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Informationen zum Autor FRANCIS BRIDGER is Principal of Trinity College, Bristol, England, and Visiting Professor of Pasoral Care at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. His previous books include Counselling in Context , and the award-winning Children Finding Faith. Klappentext In this enlightening look at J.K. Rowling's phenomenal bestsellers, a Christian minister illuminates the powerful, positive message Harry Potter and his magical world bring to readers of all ages. Potter fever has swept the world and shows no signs of abating. The books and the recent movie have attracted millions of followers and fans, all of them eagerly awaiting the next installments. Along with the widespread enjoyment and appreciation of Harry Potter and his friendships, however, criticism of the series has also emerged. The opposition has focused on two issues; the darkness of the novels and their apparent endorsement of witchcraft and the occult. In A Charmed Life , Francis Bridger, a theologian and pastor, argues that far from promoting the dark arts, the Potter books are firmly based in Christian values, and offer valuable insights into our characters, our relationships, our priorities, and our spirituality. Taking readers on an entertaining tour of Potterworld, Bridger shows that each adventure presents new ways of expressing and exploring key spiritual issues, from the meaning of justice, to the need to confront fears, to the debilitating effects of evil. As Harry and his friends deal with one another, face their enemies, cope with their variously dysfunctional families, and experience the common problems of growing up, Bridger demonstrates, it is their intrinsic human goodness, love, and friendship--not wizardry or magic--that allows them to triumph over evil.1 Plans Are Made "IRENE AND I are finally getting to go to Bryson City," Mandie informed Joe as they walked to school one April morning. "Miss Abigail sent our mother a note last night asking us to go with her next weekend." Mandie smiled at Joe as she walked quickly to keep up with him. "My mother also received a note from her," Joe replied with a big grin. "Are you going?" Mandie asked. "I'm not sure if I want to go," Joe said. "Not sure?" Mandie asked. "Why aren't you sure you want to go?" She couldn't believe anyone would turn down an invitation to go to Bryson City. The courthouse was there, along with shops full of interesting things she had always heard about but never seen. The community where they lived, Charley Gap, only had one general store. Joe looked down at her and said, "I've been there before with my father while he was making calls, and I didn't think it was a very interesting place." "Joe Woodard!" Mandie exclaimed, stopping in the road to stomp her foot. "How can you say that? I've always heard there are lots of interesting places in Bryson City." "There are a lot of stuffy old city people over there," Joe answered. He paused to look down at her. "But we will be staying with some friends of Miss Abigail," Mandie replied. "Yes, and those friends are stuffy old city people," Joe told her. "Come on, Mandie. We're going to be late for school." He started to walk on. Mandie quickly followed. "How do you know they're stuffy?" she demanded. "My mother knew the name of the people in the note who Miss Abigail said we would be staying with. Mother also said they were very well-off people who live in a great mansion. I just wouldn't be comfortable," Joe explained. "Besides, what would we do there?" Mandie grinned and said, "Maybe we'll run into a mystery!" "Oh, Mandie, you and your mysteries!" Joe exclaimed. "All right then, if you don't go and I find a mystery, I won't even tell you about it when I get back," Mandie said. Joe ignored that remark and asked, "Is Irene going?"
