A Christian Perspective on the Harry Potter Phenomenon -- By: Alan D. Ingalls

Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 05:1 (Spring 2001)
Article: A Christian Perspective on the Harry Potter Phenomenon
Author: Alan D. Ingalls


A Christian Perspective on the
Harry Potter Phenomenon 1

Alan D. Ingalls

Assistant Professor Of Old Testament
Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

The Potter Phenomenon

Potter Popularity

In 1997 a penniless British divorcée and single mother named Joanne Rowling published a book entitled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. This wildly successful work was soon after published in the United States under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.2 Three successive books have been published, one per year, entitled Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Ms. Rowling plans three more books in the series. The books follow an orphan named Harry Potter. Harry is being raised by abusive relatives when he discovers that his mother was a witch and his father, a wizard, and that he has inherited their magical powers. He is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Each book covers one school year of Harry’s training.

These books have gained a solid following among both children and adults.3 They have won numerous distinctions such as the British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year, the Smarties

Prize, and inclusion in such lists as the ALA Notable Children’s Books (1999), the Booklist Top Ten Fantasy Novels for Youth, and the School Library Journal Best Books 1998.4 The August 28, 2000, edition of USA Today listed all four books in the top seven of their “Best-selling Books” list, including the top three spots.5 On Sunday, October 8, the New York Times book list published in the Scranton, Pennsylvania Sunday Times listed the Harry Potter books as the top four children’s books. (The New York Times does not list children’s books on their regular fiction list).6 According to BookBrowse.com, “By Summer of 2000, the first three books had sold over 35 million copies in 35 languages and earned approximately $480 million.”7 When the most recent book was published in July 2000, children stood in line at midnight to acquire a copy.8 Hundreds of thousands of copies were sold the ver...

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