Teaching Faith with Harry Potter: A Guidebook for Parents and Educators for Multigenerational Faith Formation

J. K. Rowling was less obvious than C. S. Lewis or J. R. R. Tolkien in her grounding of the Harry Potter series in deeply held Christian convictions, leaving many with a strong sense that these stories are spiritual lessons but not sure how to flesh out these theological ideas for teaching, parenting, mentoring, and forming faith. The Harry Potter series stands as one compelling narrative, rooted in Rowling's Anglican convictions of the communion of saints, the power of sacraments, the redemption of sacrificial love, and the defeat of death in the resurrection through grace. Tricia Lyons identifies, clarifies, and systematizes the Christian themes Rowlings uses throughout the series, so anyone can apply the Harry Potter universe in lifelong and life-wide formation. The books first section organizes and integrates the major theological themes, characters, and events of the series into the liturgical year. The second part is organized in specific topic chapters, such as forgiveness, friendship, sacrifice, and resurrection. Readers will be able to use the book as a reference manual for using Harry Potter in preaching and formation, to integrate into the current theological season, or for book studies, sermons, bible studies, VBS content, youth groups, parish retreats, etc.