Shared with permission.

 

Article Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The background of The Chronicles of Narnia
3. The background of The Lord of the Rings
4. The background of Harry Potter
5. The big differences between novels of Lewis and Tolkien vs. Rowling’s
6. Criticism to Harry Potter’s novels
7. Conclusions

(Old link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why–does–christianity–condemn–harry–potterwhile–approving–olivo/ )

 

Introduction

Both, the British Christian writer, theologian and university professor, Clive S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, and his colleague and great friend, the British Christian writer, linguist, poet, philologist, theologian and university professor, John R. R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings, are frequently admired and praised by different Christian churches.

They stood out for the religious and Christian content of these literary works (with a conflict between good and evil), which were published after the Second World War, and in them, they reflect their concern for the way in which principles and moral values are being lost, in favor of a liberal, hedonistic and secular thought that relativizes ethics, and despises religious beliefs and practices.

Additionally, it should be noted that there is another series of successful novels of the British writer, screenwriter and philanthropist, Joanne Rowling, published between the end of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century: Harry Potter. However, they have not been well received by many Christians, being subject of strong criticism from the Catholic Church and various Christian groups.

From there arises this big question: Why does Christianity condemn Harry Potter, while approving The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings?

 

The background of The Chronicles of Narnia

Masterfully, Clive Lewis conceived the great existential mysteries, in accordance with Christian thought, and reflected in his novels the beginning (Genesis) and the end of times (Revelation), which will lead to a new beginning.

He spread his messages to a wide audience, from young people to adults (of all nationalities), combining the environment of England, during World War II, with that of Narnia and its nearby kingdoms, Archenland and Calormen (broad and fictitious representation of the human world), implying that we live in a fallen and corrupted world, in which evil, suffering and injustices predominate, due to a serious deterioration of principles and moral values, and the abandonment of religious practices, in favor of secularism.

So much so that Clive Lewis preferred some children (pure, innocent and naive that deserve the Kingdom of Heaven) as prophets and rulers of Narnia, indicating that upon reaching adolescence they lose their right to rule. This is consistent with radical beliefs of Evangelicals and Fundamentalist Christians, who consider that human beings are incapable of ruling, and that Satan is the true ruler of this earthly world.

On the one hand, the author showed his immense disappointment and concern for the way the world is developing, with pronounced tendencies towards evil, suffering and injustices, presenting the oppression of the rulers and the violence of both parties to achieve power. Even more, a succession of just, virtuous and religious kings (as happened in Israel, during some times) can´t guarantee peace, prosperity, justice and respect for human rights. Rather, over and over, the focus of evil return, because the dissatisfied and ungrateful citizens rebel, and for certain time they tolerate evil kings, making it difficult to restore justice and human rights, in a perverse, fallen and corrupted world.

And on the other hand, Clive Lewis is in favor of non-human solutions, in order to interrupt these periods of extreme evil. Jesus, through the prophets (represented by Aslan and the children, who despite their vices, are clever and faithful to the Lord), achieves this on several occasions. Nonetheless, these are temporary solutions (the just prophets and kings are not infallible nor can they rule eternally) and the periods of evil, caused by the ruled ones, will return, being the only solution the definitive destruction of the human world, in order to make way for another one (immutable and eternal, ruled by God, in which there will be no evil nor suffering nor injustices, in accordance with the prophecies of Revelation).

Exceptionally, the author reflected a religious vision of a spiritual conflict between good and evil, which comes from the beginning of time, and will only end with a last battle between both referents, in which the good will definitively defeat the evil.

Therefore, the novels of The Chronicles of Narnia present a way of conceiving the history of humanity (including beginning and end), and warning that the human being is insignificant, unjust, sinful and incapable of ruling and ending evil. Only the Lord, the Just Judge, whose Divine Justice is different from that of humans, can carry out the great mission of restoring his Government…

 

The background of The Lord of the Rings

Masterfully, John Tolkien developed an epic fantasy novel, similar to a medieval tale, in a mythical and imaginary world (a Middle Earth of the past), with a Christian background. Its central themes are the following:

1. The conflict between good and evil.
2. The incredible power of the ring.
3. The conflict between good and evil: in accordance with his Christian beliefs, John Tolkien presents an imperfect, unjust, fallen and corrupted world, prone to violence, evil, suffering and injustices, in which social class struggles between different groups prevail, who serve others or make coalitions, to finally create two great groups: the good ones and the bad ones. Even more, it is impossible to be neutral (in principle, the Ents are neutral, but when they are attacked by white orcs, decide to fight against Saruman’s collaborators).

