As I've said before, I finished the final Harry Potter book in about 7 1/2 hours and thoroughly enjoyed it. And I've enjoyed them all.

It's impossible to read any of these books and not notice Christian themes throughout. Unfortunately, too many Christians haven't bothered to read any of the books and decry the novels simply because they feature witches and wizards. Most of these people are nothing more than reactionary yahoos. But one of them is Dr. James Dobson, who should know better.

Dr. James Dobson wants all friends of Focus on the Family to know about an error involving him that appeared on Page 1 of Wednesday's Washington Post. In a story about Christians' views on the Harry Potter books and films, reporter Jacqueline Salmon wrote that "Christian parenting guru James Dobson has praised the Potter books."

This is the exact opposite of Dr. Dobson's opinion — in fact, he said a few years ago on his daily radio broadcast that "We have spoken out strongly against all of the Harry Potter products." His rationale for that statement: Magical characters — witches, wizards, ghosts, goblins, werewolves, poltergeists and so on — fill the Harry Potter stories, and given the trend toward witchcraft and New Age ideology in the larger culture, it's difficult to ignore the effects such stories (albeit imaginary) might have on young, impressionable minds.

Which is why Dobson has also decried the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis and "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkein. Except that he hasn't, which makes his opinion of J.K. Rowling -- a devout Christian in a nation that is mostly post-Christian -- so ignorant.

For some really good analysis of the Christian themes in the Potter books, I encourage you to read these articles -- the articles do contain spoilers (though my quotes will not), so you might want to bookmark this post if you haven't yet finished the final installment.

Jerry Bowyer does an excellent job pointing out some of the sources of the Latin "spells" in Rowling's work.

The most powerful spell in Harry’s world is the Patronus, in which the wizard forcefully says “Expecto Patronum”. That’s Christian Latin for “I look for the Savior”. Expecto is used in the Nicene Creed, and Patronum is used in the medieval Dies Irae as the Savior that we look for in the day of judgment. Harry uses the spell when ghastly evil spiritual beings called DEMENtors (caps mine) attack him and another innocent man near a lake. A stag (which just happens to function as a common Christ figure in medieval art) walks across the water dispelling the vile soul-destroying creatures. What’s it take, a 2 by 4 across the forehead? This is Christian stuff!

Religion reporter Jeffrey Weiss of The Dallas Morning News also has a good, spoiler-filled piece.

Finally, Baylor University professor Perry Glanzer, suggests that Dobson take aim at real, anti-Christian books and the upcoming movie.

Dobson should save his ammunition for real — not perceived — attacks upon Christianity such as a movie coming this Christmas. During the holiday season, "The Golden Compass" will appear in theatres, a movie based on Philip Pullman's first book in the best-selling "His Dark Materials" trilogy.

The timing of the movie's release is ironic considering that Pullman hates Christianity.

In The Washington Post, Pullman admitted that, through his work, "I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief."

I'd suggest that Dobson give the Harry Potter books a read -- and consider the practical application of the old axiom: "It is better to be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.