For a number of Christians the thought that Harry Potter has anything positive to offer is heresy. But for those that have actually experienced the adventures of Harry and his friends living, learning, and growing; there are quite a few lessons that we can learn from the young wizard. Not only that, there are (dare I say) Christian symbols and truths taught in these stories.

It has been a while since the final book has come out, and I haven't caught up on all the note taking I was planning on doing. But I will post what I do have and update the site as often as I can. I also want you to let me know if I missed any or if you agree/disagree with any remarks that I have made. You can make comments at this blog site and I will post them along with the ones I already have (giving you credit, of course). Harry Potter Comments.

Here are some notes on the first book of the series. It should go without saying that if you have not read the books, that some of the comments and things may be spoilers.

Sorcerer’s Stone

p. 41 God wants to know us.  Just like Hogwarts sent all those letters to find Harry where he was, so God will find us where we are at.  He is not satisfied that we run from Him or that we hide.  He will continue to love us more and more.  He doesn’t just send a single postcard, He sends His love in waves.

p. 46 Often times, we finally get the message when the storm is raging and we finally let Him break down the door to our hearts and come in.  We might be scared of Him, but we will find that He means only good for us.

p. 49 The enemy intends to keep us in the dark.  He doesn’t want us to know who we really are…or whose we really are.  The Dursley’s kept the knowledge about Harry’s true identity hidden from him.  The enemy wants to keep the knowledge spiritual issues away from us.  Because the enemy knows that if we wake up to that truth, we may actually begin to fight him.

p. 53 It is an outrage (as Hagrid said) that many people don’t even know their own story.  Their story in how it relates to Jesus.  They have been blind to how they have been living and need to know about Jesus.  We need to tell them the truth.  Just ignoring it won’t make it go away.

p. 58 Just like Harry telling Hagrid he found the wrong person, we sometimes tell God that He should pick someone else to do something.  We don’t think we are good enough for God’s plan, but God has chosen us for a reason.  He is anxious to use us.  He has prepared us for such a time and for such a task.  We may be confused about God’s choice of person’s, but God is not.  God often doesn’t see us how we see ourselves.  He looks at us through different eyes.  Where we see shortcomings and faults, He sees possibilities and untapped potential.  He knows us better than we know ourselves and it isn’t until we learn to trust Him and follow Him that we find what we were created to be.

p.98 Harry didn’t know what he was getting into, but he knew it was better than what he left behind.  The same is true when obeying God’s call.  Often times, we can’t tell how it will end.  It may even be a scary thing, but we know that God is in control and where He leads us is where we need to be.

p.179 Knocking out a mountain troll does indeed help make you closer friends.  Although we do not have many mountain trolls still around, many people on this campus face “giants” of their own.  We all have problems and issues that we need to deal with and when we help a friend, not just saying that you hope they get better or that it will be okay; but helping by becoming part of the solution we actually do become better friends.  (Hell week in football)  Trials can bring us together.

p.214 “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” Albus Dumbledore.  Looking in the mirror Harry would sit and do nothing.  He wasn’t getting better, he was only dreaming.  It is not bad to have dreams, but to only sit and expect them to happen or to only dream that they will happen will not make them a reality.  We need to see our dream, get up, and work for it.

p.248 When they broke the rules they didn’t resent the punishment.  They knew they deserved what they got.  This is not to say that doing bad things or wrong things is okay as long as you are willing to pay the price.  But when you are disciplined, it is best to accept it and learn from it.

p. 254 Centaurs can be so heavenly minded that they become no earthly good.  They keep mentioning the stars and talking in such a way that no one understands them.  Some people can be so spiritually minded that they end up not being able to share any wisdom that they have gained because they think it is beneath them to share it.  They may feel like if people were as “spiritual” as they are then they would know.  What we need are people who are spiritually minded, but are able to relate it to life and those around them.  People that understand that the wisdom they have received isn’t just for the “learned” or the “ultra Godly”, but for everybody.

p.272 Sometimes you need to stand up to your friends.

p.283 Ron sacrifices himself for Harry to be able to go on.  Friends need friends that are more concerned about others than themselves.  We need to be selfless and do what is best for everyone concerned.

p.287 There are things more important than book smarts: friendship and bravery…and being smart enough to call for help.

p.291 Some would say there is nothing really “good” or “bad”.  They say there isn’t an Absolute Truth.  When we start to buy into this it is the beginning of a path away from God and His righteousness.

p.292 Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  Harry wasn’t seeking the rewards of the Philosopher’s Stone.  He was wanting to do what is right.  Because of that, he got the stone.  We can’t truly serve God and hope to earn “brownie points” for it and God will give us stuff or make us rich.  We need to serve God with a sincere heart.

p.293 Evil has no power until we give it power by allowing it to live in us.  That is why it is necessary to “die daily” so that Christ may live.  “I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I that lives but Christ lives in me…”

p.294 Being covered by the blood of Christ protects us like Lily’s love protected Harry.  Satan can’t hold on to God’s children.

p.297 “To the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” Albus Dumbledore.  Death on earth is not to be feared.  We do not need to run from it as the hopeless and lost do.  We have a hope and a promise of heaven and life everlasting that awaits us once we leave this body here.

p.298 The enemy will never rest.  He will always be looking for  a way to take us away from what God wants from us.  We need to gear up daily for battle against an enemy that will not quit.  We should not lose heart because we do have the hope of heaven where Satan will have no hold whatsoever.

p.304 A friend does nice things for you behind your back.