The Potter Principle

There’s a “Potter Principle”? Yes, and you’ll be surprised at what it is!

Ask just any 10-year-old these days about the greatest story ever told and they’ll not likely jump immediately to Genesis 1 and recite the whole witness of Scripture.

Instead they’ll probably begin by regaling you with the tale of J.K. Rowling’s boy wizard Harry Potter, whose continuing adventures have sparked a worldwide phenomenon. Six books and four films have already sold in stratospheric numbers, and the seventh and final book is awaited by the elementary school set with anticipation that’s matched only by Christmas morning. (And before you roll your eyes at yet another Harry Potter treatment — don’t forget that while we muggles may be tired of Harry, children and the publishing world clearly are not. Okay, then.)

Are these stories of magic and wizardry? Or are they the tales of a battle between good and evil? Are they worthy of praise or sneers? Some, as you know, have denounced the books based on their magical subject matter. Others have seen ...