Foregiveness and Redemption: Lewis, Christianity, JKR, and the Potterverse

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 128278

Frankly, I don't believe that JKR is writing from any kind of 
Christian perspective at all. But let's – as you say – for the sake 
of the argument assume that she is. How does this additional 
perspective add to our understanding of the series? 

You say: 

"Good actions may, of course, be a SIGN of repentence. That is, when
one turns from sin one will, naturally, act in a different way.
However, the actions THEMSELVES are not the bringers of redemption,
and may be misleading. One can perform good acts for many reasons.
It may be because of genuine repentence. It may be because of a
misguided belief that one can "earn their way into Heaven." It may
be as a sign of pride, to prove that one is morally superior to
another person. It may be as a form of self-preservation. The acts
themselves are irrelevant, as far as the moral status of the person
is concerned. What is relevant is the source from which the actions
spring.
That means that Snape, under this view, can't be evaluated until we
have more information. If his actions spring from genuine sorrow
and a desire to do good, he is redeemed. If they spring from
another reason, EVEN A DESIRE TO EARN REDEMPTION, then he is not a
redeemed character. This may not seem fair, but it is the way
things run under this kind of belief system. Snape's actions in
saving Harry and spying on Voldemort (if that is what he is doing)
are not important in and of themselves. What is important is the
source of those actions".

Well, so far so good, but what if we take "the Christian 
perspective" out of the equation? Still all that you are saying 
about relevancy of the source of the actions rather than the actions 
themselves would hold true. Until we know for sure what Severus is 
up to (and that would be probably no sooner than in Book 7) we 
cannot judge whether he is reformed or not. So why do we need this 
Christianity aspect at all? Why increase the number of entities 
beyond what is necessary? 

You write then, that all this stuff about actions and their 
rationale brings up the question whether it matters at all if a 
sinner (more commonly known as a bad guy) is sincere in his/her 
motivations. Your answer is that it doesn't – because there can only 
be one truth and one wisdom that God in his infinite mystery 
ordained. But that's where we step on the shaky ground. There might 
well be only one truth, but we are certainly NOT God, so how on 
earth would we know which one is THE one? Or do you mean that JKR 
presumes to know the answer? Somehow I doubt that she would claim 
any such thing. 

It is by far safer to assume that she operates within the certain 
set of values and the more any HP character deviates from them in 
his or her behaviour and/or hidden motivations, the less likely it 
would be that his or her sincerity would be taken into account. And 
these values are not necessarily – or exclusively – Christian. After 
all Rowling repeatedly told us what she considers important in a 
person – bravery, loyalty, ability to love etc. What is particularly 
Christian about it? Hardly anything, I am afraid. 


a_svirn