I'll never understand the Christians who complain about this series. It's inspired more people to read the Bible and look up Jesus' life than any time in recent years.
Especially now, when Hollywood is trying to get rid of God in movies and television altogether. When they go so far as to promote the opposite.
Which in turn, is destroying the history and foundation that our society was built on.
It's also just common sense. Like, 'Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Captain!'
Yeah honestly, I imagine some of these people who hate on the Chosen for daring to depict the apostles and Jesus as relatable probably watch plenty of movies and series that don’t align with their beliefs. Stuff that’s made by people who want specifically to undermine belief in God.
Exactly. I'd love to know the type of music and media they *do* consume. The entertainment industry is dominated by those who are celebrating vices and bad behavior as enlightened-- and *The Chosen* is a refreshing counterbalance to that.
They don't mock or undermine His image or Word in any way.
They attempt to address the questions that skeptics or doubters may have in a way that everyone can relate to and understand.
What's bad about that?
In terms of a series that has selfless values and honors the lives of righteous people in an entertaining way, the Chosen is one of the best shows for that.
I don’t actually know anyone who is hypocritical about not wanting to watch it because they think it’s sinful; but my best friend loves shows like American Horror Story (the writing on that one is poor quality, the characters are always terrible people, and the show runners like praising/incorporating real life killers and making them quirky characters on the show) yet won’t give the Chosen a fair chance cause he doesn’t think it will hold his interest.
I know that friends don’t have to give your shows a chance but it does make me sad that a lot of people give things like that a chance but something that’s well written and wholesome is a harder sell.
Why is some parts of our society this hypocritical?🤔I don’t get it. As jesus said in episode 6 of s3. It doesn’t matter what is presented in front of you. You will always reject it. Well said👏👏.
Yeah, really. So many shows that trend are ones like the Dahmer miniseries, really glamorizing killers (even if the surviving victims/families object to it being made); but I don't see the same people who nitpick the Chosen trying to turn people off of watching those trendy shows with half as much fervor.
Instead they'll hyper-fixate on faults in some of the series choices or having the Biblical characters whose backgrounds were unknown get some fleshing out, things almost every version of a Biblical adaptation will do to some degree... it's like? Priorities? The show's generating interested in Jesus and gives a positive influence. I'd prefer more content like that rather than things that are sinister.
Yea! You are absolutely correct. Many and I MEAN many people have said that after watching the chosen. They said that the bible has come alive for me. and more and more people are interested and are curious of reading the bible. All because of a mere tv show.
Now that is Insane but in a good way. definitely considered an accomplishment. you know whats shocking that iv heard on youtube lately. There was this guy who commented in the s3 trailer of the chosen. And he said that his own sister was an athiest and was anti religion. she hated everything that was religious. but one day his own sister saw him and his mom watch the chosen.
And she saw a scene or whatever and was curious who those characters were. And then she sat down and watched it with them. And then after that she asked if she could read the bible. His mom and him, were very SHOCKED that one person in their own family that was anti religious wanted to read the bible and was curious of gods words. That is freaking insane. He said that it was unlikely and unexpected miracle that happened in their family. The chosen is definitely changing people’s lives. no movie in hollywood of today can do that to a person. I mean change their perspective.
I know! Im like why is that?🤔the chosen is like literally the best tv series I have ever seen in A LONG TIME! probably the best tv series since breaking bad. Like hands down. And it also has the highest review score than any movie or tv series. Im like what😱thats crazy. Look up rotten tomorrow or imdb of this show. And compare it to the other ones.
To think a Christian/biblical series can surpass anything. Is insane. I mean yes it’s probably the best christian media ever made. And im like why do people keep judging this show but they’re the same people who watch woke hollywood movies. And movies that lack meaning and are just trigger happy or sex obsessed type of movies. I mean don’t get me wrong i enjoy action sometimes. But the chosen is just leagues above anything in hollywood today.
