Okay… so I picked up the latest and last Harry Potter book last week, and exactly 39 hours after cracking it open, I was done (and that included eating, sleeping, swimming, and a visit to the Upper Canada Village in Ontario)!  I was disappointed with the last 2 books, but I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed this last novel.    

So, what is the deal with the popularity of the Harry Potter?  What is it about Harry that kids (and adults!) identify with so much?  What is it about Harry that people most resonate with? 

Without giving away the ending of the book, the book ends as many novels do – with an archetypical hero that risks his or her life in order to save the world.  Think Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Matrix, Spidy, etc.  More or less, they mimic in miniature the mega-narrative of history – that Jesus risked life (and even death) in order to save all of humankind.   Thus, is not Harry Potter a Christ-figure? Writes John Killinger, author of "God, the Devil and Harry Potter," J.K. Rowling has written the Christ story of the 21st century.  Harry becomes the wounded humble hero who is ready to sacrifice himself completely on behalf of others and who opposes hatred and evil, as personified by Lord Voldemort.   

Do you agree?  Is Harry Potter a Christ-figure?  What about the Potter series do you most like… or dislike?  I’m planning to preach on Harry in early September at the Tap, and I’m interested in what you think about all things Potter.

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