They both have interesting - sometimes confusing, sometimes wacky - story lines, flawed main characters who are put in positions they never asked to be in, and some crazy stories filled with imaginative creatures and frightening situations. There is an abundance of self pity and whining. Harry Potter takes place in a land of magic. The Bible takes place in a time and place where magical events were, well, normal.
Take Balaam and the Donkey from the book of Numbers, for instance.
It is the proverbial elephant in the room. First, Balaam was just plain mean to his donkey, beating him three times for not following commands. But, when the donkey speaks to Balaam, asking why he keeps beating him, Balaam never bats an eye. He just answers the donkey. Now, I don't know about you, but a talking donkey would at least cause me a double take. But not Balaam, he takes it all in stride. Then Balaam sees an angel and has a conversation with him. Again, I am not sure I would be as calm and believing as Balaam seems to be.
Unexpected, magical events happen all the time.
Since Harry Potter is a wizard, there is magic all around. There are magic wands, magic potions, capes that make you invisible, trains that only wizards can see and board, rooms that change in size and appearance and so much more. In the land of the Old Testament there are plagues created by God that only affect select people, seas that open to allow the Israelite's to cross through them, animals that talk, manna appearing from nowhere, water coming from rocks, angels stopping people on the road and more examples that I simply can't remember. In both places, no one seems to think any of these events are unusual.
Moses and Harry have more in common than you might think.
They were both raised by someone other than their parents and never seemed to quite fit in. Moses was an Israelite being raised by Egyptians; Harry was a wizard being raised by muggles. They both were thrown into positions of power they really didn't want. Moses had to lead the Israelite's out of Egypt when he did not believe he had the skills to do so; Harry had to lead the fight against Lord Voldemort when all he wanted was to be a normal, wizard kid. They both have powers given to them by someone else. Harry was able to hear snakes talk because of the scar left by Voldemort and Moses was given powers by God when he needed them.
Both are stories of good versus evil.
Harry and friends are on a constant battle against evil. It is very clear who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. Moses and the Israelite's are constantly battling the evil in themselves. Moses tries to lead them on the path to God's plan and the people are always doubting, doing foolish things which only makes their situation worse in many cases. The Israelite's are fighting the evil within themselves and also the temptations around them.
There are physical battles in both stories.
Harry and company fight Voldemort's followers in both small battles and a climatic finish. The Israelite's are preparing battle with the people who get in the way of the promised land. The battles in both the imaginary land of Harry Potter and the Bible are ruthless, take no prisoners, violent and bloody events.
The books parallel in many ways, but they are not the same.
There are common themes, but one is fictional entertainment and one is a historical record of peoples lives. While I may believe some Bible stories have been exaggerated as they were told from person to person, I do believe in the historical concept that Moses led people out of Egypt to live in Canaan. And that the Israelite's were messed up, just like we are today. And that they kept being forgiven, afforded second chances, despite their flaws. So there is hope for us.
That is the final parallel, I think. Hope. There is always hope.
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