Monday, April 24, 2023

MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN IS NOT BLASPHEMOUS

As far as I can see, the famous, infamous and controversial 1979 movie by the vaunted British comedy troupe does not blaspheme our Lord Jesus.


Before I go any further, I should, since it is unnecessarily necessary these days, point out that a film made by six unbelievers is not going to glorify God or tell people to obey the Gospel.


Having said that, the only time Jesus actually appears in the film is after the opening credits, giving the Sermon on the Mount. Now, I don't know what translation Python used or if they just translated the New Testament text into modern English as they best understood it, but there is nothing blasphemous in their portrayal of Jesus or anything He does.


As for the squabbling in the crowd, there may very well have been stuff like that going on that day. Human nature doesn't change. Furthermore, the Gospels are replete with evidence that most people didn't want Jesus for Jesus. Rather, totally unlike today, they only followed and were interested in the Lord for what He could do for them.


Concerning the ex-lepper, it may very well have been that the reason one or more of the nine out of ten leppers who didn't thank Jesus for their healing was they suddenly realized their livelihood was gone and, much like the ex-lepper who wants Jesus to make him just a bit lame during the middle of the week, couldn't bear the thought of honest work.


As for the scene with the prophets, in 1979, you could turn on your television and see all kinds of crazy evangelists making all kinds of false prophecies and phoney predictions. (The rapture's gonna be in 1988, that's fer durn sure.) This type of thing persists to our time. You don't even need to have the internet; a cable connection will still suffice.


As for the crucifixion scene, that was not an uncommon punishment back then.


As to its ending with "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" how would you have ended the movie?


Further, rather than the song being the anthem of optimism many have since taken it for, in context, the song seems to be making fun of the eternal optimist who begins the tune in the first place. 

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