It seems that the dark lord, Sauron, is the hidden ruler of that earthly world, but he has lost great powers because the ring was taken from him, while good people are constantly besieged by severs of Sauron, Saruman and the Witch-king.

In the same way, John Tolkien alludes to a beginning or Genesis (when the ring was created), and after the last battles, in which the good definitively defeats the evil, Gandalf, Frodo and their friends go to the New City that is eternal (this is consistent with the end of the Apocalypse).

Other relevant aspects are: a) the resurrection of Gandalf (although he is not the Lord), this is a reference to the resurrection of Jesus, and b) the events that occur in the abysses¹.

Recapitulating, based on Christian foundations, John Tolkien includes Genesis, the resurrection of Jesus and the Apocalypse; emphasizing in the need to end evil, suffering and injustices (caused by the ring), to make way for a new world.

2. The incredible power of the ring: the whole story of John Tolkien revolves around the evil and powerful ring, which is an amulet, talisman and false idol, which can corrupt anyone, promising extraordinary powers. Even this ring is more powerful than Sauron, which constitutes a parallel with certain Judeo-Christian beliefs, since in the end, the Evil One is not so powerful (good is more powerful than evil and Satan can only act within certain limits), and the adverse and sinful condition of human beings is what inclines them towards the dark side (in a greater degree than the influence of the Evil One).

                                                        

¹ The saint Job (7:9) expresses that whoever falls into the abyss doesn´t rise, and the psalmist thanks the Almighty for not having fallen there (Psalm 86:12-13). In this place (also mentioned in the book of Revelation), if the demons fall they can´t get out (only if God authorizes it). Furthermore, when Jesus discovered a multitude of demons in a man, they implored Him to send them to the pigs, possibly they didn´t want to go into the abyss (Mark 5:1-20).

So what is the ring?

Some researchers, like Isaac Asimov, have concluded that the ring is human ambition, money, and the technology that is destroying the planet Earth. Nonetheless, the powerful ring goes further: it is a source of health, power, prosperity and wealth, which allows control of others and far surpasses the philosopher’s stone (dreamed by alchemists).

Therefore, the ring is a kind of magical instrument and deity that grants its owner everything he wants, in this world, being a combination of health, power, money, wellbeing and technology, with expectations of achieving the impossible.

Finally, the story of The Lord of the Rings constitutes a way of understanding the history of humanity (including beginning and end), immersed in a spiritual conflict between good and evil, indicating that the ambitious, selfish and imperfect human being is unable to get rid of the false idol (ring or mainly money) that he has created, being necessary the Divine Intervention, through a chosen one, who carries out the great mission (Frodo), and even taking advantage of the evil of the enemies (Gollum). Also, it is possible that the wizard Gandalf (representation of a saint or archangel or supernatural being or amazing biblical creature) pushed Gollum into the abyss…

 

The background of Harry Potter

These fantastic novels, about struggles between magicians from different sides, try to simulate a confrontation between good and evil. However, this situation is very confusing. Although there are the wizards of Hogwarts, who fight against Lord Voldemort and his supporters (good vs. evil), there are also practitioners of occult sciences from two other institutions (Beauxbatons and Durmstrang), who are rivals or allies of the Hogwarts’s wizards, depending on the circumstances, and they are prone not to face Lord Voldemort. Even in the Hogwarts School, there are power struggles between various teachers and students, which led to the creation of clandestine resistance groups: the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore’s Army. Most likely, all the time Lord Voldemort had infiltrators, in the three schools of magic.

Other relevant aspects that differentiate Joanne Rowling’s approach from that of Clive Lewis and John Tolkien are: a) the background of the novels of Harry Potter isn´t Christian, and b) the events take place in this world (United Kingdom at the end of the 20th century), with a strong connection to the place where the magic schools are.

Obviously, Joanne Rowling, who seems more agnostic than Christian, didn´t establish a Christian meaning in her literary works and focused on the dark side, with some selfish and postmodern characters (who aren´t good neither bad), which handle ethics at their convenience and don´t respect Divine Orders of not using supernatural powers, without authorization from the Lord. Nor is there a need for Divine Intervention (even if the world is fallen and corrupted). In the same way, the hero Harry Potter (like his allies) is not a prophet, but an immature wizard’s apprentice, who uses the powers of the occult sciences to supposedly fight against evil (even if it is disobeying the orders of the director of the institute or other teachers, or taking revenge on his enemies).

