Wow Kori!! This incredible. It was very convicting to remember that I’m not the only one who feels misunderstood, but that other people that don’t see things like I do might feel misunderstood, too. We all have such deep desires to be known + loved, but when we let the source of that be Christ, we can extend that love and deep-knowingness to others even when we are different from them. Incredible piece, thank you for writing it and being vulnerable with the areas the Lord has sanctified you in.
All of your Harry Potter comments made me chuckle. As we are the same age, I was in the throes of the mania as well. I remember actively scoffing at classmates for read the books for book reports which I thought was ridiculous because I was reading Dostoevsky. Fast forward a few years and I had watched a few of the movies, but I had still not read any of the books. The last book was about to come out and I didn’t want any spoilers. My fiancé owned all of the books that were out (and he was pretty smart), so I decided to read them. I had two weeks between finishing undergrad and starting grad school so I read books 1-6 in two weeks. 😝 I pre-ordered the 7th which came out on our pre-Cana retreat weekend (a mandatory retreat we had to go on before our wedding). We picked it up during the break and I started it that night. 36 hours later I finished the book and spoilers couldn’t hurt me anymore. I was wrong about the books. Shape is by far my favorite character and I could talk about his backstory and character arch way longer than anyone would like to hear. I never entered into a major argument, but I will add my apologies to people in high school. I was wrong about Harry Potter. I was not wrong about Prom and Homecoming.
@Allana, an older gentleman who has discipled me for years (you know him as the dude from the Texas Roadhouse in my book!) recently became a Harry Potter fan and has watched the movies multiple times! He's fascinated by all the ways that the Gospel and biblical themes are present in the story. I know that many Christians feel that reading/watching Harry Potter would violate their conscience, and I, of course, agree that we cannot disobey Christ by engaging with material that the Spirit has clearly convicted us about. But those who feel free to experience Harry Potter can look forward to surprising lessons in theological truth. I'm excited to see how those themes play out in the book!
John Granger has a fascinating book called Looking For God in Harry Potter (with a sequel called How Harry Cast His Spell, which covers all seven novels) that analyzes the Christian themes and symbolism woven throughout the story. It may be of interest to you after you read the series!
Wow, I was a jerk too!! More in highschool (especially grade 12&13), but also because of reasons that, while real, aren't excuses. Sigh. He gives more grace.
As to your question, I continue to learn how important it is for believers to think about the spiritual gifts God has given. We have to recognize not only our own gifting, but also how He has gifted the believers around us, in our church. Do I really believe that each Christian in my church has a gift that is essential to my own growth as well as the growth of the Body together? Do I really believe that God has placed the members of the Body around me , just as He determines because of what I need? Am I posturing myself in a way not only to share my gift, but receive the benefits/learning of the gifts of others? Can I acknowledge and accept that this variety and manifold expression of God's generosity means that others will feel deeply about different priorities than I do, but that are equally important?
You hit the nail on the head when you point out the essential activity of listening! Listening to each other and listening for the Spirit at work in one another.
Thanks for sharing! The insight about asking questions is really powerful and something I need to put into practice. I was on the other side of things and was very legalistic, eschewing anything “secular” like Harry Potter, rated R movies and pop music. I missed opportunities to connect with people and I’m sure lots of people around me felt judged. Also, as an enneagram 4 and a neurodivergent person I am pretty critical of anything “popular,” especially among “the youths.” I have felt conviction about that lately because they are growing up in a different world than I am. So thanks for the insights. And I love that you record these. There’s something special about getting to listen to them.
Kori, thank you for sharing this fantastic essay! I was in high school in the 00's, and agreed with you then. I thought HP was evil. So, I also read the books and watched the movies as an adult. What I discovered is that I don't like them at all! Not for biblical reasons, but because I have nothing in common with the characters and found Harry to be completely obnoxious. I ended up coming to the same conclusion as before--I don't like HP--but for different reasons. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts about the books as well!
Yeah, I love this! I had the same experience with JR's Writing With Jane Austen class. I hated Pride and Prejudice in high school, and the class made me discover that while I still don't like it, I understand why it is upheld as such a great book. It really is a genius work of literature—just not my thing.
Beautiful insights, Kori. I was even worse...a church lady who thought HP was the doorway to the devil. I'm so thankful for God's kind shaking me up to shake loose that tendency to harsh judgment.
I love that your friend is using HP to cope with grief. I often suggest books to my reading clients to help them with mental health issues...bibliotherapy is actually a thing. And for the tendency to judge and to help "thicken the story" (a term from narrative therapy), I prescribe a large dose of curiosity, which is necessary for perspective. You modeled that so well when you didn't freak out with the guy who was avoiding fiction!
Wow Kori!! This incredible. It was very convicting to remember that I’m not the only one who feels misunderstood, but that other people that don’t see things like I do might feel misunderstood, too. We all have such deep desires to be known + loved, but when we let the source of that be Christ, we can extend that love and deep-knowingness to others even when we are different from them. Incredible piece, thank you for writing it and being vulnerable with the areas the Lord has sanctified you in.
