Comments on: There Will Be Bible Study http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/ Daily coverage of what is truly interesting in the film world Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:20:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Jen http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-101387 Jen Thu, 29 May 2008 02:11:55 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-101387 I definitely agree that the first thing I wanted to do when I finished the movie was find a Bible. I wanted to draw parallels between characters and names (Mary, Daniel, Eli, Paul, etc), scenes from the movie and stories from the Bible. My friends and I tossed around the idea Paul and Eli (if they are brothers, not just two faces of the same character)were similar to Jacob and Esau as well as the prodigal son parable (based upon what Plainview says to Eli at the end of the movie about being only the afterbirth, and that Paul is the one who got away and ended up with the fortune.) We talked about the references to the different denominations of the church, including the protestant ideas of the church, Mormons through the name of the church, and the Catholics with Eli's side note on a young man's good looks. I wonder what other biblical allusions there were that I missed completely. I found your posting because I was searching Google for anyone who has written about this stuff. This would be a fascinating movie to watch with strong knowledge of the Bible. I definitely agree that the first thing I wanted to do when I finished the movie was find a Bible. I wanted to draw parallels between characters and names (Mary, Daniel, Eli, Paul, etc), scenes from the movie and stories from the Bible. My friends and I tossed around the idea Paul and Eli (if they are brothers, not just two faces of the same character)were similar to Jacob and Esau as well as the prodigal son parable (based upon what Plainview says to Eli at the end of the movie about being only the afterbirth, and that Paul is the one who got away and ended up with the fortune.) We talked about the references to the different denominations of the church, including the protestant ideas of the church, Mormons through the name of the church, and the Catholics with Eli’s side note on a young man’s good looks. I wonder what other biblical allusions there were that I missed completely. I found your posting because I was searching Google for anyone who has written about this stuff. This would be a fascinating movie to watch with strong knowledge of the Bible.

]]> By: AJG http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-77152 AJG Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:42:56 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-77152 Daniel Day Lewis gives such a commanding performance in 'There Will Be Blood' he seems to demand the viewer attempt to understand the symbolic references in the message behind the movie. Even to the extend of reading the Bible. In Revelations, when the seventh seal was broken open seven symbolic disasters or 'woes' were wrought. 'When the first angel blew his trumpet, there came hail and then fire mixed with blood'. (Ch 8.7) I think the Title draws from this reference, simplifying it. As the book of Revelations is Apocalyptic, prophesying the destruction of the world, it's a short path to the message predicting what role oil might play in the progression to such a result. Daniel Day Lewis gives such a commanding performance in ‘There Will Be Blood’ he seems to demand the viewer attempt to understand the symbolic references in the message behind the movie. Even to the extend of reading the Bible. In Revelations, when the seventh seal was broken open seven symbolic disasters or ‘woes’ were wrought. ‘When the first angel blew his trumpet, there came hail and then fire mixed with blood’. (Ch 8.7) I think the Title draws from this reference, simplifying it. As the book of Revelations is Apocalyptic, prophesying the destruction of the world, it’s a short path to the message predicting what role oil might play in the progression to such a result.

]]> By: k. garner http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-63965 k. garner Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:19:18 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-63965 soo.....what part of the bible is the title from? I just saw the film today. The acting is incredible, but it wasn't as good as No Country for Old Men which has allussions to all sort of themes. Where in the bible does it say "there were be blood"--the book of revelation? It's worth learning about the stories in the bible because so much of western literature is informed by it. soo…..what part of the bible is the title from? I just saw the film today. The acting is incredible, but it wasn’t as good as No Country for Old Men which has allussions to all sort of themes. Where in the bible does it say “there were be blood”–the book of revelation? It’s worth learning about the stories in the bible because so much of western literature is informed by it.

]]> By: Christopher http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59575 Christopher Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:35:29 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59575 To clear up, Cyrus, I was not inspired towards Christian ethics while watching it, nor was I inclined to become more of a devout Christian. Also this post was not a blatant plug for people to read the Bible, simply my realization that <b>I alone</b> really need to read it, primarily for the purpose of understanding its narrative influence. To clear up, Cyrus, I was not inspired towards Christian ethics while watching it, nor was I inclined to become more of a devout Christian. Also this post was not a blatant plug for people to read the Bible, simply my realization that I alone really need to read it, primarily for the purpose of understanding its narrative influence.

]]> By: James McNally http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59502 James McNally Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:49:24 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59502 And maybe it would help eliminate one of my pet peeves, people referring to the "Book of Revelations." There is NO "S" people!! :) And maybe it would help eliminate one of my pet peeves, people referring to the “Book of Revelations.” There is NO “S” people!! :)

]]> By: M. Robert Turnage http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59458 M. Robert Turnage Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:47:09 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59458 P.T. Anderson also has some Biblical references in "Magnolia" but I get the idea that he worked backwards from the frogs and then put the Biblical references in as window dressing. The Bible is a good reference point just to understand so much of Western culture up to an including all of Johnny Cash songs. P.T. Anderson also has some Biblical references in “Magnolia” but I get the idea that he worked backwards from the frogs and then put the Biblical references in as window dressing.

The Bible is a good reference point just to understand so much of Western culture up to an including all of Johnny Cash songs.

]]> By: James McNally http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59378 James McNally Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:38:47 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59378 Everyone should read the Bible. Not necessarily for "devotional" reasons. But it's the basis for a huge number of literary (and now cinematic) references. It's the basis for our entire Western culture and, some would argue, system of morality. Plus, in many places, it's a ripping good yarn. Everyone should read the Bible. Not necessarily for “devotional” reasons. But it’s the basis for a huge number of literary (and now cinematic) references. It’s the basis for our entire Western culture and, some would argue, system of morality.

Plus, in many places, it’s a ripping good yarn.

]]> By: John http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59357 John Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:48:52 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59357 This is preferable to the idiot critic who thought Anderson got his title from the tagline to one of the Saw movies. This is preferable to the idiot critic who thought Anderson got his title from the tagline to one of the Saw movies.

]]> By: Cyrus http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59341 Cyrus Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:20:50 +0000 http://blog.spout.com/2008/01/09/there-will-be-bible-study/#comment-59341 Wait, what? I've read the bible. I've seen There Will be Blood. The only thing There Will be Blood made me think about people who read the bible was 'What a bunch of hypocrites.' I didn't feel inspired in the least towards Christian ethics by watching it. Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm misreading what you're trying to say, and maybe you didn't mean this that way at all BUT...you are a christian, aren't you? This felt like a blatant plug for reading the Bible and nothing but. I can't agree with your summation in the least. Wait, what?

I’ve read the bible.

I’ve seen There Will be Blood.

The only thing There Will be Blood made me think about people who read the bible was ‘What a bunch of hypocrites.’ I didn’t feel inspired in the least towards Christian ethics by watching it.

Maybe it’s just me, maybe I’m misreading what you’re trying to say, and maybe you didn’t mean this that way at all BUT…you are a christian, aren’t you? This felt like a blatant plug for reading the Bible and nothing but. I can’t agree with your summation in the least.

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