Likewise, these stories of Harry Potter fall within the beliefs of New Age, considering protagonists and antagonists as species of gods or demigods, without recognizing that:

1. a) the sin exists, b) the good is more powerful than the evil, and c) the Evil One can act only within certain limits. It is also regrettable that Lord Voldemort is considered a Lord, and the meaning of the Christian cross is distorted, in a perverse way, visualizing strange entities with this meaning: horror of the cross.

Therefore, Harry Potter is a fantastic story, which doesn´t have its roots in the imaginary world, and presents a doubtful and questionable spiritual conflict between good and evil, which isn´t Christian and is typical of the New Age. Its background goes towards questioning monotheistic religions, turning the human being into a deity, relativizing ethics to convenience and justifying the indiscriminate use of the practices of the occult sciences.

The big differences between novels of Lewis and Tolkien vs. Rowling’s

The main discrepancies are reflected in these aspects:

1. The religious orientation.
2. The spiritual conflict between good and evil.
3. The Divine Intervention.
4. The world.
5. The cycles of domination.
6. The reasons of oppression.
7. The ruler of the world.
8. The relevance of principles and moral values.
9. The final outcome.
10. The religious orientation: the writers, Clive Lewis (Anglican) and John Tolkien (Catholic), gave a Christian and theological meaning to their literary works (with an extraordinary religious fervor, as happened with the scientist and theologian Isaac Newton, who placed God above everything). Clive Lewis refers to Genesis, the history of the kings of Israel, the resurrection of Jesus and the Apocalypse. While John Tolkien mentions Genesis, the resurrection of Jesus, the Apocalypse and the mystery of the abyss (which is the doom for humans and other creatures). Both are critical of the occult sciences and any method of divination. Therefore, they recognize that:
11. the imperfect and unjust human being is a sinner by nature,
12. there is a spiritual conflict between good and evil,
13. good is more powerful than evil, but the adverse condition of human beings and their weaknesses explain evil, suffering and injustices,
14. principles and moral values are objective (ethics should not be relativized),
15. there are prohibited practices (alchemy, astrology, magic, sorcery, spiritism, witchcraft, etc.) because they open the doors to demons that can cause considerable harms to people,
16. the human being should not try to guess his future neither consult these means

(horoscopes, interpretation of dreams, palmistry, etc.),

1. only the true prophets (authorized by God) can use supernatural powers, in accordance with a transcendental mission, for the benefit of humanity, and not attending to the selfish intentions of each one.

In this regard, Clive Lewis and John Tolkien provide an eminently Christian, antiGnostic, anti-esoteric, religious and idealistic orientation to their literary works.

While Joanne Rowling goes to the other extreme, without giving a Christian orientation to her novels, and using references against Christianity (the Inquisition and considering the cross as a horror). In the same way, several of her characters on both sides are practitioners of the occult sciences, who do not abide by Divine Orders that prohibit them, dealing in a postmodern environment, in which principles, moral values and ethics are relativized.

Therefore, Joanne Rowling gives an anti-religious or diffuse religious, and not Christian orientation (in accordance with ideas of New Age) to her literary works.

2. The spiritual conflict between good and evil: being aware of the Divine Prohibition to use powers and methods of the occult sciences, Clive Lewis and John Tolkien differentiate their characters very well^[1], and are careful with the use of magic. Likewise, Clive Lewis uses children as prophets and John Tolkien considers the young Frodo as the chosen for a great mission. In that sense, both define this conflict in an excellent way: the prophets and later kings of Narnia fight against evil beings, in order to restore peace and justice, and the Fellowship of the Ring faces a false trinity (Sauron, Saruman and the Witch-king) and their followers, expecting to achieve the definitive liberation of the Middle Earth.

Whereas Joanne Rowling’s conflict between good and evil is diffuse and questionable. There are too many betrayals, conflicts of interests and power struggles. Harry Potter can only trust his two friends and the director Dumbledore (who does not fully trust him, and paralyzes Harry Potter before dying). There are even so many intrigues and interests that the members of the other two schools of magic are not inclined to help their partners of Hogwarts, or make a common front against Lord Voldemort. Furthermore, it isn´t known for sure which side the vast majority of the characters play for.

3. The Divine Intervention: according to their Christian beliefs, Clive Lewis and John Tolkien knew that human beings can´t rule or free themselves from the influence of evil and sin, in a fallen and corrupted world, being necessary the Divine Intervention, in order to guarantee some periods of peace and justice (as happens in Narnia), and finally reaching the new post-apocalyptic world (as occurs in Narnia and the Middle Earth).