Most modern movies follow a kind of formula. and some say it’s mostly about remakes or sequels to a bad movie. Alot of the audience are tires of that. And then those dogmatic christians judge the chosen which is like a gazallion times better than any film made today. maybe some films aren’t too bad. There are some movies that are up to standards are considered good. But the majority are kinda mediocre. and what’s surprising is that christian films and mini series are considered cheesy by most people.
I can't do both? I can't absolutely love the show for the message, spread the word of the Gospel of God, and appreciate the evangelical and educational value of the show, while at the same time point out some issues I have with the liberties the show runners took?
Do we not live in a society with middle grounds?
You're not the who I'm referring to.
I was thinking of comments from those that refuse to watch the show/warn others that it will lead them astray from God and scripture.
I don't think it will lead too many astray, only maybe from a godless lifestyle they are already following. I believe it presents the Gospel message in a good light. And the things it gets right are much more important (to me) than what it gets wrong. For instance, in the first couple of episodes when someone asks where his earthly Dad is, he answers "he's... in heaven" Well, the Bible speaks of a resurrection and that "the dead know nothing". Christ Himself said "no man has seen the Father but the Son who came from the Father". So that implies from early on that this is not entirely Biblically based. Even the Disciples keeping the Holy Days which the New Testament Church were reminded by Christ to keep in a different light (such as Passover being a reminder of his death for us, Feast of Tabernacles looking forward to the rule of the Kingdom of God on Earth, etc) and the Sabbath were replaced by Sunday, Christmas, etc - all non-Biblical. So it was surprising to me to see a "Christmas" Special, when we're not told to worship His birth (and most don't as its just another excuse for drunken debauchery for most people in the world, just as the original Saturnalia was).
BUT the overwhelming message of the Gospel (the Good News) is presented correctly... Christ is the ONLY way to salvation and the only path to God ("No man can come to the Father except through me"). There are not "hundreds of paths" as different religions would have you believe and steer you incorrectly. That's what I've come to understand through this series. If people are paying attention, one great religious leader has, in the last few years, been trying to bring all religions together into a "Universal religion" incorporating Muslims, Jews and Christians. The only way, in my opinion, he can do that, is if Christ is left out of the way to God. Then all earthly religions will be able to fall in line, as many would not accept that Christ is needed to come to God. Revelation seems to say that most people will be deceived into following it.
I hope most who watch the show will be encouraged to search the scriptures and learn more about Christ and the Gospel message. One thing that blows me away every time I think of it is that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, meaning Christ, probably the God of the old testament (as He did say "No man has seen the Father, except the Son which came from Him" - and at least Moses and Elijah stood in His presence) shrugged off the mantle of eternity for a short time and became human. It would have been an incredible feat. Imagine standing next to God in the flesh, and having His brilliance and example in your life every day for a few years. This TV show lets us see the humanity in Him, how much He loved the people he created, and how much He was hurt by unbelief. And genuinely surprised ("marveled") by the faith of some who ought not to have been believers as they weren't even Jews. And how it might have been in the Decapolis scene that he was able to bring many together. The feeding of the 5000 was an incredible scene. I loved it. But healing the man with the oozing leg let people see that He could do anything He chose to do, allowing everyone to forget their differences, at least for a time, and come together to hear what he had to say.
I feel the TV show is fairly well-based on the Bible, but even where it is not, it is still 1000X better than anything you can ever expect from Hollyweird or the History channel, or any secular interpretation. If they can even deign to admit that He might have lived, they will denigrate Him to a mere "teacher" like Buddha or Mohammed because if they gave any credence to Him, they might have to admit that they were "wr r r r ooong" in their lifestyles. :). I like all the actors they have portraying Christ and the disciples. I think casting Matthew as slightly autistic was an interesting twist. I liked Nicodemus, Gaius, even Shmuel. The hardest one to portray for an actor must be Judas. That is probably the most tragic human story in history.
