DH as Christian Allegory (was Classical & Biblical Quotations)

[Chancie]

No: HPFGUIDX 173254

> Betsy Hp:
 
<SNIP>
Just on a non-theological basis, Jesus was surrounded by the living, 
not the dead. His disciples were there, they protested when he was 
taken and in fact Peter attempted to fight the soldiers leading Jesus 
away. (A move Jesus rebuked, healing the soldier Peter had wounded.)

In contrast, Harry seperates himself from his friends and speaks to 
the dead. He goes to his death at the orders of a *very* human man, 
not the word of God. And he leaves his friends fighting and killing 
those around them.

<SNIP>
 
On a more theological level (which is where things always get hairy, 
so again, my own opinion here), while Jesus submitted himself to the 
base laws of men to prove the Christ *above* those laws (to 
demonstrate a higher law, if you will), Harry went to die because he 
had a bit of evil in him and death seemed the only solution.  Harry 
even had his beloved dead around him encouraging him to do it.  Jesus 
sacrificed; Harry suicided.
 
And of course, the kicker for me is that Harry is not Jesus Christ.  
Not even close.  Looking at Jesus's actions <LARGE SNIP OF SOME OF 
THE MANY DEEDS OF JESUS> shows that Jesus was inclusive and 
compassionate.

There's also the story of Saul's conversion into Paul that shows that 
with Christ redemption is always possible.  You are not locked into 
the person you thought you were at age eleven.
 
DH gives us a completely different view.  Instead of inclusion we get 
regulated and codified exclusion.  Compassion is limited only to a 
rarified few.  And redemption is an impossibility.  You are who you 
were born to be and only the elect are blessed.

But I do personally reject the idea that such theories have any 
bearing on Christianity (except in a sort of historical interest kind 
of way, like an astronomer looking at old theories based on the earth 
being the center of the solar system).  So I also cannot see any 
example of the Christ within DH and therefore the series. 
 
That's my opinion anyway. <g>

 Betsy Hp
>

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Chancie:

While you are of course intitled to your opinion Betsy Hp, I wonder 
if perhaps you have over looked quite a few points.

In the garden, when Jesus prayed, he was discussing his impending 
crusifiction with GOD, Who is definatly alive, and in a way so are 
Lily, James, Sirius, and Lupin.  

As Hermione states in the grave yard, when Harry questions the quote 
on his parent's Tomb. "The last enemy to be conqured is death" it 
doesn't mean cheating death it means LIVING AFTER DEATH!  If you are 
a beliver in Christianity, as am I, then I'm sure you can see the 
difference.  Harry is NOT surounded by death, but Life and 
Love...Still see an inconsistincy there?

I also see the "Harry had a bit of evil in him" MUCH differently.  
When Jesus was on the Cross, he was carrying the sin of the world, so 
that they might be saved.  Harry sacrificed himself, to "kill the 
sin" in him.  I don't believe Harry "suicided", I think he definatly 
sacrificed!  He went in knowing that he would die, but that in his 
death many would be saved because Evil could FINALLY be defeated!  

I also believe there are numerous accounts of Harry's compassion, 
look at how he saved Draco and spared Stan Shunpike just to name a 
few.  He's even ridculed by Lupin for it telling him he should have 
killed him!  

As far as the "redemption limited to few" there are PLENTY of 
instances in the Bible where people COULD have chose to follow God, 
and decided not to.  That's not that they HAD to remain in their sin, 
they CHOSE to!  We see that you can RESTORE THE SOUL by remorse, 
something that you also need to RESTORE THE SOUL from sin in 
Christianity!  You have to Repent, and see sin the way God does, 
beliving that you were wrong, and then accepting him for who he is, 
God-infalible, perfect, and almighty.

In addition to those IMHO many consistancy's with Harry Potter, and 
Jesus, there is also the clearest example to me at least.  When Voldy 
and Harry are dueling in the end.  Harry makes the comment that 
(sorry don't have my book, so I may not get the quote exactly right)
NO ONE could be hurt because of his sacrifice!  This is IMO again a 
VERY clear picture of how Jesus's blood a protection from "The Evil 
One"!!!  While we still can make mistakes, and big one's at that, 
DEATH/EVIL can never overcome us, because Jesus took that punishment 
already!  

Ok, I think I've said enough for now; I'll step off of my soap box.  

Chancie