Harry Potter and God

[Catlady (Rita Prince Winston)]

Geoff wrote in <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPFGU-OTChatter/message/39310>:

<< But I am concerned by the fact that [John Granger] attempts to tie Christianity in with alchemical theory, which certainly isn't part of Christian belief. >>

As best I understand it, while alchemy is not part of Christian belief, Christian belief is part of alchemy, having been put there not by John Granger but by the European medieval alchemists. All that messing around with chemicals and lab equipment was supposed to affect the alchemist, apparently by making him more Christ-like (to borrow a phrase you have used in previous comments). Maybe it helps the alchemist to restrain/reduce his impulses to anger, lust, fear, greed, etc, and to strengthen his impulses to faith, prayer, helpfulness, patience, courage, etc. That seems to be how Granger views it.