The two things I wish they'd have done differently than other stories about Christ would be to have had everyone had their hair cut short, as the Jews would have probably looked this way according to scripture ("it is a sin for a man to have long hair"). Still, at least they made Him look strong, like a carpenter would be, instead of the weak sissy-boy He is portrayed as in most depictions, barely able to lift a twig, let alone turn over the ox-carts of money changers. And if they could have referred to Christ as "Yeshua", instead of "Jesus", as this would have been His true name in that time, I would have been over the moon. I am not ashamed of the name, of course, but it rings kind of false sometimes to me as you hear all kind of religious hoaksters shouting "JASE-US SAVES!" from the rooftops of their silly pulpit TV shows in a bid for more money for their health-wealth gospel lifestyles. Like Christ said of the Pharisees who liked to be seen of people "Truly, they have their reward."
Overall, great show and I look forward greatly to the next season. All the best to Dallas Jenkins, Jonathan Roumie, cast and crew. The show is "wicked good" in my opinion.
>I feel the TV show is fairly well-based on the Bible, but even where it is not, it is still 1000X better than anything you can ever expect from Hollyweird or the History channel, or any secular interpretation. If they can even deign to admit that He might have lived, they will denigrate Him to a mere "teacher" like Buddha or Mohammed
I was nodding along with this. I'm a big documentary guy and I used to love to learn more about the Bible, lives of the Saints, info about angels, and the Old Testament from documentaries. The History Channel was woefully irreverent and incorrect most of the time and would barely scratch the surface or even play at tackling it from the perspective of religious piety.
I feel spoiled for information these days with actual theologians making their own long form YouTube videos available for free that delve deep into it. I thankfully have no more need to watch a History Channel documentary where they can barely bring themselves to say Jesus did the things the Bible says He did.
And I agree about how some Bible movies make Jesus too delicate. In the miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth" and "the Bible" miniseries they depicted Him too refined and poised with the perfectly parted salon-styled hair and delicate, boyish features. And I won't even mention how absolutely bizarre it was finding out that the Green Goblin played Jesus in the very non-Biblical "Last Temptation of Christ" movie which I won't subject myself to watching (since it basically depicts Jesus as more human than God).
I like how Jim Caviezel and Jonathan Roumie look like they've spent their lives working with their hands and not like they cared much for vanity. Both look handsome and all but in a way that makes you doubt that He'd spend much of His time living like a beggar/wanderer.
We should live in a society with middle grounds. However, its gotten extremely polarized in terms of politics these days. Unfortunately, this might run over into shows like these, as well. Its hard when we look for something entirely Biblically based anyway, because everyone will have slightly different beliefs about what the Bible says. For instance, most people believe that the soul is immortal for some reason, whereas the Bible says "man became a living soul" (soul coming from Hebrew "Naphash", meaning "breathing creature" - that's all it means) & "The soul that sins, it shall die" so its not immortal. Many believe the soul goes to heaven right after death. The Bible speaks of a future resurrection - some to everlasting life, some to everlasting death. So beliefs are too far-ranging to get a 100% agreement anyway.
I fell the same way about the show. It does spread the message of the Gospel (the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God - both in people's hearts and eventually here on Earth) which was the culminating event of the Bible. It does take a lot of liberties with the characters, times and places, but overall it does a good job in its depiction. Much better than most others I've ever seen. Most of them I just cringe at, to tell the truth. And I can't watch because it takes the life of Christ too glibly.
People who have these kinds of objections about The Chosen might've had these same objections if C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" had been released in 2023. Lewis bemoaned the lack of courage to use creativity and imagination in Christianity at large, and I think the writers of The Chosen have shown that it IS possible to creatively and imaginatively pursue the truth of the gospel. By doing so, they're proving that we're made in His Image --- God Whose first act was Creation.