Whereas Joanne Rowling doesn´t consider this world as fallen and corrupted (she sees it as “normal”), and argues that human beings can fight for their rights, end tyrannies, and defeat Lord Voldemort or anyone who tries to seize power, in an illegally and illegitimately way. Hence, she rejects the need for Divine Intervention and even the existence of sin.

4. The world: Clive Lewis and John Tolkien use fantastic and imaginary places, from other times, in order to avoid connections with the current world (even justifying some practices of magic), and go further (Divine Intervention), looking for solutions to serious problems and propitiating the reestablishment of Divine Justice.

While Joanne Rowling alludes to this world (the United Kingdom at the end of the last decade of the 20th century), determining strong connections with Hogwarts. This is a way of making all occult practices seem as normal, rejecting Divine Intervention, and affirming that human beings can establish peace and true justice, by their own means.

5. The cycles of domination: the Jewish people were conquered by four empires (Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome), mentioned by the prophet Daniel (2 and 7). They fulfilled their freedom and in others times were dominated again, and today, the State of Israel is free and sovereign. Clive Lewis reflected this in the story of Narnia (after certain time, evil kings usurp the throne) and John Tolkien expressed that in other times Sauron ruled, and there are places in the Middle Earth dominated by servers of the Evil One (it can be inferred that they have also had periods of peace and justice). According to Christian beliefs, the Divine Justice will definitively end with evil and injustices, in a new world, after the fulfillment of the apocalyptic events.

While Joanne Rowling doesn´t present cycles of oppression nor does she point to a denouement that ends them. Within her diffuse and non-Christian, agnostic, antireligious or diffuse religious vision, she presents the current world as very “normal”, and that it is only necessary to fight against any illegitimate ruler, who tries to take power by force, such as Lord Voldemort.

6. The reasons of oppression: Clive Lewis considers that domination comes from dark forces, while John Tolkien has a more complex and profound approach: as good is more powerful than evil, Satan is not so powerful (it is very easy to take advantage of human weaknesses) and can only act under certain limits. This is why Sauron needs the ring to dominate and oppress human beings. Or in other words, Clive Lewis (Anglican) and John Tolkien (Catholic) differ slightly. On the one hand, Clive Lewis considers that Satan and the forces of evil are the main causes of oppression against human beings. And on the other hand, John Tolkien endorses that the main responsible for domination is the same human being (who has succumbed to evil, due to his own weaknesses).

While Joanne Rowling considers that there is no oppression: it is a matter of fighting against evil beings, who want to rule, in an illegitimately way.

7. The ruler of the world: Clive Lewis (Anglican) considers that the true ruler of this fallen and corrupted world is Satan. This explains why in Narnia, over and over again, the evil kings return, supported by the Evil One. While John Tolkien (Catholic) doubts that Satan can rule the world, and therefore indicates that Sauron has lost power and territories, which are controlled by his adversaries. Again, Clive Lewis and John Tolkien, based on their religious beliefs, differ slightly.

While the disorder of the world of Joanne Rowling is so great, that it isn´t known who governs.

8. The relevance of principles and moral values: the writers Clive Lewis and John Tolkien are faithful to principles, moral values and personal and professional ethics, placing a strong emphasis on the need to fight for peace, justice and the defense of human rights. Their novels resemble those of the noble medieval knights. Obviously, they protest against the serious deterioration of morals and ethics, insisting on rescuing the worthy ethical and religious essence of the human being.

While Joanne Rowling has a liberal style, adapted to postmodern times and ideologies of New Age, being in favor of minimizing principles and moral values (considering them subjective), and relativizing ethics to convenience. So much so that Harry Potter recognizes that the end justifies the means. Therefore, Joanne Rowling sees an immoral, fallen and corrupted world as normal, without considering: a) the rejection of relativistic morality, b) the need to recover religious practices, and c) the condemnation of occult sciences.

9. The final outcome: in accordance with the new post-apocalyptic world, which will be eternal, without the presence of evil, suffering and injustices, Clive Lewis and John Tolkien conclude with the establishment of the referred new world, indicating that the earthly prophets, kings and heroes have already fulfilled their missions.

