then equivalents of our current day bestsellers. He used the power in those stories to bring His listeners to a new set of conclusions.
posted by CSW at
8:09 PM
7 Comments:
I've honestly re-read this post about 5 or 6 times before I could even begin to think of a response. Can the world change around our message? Yes. Look at the events that have been on CNN in the last 6 years. The belief and message of one man can change our world. Bin Laden for example, his message caused a handful of men to crash to their death in planes on 9/11. They didn't give it a second thought and given the chance they'd do it all over again. If that kind of negativity can change the world so drastically (War on Iraq) what can a positive impact do?
Change the ocean around one rain drop? Again with a resounding yes. It's a ripple effect, may not cause a new breed of mamals but it's caused change.
Look at Edmonton YA. Was there even 20 of us at the beginning? Look how much it's grown and look at what we've accomplished. Belief is powerful and history has many examples of that power.
With the Harry Potter fandom I think it's different for everyone. I could watch it and it have no negative impact on me, could just be a book or movie that is entertaining. If I'm honest the effect would just be an increase in my longing to fly. For others it could be a vice that could pull them into witchcraft. Some people can handle their alcohol while others become addicted.
By
Anonymous, at 11:57 AM
All very true and all very well. But what's a better strategy? To change the ocean or a rain drop? Get every person alive to not read a novel, or use the novel almost everyone's read to tell another story they haven't heard, yet.
For me, this isn't about "is it possible" because history proves that it is. I think it's more about "is it feasible". Especially when you consider the way we tell the message of the church is something we are completely free to change. Why not tell the story in a way that requires no other explanation?
Why not do church in a way that intersects with normal life?
By
CSW, at 12:31 PM
Obviously use the novel to tell a story they haven't heard before. I don't know how I personally would do that in regards to Harry Potter but in other pop-culture realms I can totally do that & often do.
I think what most young people, me included, want in a church is something that is relateable. Big reason why you're my fav Pastor. You don't yip about stuff that doesn't impact my life at the moment. When you get 'loud' it's always put into a context that I can relate to and understand.
Do you think you loose the 'line' and make grey areas by using said examples to tell another story? I know some people would say that you're endorsing unGodly entertainment. My personal answer would be no, if you can use the media in a manner that tells a story like God did back in the 'sandle' era then why shouldn't we? As long as God is still the centre and his moving in your life that's what should matter, right?
By
Anonymous, at 1:49 PM
Yeah - we have to be careful what we validate. ANd using it validates it in a way. But I think we need to look at the overall effect of what we hope to do. When we use the story in culture to tell the story of Christ, Christ is the final outcome. We only have imperfect tools to get us there. And if it's Christ that's communicated, then Harry Potter becomes just a story and nothing more. I want Christ, Himself to eclipse those things we use to tell His story. I think if we do it well, He will be all that is seen by the end.
By
CSW, at 1:57 PM
Stories are the basic unit of cultural propagation. Throughout human history we have told each other stories not just to entertain but also to communicate complex ideas.
Accessing the ideas behind a narrative depends on a familarity with the culture to pick up and appreciate subtleties in the tale. Thus the full power of the tale is diminished as the culture behind the authorship and the culture of the reader separates. Therefore it is not just frugal to retell stories in modern contexts it is a necessity.
I recall reading at one point that both CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien were of this view and were motivated to create their narratives, at least in part, to retell and recast some of the themes in the Christian narrative.
By
Josh, at 4:29 AM
Wow, two posts in a row you agree with. Are you okay?
By
CSW, at 4:41 PM
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Eucharisto, at 8:23 PM
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