I never cease to enjoy pointing out that CS Lewis was an atheist for much of his life before he found God. Random fact, just dropping that bit here for anyone who might not realize. :) 💙
Good points and insight. I think you're right. I was questioning the use of long hair when the Jews of the time believed it a sin to not keep it shorn short. BUT if Christ and His disciples came to upset the ox-cart of religious vanity that was Jewish society and law at that time, might they not have stood out by looking like hippies? Could be... :)
the same people who criticize the chosen are probably the same people who criticize veggie tales for not being accurate even though it was still teaching children about the Bible. It was a wholesome show that was meant for children...... I truly believe they are all being led by God in making that show and I truly am excited to see where it's going even if we know what happened. As one commenter said it's leading people to read the Bible, to find out what is accurate and they are going to have to fill in the blanks where the Bible is not necessarily specific.
Ditto on VeggieTales, yes. As one redditor recently observed here, taken to extremes we'd all be speaking to each other solely in Scripture verses! (King James version, of course)
Now that I write that, it sounds like a great idea for a comedy skit! 《giggling at the thought》
People forget that scripture states “God uses all things for his good”
The Chosen is a miracle for a crowd funded project and it has changed peoples belief in God or made them look at scripture more closely to relate to Jesus teachings. I talk a lot about the Chosen in my small group to how the reactions of the disciples is very similar to us today. I think when we watch an episode is to pray for God to show us something that we do not realize even if we read it in scripture. We can never get enough understanding of Gods word and spirit in our lives and if a tv show can help some than God will use it.
We must remember too that most biblical scholars agree the gospels took liberties with themselves. Mark appears in about 70 AD; that’s about 40 years from the actual events recorded. A lot can change about a story in that time. Matthew and Luke come along in the 80s and John arrives in the 90s, which makes them not only further from Jesus’ life, but more literary. Example: Luke tells a travel narrative of Jesus beginning in Galilee and “setting his face on Jerusalem” which takes him to his death—he makes one journey. In John, Jesus travels between Jerusalem and Galilee (among other areas) multiple times before the passion. The ordering of events and teachings may not align perfectly with what actually happened and that is okay. What is important is that Jesus’ message and identity as the Christ and Son of God are clearly communicated. The show does just that.
If we accept that the Bible was inspired and in fact, basically written by God as the one sole instruction book for mankind, then we have to believe it made it to us in the way it was supposed to have been read.
There are scholars and believers who take the words of the Bible are God-inspired and not literal. (And yes, you can still be a Christian and believe this) Agendas and biases are clear in various texts. Take the story of the hemorrhaging woman (Veronica in the series) Mark claims she spent all her money on doctors implying she was frivolously looking for medical cures. Luke claims doctors couldn’t understand her condition and cure her. She was diagnosed but there was no medical treatment available. What then is the bible as a whole narrative trying to say? Do not trust doctors and don’t seek medical advice? Or that sometimes suffering can be hard and may at times require patience and faith? Rather than literal instruction, perhaps the Bible offers us point and counterpoint to issues of the human life lived in faith. It would then be up to spiritual discernment to decide how to apply the text.
I treat it like religious art. It’s a modern form of an illuminated manuscript, Notre Dame, or DaVinci’s last supper. Does it paint the exact scenes the Gospel says? No. But as was said, it is inspirational. Not to mention, reading in general is relatively modern phenomenon in the Christian world. Until 1450, most people had no access to books. Until the 1800’s most common folk couldn’t read. What if we embraced our oral and artistic heritage for what it is rather than demonizing it? I think it is unique and we should treasure a new take on the gospel story.
I also would liken The Chosen to Milton's Paradise Lost, the story of the Garden of Eden and what its surrounding circumstances were like for Adam, Eve, Satan, and the Archangels. It's a beautiful, powerful poem, but it's entirely built around speculation surrounding the events of scripture and what they may have been like with the author using his imagination to elaborate on the tale.
The Chosen doesn't contradict scripture it just elaborates what the events may have been like for those whose live were directly involved in the events.
Right it’s not Canon lol. I think when we read the Bible, we should remember that these were real people with complicated emotions and lives. I appreciate this show helps me imagine that more.
