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CAUTION: LEFT TURNS CAN BE SPIRITUALLY
FATAL
By Jan Markell
www.olivetreeviews.org
You only have to look at the magazine
Christianity Today (CT) to realize that something has gone very
wrong with evangelicalism in recent years. This periodical was
started by Billy Graham many years ago and was the magazine of
choice for most evangelicals. In the 1980s, it began a slow
slide to the Left and the state of it now should be a warning.
When a church, a denomination, or in this case, a magazine,
begins a downward spiral, it almost never turns around and
corrects its crash course. In other words, slippery slopes only
lead to whoever is on them crashing and burning. Very rarely do
they pick themselves up again and head back in the right
direction. Many of us maintain that turning Left is still not
right.
It didn't take long for the magazine to hit
another one out of the heretical park. That is only if you see
the Harry Potter series as downright dangerous for kids and
teens. Harry is gigantic news right now, in that
part 2 of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows has premiered
big time! Many showings were sold out well in advance. The Los
Angeles Times is calling this "the most successful film
franchise in modern Hollywood and the most
impactful piece of pop culture for a generation." Christianity
Today writer John Granger thinks just about like the newspaper.
Granger has authored
a July online article in CT titled, Harry Potter is Here to
Stay: Why the Final Movie is Only the Beginning of the Harry
Potter Phenomenon. I will warn you up front: Granger is going to
be among a lot of commentators who are comparing Harry to Jesus
Christ, and who insist you really can find God in all things
Harry Potter.
He's right about one
thing: Harry Potter is here to stay, but it's because occultism
and witchcraft are here to stay and these things are to wax
worse and worse in the last days. But Granger says, "Harry
survives many near-deaths because of his 'bond of blood' with
the sacrificial love of his mother. Seven years in a row, Harry
dies a near death and 'rises from the dead' in the presence of,
or symbol of, Christ. Our hearts recognize, resonate with, and
thrill to Harry's annual death to self and resurrection. Rowling
has written a spiritual allegory of the soul's transformation to
perfection in Christ."
To add further consternation to people like
me, Granger then proceeds to talk about Stephanie Meyer's series
on vampires called Twilight. He states that both Potter and
Twilight have "resurrection experiences after a sacrificial
death." He also states that, "Harry Potter revealed the great
spiritual hunger of our time." I say it revealed the enormous
appetite for the paranormal!
Sure! Kids and teens are breaking the doors
down at theatres for a spiritual Sunday school lesson. No,
they're addicted to the glitz and the witchcraft--and the
evil--that grows worse with each film and book.
In a 2005 article in Christianity Today, the CT author
writes, "Rowling uses her heroes to champion the fruit of the
Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness. . ." This
non-discerning outfit then suggests that, "the witchcraft of the
books is not to be confused with the witchcraft of our world."
Isn't witchcraft just that--witchcraft?
There isn't a brand of sanctified witchcraft and evil
witchcraft. It's all witchcraft. Harry Potter is politically
correct paganism.
A Wiccan group in Scotland says the Potter phenomenon has
helped increase interest in witchcraft around the world. They
say, "Harry Potter has had a positive effect, although we don't
let anyone join (our organization) until they are 18."
My friend, Caryl Matrisciana, produces the
very finest Christian documentaries out there and I might
add--against all odds. Like this ministry, she faces obstacles
to getting her brand of truth out there.
Her documentary, Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged,
reveals the numerous similarities between the spells and magic
used by Potter and those used in Wicca. She claims there is
overwhelming evidence that author J.K. Rowling meticulously
researched Wicca and included its tenets in her children's
books.
Caryl says, "My greatest concern is that the godly fear that
protects mankind from dabbling in the spirit world is being
taken away from children who read these Harry Potter books. The
terrors and horrors of black magic and occult practice, rituals,
ceremonies, and demon possession are being normalized."
She continues, "Alarmingly, the Potter
books are engaging in pagan discipleship, turning our children
to spiritual alternatives and also turning them away from
biblical principles and God's protection."
Yes, the release of Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows - Part 2 marks the end of a cinematic era --
eight films, 10 years, $6 billion and counting in worldwide
ticket sales.
Some kids are getting grief counseling realizing it's the
end of an age. Yet outfits like Christianity Today say Potter
will live forever due to Harry's "resurrection power." Some are
being conditioned to think the Holy God of the Bible will look
the other way while His people commit spiritual adultery. He
will not. He will send strong delusion for them to believe the
lies of these last days (2 Thessalonians 2). It would be
wonderful if once-trusted outfits like CT magazine would not
cooperate with a dark agenda and that they would change course
and sound firm warnings.
What is it about Deuteronomy 18:10-12 that
Christians who defend Harry Potter don't get? "There shall not
be found among you anyone who... practices witchcraft, or a
soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one
who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who
calls up the dead.... For all who do these things are an
abomination to the Lord..." All of these practices are the
bedrock of all things Harry Potter.
As commentator Berit Kjos
says in her movie review, "In a world that despises God's
Word and moral guidelines, it's not surprising that a series of
books based on witchcraft and wizardry has won the hearts of the
people. Occult themes, whether in books, movies, or computer
games, have become one of today's most effective tools for
social transformation. Even churches are promoting the change.
The 'light' side of evil could hardly be more deceptive!"
We can snicker, call the magazine
Christianity Astray, and move on, but a reality check reveals
that entire denominations are backing the Potter phenomenon and
Christian bookstores are carrying numerous books about finding
God in Harry Potter. So understand that it's not just the
radical Jesus Seminar people who are so off base. The
undiscerning tentacles of today's apostasy are reaching into all
avenues of liberal and conservative Christianity.
When Jesus was asked by His disciples about
end-of-the-age signs, He warned them of
deception and others coming in His name. As nuts as it
sounds, Harry Potter is now a Christ-like figure and all things
Harry Potter represent one of the greatest deceptions of our
day. Something that represents terrible evil is being called
good. J.K. Rowling tapped into the longing of our day for the
paranormal. As a result, her wealth is only exceeded by the
Queen of England. But there will be a terrible price to pay in
eternity unless there is repentance which is available to all,
no matter what the evil is. That is the good news of the gospel
and the good news of this story.
To better understand these issues, visit
our Web category called
"Spiritual Deception."
Get acquainted with "Understanding the
Times" radio, now heard in
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Dr. Norm Geisler and Dr. Cal Beisner join
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for two hours last weekend. John's info to my audience is
essential to understanding our times.
Listen here.
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