Harry Potter, Witchcraft & Christianity, part 1
Someone posted a question last week. They wondered how I as a Christian preacher could justify going to see Harry Potter, a movie ostensibly about witchcraft. That person's mind may (or may not) be open to a conversation about this issue. Regardless, I view this as a good question.
Many people may wonder about this, and a few of them might actually read this blog. By the way, thanks to the two of you who do read it! ;-> I welcome the chance to think about it out loud. More than once in my life have I changed my mind on a subject just by talking it through. I welcome your thoughts on this, too.
I plan to tackle this in several pieces, although the conversation may evolve as it gets rolling.
1. A discussion of witchcraft in biblical times -- or what I know of it
2. The Book of Acts and its condemnation of witchcraft and two other "ungodly forces"
3. Missional questions -- i.e., Are we in the world but not of the world? What does that mean?
4. Should Harry Potter be off limits to Christians?
A quick word of caution. I like the sharing of ideas. I don't like the shoving of ideas down others' throats. Paul STRONGLY warns against this in Romans 14. Some things that are an abomination to one person are not to another person. Some things that are acceptable to one person are not to another person. Paul says very clearly, "The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God" (Rom 14:22).
In other words, you are entitled to your opinion -- just keep it to yourself. The goal of Paul's admonition is to prevent us from condemning or injuring people who actually share our faith in God and our hope in the resurrection. Nothing is a greater abomination to God than when people of faith turn their guns on one another, metaphorically speaking. It destroys our witness to the world and injures many within the family of faith.
So these posts are only good if this is a conversation for the sake of mutual learning and sharing. But if this is not a conversation for you, then please abstain from reading the following posts. To put it more clearly, if your faith depends on Harry Potter being evil and ungodly, then you won't want to participate beyond today's post. Or if you are absolutely certain that every person, no matter their convictions, should read or watch Harry Potter, then you would be best served by refraining from any comments.
If however you are at all open to listening and learning, then maybe we can all gain a better understanding of the above issues. I certainly hope to learn as I clarify my own thinking with you.
Many people may wonder about this, and a few of them might actually read this blog. By the way, thanks to the two of you who do read it! ;-> I welcome the chance to think about it out loud. More than once in my life have I changed my mind on a subject just by talking it through. I welcome your thoughts on this, too.
I plan to tackle this in several pieces, although the conversation may evolve as it gets rolling.
1. A discussion of witchcraft in biblical times -- or what I know of it
2. The Book of Acts and its condemnation of witchcraft and two other "ungodly forces"
3. Missional questions -- i.e., Are we in the world but not of the world? What does that mean?
4. Should Harry Potter be off limits to Christians?
A quick word of caution. I like the sharing of ideas. I don't like the shoving of ideas down others' throats. Paul STRONGLY warns against this in Romans 14. Some things that are an abomination to one person are not to another person. Some things that are acceptable to one person are not to another person. Paul says very clearly, "The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God" (Rom 14:22).
In other words, you are entitled to your opinion -- just keep it to yourself. The goal of Paul's admonition is to prevent us from condemning or injuring people who actually share our faith in God and our hope in the resurrection. Nothing is a greater abomination to God than when people of faith turn their guns on one another, metaphorically speaking. It destroys our witness to the world and injures many within the family of faith.
So these posts are only good if this is a conversation for the sake of mutual learning and sharing. But if this is not a conversation for you, then please abstain from reading the following posts. To put it more clearly, if your faith depends on Harry Potter being evil and ungodly, then you won't want to participate beyond today's post. Or if you are absolutely certain that every person, no matter their convictions, should read or watch Harry Potter, then you would be best served by refraining from any comments.
If however you are at all open to listening and learning, then maybe we can all gain a better understanding of the above issues. I certainly hope to learn as I clarify my own thinking with you.
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