The Chosen—Helpful or Harmful?
Summer 2024
Note from the Editor:
I received this article from a young person in one of our churches. The reason for writing was a concern about the popularity and influence of The Chosen among the writer’s friendship group. I did some editing of the article and include it in this edition of Current for two reasons. First, this issue highlights the convictions of our denomination regarding the nature of the church and the advance of Christ’s kingdom. The article before you illustrates a practical application of those convictions. Second, coming from a young person, this article should encourage us that, 20 years later, there are some in the coming generation who, by God’s grace, will carry on the battle for truth regarding Christ and His church.
I’m sure many of you have heard of the hit TV series called The Chosen. For those who haven't, The Chosen is a production of Angel Studios, depicting the life of Jesus of Nazareth. There are arguments on either side of the aisle on whether we, as Christians, should watch it. As we tackle this heavy question, we must recognize our need for the wisdom of God (James 1:5) and realize that Christ must be glorified.
The Chosen first aired on December 24, 2017 and was, and still is, directed by Dallas Jenkins. Jenkins is a self-proclaimed evangelical Christian, who partnered with Angel Studios in creating The Chosen. Angel Studios was founded and is run by the Harmon brothers who are members of The Church of the Latter-Day Saints (Mormon). Jonathan Roumie, the actor who portrays Jesus in The Chosen, is a Roman Catholic. Clearly different theological positions are contributing to the editorial direction of the content of The Chosen.
First, if you consider Dallas Jenkins, you can see clear evidence of heretical heterodox views in his theology. He has been on record as stating that Mormons and Christians worship and love the same Jesus. But Mormons believe that Jesus is not God, that He is a being, separate from God, and that Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers. Is that not a grave danger in allowing those who do not believe in the same Christ to portray how He appears and to take liberties as to how He is portrayed? The Chosen interprets the gospel narratives, implying Christ’s motives and attitudes. A person’s understanding of who Jesus is will impact those interpretations.
Leading on from this is another concern. Is it wise to fill the “empty holes” of Scripture and get creative by presenting additional information as an accurate representation of the gospel story? The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the complete revelation of God to man. What God wants us to know is revealed in the Bible. The Word of God is also sufficient for us to know what to believe and how to live as Christians (2 Timothy 3:16–17). For His own purposes, God did not tell us every single detail of Jesus' life and every word He said. The Chosen presents words, actions, and non-verbal communications of Jesus which are not in the Bible. The opening credits state: “The Chosen is based on the true stories of the gospels of Jesus Christ. Some locations and timelines have been combined or condensed. Back stories and some characters or dialogue have been added. However, all biblical and historical context and any artistic imagination are designed to support the truth and intention of the Scriptures. Viewers are encouraged to read the gospels.” The problem arises because it is not made clear what material is supplementary to the gospel accounts. Will a viewer consider the additional matter as having the same reliability and authority as the gospels?
I believe there is a significant danger in watching a show that will have a great impact on our view of the Bible and the people in the Bible. In Sunday school we used to sing, “Be careful little eyes what you see.” I believe that song applies directly to the watching of this show. People with suspect views of Christ are adding to the testimony of the inspired Scriptures. Not every single person who watches the show is a biblical scholar and even those who are biblically informed watch the show and develop a Chosen view of the Bible. I believe the danger comes that when we read the Bible, having watched The Chosen or any other similar show or movie, we will think of the show characters or interpret a particular dialogue in the way The Chosen presented it. The more we picture The Chosen while reading the Bible, the greater the danger of following the Jesus of The Chosen, not the Bible.
Some argue that watching The Chosen is like reading a Bible commentary or listening to a sermon; however, a good commentator or a good pastor will clearly state, before adding context, that this is not in Scripture. The reader or listener should clearly understand the difference between additional comment and the truth of the Bible. That is not the case when watching The Chosen. Others argue that watching this show helps them picture real-life people and those who struggle with understanding Scripture. Allowing that to be true would require The Chosen to be biblically accurate. That is the problem. It is one of the Christian’s duties to spot deception. Even a little bit of deception is too much. For example, in Season 3, Jesus says, “I am the law of Moses.” The Lord is never recorded as saying these words and many feel the sentiment comes from a line in the book of Mormon (3 Nephi 15). It contradicts John 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” A simple internet search will reveal other areas of concern about the interpretive content of The Chosen.
Another area to consider is the matter of showing The Chosen to unbelievers. I believe this is also unwise. As unbelievers watch, they will develop a view of Jesus that isn’t based on biblical truth. They hear His tone of voice, and they see His face. Neither of these is described in Scripture. In the Bible we are told three things regarding the appearance of Jesus—He was a man, He was Jewish, and He had a beard. Anything else about Him that is pictured comes from man not God. The Bible says that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). God could have given us a TV show from the beginning, but He chose to give us an inspired book. The more the unsaved watch the show the more they develop a love for The Chosen bible not the God-inspired Bible. They may develop a love for the Jonathan Roumie Jesus, not the real Jesus of the gospels.
In handling this subject, I need to acknowledge that there are also those who believe that watching The Chosen, or other depictions of Jesus, is breaking the 2nd commandment. This is the view of historic Protestantism as expressed in the Westminster Larger Catechism, “The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counseling, commanding, using, and any wise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself; the making any representation of God, of all or of any of the three persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image…”
In conclusion, by doing this research and writing this, I have realized that it is part of our sin nature to want more than we are given. We have been given a complete book by God, not a complete show. I end with one question: Why is the Bible not enough?
Anonymous
Edited by Rev. S. Pollock