The Gospel According to Harry Potter: Spirituality in the Stories of the World's Most Famous Seeker

Front Cover
Westminster John Knox Press, Jan 1, 2002 - Religion - 166 pages
This is a light-hearted yet serious-minded consideration of the themes in the popular Harry Potter stories. Connie Neal explores Harry Potter's world and stories alongside the biblical characters, stories and grand themes that can captivate our imaginations and satisfy our longings for another world beyond our own. Contrary to those who reject the series as a threat to the Christian faith, the author demonstrates how the lessons in Harry Potter not only echo many of the stories in the Bible but also reinforce the central messages of Christianity. Chapters include 'Dobby's Sock and Other Tales of Redemption' 'The Curse of Death and the Boy who Lived' and 'The Elixir of Life and the Quest for Immortality'.
 

Contents

The Curse of Death and the Boy Who Lived
6
A Lightning Bolt Scar
8
Scars Can Come in Handy
10
The Unstoppable Invitation
12
A Door to an Unseen World
15
First Stop Gringotts
17
Getting onto Platform Nine and ThreeQuarters
19
The Sorting
22
Fred and George and Original Sin
65
The Department of Mysteries
68
The Rat Who Betrayed Harrys Parents
71
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
73
Introduction to Book Four
75
A Murderer from the Beginning
77
Harrys Dreams Warn of Danger
79
The Muggle Protection Act
82

Dumbledores Dire Warning
25
Hagrids Temptation
27
Dangerous Designs of the DragonEgg Dealer
30
The Quest for the Sorcerers Stone
33
Harry Ron and Hermiones Soft Landing
36
This Isnt Magic Its Logic
39
Professor Quirrells Defense Against the Dark Arts Lessons
41
Hagrids Remorse
43
Harrys Battle with the Dark Lord
46
Why the Evil One Could Not Touch Harry
48
A LastMinute Change of Decorations
49
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
51
Introduction to Book Three
53
In the Company of Albus Dumbledore
54
Let the Feast Begin
58
Grim Omens of Death Prove Misleading
61
MadEye Moodys Ironic Warnings
84
The Only Known Survivor of the Killing Curse
88
Harrys Heroism in the Triwizard Tournament
91
News from the World Beyond
93
The Death Eaters and the Dark Mark
96
The Wrath of Albus Dumbledore
102
The Truth Will Be Told
105
The Kiss That Cost His Soul
107
The Parting of the Ways
110
We Are Only as Strong as We Are United
113
What Will Come Will Come
115
Dumbledore Welcomes All Who Wish to Come
119
Afterword
123
Notes
127
Acknowledgments
128
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