Jesus and Brian

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.

Auteur

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

Résumé
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.

Contenu

List of Authors
List of Abbreviations
List of Illustrations

Preface: Terry Jones
Foreword: Paul Joyce

Introduction: Jesus and Brian: the Conference and the Book
Joan E. Taylor, King's College London, UK

Part One: The Film in its Cinematic Context, its Reception and its Challenges

1. Monty Python's Life of Brian and the Jesus Film
   William Telford, University of Durham, UK

2. The Church of England's Life of Python - or what the Bishop saw
   Richard Burridge, King's College London, UK

3. When Brian met Moses: Life of Brian (1979), Wholly Moses (1980) and the 'Failure' of Biblical Parody
   David Shepherd, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

4.'Blasphemy!' On Free Speech Then and Now
David Tollerton, University of Exeter, UK

5.The Meaning of Monty Python's Jesus
James Crossley, University of Sheffield, UK

6. The Gospel of Brian
   Philip R. Davies, University of Sheffield, UK

Part Two: History and Interpretation via Monty Python's Life of Brian

7.The Historical Brian: Reception Exegesis in Practice
*Joan E. Taylor, Kings College London, UK

• 8. Romani Ite Domum - Expressions of Identity and Resistance in Judaea
     Guy D. Stiebel, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

9. 'You'll probably get away with Crucifixion': Laughing at the Cross in Brian and the Ancient World
   Helen Bond, University of Edinburgh, UK

10. Brian as a Teacher of Righteousness
    George Brooke, University of Manchester, UK

11. Brian and the Apocalyptic Jesus: Parody as a Historical Method
    Bart Ehrman, University of North Carolina, USA
    

12. 'Are You a Virgin?': Biblical Exegesis and the Invention of Tradition
    Paula Fredriksen, Boston University, USA

13. Beards for Sale: The Uncut Version of Brian, Gender and Sexuality
    Amy-Jill Levine, Vanderbilt University, USA

14. 'What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us?' Brian and Josephus on Anti-Roman Sentiment
    Steve Mason, University of Aberdeen, UK

15. Hook-Nosed Heebies: Brian, Jesus and Jewish Identity
    Adele Reinhartz, University of Ottawa, Canada

16. 'The Shoe is the Sign!' Costuming 'Brian' and Dressing the 1st Century
    Katie Turner, King's College London, UK

Abstracts of Chapters

Bibliography

Index