The Chosen - Godly Truth or Dangerous Fiction?

[Matthias]

Then don’t watch it!

Relax. I’ve already told you that I won’t be watching it.

The Chosen is entertainment that has brought the Gospel to millions and many to the real Jesus. Don’t be an obstacle of how others bring people to Christ.

Woe to you, you teachers of the law and Pharisees. There is such a gulf between what you say and what you do. You will stand before a crowd and lock the door of the kingdom of heaven right in front of everyone; you won’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from doing so. Matthew 23:13 (VOICE)

I’ve shared my thoughts on entertainment and truth. I’ve also said that it’s a matter conscience and I don’t recommend what you recommend in regard to this matter.

 

[Matthias]

Your opinion and preferences are not truth.

Yours are?

If I thought they were I would accept your recommendation.

 

[Wrangler]

Thinking of some other movies which take artistic liberties with Jesus, two spring to mind:

1. The Last Temptation of Christ; and
2. The Shack

And the inspired millions to talk out our REAL lord and savior!!

 

[Matthias]

And the inspired millions to talk out our REAL lord and savior!!

You sure do approach Jesus in ways which I wouldn’t.

 

[Matthias]

Does the program contain a warning to viewers?

If it doesn’t, it should.

WARNING

VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED.

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES.

TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS, VIEWERS SHOULD READ THE BIBLE.

 

[Matthias]

One more for the readers’ consideration: the end justifies the means?

”-> used to say that a desired result is so good or important that any method, even a morally bad one, may be used to achieve it”

Definition of THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS

—used to say that a desired result is so good or important that any method, even a morally bad one, may be used to achieve it… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

I couldn’t with a good and clear conscience do that.

 

[Wrangler]

You sure do approach Jesus in ways which I wouldn’t.

Right!! Stay in your lane. Do what God calls you to do. Stop undermining what God calls other people to do.

 

[Matthias]

Right!! Stay in your lane. Do what God calls you to do.

I am. You seem to be irritated by that.

Stop undermining what God calls other people to do.

If someone believes that God has called them to present a fictionalized Jesus for entertainment, those persons will answer to God and Jesus for what they have done, not me.

 

[Matthias]

“For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed … you put up with it well enough!”

(2 Corinthians 11:4, NET)

The ”one we proclaimed“ isn’t a fictionalized Jesus, for entertainment or any other purpose.

Is a Jesus fictionalized for entertainment “another Jesus”?

Is a Jesus fictionalized for entertainment a counterfeit Jesus?

Fans of The Chosen (and / or fans of other fictionalized portrayals of Jesus) surely would say that a fictionalized Jesus isn’t another Jesus / isn’t a counterfeit. But those same fans then turn around and point people to the Bible, and rightly so, to learn about the non-fictionalized Jesus - “the one we proclaimed”.

That raises a red flag for me. It doesn’t for everyone.

”Do what God calls you to do” - that’s a powerful statement.

God hasn’t called me to proclaim a fictionalized Jesus to entertain people. God calls me to proclaim ”the one we proclaimed.”

If God calls others to proclaim a fictionalized Jesus then I reckon that’s what they should do.

And if what God calls me to do clashes with what God calls them to do?

I’ll leave that in God‘s hands.

 

[face2face]

I remember what you said. I’m sure you’ll also remember what I said: truth > entertainment.

I’m personally not interested in entertainment that points to a fictional characterization of Jesus.

But you are willing to watch other forms of entertainment, I'm sure...the soapbox can easily be removed.

 

[face2face]

If it doesn’t, it should.

WARNING

VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED.

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES.

TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS, VIEWERS SHOULD READ THE BIBLE.

Are you expecting a factual verse by verse account?

 

[Matthias]

But you are willing to watch other forms of entertainment, I'm sure...the soapbox can easily be removed.

Yes, I’m willing to watch other forms of entertainment. But none of them involve presenting a fictionalized Jesus for entertainment.

 

[face2face]

“For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed … you put up with it well enough!”

(2 Corinthians 11:4, NET)

The ”one we proclaimed“ isn’t a fictionalized Jesus, for entertainment or any other purpose.

Is a Jesus fictionalized for entertainment “another Jesus”?

Is a Jesus fictionalized for entertainment a counterfeit Jesus?

Fans of The Chosen (and / or fans of other fictionalized portrayals of Jesus) surely would say that a fictionalized Jesus isn’t another Jesus / isn’t a counterfeit. But those same fans then turn around and point people to the Bible, and rightly so, to learn about the non-fictionalized Jesus - “the one we proclaimed”.

That raises a red flag for me. It doesn’t for everyone.

”Do what God calls you to do” - that’s a powerful statement.

God hasn’t called me to proclaim a fictionalized Jesus to entertain people. God calls me to proclaim ”the one we proclaimed.”

If God calls others to proclaim a fictionalized Jesus then I reckon that’s what they should do.

And if what God calls me to do clashes with what God calls them to do?

I’ll leave that in God‘s hands.

Have you watch any of them Matthias?

 

[Matthias]

Are you expecting a factual verse by verse account?

No. That’s not the entertainment they’re offering their audience.

 

[face2face]

Yes, I’m willing to watch other forms of entertainment. But none of them involve presenting a fictionalized Jesus for entertainment.

In part I understand where you are coming from...to this day I have never watched "The Passion of the Christ" for many valid reasons, most of which are rather personal.

However, the chosen though creative in parts has applied some very good connections and portrayed events which get you thinking! That in itself cannot be wholly deemed unworthy.

F2F

 

[Matthias]

Have you watch any of them Matthias?

I mentioned in the OP that I’ve only watched a portion of one episode.

 

[face2face]

No. That’s not the entertainment they’re offering their audience.

Recently I watched the scene where Jesus calls Peter the first time - that was very well done!

 

[face2face]

I mentioned in the OP that I’ve only watched a portion of one episode.

Watch the calling of Peter - I'd value your insights...got me a little weepy! I'm a sucker for crying in movies but this was good.
F2F

 

[Matthias]

In part I understand where you are coming from...to this day I have never watched "The Passion of the Christ" for many valid reasons, most of which are rather personal.

However, the chosen though creative in parts has applied some very good connections and portrayed events which get you thinking! That in itself cannot be wholly deemed unworthy.

F2F

The figure attributed to Jenkins is 95% of The Chosen is not found in the Bible.

 

[face2face]

The figure attributed to Jenkins is 95% of The Chosen is not found in the Bible.

I doubt this is true as the characters and setting is accurate. I'm not saying they dont take license; they do, but its in very good taste.