The Chosen series

[timothyu]

Not going there because it is dangerous to speak wrong words against the Spirit.

So then Dallas's calling should not be questioned because to do so may be questioning the HS?

 

[Aldebaran]

This is how people normally watch fiction. They consider it reality or an alternate reality while they are watching it so as to enjoy it. If they thought it was fake while they watched it, then they could not truly get emotional. Again, has any movie or TV show ever gotten you emotional before? If so, then you had to have suspended that the fictional entertainment was actually real so you could enjoy it.

Not reality in the literal sense. I've seen fictional shows thousands of times that I've enjoyed where someone shot and killed someone. If I considered it to be reality, I would have been horrified and called 9-1-1. But I knew it wasn't real.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

The Passion of the Christ is also unbiblical and wrong. I never was a fan of that film. I have thrown into the trash all my Christian films that depict Jesus in them. I used to really like the movies called, Risen and the new Ben Hur remake. But after discussing the topic of idol images of Jesus, I threw out those films that depict Christ. Billy Graham said he prayed to the Lord thinking of the Jesus actor from the Passion of the Christ. So there is an impression these films or shows will make upon men’s minds automatically (Which is wrong).

I can understand your concern on some level. There are some people who are too visually impressionable and may run off with the image of the latest actor in their heads. But, honestly, and maybe due to my background, I've had very little trouble differentiating the mere representations of Jesus in a bunch of movies from the Real Jesus.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Such a mini series never became popular enough where a lot of people would want to even use such a study guide for it. I imagine some may have bought it, but it was probably not a lot of people. The Chosen is hugely popular and therefore it influences more people down the dark path of trusting a fictional show rather than the Bible alone, which is scary (if you do not see the problem in such a thing). Then again, I would say that the Chosen is a test by God. It merely shows how Christians today are biblically illiterate if they eat from this kind of dumpster.

I'm amply biblically literate AND I selectively watch some t.v. shows and movies from time to time.

For me, there are various theological aspects of this discussion that I just file under "File Romans 14" and call it a day ... but hey! I get it. You have to do what you feel is copacetic between you and the Lord. I wouldn't want to tell you otherwise and insist that you MUST watch The Chosen or any other biblical type movie from the last 70 years if your conscience is against it.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Not reality in the literal sense. I've seen fictional shows thousands of times that I've enjoyed where someone shot and killed someone. If I considered it to be reality, I would have been horrified and called 9-1-1. But I knew it wasn't real.

I am not saying that you are so convinced you cannot tell what is real vs. what is false. As I said before, the moment you hit pause or stop on the show is the moment you know it is not real. If you have ever teared up watching Star Trek or some other show, this is only because you held to an experience that it was real to you in some way only while you were deep into watching it. Most shows or movies they like the most is because they were convinced of it being real for them. I know. I used to critique movies unofficially in discussion with others online. I gave my review of many films. Some movies had scenes that kept pulling you out of that reality and led you to believe the movie was bad or unbelievable. The goal is to convince yourself that the show is real while watching it so you can enjoy it better. Some films or shows are just so bad that this is not possible. But I have given up Star Trek, including my ole favorite which was DS9, Alias the TV series, Marvel films, and other such forms of video entertainment for Jesus because of the sinful things promoted within them.

1 John 2 says we are not to love the world and neither the things in this world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in them. This was a difficult passage in Scripture for me to accept. But I did accept it one day when the sins were getting so bad in these shows… I said, “enough!”

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Nah, treat it the same as I did the "Young Messiah" which was a pure 'guestimate' of history. But watching a show about followers of Jesus is no different than being here on forums or in church. They all act human so there is not much difference in them. But I appreciate your fervor.

But the show is so insulting to Scripture and so blasphemous to it, a Christian would naturally shut it off or only stick with it to take notes and warn others about it. There is nothing good about this show, unless somebody has not truly studied and understood the Scriptures. It attacks the character of Jesus and the apostles. It attacks repentance. It is insulting to say the least.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I can understand your concern on some level. There are some people who are too visually impressionable and may run off with the image of the latest actor in their heads. But, honestly, and maybe due to my background, I've had very little trouble differentiating the mere representations of Jesus in a bunch of movies from the Real Jesus.

