Jesus Potter Harry Christ: The Fascinating Parallels Between Two of the World’s Most Popular Literary Characters
Jesus Potter Harry Christ uses the similarities between Jesus and Harry to re-open the debate over the historical Jesus, arguing that both Harry and Jesus are spiritual metaphors told in the literary form of historical fiction. With hundreds of footnotes and references from both ancient mythology and modern culture, Jesus Potter Harry Christ is a fresh and arresting account of Christian history that is not predicated on the flesh and bones of a historical founder.
“For those whose mind
List Price: $ 19.95
Price: $ 63.39
Reading Harry Potter Again: New Critical Essays
As was argued in Reading Harry Potter: Critical Essays (Praeger, 2003), interpreting the underlying messages and themes of the Harry Potter series is vital for understanding the ways in which we perceive and interact with each other in contemporary society. The novels and corresponding film adaptations have broken records with their astonishing sales and widespread acclaim. They have also generated a plethora of writing—by critics, academics, and fans. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books could e
List Price: $ 44.95
Price: $ 44.95
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Give the Idea a Chance,
After reading Murphy’s book but before writing this review, I wanted to check out Holy Blasphemy Press. I accept atheism as a valid philosophy for anyone making an intelligent decision and I wrote about this in my own work, rejecting the old, dictator god that many of us grew up with and replacing that image with a kindler, gentler, forgiving energy that accepts and loves all. Writing about spirituality, though, makes me curious about those who claim to be atheists.
I read the description of Holy Blasphemy Press, and find that I agree with much of what they said. I, too, want a better God than the “tyrannical and violent” one often portrayed. I agree with their statement, “…we also respect each individual’s right to seek their own spiritual meaning – as long as they don’t impose it on everyone else or demand special privileges or policies.” I checked out the author, Derek Murphy, too. He seems to be an open, philosophical individual with whom one might have a rational, intelligent spiritual conversation. With that understanding, I could continue my review.
The research in this book is very impressive. Murphy covers so much material. He spends more time promoting the facts of Jesus as a literary figure than discussing Harry Potter, but he clearly makes his point of the similarities of the two figures. Both Jesus Christ and Harry Potter had miraculous births, childhood miracles, and miraculous powers; battled with evil; were sacrificed in death with a rebirth or resurrection; and dealt with the symbolism of seven, Jesus in the Seven Seals of the Book of Revelation and Harry with his seven magical tasks in Books 6 and 7.
Why the comparison to Harry Potter? Many other literary figures, such as Moby Dick, Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, also endured suffering ending in a sacrificial death with a perceived rebirth and resurrection. I like Murphy’s choice, however, since Harry Potter, has become popular with a major influence on our youth. Murphy’s premise presents a new twist on an old story. J.K. Rowling used the same myths that preceded Jesus in creating her characters. A fresh look at the story of Jesus Christ is timely. A comparison to Mr. Potter is a unique way to do that. Murphy’s implied sense of humor and perspective add to a much-needed discussion that often becomes too austere and heavy.
He establishes that there is no historical proof that Jesus Christ existed. He acknowledges that there is no proof that Jesus Christ didn’t exist. Individuals are left to believe or not. Murphy states that he just wants to establish some historical record. The main stories of the Old and New Testament are restated pagan myths, referring to such figures as Osiris, Gilgamesh, Orpheus, Mithras and many others, some of which existed over a thousand years before Christ. The birth date, the death time, the suffering and the resurrection are not unique to Jesus.
I read much of this research years ago and came to the conclusion that Jesus may have lived, although that evidence is sketchy, but that he was not a divine being born on December 25 and resurrected on the date we celebrate as Easter. I am amazed at the amount of historical facts gathered by Murphy and reminded that so little of this information is widely known today. How could people ignore all of this evidence? And the myth continues with such a blind side to the facts. I like Murphy’s response that all he is doing is presenting the information; it is up to the readers to make a decision. I agree.
I especially enjoyed his section on the history of Christianity with the political overtones of its rise to prominence. This is reminiscent of choices in our world today that are political rather than the right thing to do or an intelligent decision, although sometimes they are all three. In 325 CE, Emperor Constantine took power in the Roman Empire. He protected Christianity and wanted unity in the religions. He tailored Christianity to the pre-existing pagan customs. By 380 CE, Christianity was made the official religion and by 435 pagan temples were destroyed. The rise of Christianity was a political, not a religious or spiritual, decision. That part of history needs to be remembered, along with many other facts.
Was this review helpful to you?
|More than just a Jesus Christ/Harry Potter analysis,
I’m impressed. A lot. I figured that “Jesus Potter, Harry Christ” would focus on the commonalities between Jesus Christ and Harry Potter, but Murphy’s aims are a lot more ambitious. And interesting. In a highly readable yet semi-scholarly style, he sets out to examine the origins and evolution of Christianity, seeking evidence for a historical Jesus who is akin to the mythical figure revered by believers today. While unreal in an objective sense, Murphy demonstrates that the myths told in the New Testament and the Harry Potter series can point to personal truths that offer comfort, solace, and courage to anyone (which, really, is everyone) seeking to live life more fully, happily, and boldly.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Enlightening Read,
Controversial topics have always drawn me in, and religion seems to be packed full of them! This book delves into religion, mythology, art, and past and present literary figures. Author, Derek Murphy, forces the reader to confront what we know about Jesus (according to the bible) and analyze. He makes excellent comparisons with regard to literary symbolism. This book is quite in depth, so be prepared to be enlightened. Cheers.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Informative, insightful, and will make you want to read the series again.,
I came across this book in the fall of 2009 as a recommendation from a professor when a fellow student and I were researching for a Harry Potter course to be taught to college sophomores the following semester. The project fell through, however the reading was still informative and fun for me as a fan.
This book, a sequel to “Reading Harry Potter,” provides several follow-ups to the essays presented in the first book. A few essays of particular note to me were “Potterverse and the Pulpits Beyond Apologia and Banning,” “Happily Ever After: Harry Potter and the Quest for the Domestic,” and “Doubling Transfiguring, and Haunting: The Art of Adapting Harry Potter for Film.”
The first essay I listed explores how preachers are using Harry Potter to teach Christian lessons during church. One particular preacher noted that he asked those who had yet to finish “Deathly Hallows” to leave the room if they did not want to be spoiled about the ending. It was touching and pleasurable to read about a relationship between religion and Rowling’s work that wasn’t antagonistic.
“Happily Ever After” follows “Cinderfella” from the first book in which the authors look at gender issues and “masculine” and “feminine” choices. This time the writers focus on Nymphadora Tonks, Dolores Umbridge, and Bellatrix Lestrange. The piece is insightful, and the authors did well in choosing three side characters rather than focusing on characters like Hermione, Ginny, and Luna.
“Doubling, Transfiguring, and Haunting” focuses on the adaptation of “Prisoner of Azakaban” to film. This was my least favorite of the movies, and yet this essay made me like it a little more. The writer notes the nuances and subtleties in the film and how it relates to the readings.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking to delve a little deeper into Rowling’s world. During my research, I came across collections of essays that were poorly written and even more poorly fact-checked (Hermione being a half-witch, James and Voldemort being the same age to name a few), but this was perfectly edited, and its essays a joy to read. While one may want to read “Reading Harry Potter” first, this book will stand on its own with its insightful commentary.
Was this review helpful to you?
|