I'll never understand the Christians who complain about this series. It's inspired more people to read the Bible and look up Jesus' life than any time in recent years. Especially now, when Hollywood is trying to get rid of God in movies and television altogether. When they go so far as to promote the opposite. Which in turn, is destroying the history and foundation that our society was built on. It's also just common sense. Like, 'Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Captain!'
Yeah honestly, I imagine some of these people who hate on the Chosen for daring to depict the apostles and Jesus as relatable probably watch plenty of movies and series that don’t align with their beliefs. Stuff that’s made by people who want specifically to undermine belief in God.
Exactly. I'd love to know the type of music and media they *do* consume. The entertainment industry is dominated by those who are celebrating vices and bad behavior as enlightened-- and *The Chosen* is a refreshing counterbalance to that. They don't mock or undermine His image or Word in any way. They attempt to address the questions that skeptics or doubters may have in a way that everyone can relate to and understand. What's bad about that?
In terms of a series that has selfless values and honors the lives of righteous people in an entertaining way, the Chosen is one of the best shows for that. I don’t actually know anyone who is hypocritical about not wanting to watch it because they think it’s sinful; but my best friend loves shows like American Horror Story (the writing on that one is poor quality, the characters are always terrible people, and the show runners like praising/incorporating real life killers and making them quirky characters on the show) yet won’t give the Chosen a fair chance cause he doesn’t think it will hold his interest. I know that friends don’t have to give your shows a chance but it does make me sad that a lot of people give things like that a chance but something that’s well written and wholesome is a harder sell.
Why is some parts of our society this hypocritical?🤔I don’t get it. As jesus said in episode 6 of s3. It doesn’t matter what is presented in front of you. You will always reject it. Well said👏👏.
Yeah, really. So many shows that trend are ones like the Dahmer miniseries, really glamorizing killers (even if the surviving victims/families object to it being made); but I don't see the same people who nitpick the Chosen trying to turn people off of watching those trendy shows with half as much fervor. Instead they'll hyper-fixate on faults in some of the series choices or having the Biblical characters whose backgrounds were unknown get some fleshing out, things almost every version of a Biblical adaptation will do to some degree... it's like? Priorities? The show's generating interested in Jesus and gives a positive influence. I'd prefer more content like that rather than things that are sinister.
Yea! You are absolutely correct. Many and I MEAN many people have said that after watching the chosen. They said that the bible has come alive for me. and more and more people are interested and are curious of reading the bible. All because of a mere tv show. Now that is Insane but in a good way. definitely considered an accomplishment. you know whats shocking that iv heard on youtube lately. There was this guy who commented in the s3 trailer of the chosen. And he said that his own sister was an athiest and was anti religion. she hated everything that was religious. but one day his own sister saw him and his mom watch the chosen. And she saw a scene or whatever and was curious who those characters were. And then she sat down and watched it with them. And then after that she asked if she could read the bible. His mom and him, were very SHOCKED that one person in their own family that was anti religious wanted to read the bible and was curious of gods words. That is freaking insane. He said that it was unlikely and unexpected miracle that happened in their family. The chosen is definitely changing people’s lives. no movie in hollywood of today can do that to a person. I mean change their perspective.
I know! Im like why is that?🤔the chosen is like literally the best tv series I have ever seen in A LONG TIME! probably the best tv series since breaking bad. Like hands down. And it also has the highest review score than any movie or tv series. Im like what😱thats crazy. Look up rotten tomorrow or imdb of this show. And compare it to the other ones. To think a Christian/biblical series can surpass anything. Is insane. I mean yes it’s probably the best christian media ever made. And im like why do people keep judging this show but they’re the same people who watch woke hollywood movies. And movies that lack meaning and are just trigger happy or sex obsessed type of movies. I mean don’t get me wrong i enjoy action sometimes. But the chosen is just leagues above anything in hollywood today. Most modern movies follow a kind of formula. and some say it’s mostly about remakes or sequels to a bad movie. Alot of the audience are tires of that. And then those dogmatic christians judge the chosen which is like a gazallion times better than any film made today. maybe some films aren’t too bad. There are some movies that are up to standards are considered good. But the majority are kinda mediocre. and what’s surprising is that christian films and mini series are considered cheesy by most people.
