Here are links to two articles I've found worth pondering. They're both posted at the Christianity Today website.
The first, called Spoiler Alert is by Al Hsu, an editor at Intervarsity Press. He reflects on the phenomenon of the Harry Potter books, especially the way so many people entered imaginatively into Harry's journey and waited (with baited breath, hoping not to be spoiled!) because we wanted to get to the end while following along ourselves, really immersed in the story. And he laments that sometimes our presentation of and engagement with the Christian story is not as charged with suspense and imagination. Do we sometimes rush to the "bottom line" of the gospel, instead of inviting people into a the gripping story of the gospel so that they can traverse it for themselves? Good questions.
The second article, by Dave Bruno, has the provocative title Harry Potter 7 is Matthew 6. It's a really fascinating look at Deathly Hallows in light of the Scriptures that Rowling chose to place within the narratives (on the graves at Godric's Hollow). I really enjoy how Bruno unpacks the image of "eyes" in the story (Harry's, Snape's, Lily's) reflecting on the full passage from which the first epitaph was taken:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matthew 6:19-24)
One thing that came to mind after I read Bruno's article was the realization that the VERY first mention we get of Snape, at the sorting feast in Philosopher's Stone, is when he looks past Quirrel and "straight into Harry's eyes." How interesting that the first and last times we see Harry and Snape together, or connecting, they are looking into one another's eyes. It's also interesting that later on in PS, Rowling gives us this narrative comment on Snape's eyes (when Harry is first seeing him up close in that important first potions class): "His eyes were black like Hagrid's, but they had none of Hagrid's warmth. They were cold and empty and made you think of dark tunnels."
As Bruno writes, with great insight I think: How many times are we told how Harry's green eyes are the same as his mother's? Contrast them with Snape's eyes. His dark eyes. How many times do we see Snape look into Harry's eyes? Always, we think, he looks with hatred. But really Snape looks into Harry's eyes feeling conflicted. Snape sees the eyes of Lily Evans, whom he has always loved with devotion. Also Snape sees Harry Potter, whom he despises. For Snape, Harry personifies all that he cannot possess, the love of Lily and a position of earthly power. Harry reminds Snape what his choice to serve himself and Dark Magic has cost him.
Erin, I'd love to hear your thoughts on these articles. Bruno has some interesting insight into Dumbledore too, I think!
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4 comments:
Ooh, great articles. I think those are really good points about losing the story of the Gospel in the rush to get to the message. I think it's telling that so much of Jesus' ministry actually involved telling parables to people, with the understanding that folks would rather get immersed in stories than be preached at. Sometimes a message comes across much more clearly and profoundly when it is stated more subtly.
I remember reading a letter from Lewis to a mother whose son was worried because he felt like he might love Aslan more than Jesus, and Lewis said something to the effect that the things he loved Aslan for saying and doing were basically the things Jesus said and did, and that if the lion shape seemed nicer to him he shouldn't be too concerned about that.
That article about Matthew is great, and that is really interesting that Harry's first encounter with Snape has him staring into Harry's eyes. I love the insights into Dumbledore, which remind me what a really tragic figure he is, though the poison of his past mistakes did not tarnish him as deeply as Snape. Dumbledore learned his lesson early and was able to turn his grief into wisdom, while Snape, though he sacrificed himself for the greater good, never really learned to be happy...
Anyway, great essays! Thanks for pointing me to them! :)
Yes on all counts!
I think sometimes we forget the story shape of the gospel...and that's sad. Dorothy Sayers, one of my favorite writers, once wrote something along the lines that we should expect people to have all sorts of reactions to the gospel (including being scandalized) but one thing they should never be when faced with the gospel is bored. The fact that some people are has everything to do with how we present it, I think, and not with the Story itself. "Doctrine is drama..." I think Sayers said that too.
I love that Lewis letter. I read his letters to children for the first time a year or so ago, and that one really jumped out at me. Such a pastoral and helpful response.
I'm still thinking through the Matthew article too. I think in my rush of gratitude to realize that Snape was indeed loyal and ultimately on the right side, I have not let it sink in deeply enough just how tragic his story and life still were. I worry about him (what does this say about me... worrying over a dead fictional character?!) ;-) because he still had to spend so much of his life next to darkness, even after he renounced it for the sake of something better. He had to stay near the dark, and he had to stay disguised...and I don't think either of those things was easy or healthy for Severus.
Mmmm, what does it say about us? ;) Oh, the sleep these fictional folks have cost me...
Very insightful post. I also learned a lot from your responses. I just started reading the bible and I get so many insights from it.
Reflexiones Cristianas
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