While Joanne Rowling, shrouded in an anti-religious vision, doesn´t promise a new world, showing that the current one will continue in this way, perhaps for many centuries…

 

Criticism to Harry Potter’s novels

When analyzing the novels of Harry Potter, from a Christian and even religious monotheistic perspective, the main criticisms are the following:

1. The background isn´t Christian neither monotheistic religious, rather it is agnostic, anti-religious or diffuse religious, esoteric and Gnostic.
2. These question the Catholic Church, referring to the Inquisition.
3. Offend Christians by using the word horcrux (horror to the cross), disrespecting the Christian cross.
4. Consider the Evil One (Lord Voldemort) as Lord and also Harry Potter (elevating him to lord of death and owner of the three relics).
5. Authorize and extol the indiscriminate use of practices of occult sciences, supernatural powers and divination techniques.
6. Promote diffuse ethics, in which the characters handle principles and moral values, at their convenience, adapting them to their needs and objectives.
7. The characters are not clearly differentiated (they can go from one side to another) and tend to be arbitrary, selfish, rebellious, and don´t care about freedoms and human rights (the members of the three schools of magic, who fight against themselves, are unable to make a common front against Lord Voldemort).
8. These present a diffuse conflict between good and evil, in which the supposed supporters on each side act at their convenience (without acknowledging that principles and moral values are objective), and don´t ask the true God for permission to use supernatural powers (that come from the dark forces).
9. There is a disowning of sin and human weaknesses.
10. It is recognized that this fallen and corrupted world is normal, while magicians and other practitioners of occult sciences are demigods (unaccountable for their actions).
11. The Divine Intervention is rejected, arguing that human beings (supported by powers of the occult sciences) can rule, and end unjust and oppressive governments.
12. These are not developed in a mythical or imaginary world, neither in one of other times, rather the contemporary world is presented, justifying the actions of the so-called kind magicians, as referents or examples of morals and ethics.
13. Consider that the supposed benevolent magicians (supported by the dark forces) are capable of defeating their enemies, insisting that the Divine Intervention is not necessary, there are no cycles of oppression, and evil, suffering and injustices do not reign, and therefore, it is not necessary to reestablish the Divine Justice, in a new world.
14. Insist on solving all problems of injustices, abuses of power and violations of human rights, through the support of magicians (or human beings that are practitioners of the evil occult sciences).
15. The disorder is too big (in accordance with the loss of principles and moral values, and the relativization of ethics), and it is unknown who governs the world, being the coalitions between people and groups very fragile. Even in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it isn´t known who has more power: The board of directors of that institute? Alan Dumbledore? The Order of the Phoenix? Dumbledore’s Army? The supporters of Dolores Umbridge? The eventual collaborators of Harry Potter? The infiltrators and servants of Lord Voldemort (who send Harry Potter to the missions they want)?
16. In accordance with postmodern thought and ideologies of New Age, a liberal vision prevails that doesn´t consider: a) the rejection of relativistic morality, b) the recovery of religious doctrines and their practices, and c) the condemnation of occult sciences.
17. Likewise, the objective is not to reach a new world (yearning for the restoration of Divine Justice), rather it is promoted to continue with the current one, using Harry Potter and his friends as heroes and role models, minimizing and disowning the dangers of the occult sciences.
18. Little creativity is also observed (unlike Clive Lewis and John Tolkien), when repeating myths and fictional stories: the philosopher’s stone, Medusa, the sword of King Arthur; and insisting on practices of alchemy, magic, sorcery and witchcraft (condemned by monotheistic religious ones, for several centuries).

 

Conclusions

The differences between the style, vision, purpose and messages conceived by the Christian writers Clive Lewis and John Tolkien (although with certain differences because they are religious of different Christian currents), in contrast to the background, meaning and guidelines of Joanne Rowling’s novels are immense. The first two writers were religious and creative, and they worried about warning about the loss of principles and moral values, trying to show the way to reestablish them in a Christian way. While the writer of Harry Potter isn´t creative neither innovative, and goes to the other extreme, exalting the evil powers of the occult sciences (without worrying about the deterioration of morals and ethics, in this current world). Even from a theological point of view, it is easy to question and disqualify these novels that seek to justify the postmodern and New Age thinking, the relativization of ethics, the promotion of practices of occult sciences, and the search for solutions, separated from the will of God. So much so that in the last two books of Harry Potter, there is mockery and contempt towards the Christian cross. Therefore, according to the fundamentals of Christianity, the literary works of Clive Lewis and John Tolkien are worthy of praise, which doesn´t happen with the questionable novels of Harry Potter…

[1] Although John Tolkien alludes to complex structures of many social classes, and shows that in the Middle Earth, it is impossible to be neutral..