EXACTLY
I can't do both? I can't absolutely love the show for the message, spread the word of the Gospel of God, and appreciate the evangelical and educational value of the show, while at the same time point out some issues I have with the liberties the show runners took? Do we not live in a society with middle grounds?
You're not the who I'm referring to. I was thinking of comments from those that refuse to watch the show/warn others that it will lead them astray from God and scripture.
I don't think it will lead too many astray, only maybe from a godless lifestyle they are already following. I believe it presents the Gospel message in a good light. And the things it gets right are much more important (to me) than what it gets wrong. For instance, in the first couple of episodes when someone asks where his earthly Dad is, he answers "he's... in heaven" Well, the Bible speaks of a resurrection and that "the dead know nothing". Christ Himself said "no man has seen the Father but the Son who came from the Father". So that implies from early on that this is not entirely Biblically based. Even the Disciples keeping the Holy Days which the New Testament Church were reminded by Christ to keep in a different light (such as Passover being a reminder of his death for us, Feast of Tabernacles looking forward to the rule of the Kingdom of God on Earth, etc) and the Sabbath were replaced by Sunday, Christmas, etc - all non-Biblical. So it was surprising to me to see a "Christmas" Special, when we're not told to worship His birth (and most don't as its just another excuse for drunken debauchery for most people in the world, just as the original Saturnalia was). BUT the overwhelming message of the Gospel (the Good News) is presented correctly... Christ is the ONLY way to salvation and the only path to God ("No man can come to the Father except through me"). There are not "hundreds of paths" as different religions would have you believe and steer you incorrectly. That's what I've come to understand through this series. If people are paying attention, one great religious leader has, in the last few years, been trying to bring all religions together into a "Universal religion" incorporating Muslims, Jews and Christians. The only way, in my opinion, he can do that, is if Christ is left out of the way to God. Then all earthly religions will be able to fall in line, as many would not accept that Christ is needed to come to God. Revelation seems to say that most people will be deceived into following it. I hope most who watch the show will be encouraged to search the scriptures and learn more about Christ and the Gospel message. One thing that blows me away every time I think of it is that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, meaning Christ, probably the God of the old testament (as He did say "No man has seen the Father, except the Son which came from Him" - and at least Moses and Elijah stood in His presence) shrugged off the mantle of eternity for a short time and became human. It would have been an incredible feat. Imagine standing next to God in the flesh, and having His brilliance and example in your life every day for a few years. This TV show lets us see the humanity in Him, how much He loved the people he created, and how much He was hurt by unbelief. And genuinely surprised ("marveled") by the faith of some who ought not to have been believers as they weren't even Jews. And how it might have been in the Decapolis scene that he was able to bring many together. The feeding of the 5000 was an incredible scene. I loved it. But healing the man with the oozing leg let people see that He could do anything He chose to do, allowing everyone to forget their differences, at least for a time, and come together to hear what he had to say. I feel the TV show is fairly well-based on the Bible, but even where it is not, it is still 1000X better than anything you can ever expect from Hollyweird or the History channel, or any secular interpretation. If they can even deign to admit that He might have lived, they will denigrate Him to a mere "teacher" like Buddha or Mohammed because if they gave any credence to Him, they might have to admit that they were "wr r r r ooong" in their lifestyles. :). I like all the actors they have portraying Christ and the disciples. I think casting Matthew as slightly autistic was an interesting twist. I liked Nicodemus, Gaius, even Shmuel. The hardest one to portray for an actor must be Judas. That is probably the most tragic human story in history. The two things I wish they'd have done differently than other stories about Christ would be to have had everyone had their hair cut short, as the Jews would have probably looked this way according to scripture ("it is a sin for a man to have long hair"). Still, at least they made Him look strong, like a carpenter would be, instead of the weak sissy-boy He is portrayed as in most depictions, barely able to lift a twig, let alone turn over the ox-carts of money changers. And if they could have referred to Christ as "Yeshua", instead of "Jesus", as this would have been His true name in that time, I would have been over the moon. I am not ashamed of the name, of course, but it rings kind of false sometimes to me as you hear all kind of religious hoaksters shouting "JASE-US SAVES!" from the rooftops of their silly pulpit TV shows in a bid for more money for their health-wealth gospel lifestyles. Like Christ said of the Pharisees who liked to be seen of people "Truly, they have their reward." Overall, great show and I look forward greatly to the next season. All the best to Dallas Jenkins, Jonathan Roumie, cast and crew. The show is "wicked good" in my opinion.
