Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone with Paul McDonald and Jaime Jo Wright
Coming up on the Men at the Movies podcast, we welcome you into the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Harry reveals a picture of humanity, suffering great trauma and unaware of the world he has been born into until Hagrid bursts through the door. Hagrid acts as Harry’s true father figure, introducing him into the larger story and speaking truth over who he really is. But his true transformation and victory don’t occur through effort, but because of the sacrifice of others. You’re a wizard Harry—join us as we discover God’s truth in this movie.
Quotes
Harry Potter is fully ignorant of who he is and unaware of the life forced upon him by those who have gone before.
When you have someone who is willing to walk your journey with you, and not have the answers, that’s the epitome of a good loyal friend.
Harry never has to question Hagrid’s intentions, and is the only person like that in his life.
Hagrid is the true father figure for Harry.
It’s very easy to waste our lives pursuing something that we think will fill the deepest of our hearts only to find it as empty as looking in a mirror.
Hagrid gave zero F’s about what the Malfoy’s of the world would say.
Willpower never brought about true transformation.
We are part of a larger story whether we admit it or not.
Themes
Harry Potter is a picture of humanity—suffers both great trauma and celebrates huge successes. Clueless of the larger story he was born into.
Reaction to the supernatural: delight or disdain
We need someone to introduce us to the larger story
Why Hagrid is great (and represents a true father) :
Loyal to his friends
Convicted in his faith
Passionate about what he does
Secure and content in his identity
Harry never has to question Hagrid’s intentions with him. You never question Hagrid’s heart for Harry.
Hagrid is the true father figure for Harry. Loves you regardless, willing to sacrifice anything for you, will never be someone you need to question about his presence or availability.
Considered strange, weird, a buffoon by many
Believes the best in people—doesn’t have a measuring stick for people to earn his loyalty outside the fact that the person is aligned with good.
We can’t try our way into a better life. Only through surrender can we find transformation.
Resources
“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” - C.S. Lewis
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
Questions
What successes have you had recently?
Where have you suffered in your past?
Who introduced you into the Larger Story of Christianity?
How have Harry’s other fathers (his actual one, Dumbledore) let him down?
How does Hagrid act as Harry’s true father?
How does Hagrid compare to your father?
How have you “tried” your way to transformation? Why didn’t it work?
What does it mean that “transformation only comes through surrender?”
More info
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Edited and mixed by Grayson Foster
Logo and episode templates by Ian Johnston
Audio quotes performed by Britt Mooney, Paul McDonald, and Tim Willard, taken from Epic (written by John Eldredge) and Song of Albion (written by Stephen Lawhead).
Southerly Change performed by Zane Dickinson, used under license from Shutterstock.
Links: