Harry Potter and the Word of God

      It is no secret I am a Harry Potter fan. I have enjoyed the fantasy world Rowling has created. I have enjoyed the mysteries and trying to work out the clues to solve them seeing where the story will go. After each book, I have been involved with anyone who would talk about them regarding their theories. When new books were coming out, I have enjoyed speculating what they would contain.

      In fact, I have noticed something. Around the times that the books and movies have come out, I will talk with anyone I can about them. It has been the topic of numerous conversations.

      I was just thinking the other day, do we treat the word of God like this? This past week I have talked to many friends about how far they got in the latest Harry Potter book. Everybody just thought that was a natural question. Why don’t we ever ask anyone, “How much Bible reading did you get done this week?” If somebody asked that, we would accuse them of prying and being nosy.

      I have asked numerous people what they thought about this facet of the story or that facet of the story. Everybody thought those were natural questions. How often do we just stop and ask someone, “What do you think about this passage in the Bible?” If somebody asked that out of the blue, we would probably think they were a little odd.

      I set aside almost an entire Saturday just to read the newest book. I even reread most of the old books to get ready for this newest one. How many of us set aside entire days to read God’s word? How many of us even set aside entire hours to do so? How many of us go back and read it again and again and again because we enjoy it so much? 

      Sadly, for many of us, Bible study is more like homework. We don’t really enjoy it. We do it only because we have to and only when we think we had better get some in or we might get in trouble. We definitely don’t talk about it much. We certainly wouldn’t strike up a conversation about the Bible with a perfect stranger.

      Why is that? (And I am as guilty as the next person, perhaps more so).

      It is not wrong to be entertained. It is not wrong to enjoy secular literature. Paul read the poets of his day (cf. Acts 17:28). However, I think I need to give some serious thought to how my feelings and actions toward entertainment like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Lost and 24 compare to my feelings and actions toward God and His Word.

      I can’t be saved by any of the modern world’s entertainments. Salvation can only come through God and His word (cf. Acts 20:32). Perhaps my excitement and enthusiasm for God’s word should surpass my excitement and enthusiasm for modern books, shows and movies. Just a thought.

Edwin L. Crozier