A Christian response to Monty Python's "Life of Brian"

My oldest daughter recently identified herself as a Christian – and me likewise. It came about when I let her and her new-found Christian friends watch “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” for her 15th birthday. Some of the kids asked her if this was appropriate viewing for a Christian. My daughter, aged 15, could only say – and believe – that if it is good enough for me it is good enough for her.

Monty Python's "Life of Brian" – is is appropriate viewing for Christians?

Me? YES. It is one of the funniest films I have ever seen. I'm like the guy who once said he would not take seriously anyone who does not like the original Michael Caine "The Italian Job".  I would not trust or respect someone who disapproved of Monty Python’s Life of Brian”. 

This matter sobered me for two reasons – firstly it reminded me of the influence I have over my children in what I do and say, and as such I need to ensure that I am pure – and I am not. Secondly, it made me realise that there will be “pushback” from this – the story will get round the New Frontiers community, and eventually I will need to defend my decision “in the gate”.

As for me, I used to say that I would distrust someone who 

The film is disrespectful of the church, of religion, of rebels and those who oppose authority for the sake of it. It is disrespectful of Christianity, of the Roman state and government in general. It pokes fun at pomposity and hypocrisy. The final crucifixion scenes are arguably flippant and inappropriate for those whose Christian faith is weak. This is a “1 Corinthians 8 verse 9” argument, and is, to my mind, the only argument that can be raised against the film. It would be the central plank of my argument against it.

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” Cor.8:9

In it's favour, it is funny and the humour is not at the expense of other people – no-one is hurt or wounded as a result of the humour. And Jesus said “I will build my church – and THE GATES OF HELL WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT”. Do we really believe that this film – any film – can harm the church – and by “church” I mean the household of faith, not the established churches – when the gates of hell will not harm it?

The Bible as "inerrant" – as distinct from authoritative: New Frontiers preaching

I struggle with the concept of “inerrancy” – any schoolboy can find errors in Scripture. Where does Cain’s wife come from?

A preacher from New Frontiers International argues that the church is founded on the basis of the new testament – but this is nonsense. The New Testament is itself a creation of the church at the Council of Nicea in 326A.D. I wonder if he and others of his ilk have trouble with this kind of plain history, and only see modern house churches like NFI as the “true church”.