All of your Harry Potter comments made me chuckle. As we are the same age, I was in the throes of the mania as well. I remember actively scoffing at classmates for read the books for book reports which I thought was ridiculous because I was reading Dostoevsky. Fast forward a few years and I had watched a few of the movies, but I had still not read any of the books. The last book was about to come out and I didn’t want any spoilers. My fiancé owned all of the books that were out (and he was pretty smart), so I decided to read them. I had two weeks between finishing undergrad and starting grad school so I read books 1-6 in two weeks. 😝 I pre-ordered the 7th which came out on our pre-Cana retreat weekend (a mandatory retreat we had to go on before our wedding). We picked it up during the break and I started it that night. 36 hours later I finished the book and spoilers couldn’t hurt me anymore. I was wrong about the books. Shape is by far my favorite character and I could talk about his backstory and character arch way longer than anyone would like to hear. I never entered into a major argument, but I will add my apologies to people in high school. I was wrong about Harry Potter. I was not wrong about Prom and Homecoming.
I'm so excited for you to read the books!!!!!
I think every Christian should read Harry Potter. It's such a beautiful piece of literature with a powerful social commentary.
My mum and I just finished rewatching the movies. Though I love them, there is SO MUCH that they left out. You're in for a real treat, Kori. :)
@Allana, an older gentleman who has discipled me for years (you know him as the dude from the Texas Roadhouse in my book!) recently became a Harry Potter fan and has watched the movies multiple times! He's fascinated by all the ways that the Gospel and biblical themes are present in the story. I know that many Christians feel that reading/watching Harry Potter would violate their conscience, and I, of course, agree that we cannot disobey Christ by engaging with material that the Spirit has clearly convicted us about. But those who feel free to experience Harry Potter can look forward to surprising lessons in theological truth. I'm excited to see how those themes play out in the book!
John Granger has a fascinating book called Looking For God in Harry Potter (with a sequel called How Harry Cast His Spell, which covers all seven novels) that analyzes the Christian themes and symbolism woven throughout the story. It may be of interest to you after you read the series!
Wow, I was a jerk too!! More in highschool (especially grade 12&13), but also because of reasons that, while real, aren't excuses. Sigh. He gives more grace.
As to your question, I continue to learn how important it is for believers to think about the spiritual gifts God has given. We have to recognize not only our own gifting, but also how He has gifted the believers around us, in our church. Do I really believe that each Christian in my church has a gift that is essential to my own growth as well as the growth of the Body together? Do I really believe that God has placed the members of the Body around me , just as He determines because of what I need? Am I posturing myself in a way not only to share my gift, but receive the benefits/learning of the gifts of others? Can I acknowledge and accept that this variety and manifold expression of God's generosity means that others will feel deeply about different priorities than I do, but that are equally important?
You hit the nail on the head when you point out the essential activity of listening! Listening to each other and listening for the Spirit at work in one another.
Thanks for sharing! The insight about asking questions is really powerful and something I need to put into practice. I was on the other side of things and was very legalistic, eschewing anything “secular” like Harry Potter, rated R movies and pop music. I missed opportunities to connect with people and I’m sure lots of people around me felt judged. Also, as an enneagram 4 and a neurodivergent person I am pretty critical of anything “popular,” especially among “the youths.” I have felt conviction about that lately because they are growing up in a different world than I am. So thanks for the insights. And I love that you record these. There’s something special about getting to listen to them.
Kori, thank you for sharing this fantastic essay! I was in high school in the 00's, and agreed with you then. I thought HP was evil. So, I also read the books and watched the movies as an adult. What I discovered is that I don't like them at all! Not for biblical reasons, but because I have nothing in common with the characters and found Harry to be completely obnoxious. I ended up coming to the same conclusion as before--I don't like HP--but for different reasons. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts about the books as well!
Yeah, I love this! I had the same experience with JR's Writing With Jane Austen class. I hated Pride and Prejudice in high school, and the class made me discover that while I still don't like it, I understand why it is upheld as such a great book. It really is a genius work of literature—just not my thing.
Beautiful insights, Kori. I was even worse...a church lady who thought HP was the doorway to the devil. I'm so thankful for God's kind shaking me up to shake loose that tendency to harsh judgment.
I love that your friend is using HP to cope with grief. I often suggest books to my reading clients to help them with mental health issues...bibliotherapy is actually a thing. And for the tendency to judge and to help "thicken the story" (a term from narrative therapy), I prescribe a large dose of curiosity, which is necessary for perspective. You modeled that so well when you didn't freak out with the guy who was avoiding fiction!
Ruby Turpin strikes again. 🦚
You betcha. Thankfully, nobody is beyond redemption.
I’ll be here when you’re ready to discuss the series. Each book. The nitty gritty details. 💜