Baptism/Christianity in HP: was Looking for God in Harry Potter

[leslie41]

No: HPFGUIDX 153520

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "a_svirn" <a_svirn at ...> wrote:

> > Leslie41:
> > And if we're talking about the sacrifice of his mom, whom as you 
> > cite gave her life for him, isn't it logical that we also think 
> > there could be a larger Christian significance in terms of 
> > Jesus' sacrifice, who died for Harry as well? (I am speaking not 
> > necessarily of my own beliefs, but of the professed beliefs of 
> > his parents and his godfather).  
> 
> 
> a_svirn:
> Why is it logical? Are you saying that Lilly's sacrifice is of the 
> same kind than that of Christ? 

Leslie41:
Yes, in a way.  In that we all have the opportunity to be Christ for 
another person, and see Christ in others.  Jesus said that the way 
his followers would be known as Christians was because of their love 
for one another, and there was no greater good than someone die for 
their friend.  

The parental nature of god--as "god the father"--is also part of 
God's triune nature.  

> A_svirn:
> That would mean that either Lilly was somewhat presumptuous, or
> that Christ made His ultimate sacrifice so that Harry would be 
> able to kill Voldemort one of these days.

Leslie41:
Well, I don't see how it follows that Lily was presumptuous.  But as 
for Christ's "ultimate sacrifice," well if one is a Christian, one 
believes that he made that sacrifice out of love.  And it is love as 
well that will eventually allow Harry to defeat Voldemort. It's not 
that Harry can kill Voldemort because of Christ's sacrifice, but 
perhaps more that Christ's sacrifice and teachings in part provide a 
kind of paradigm for Harry's behavior, whether known to Harry or not.

Harry will not succeed, for example, by killing Snape.  Harry will 
succeed through love.  It seems to me that's always been plain, or 
at least Dumbledore has harped on it enough.