Jesus and Brian Exploring the Historical Jesus and His Times Via Monty Python's Life of Brian

by Taylor, Joan E.

• ISBN13: 9780567658319
• ISBN10: 0567658317
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2015-09-10
• Publisher: Bloomsbury T & T Clark

Summary

Monty Python's Life of Brian film is known for its brilliant satirical humour. Less well known is that the film contains references to what was, at the time of its release, cutting edge biblical scholarship and Life of Jesus research. This research, founded on the acceptance of the Historical Jesus as a Jew who needs to be understood within the context of his time, is implicitly referenced through the setting of the Brian character within a tumultuous social and political background.

This collection is a compilation of essays from foremost scholars of the historical Jesus and the first century Judaea, and includes contributions from George Brooke, Richard Burridge, Paula Fredriksen, Steve Mason, Adele Reinhartz, Bart Ehrman, Amy-Jill Levine, James Crossley, Philip Davies, Joan Taylor, Bill Telford, Helen Bond, Guy Stiebel, David Tollerton, David Shepherd and Katie Turner. The collection opens up the Life of Brian to renewed investigation and, in so doing, uses the film to reflect on the historical Jesus and his times, revitalising the discussion of history and Life of Jesus research. The volume also features a Preface from Terry Jones, who not only directed the film, but also played Brian's mum.

Author Biography

Joan E. Taylor is Professor of Christian Origins and Second Temple Judaism at King's College London, UK.

Table of Contents

Preface: Terry Jones
Introduction: The Historical Brian, by Joan E. Taylor, Kings College London, UK
1. Monty Python's Life of Jesus
James Crossley and Philip Davies, University of Sheffield, UK
2. You'll probably get away with Crucifixion: How Brian (and Jesus) ended up on a Roman Cross'
Helen Bond, University of Edinburgh, UK
3. Brian as a Teacher of Righteousness
George Brooke, University of Manchester, UK
4. Brian, Judaism and the Law
James DG Dunn, University of Durham, UK
5. The Life of Brian and the Apocalyptic Jesus
Bart Ehrman, University of North Carolina, USA
6. “Are You a Virgin?”: Biblical Exegesis and the Invention of Tradition
Paula Fredriksen, Boston University, USA
7. Beards for Sale: The Uncut Version of Brian, Gender, and Sexuality
Amy-Jill Levine, Vanderbilt University, USA
8. What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?'Brian and Josephus on Anti-Roman Sentiment
Steve Mason, University of Aberdeen, UK
9. Hook-nosed Heebies: Brian, Jesus and Jewish Identity
Adele Reinhartz, University of Ottawa, Canada
10. Laughing at Brian, Laughing at Christ: Some Reflections on Film and Modern Art
Aaron Rosen, King's College London, UK
11. "Romani Ite Domum"– Identity and Expressions of Resistance in Judaea
Guy Stiebel, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
12. Monty Python's Life of Brian and the Jesus Film
William Telford, University of Durham, UK
13. The Church of England's Life of Python – or what the Bishop saw
Richard Burridge, King's College London, UK
14. 'Blasphemy!' On Free Speech Then and Now
David Tollerton, University of Exeter, UK
15. “The Shoe is the Sign!” Costuming 'Brian' and the Current Evidence for First-Century Dress
Katie Turner, King's College London, UK
Index