The Life of Brian by Monty Python, has anyone seen this flick? I have thought about watching it for a while, but havent because I assume it is rather blasphemous. I was told "it is actually a really funny movie, and not blasphemous at all" by a guy who claims christianity but this guy is very liberal at best so I am not sure if he knows what reverance for God is (its not a popular subject among the Liberal).

So question is Life of Brian; Good, Bad, or Blasphemous?

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Bryan Riddle
1689 London Baptist Confession
Bethel Baptist Church Owasso, Oklahoma

A lot of things are funny, but not every funny thing is edifying. So with LoB.

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Rev. Bruce G. Buchanan
ChainOLakes Presbyterian Church, CentralLake, MI


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I don't know. I just remember seeing a small amount of it and being completely turned off by it. I couldn't bring myself to sit through it, and I generally like Monty Python.

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J Baldwin
Keowee Presbyterian Church, PCA
Pickens, SC
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

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Exactly. It is funny, but it mocks Christianity. In case you are wondering what it is about, a young man is mistaken for the Messiah and has followers. The followers are herd-like and basically stupid, implying that Christians were too.

I saw it in my rebellious youth. I personally would not see it again.

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R.Vic Bottomly
Providence Reformed Baptist Church, Tacoma, WA

Although that tune "Always look on the bright side of life..." is catchy.

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Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor, The Matthew Poole Project

"On land, at sea, at home, abroad, / I smoke my pipe and worship God." -- J.S. Bach

I love it.

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Vaughan
BTh Student, Sydney Missionary Bible College
Naremburn Cammeray Anglican Church
Sydney, Australia
The Ransomed

Unfortunately, it is probably the funniest Monty Python flick. But I agree with Rev Buchanan. Although it may be lawful to watch, I don't think it is very expedient.

That said, there are certain scenes which do not mock Jesus, but mock the people instead. (that's ok isn't it?) Like the scene where the multitude speaks in unison these long dialogues. (just like it seems they do in the gospels)

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It is a brilliant film, and I'd have to agree with Ken that I think it is probably the funniest of all of them... but as has been noted by many here already, the offense is in the implications for those who are the real targets of derision - Christians. I've seen interviews of the Python guys about the film, and there's no question - they mean to poke fun at Christianity, or rather their perception of Christianity. I probably will never see the movie again - don't see any need to. While some of the scenes had me laughing the hardest of any film I can think of, it's not worth it in the grand scheme of things.

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Todd K. Pedlar
member, First Congregational Church, (CCCC) Cresco, IA
http://semperubi.rtrc.net

"Many men, after a long conversion, see more of the workings of sin in their hearts than ever they did before or at their first conversion. Now, such men have not an increase of sin, but an increase of illumination and light" (Christopher Love)

Nudity anyone?

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Andrew
Husband to Dena
Candidate of the MVP in the PCA
MDiv graduate from Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS
Pastor (elect) of Tchula Presbyterian Church, Tchula, MS

"What do you think about when you are not thinking about anything else? This is what you worship!"

I found the film hilarious when I first saw it, but I haven't watched it since becoming a Christian. In all fairness to the Monty Python crew, no group (religious, racial etc...) was spared from their cutting jokes and skits, so it's not as though Christians were singled out, when you look at their work as a whole. Having said that, I think that I'd cringe more than laugh if I watched it now, so I'll pass.

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Eric
Woodgreen Presbyterian (PCA)
Calgary, Alberta CANADA

Was their nudity? I don't remember that part.

Yes, not a large part of it though (I had to look it up because I forgot too).

Evidently the movie is notable for its male and female frontal nudity. I didn't see it, and have heard mixed reviews of it over the years.

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Dennis E. McFadden, Ex Mainline Baptist (in Remission)
Atherton Baptist Homes, CEO
First Baptist Church of Alhambra, Member, Transformation Ministries (CA)

I had forgotten about that scene in the window. In fact, I am glad that I have forgotten a lot about that movie.

I watched the movie in high school. The one scene that I remember clearly is the "What have the Romans ever done for us" scene. One of the funniest scene's ever for me personally.

But like everyone else here has said: Probably not the most edifying film ever made. It also breaks the 2nd commandment rule, so if you follow that keep that in mind.

Here's the scene I was talking about <setup: these are rebel Jews wanting to overthrow the Romans and they have been discussing their plans><*warning I think there might be a swear right at the very beginning, so if you don't like hearing that then stay away>:

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Mark Maney
Kwanglim Korean Methodist Church - 1689'er Baptist Pastor (read profile for more info)
Master of Theological Studies emphasis Biblical Studies
Trinity Western University, ACTS Seminaries
Surrey, BC. (Vancouver), Canada

I remember tuning into Monty Python on an tiny black and white screen accidentally as a youth. I was amazed and later saw all the movies, bought albums, (I remember "The Contractual Obligation Album") and can quote, sing, act out skits, and make ubiquitous references only the the most engrained know if I wanted to.

Them, Letterman, even my fascination with the Marx brothers grew a mocking spirit within me and I know I will be regretting it on Judgement Day. Their influence has made parts of me non-believing, cynical, and pugnaciously superior in attitude.

I was reading Spurgeon last night and he spoke of the laughter of fools with their caps and bells and I am all to familiar with that vanity. Bunyan was playing some game called 'cat' and heard a voice from heaven say, "wilt thou leave thy sins and go to heaven or have thy sins and go to hell?" He was stunned but kept playing and went according to his autobiography, a little mad. I wish I were under so great a hand as Bunyan for such triffling things if I knew the results would be such purity.

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Bryan Wiley
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Reformed Baptist Church
Louisville, Kentucky

This was the lone scene in the film I thought was good satire.

YouTube - Monty Python - The Life of Brian - Stoning scene

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Travis Speegle
Redeemer Presbyterian, PCA (Waco, Tx)
Pacific Cross Roads, PCA (Los Angeles, CA)


"When it comes to trustworthy theologians one can usually honor the rule of thumb that the deader the better."-Dr. John Hannah, DTS (of all places)

I am going to get straight to the point (no pussy-footing around); its a wicked, blasphemous film: don't watch such vile mockery of your Saviour, and if anyone owns a video/DVD of it, then I suggest you have it burned. Blasphemy is something that God hates: "Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death." (Lev. 24:16).

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Daniel Ritchie
Saintfield, Northern Ireland - Queen's University, Belfast:History/Politics
Member of Dromara Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (Covenanter)

Amen!

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Independent Reformed Baptist Church (NE England, nr. Durham)

Have you repented for watching it, Daniel?

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Jonathan Hunt

Preaching Elder
Cheltenham Evangelical Free Church (Confessionally Based)
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
-- Thomas Elsworth

I never did watch it. However, I have read about it and seen clips of it on programs (which I swiftly turned off). It is a wicked film; such blasphemy should not be spoken off without horror. God tells us not to set a wicked thing before our eyes; there should not be any question about the propriety of watching such a production.

Never watched it, huh? That, my friend, is poor research.

PS - I'm not saying I would ever watch TLOB ever again, and I wouldn't commend it to anyone either. I do not consider the film to be a mockery of Christ, though. Perhaps a mockery of Christians - indeed a mockery of many things (which is the Python's raison d'etre). But there you have it. I agree with most of the brothers here, whose tone is that it may be lawful, but it is certainly not expedient. There is no profit in watching it, whatsoever.