Original Research - Special Collection: Applied subjects - Practical Theology and Science of Religion

The lived theology of the Harry Potter series

Anastasia Apostolides, Johann-Albrecht Meylahn
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 70, No 1 | a2713 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v70i1.2713 | © 2014 Anastasia Apostolides, Johann-Albrecht Meylahn | This work is licensed under Other
Submitted: 05 May 2014 | Published: 20 November 2014

About the author(s)

Anastasia Apostolides, Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Johann-Albrecht Meylahn, Department of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

This article will argue that the recent turn towards lived theology or religion in practical theology can offer a useful hermeneutic to interpret the impact of the Harry Potter series on the spiritual formation and identity creation of adolescents. In practical theology there has been a turn towards lived theology or religion as lived religion has moved out of institutions into social–cultural phenomena as people seek to find meaning and purpose for their lives in alternative places to institutionalised religion.

Keywords

Harry Potter; Lived Religion/Theology; Adolescents; Identity; Spirituality

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