Why do Christians have a hard time with movies like "The Life of Brian" and "The Last Temptation of Christ"

Question

Both may be considered irreverent but both were well made, well written, and offered a different perspective on Christian dogma.
Yet, they flocked to the theaters to see a meglomaniac's self-indulgent, anti-semetic bloodfest (the Passion of the Christ) and well, hey! That's just dandy!
Are those the values that Christians identify with?

Answer 1

it is the idea that jesus is a man bound by that chemistry to act like a man that causes christians to shudder.
i mean the notion that jesus had...shhhh.....sex.
ghastly.

Answer 2

I saw Life of Brian years ago. I did not get the impression that it was trying to be a serious, different perspective on who Jesus is. It was slapstick, satire. I laughed, I cried, I spilled my popcorn.

I have not seen Passion - But I don't have a problem with it. From what I understand, it's supposed to follow the biblical account of Christ's last day very closely. I don't feel the need to see it, because although the physical death He suffered was pretty bad (there have probably been worse), I think the real sacrifice He made was to be separated from God for a time for me.

I also have not seen Temptation, but from what I've read, it strays terribly from the actual biblical account of the life of Jesus. Also, it purports to be a serious description of His life. I have a big problem with it.

I think it's OK to tell the joke about Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Jesus all teeing off at the golf course - It's a funny one, and nobody is saying that it's a real life account of an event. When somebody starts telling lies about my friend sleeping around,...... well, how would you like it?

Answer 3

Step back a moment...take a look at this without your view point in mind.

Centralized evangelical Christians live in a strict dogma. So do Muslims.
And the liberal view is quite frankly offensive in any form to them.
The Life of Brian is a wonderful spoof! If you like that sort of film..
The Last Temptation of Christ...
It does supply from our own vantage a look at the problems he possibly might have dealt with. I can't imagine a life with out physical Intimacy.
But the scriptures say he was PURE....so there is the offensive nature of the temptation..

The Passion... is a direct affront to the modern sensibilities.
We can not handle; for the most part, a frank representation of what it may have actually been like to be brutally scourged in the first century a.d.
The Scriptures say " By his stripes we are healed".
I think Mr. Gibson takes that literally. So do most Christians.

Anti-semitic.....????Mr. Gibson may be..
But Caiaphas, and the rest of the power hungry Temple leaders of Christs time...for certain have their hands dipped in his blood.
Responsibility rests only on the Jealousy of a few. not the entire nation of Israel. I believe those who refer to the film as "anti" are whining..

So..always look on the bright side of life....

Answer 4

Hello, Apparently the Greek Orthodox church excommunicated the author of the book when it was written well before the movie so they certainly thought the story was anti-Christian. I saw bits and pieces of the movie and it did not flare my skirts at all. My only comment was that brave and bold as Scorese claimed to be for the freedom of artistic expression in making this movie knowing it would offend so many, I wondered if he would have the guts to make a movie about Mohamed and his short comings from social climbing by marrying an older rich widow to being married to a nine year old. Even if I disagree with such enterprises, I still respect those who will push their beliefs to the limits. Cheers, Michael Kelly

Answer 5

The Passion of the Christ represents the last twelve hours of Jesus' life. We watch it because it is the closest thing we have to an accurate portrait of the suffering He went through. We Christians believed Jesus died on the cross for us, a horrible, painful, bloody death. The Passion of the Christ gives an in-depth account of His last hours on earth, of the sacrifice and pain that He went through out of love for us. He chose that death so that we would be saved. That is the reason why we "flocked" to the theaters to see it. Another meaning of the word "passion" is "suffering". The title accurately describes the content.

Movies like "The Life of Brian" and "The Last Temptation of Christ", no matter how the world views them, are insulting to what we believe. Would you enjoy a movie that no matter how well made it was, insulted you and your personal beliefs? I daresay not.

Answer 6

I think it's because some think it's irreverent. Not all Christians think that, though. And the Passion wasn't just some anti-Semitic blood fest, it was created for people to see what Jesus went through to save humanity. And some Christians can just think the movies are badly done. But that doesn't mean all Christians think those movies are "evil"

Answer 7

The Last Temptation is the best movie ever, and it speaks so beautifully about Christ being human, and how he was tempted and triumph over that. Nikos Kazantzakis, the author, wrote how he felt every drop of Christ‘s blood and how he cried when he was writing it.
I don't understand why other Christians can‘t see that. I am a catholic and I love the movie, the book, the character of Judas and Kazantzakis is my hero!!!

Answer 8

I think if people had watched "The Last Temptation of Christ" through to the end, they would not have been so angry about it. That was a powerful movie. Stayed with me for weeks.

"Life of Brian"---one of my favorites...I love that movie, specifically for being irreverant.

Answer 9

I do not watch nor do I endorse ANYthing that comes out of Hollywood that tries to understand, reconsider or revise my God or my Jesus. By the way, I did not see Passion of the Christ. I do not understand why Hollywood has to take my God and my Jesus (yes, I say "my" because they are very personal to me, much more than religion is) and revise and alter what is in the Bible? I don't see them doing that to Buddhism, or Hinduism, or Confucianism, or Taoism, or any other religion. Just Christianity and it make me sick. Why don't they rewrite one of the religions I just mentioned? Why concentrate on Christianity? You know why? Because that is the only religion is it is politically correct to bash. That's why.

Answer 10

Movies have to be in harmony with God's Word the Bible.
2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.
When you go beyond the things that are written you go outside of what God told us.

Answer 11

I saw "Dogma" and I thought it was pretty funny.

However, I HATE British comedy, and refuse to watch any Monty Python movies. And I never heard of the second one.

But, on the other hand, forget WHO the director was. "The Passion" was a well-made movie, also.