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Gospel Figures and Corresponding 'Potter' Characters
by Cooper Lewis
November 24, 2004
Before I begin this column, let me say that I am a devout Catholic and I am in no way insinuating that Harry Potter comes close to the holiness of Jesus Christ or the Bible. But I think that within any piece of literature, Christian themes can be applied.
I first decided to write this column in my first period New Testament studies class. We were to reflect on one of the characters involved with the gospels that we felt identification with. I chose Pontius Pilate, because sometimes I feel the need to "give into the crowd" and act amorally or immorally. It seems (to me at least) that if several of the Harry Potter characters were to do this reflection, they would certainly be able to identify with one or more Biblical characters. But of course, the story isn't done yet, and these identifications may be subject to change as books six and seven are released.
We'll start off with some basic Gospel figures.
Jesus of Nazareth: Jesus is the tragic hero of the Gospels. His tragic flaw was his divinity - which is tragic because it shouldn't have been a flaw at all. He faced persecutions, betrayals, and a sad end that ultimately renewed hope in the world. After Christ saved the world, Satan took power and Christ will come again to vanquish Satan.
Harry Potter: Harry could be considered a tragic hero. Although he has many problems, the one that seems to haunt him the most isn't a flaw at all - it's his fame. He will doubtlessly face persecutions and betrayals. Interestingly, he has already redeemed the wizarding world once, and all signs seem to say that he will do it a second time. (Christ's second coming.) Harry is forced to bear his scar, just as Jesus was forced to bear his cross. Another very interesting point is that on the night Lily and James were killed, stars (and owls) appeared in the sky, three wise men (Hagrid, Dumbledore, and McGonagall) came to visit him, and even "shepherds" (muggles) noticed the curious incidents of the day.
Joseph and Mary: Joseph and, especially, Mary continued to be forces in Christ's life long after he left Nazareth and began his Galilean ministry. Joseph died before Mary did. Shortly after Jesus' death, Joseph and Mary were forced to go into hiding in Egypt to escape King Herod.
James and Lily Potter: If Harry is the Christ figure, James and Lily are consequently Mary and Joseph figures. James and Lily continue to be guiding forces in Harry's life even after their deaths. (James died first). Eerily, shortly after Harry's birth, James and Lily were forced to go into hiding in Godric's Hollow to escape Lord Voldemort. But another interesting pair...
Moses and Elijah: Although they were dead long before Jesus' life, their teachings and lives affected Jesus'. Jesus was often mistaken for Moses and Elijah. Moses and Elijah also appeared to Jesus once in the New Testament, during the Transfiguration on the Mountain, where two of Jesus' apostles were with him.
James and Lily Potter: Although they have been dead since Harry was one, they continue to influence their son. Jesus is often mistaken for James, and people frequently weigh their similarities. James and Lily have appeared to Harry once so far in the series, in the Mirror of Erised. Ron and Dumbledore were present.
Satan: Lucifer was one of the most favored angels in heaven, until he realized that staying in God's grace would mean being equal to humans. He changed his name to Satan and was then banished to hell, and he led the world into Sin. Then Jesus was born and Satan defeated. Satan tempted Jesus in the desert. After Jesus' death, Satan became powerful again and corrupted the world, but one day Jesus will return and defeat Satan.
Lord Voldemort: Tom Riddle was one of the best students at Hogwarts, until he realized that people like Dumbledore were attempting to put Mudbloods and Purebloods on equal footing. He changed his name to Lord Voldemort and began to study the dark arts. He led the Wizarding World into despair. Then, on one fateful Halloween, Voldemort was defeated. Lord Voldemort tried to tempt Harry during his first year at Hogwarts. After his fall, Voldemort regained power...one day Harry will defeat Voldemort.
God (the Father): God really, really loves His Son, Jesus. He kept Jesus up in Heaven with Him, until one day, He sent his beloved Jesus down to free the world from Sin. God was a constant counselor to Christ, even when God was in Heaven and Jesus was on earth.
Dumbledore: Dumbledore really cares for Harry Potter. After Sirius died, Dumbledore realized that he would have to stop sheltering Harry and let him fulfill his mission: to liberate the wizarding world from Voldemort. Dumbledore is a constant counselor to Harry, and Harry has even been able to call on Dumbledore in the Chamber of Secrets to invoke miraculous occurrences.
Mary Magdalene: Some scholars believe that Mary Magdalene led a life of sin before Jesus rescued her from the clutches of those who wanted to stone her. After that, Mary became very supportive of Jesus' ministry (financially.)