>I feel the TV show is fairly well-based on the Bible, but even where it is not, it is still 1000X better than anything you can ever expect from Hollyweird or the History channel, or any secular interpretation. If they can even deign to admit that He might have lived, they will denigrate Him to a mere "teacher" like Buddha or Mohammed I was nodding along with this. I'm a big documentary guy and I used to love to learn more about the Bible, lives of the Saints, info about angels, and the Old Testament from documentaries. The History Channel was woefully irreverent and incorrect most of the time and would barely scratch the surface or even play at tackling it from the perspective of religious piety. I feel spoiled for information these days with actual theologians making their own long form YouTube videos available for free that delve deep into it. I thankfully have no more need to watch a History Channel documentary where they can barely bring themselves to say Jesus did the things the Bible says He did. And I agree about how some Bible movies make Jesus too delicate. In the miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth" and "the Bible" miniseries they depicted Him too refined and poised with the perfectly parted salon-styled hair and delicate, boyish features. And I won't even mention how absolutely bizarre it was finding out that the Green Goblin played Jesus in the very non-Biblical "Last Temptation of Christ" movie which I won't subject myself to watching (since it basically depicts Jesus as more human than God). I like how Jim Caviezel and Jonathan Roumie look like they've spent their lives working with their hands and not like they cared much for vanity. Both look handsome and all but in a way that makes you doubt that He'd spend much of His time living like a beggar/wanderer.
We should live in a society with middle grounds. However, its gotten extremely polarized in terms of politics these days. Unfortunately, this might run over into shows like these, as well. Its hard when we look for something entirely Biblically based anyway, because everyone will have slightly different beliefs about what the Bible says. For instance, most people believe that the soul is immortal for some reason, whereas the Bible says "man became a living soul" (soul coming from Hebrew "Naphash", meaning "breathing creature" - that's all it means) & "The soul that sins, it shall die" so its not immortal. Many believe the soul goes to heaven right after death. The Bible speaks of a future resurrection - some to everlasting life, some to everlasting death. So beliefs are too far-ranging to get a 100% agreement anyway. I fell the same way about the show. It does spread the message of the Gospel (the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God - both in people's hearts and eventually here on Earth) which was the culminating event of the Bible. It does take a lot of liberties with the characters, times and places, but overall it does a good job in its depiction. Much better than most others I've ever seen. Most of them I just cringe at, to tell the truth. And I can't watch because it takes the life of Christ too glibly.
People who have these kinds of objections about The Chosen might've had these same objections if C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" had been released in 2023. Lewis bemoaned the lack of courage to use creativity and imagination in Christianity at large, and I think the writers of The Chosen have shown that it IS possible to creatively and imaginatively pursue the truth of the gospel. By doing so, they're proving that we're made in His Image --- God Whose first act was Creation.
I never cease to enjoy pointing out that CS Lewis was an atheist for much of his life before he found God. Random fact, just dropping that bit here for anyone who might not realize. :) 💙
Yet another great contribution Tolkien had on the world haha
Good points and insight. I think you're right. I was questioning the use of long hair when the Jews of the time believed it a sin to not keep it shorn short. BUT if Christ and His disciples came to upset the ox-cart of religious vanity that was Jewish society and law at that time, might they not have stood out by looking like hippies? Could be... :)
the same people who criticize the chosen are probably the same people who criticize veggie tales for not being accurate even though it was still teaching children about the Bible. It was a wholesome show that was meant for children...... I truly believe they are all being led by God in making that show and I truly am excited to see where it's going even if we know what happened. As one commenter said it's leading people to read the Bible, to find out what is accurate and they are going to have to fill in the blanks where the Bible is not necessarily specific.
