So, I am working on the title for my sermon series inspired by Harry Potter, for July 1, 8 and 15.
The title of the series is giving me trouble. I am toying with “From Heaven to Hogwarts: The Gospel and Harry Potter,” because I’m addicted to alliterative titles. But I’m concerned that in that phrase, people (outside the church) might think that Hogwarts is an analogy/substitute for Hell, and thus assume that the series will be a condemnation of the books. As you know, it will be anything but that.
So my question is, is that what you hear? Or would you assume that this will be a series that explores Christian themes using some of the themes from the books?
I’m trying to be as clear as possible. Any suggestions?
14 Responses to “quick harry potter poll”
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Hmm, I wouldn’t have made the Hogwarts/Hell connection, and it doesn’t really hold up as an analogy anyway, because even if one did associate HP with the occult and going to Hell, Hogwarts is not an unpleasant place to be, not in the eternal punishment sense. But that’s logic, and may not play into people´s gut reactions.
As an unrelated aside, I am always curious about how people view Hell– most especially clergypeople outside of a fundamentalist tradition. So if you ever feel like sharing, I would read with interest…
I didn’t hear a Hogwarts-Hell link at all. Like the title, and am interested to hear how the series goes.
I like the title and I really look forward to reading your posts about it (and the way its all received)
(You’d never get away with it in our church mind!)
Why not just change a few prepositions?
“Heaven and Hogwarts: The Gospel in Harry Potter”
I like “Heaven and Hogwarts”, but would change the second half to “The Gospel of Harry Potter”. Of course, I understand that Harry offers his own version of “Good News”. Could go with the variant, “Gospel According to Harry Potter”, but I’m pretty sure there’s already a book with that title.
I’m with Sherry. I didn’t make the hell connection, but “from Heaven to Hogwarts” still seems to suggest movement…then again, that could be what you are wanting to suggest.
I’m sure the series will kick butt for Jesus.
Your post really caught my attention because of my summer series, which is just in the beginning stages. Modeled after the “This I Believe” series on NPR…
What I Believe…about Heaven
What I Believe…about Hell
What I Believe…about Hope
What I Believe…about Hate
I’m not so into the Harry Potter (no objections, just not my thing), so I’m not too helpful on the title. But Not Shy, I really like that idea, so thanks for adding it to my brain. Let’s see if I can get it to stick there.
I like Sherry’s idea.
Voting for Sherry’s version…no ambiguity about what you’re going for in the second half by using “The Gospel in Harry Potter.” It should forestall any grumpiness by the more conservative folk at Suburban Church.
Like Lorna, I’m looking forward to hearing more about this (as a fan of your way with words as well as of Harry) ;-D
Yes, I’m with Sherry too….but also profoundly grateful that nobody EVER expects me to come up with titles to any sermon, ever. Leaves things much more open, which is a huge relief to a last minute preacher like me!
Ditto what Kathryn said! I’m so glad I don’t have to do sermon titles. Anyway, there is indeed a book called “the Gospel According to HP”, so I’d go with what you already have.
Thanks all. I’m going with Sherry’s good recommendation. We’re going to have a banner out front ‘advertising’ the series, so fewer words is better.
I am normally awful with titles for individual sermons, but this really did need to be done ahead of time.
I do have one sermon title in mind though: “Prayer and Other Defenses Against the Dark Arts.”
Oh, and I have been thinking a lot about people like esperanza who aren’t Potter aficionados. The sermons will be biblically based, and not all the examples will be from HP. And none of the examples will require HP knowledge. I guess it would be like a pastor who uses a lot of sports analogies, but brings in other analogies for people who have no resonance with sports. That’s my hope, anyway.
Getting into the game late, but I did not make the Heaven/hell connection.
Also, you could simply switch the first two and do From Harry Potter to Heaven… I think that even less would give that association.
goodness. I think i’d like to come to this one. dang me for moving 60 miles west.