Finished Harry Potter

Ok - I'm done. If you have not read and are planning to, don't read on because I am going to spoil it.

I must say that I was still surprised, and no, Kenny Kimball - I was not WAY OFF - just a little off. The resurrection theme is big. Rowling's influence from the Inklings is strong. There were many things I read that I thought so similar to Narnia, or Lord of the Rings. For example, the gifts left to the three kids from Dumbledore's will was so reminiscent of Galadrial's gifts given to the Fellowship of the Ring.

I cried big tears twice - (while sitting in an airport, I must add). The first, when Dobby died. What a guy...I mean elf. Such sacrificial love and friendship. Dobby loved well. Second time was when Harry found out that he was going to actually have to walk to his death of his own will and then following him on that journey. Big tears -not because he was going to die. I figured that - but because we are brought into his internal struggle of having to volitionally give his life and what that feels like for him. Yes, Harry did die. He went before Voldemort, the Ultimate evil, the Deciever, and gave himself up willingly. And then, he came back - because the battle was not over yet. And he, with his friends, fellow conquerors, finished the job.

Yes, Harry is a literary Christ-figure, not the perfect Christ-figure by any-means, more like Frodo maybe - but Rowling did take it the next step to have him be a triumphant Christ-figure who conquers death and evil for good - just like the real Christ, eh?

And I think this leads me to why I love stories so much. I love to see God's story inter-woven within the imaginations of those created in His image - eternity written on our hearts. We can't escape it even those who want to. I love this story because of the value put on friendship and the wisdom of elders, and the absolute of good versus evil. I love to hear the ultimate story told over and over again in a good book, or movie. The story is multifaceted, which is why I think it comes to us from many different angles. It is a love story, a story of ultimate friendship, a story of war and victory and triumph, a story of salvation because we need to be saved - we need a Savior. He gave us stories and He made us story-makers and story-lovers. And every time I hear His story again, whether in Scripture, or a movie, or a book, I am energized, because I am reminded that Christ has the Victory. Of whom shall we fear?

Justin right now is standing over my shoulder, correcting my spelling and asking , begging me, to tell him which I liked better - my ending, or Rowling's. Hmmmm.....
It's hard to say - John has convinced me that Harry had to come back - as the Christ-figure, albeit flawed, but Christ-figure still, Harry had to come back and finish the job.

I do agree.

But I would have loved to see the Narnia-like end still. Can't say why - maybe just because I love it so.

How's that, Justin.