'Hogwarts Professor' to Lecture on Harry Potter and the Christian Faith

by Jaime Bates, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

Author and "Hogwarts Professor" John Granger will present a two-day lecture on J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books and the Christian faith as part of the Honors College Lecture Series at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, in the Brooks College Great Hall and at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, in Alexander Reading Room on the Baylor campus.

When the Harry Potter books were the topic of heated debate, Granger was one of the first scholars to argue that the books were Christian in conception and meaning. He is the author of several of his own books, including The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius, and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels, Looking for God in Harry Potter and Who Killed Albus Dumbledore?

On Sunday, Granger will explain how Rowling's seventh and final book is "her story about the difficulty and importance of faith" and how the last installment delivers exactly what the foreshadowing and themes of the previous book hinted.

On Monday, Granger will discuss his latest book, Unlocking 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows': Five Keys for the Serious Reader. In this lecture Granger will tell how Rowling "wields the tools of narrative misdirection, literary alchemy, the hero's journey, postmodern themes and traditional symbolism to engage and entrance us well beyond suspended disbelief."

The Honors College Lecture Series is held throughout the fall and spring semesters on a variety of topics and are designed to stimulate thought and discussion.

These two lectures, sponsored by the Honors Residential College and Brooks College, are free and open to the public. For more information contact Paulette Edwards or call (254) 710-7689.