Hermione Granger: Before Harry rescued Hermione from the dungeon in which a troll wanted, not to stone her, but to hammer her with its club, Hermione was snooty and impolite. Afterwards, she became one of Harry's closest supporters.
NOTE: I don't believe the conspiracy theories about a romantic relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene, but it certainly could be used as fodder for the shippers...
St. Peter/Judas Iscariot: Both St. Peter and Judas betrayed Christ: Peter, three times verbally, and Judas through the Roman guards and silver. The difference between Peter and Judas is that Peter repented after the cock crowed and Jesus forgave him. Jesus was unable to forgive Judas because instead of acting with hope, Judas acted out of despair and took his own life.
Peter Pettigrew: Peter Pettigrew has certainly betrayed Harry Potter numerous times, and he is currently in the Judas-phase. When the cock crows, we don't know if Peter will strive for forgiveness, or take despair and take his own life. There is a slight indication that Peter Pettigrew might just redeem himself in the eyes of God.
Percy Weasley: Percy may be another obvious candidate for St. Peter - he denied his family and Potter, but he'll likely rejoin them in their mission in Book 6.
Severus Snape: Severus Snape seems to me to be the more likely Judas in the Gospel of Potter. Although handing Potter over with a kiss seems highly unlikely, Snape could even betray Dumbledore before the story runs out.
Pontius Pilate: Pontius Pilate took over the control of Judea in the midst of extreme public unpopularity - Pilate would have done anything to become more popular in the public's eye, and that chance came when the crowd demanded Jesus' crucifixion.
Cornelius Fudge: Fudge had never really been a popular leader of the Ministry of Magic. Fudge's chance to shine finally came when he found opportunity to ridicule Potter's claims about the return of Voldemort.
John the Baptist: John the Baptist stayed in the desert, aloof from civilization. He prophesied about the coming Messiah, whom he was good friends with. John even baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. He was later beheaded.
Firenze/Professor Trelawney: Firenze and Trelawney both stay aloof from civilization: Firenze, in the Forbidden Forest; Trelawney, in the North Tower. They both prophesized about the coming of Harry Potter, etc, etc. Harry isn't really good friends with Trelawney, and Firenze gave Harry a baptism of sorts when he rescued him in the Forbidden Forest. Firenze was physically abused by his herd.
St. John: St. John was the beloved apostle. Jesus loved John above all the others, and John and Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus died. St. John was the only apostle who didn't die a martyr's death.
Ron Weasley: Harry's best friend is Ron. Harry loves Ron above all his other friends, and often Ron and Hermione are the only ones left standing with Harry.
St. James, Zebedee, and Salome: St. James was the brother of John who also was an apostle of Jesus. James, John, and Peter were often taken along with Jesus on his special missions and healings. Zebedee and Salome cared very much about their sons, James and John, and Salome even accompanied James and John on their missions with Christ. She even went to prepare Christ's body for burial.
Fred and George, Arthur, and Molly Weasley: Fred and George are Ron's brothers, and they also follow Harry Potter. Fred, George, Ron, and Percy often accompany Harry to Hogwarts, and to the Quidditch World Cup. Arthur and Molly care very much for their sons, and for Harry. Molly is often very fussy about Harry himself.
Lazarus: Lazarus was from a moderately wealthy and famous family (*he had two sisters, Martha and Mary, whom Jesus also loved*), who supported Jesus very much. Lazarus was one of Jesus' best friends, and when Jesus learned of Lazarus's death, he shed tears. ("Jesus wept.") Jesus proceeded to raise Lazarus from the dead.
Sirius: Sirius comes from a moderately wealthy and famous family (*his cousin Tonks is also dear to Harry*), and he supported Harry very much, buying him broomsticks, etc. Sirius was one of Harry's best friends, and when Harry saw Sirius die, he cried. If Harry could bring Sirius back, he doubtlessly would.
St. Matthew: St. Matthew was a despised tax collector, but Jesus surprised everyone by making him an apostle, and he went on to write a gospel and become a prestigious historical figure.
Lupin: Remus Lupin is despised for being a werewolf, but Harry and Dumbledore surprised everyone by making him a trusted member of the Hogwarts faculty, and hopefully he'll go on to become a trusted government official.
So, that was quite a long list, wasn't it? And it just goes to show those people who think Harry Potter is occult that it may help kids understand the gospels a lot more than one would think. But it also raises some interesting ideas about the timelessness of the Gospels, and about the timelessness of their characters.
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