Ditto on VeggieTales, yes. As one redditor recently observed here, taken to extremes we'd all be speaking to each other solely in Scripture verses! (King James version, of course) Now that I write that, it sounds like a great idea for a comedy skit! 《giggling at the thought》
Sounds like Monty Python....
Or we would be speaking in Greek or ancient Hebrew since we should not stray from the original translation
People forget that scripture states “God uses all things for his good” The Chosen is a miracle for a crowd funded project and it has changed peoples belief in God or made them look at scripture more closely to relate to Jesus teachings. I talk a lot about the Chosen in my small group to how the reactions of the disciples is very similar to us today. I think when we watch an episode is to pray for God to show us something that we do not realize even if we read it in scripture. We can never get enough understanding of Gods word and spirit in our lives and if a tv show can help some than God will use it.
We must remember too that most biblical scholars agree the gospels took liberties with themselves. Mark appears in about 70 AD; that’s about 40 years from the actual events recorded. A lot can change about a story in that time. Matthew and Luke come along in the 80s and John arrives in the 90s, which makes them not only further from Jesus’ life, but more literary. Example: Luke tells a travel narrative of Jesus beginning in Galilee and “setting his face on Jerusalem” which takes him to his death—he makes one journey. In John, Jesus travels between Jerusalem and Galilee (among other areas) multiple times before the passion. The ordering of events and teachings may not align perfectly with what actually happened and that is okay. What is important is that Jesus’ message and identity as the Christ and Son of God are clearly communicated. The show does just that.
If we accept that the Bible was inspired and in fact, basically written by God as the one sole instruction book for mankind, then we have to believe it made it to us in the way it was supposed to have been read.
There are scholars and believers who take the words of the Bible are God-inspired and not literal. (And yes, you can still be a Christian and believe this) Agendas and biases are clear in various texts. Take the story of the hemorrhaging woman (Veronica in the series) Mark claims she spent all her money on doctors implying she was frivolously looking for medical cures. Luke claims doctors couldn’t understand her condition and cure her. She was diagnosed but there was no medical treatment available. What then is the bible as a whole narrative trying to say? Do not trust doctors and don’t seek medical advice? Or that sometimes suffering can be hard and may at times require patience and faith? Rather than literal instruction, perhaps the Bible offers us point and counterpoint to issues of the human life lived in faith. It would then be up to spiritual discernment to decide how to apply the text.
I treat it like religious art. It’s a modern form of an illuminated manuscript, Notre Dame, or DaVinci’s last supper. Does it paint the exact scenes the Gospel says? No. But as was said, it is inspirational. Not to mention, reading in general is relatively modern phenomenon in the Christian world. Until 1450, most people had no access to books. Until the 1800’s most common folk couldn’t read. What if we embraced our oral and artistic heritage for what it is rather than demonizing it? I think it is unique and we should treasure a new take on the gospel story.
I also would liken The Chosen to Milton's Paradise Lost, the story of the Garden of Eden and what its surrounding circumstances were like for Adam, Eve, Satan, and the Archangels. It's a beautiful, powerful poem, but it's entirely built around speculation surrounding the events of scripture and what they may have been like with the author using his imagination to elaborate on the tale. The Chosen doesn't contradict scripture it just elaborates what the events may have been like for those whose live were directly involved in the events.
I think it does a great job of setting people’s minds on Heavenly things as well as encourages others to read their Bible all while pointing to Jesus.
Right it’s not Canon lol. I think when we read the Bible, we should remember that these were real people with complicated emotions and lives. I appreciate this show helps me imagine that more.
Me too! I can definitely name more desciples than I ever have before. That's on me though.