I am not saying most people are confused between reality and fiction while they watch the show. Again, if you ever cried in a movie or show, it was only because you were deep into the show while you were watching it (because you believed it to be real while you watched it). There are obviously moments that you took a step back and realized it was a movie. I am not saying folks struggle with reality or anything. But people like to escape our reality to watch movies pretending they are in that reality. It’s not a perfect reality that always fools them completely by any means. But if they get emotional through the film that means they are so hooked into the movie that they see it as real on some level while watching it. Otherwise, they would not get emotional if they did not think it was believable to them. So folks can get defensive if you attack the Chosen because they went along for the ride of this alternate universe and they had fun with it. Their emotions and lusts were tickled. They like these imaginary friends they have encountered. If you have argued over how great a Star Wars movie was while somebody thought it was horrible, this shows that you are giving credence to fictional characters and its universe that you enjoy. The emotional ride you took was what you were defending. It was believable to you, and to another it was not. While there was no confusion of reality, the more a movie or show can get you emotional, the more you felt it was real overall or in certain scenes. This of course ends when you hit pause because you are hungry, or you need to go to the bathroom, etcetera.

So despite your experience, others will take it differently and more seriously. Therein lies the problem. Heck, they even have study guides for the show! This means that they are saying it is just as profitable as Scripture even if their words say otherwise.

As for distinguishing between this show and the real Jesus:

Well, when the show is highly insulting of the character of our Lord Jesus in attacking His deity and His union with God the Father, then I would say that the show is not worthy to even be watched unless one is taking notes to warn others about it. There is also the push of various sins with no message of repentance, as well. This is common in other worldly movies, and TV shows. So no big problem here if one is still caught up in watching other secular garbage.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I'm amply biblically literate AND I selectively watch some t.v. shows and movies from time to time.

For me, there are various theological aspects of this discussion that I just file under "File Romans 14" and call it a day ... but hey! I get it. You have to do what you feel is copacetic between you and the Lord. I wouldn't want to tell you otherwise and insist that you MUST watch The Chosen or any other biblical type movie from the last 70 years if your conscience is against it.

1 John 2:15-17
15 ”Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Major Problems in the show.

They make it appear like Jesus is so humanly flawed, that He does not know how to put forth the sermon on the Mount.
But if one knows Scripture, they realize that Jesus spoke by the commandment of the Father.

John 12:49
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”

This is an attack upon the good character of our Lord making Him flawed like a regular man.
If Jesus had any flaws, He could not be our spotless Lamb.

Peter is a brawler, and drunkard. Yet, the Bible warns that these types will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus does not tell folks to repent because of their sins. He just lets them to be sinners. They have a scene where Jesus says He comes to call sinners. But the proper rendering for that verse in Matthew and Mark is that Jesus comes to call sinners to repentance (As it says in Luke). To say one just calls sinners with no mention of repentance is to send the wrong message that the LORD is okay with His people remaining as sinners. This fits perfectly with the theology of Christians who believe they can remain as sinners and yet be in God’s good graces.

Jesus says in a scene with John the Baptist that it is not about rules. Yet, the Jesus of the Bible says that if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). So the show paints an insulting picture of the real Lord Jesus Christ.

Then there is the Mormon quote (of course), which is surely not a coincidence if they have executive producers who are Mormon.

It’s not worthy as entertainment.
It’s absolutely trash or dumpster diving to find a half eaten chicken leg.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

So then Dallas's calling should not be questioned because to do so may be questioning the HS?

Your reply shows you have no biblical clue as to what I was even referring to in Scripture. So let it go on this point or try reading Matthew 12 sometime in prayer when you get a chance between your watching the Chosen.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I mean, if Mormons love this show (and they do), I would be at pause to even watching it.
Mormons do not believe in the same Jesus that Bible alone believing Christians do.
So this is another red flag that this show is bad and a part of the ecumenical movement.
If you have no problem with ecumenicism, then I would say that is probably why you will never see any problem with this show because the series is ecumenical. Try reading up on the false beliefs of Mormons and see if that is something that you believe is of God or not. Also, if one is reading their Bible more instead of the latest sinful movie or TV series, then one will clearly see the many problems in this show. But many today do not even believe we can trust the Bible entirely. So they will look to another Jesus, even if He is just a TV version of Jesus.

 

[timothyu]

Your reply shows you have no biblical clue as to what I was even referring to in Scripture.

Uh huh.

 

[ozso]

No. I am the one who brought up Matthew 7 as a refutation of your false thinking that I am wrong for not accepting the majority of Christian books, movies, denominations, etcetera. So the ball is back in your court if you have a different interpretation on Matthew 7. You need to explain what Matthew 7 means. If not, then your claims against my wrong belief is only existent in your own head and not the Word of God. That is why I brought up Matthew 7 to defend my belief. So now you need to explain how you believe otherwise involving Matthew 7. But you know what. You are going to chicken out because we both know the text would not support any odd ball interpretation that you are hoping for. It just doesn’t exist. Hence, why you want to shift the focus on my explaining Matthew 7 when I asked you to explain it first.

I'm trying to establish exactly what you're saying not refute it.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I'm trying to establish exactly what you're saying not refute it.

Okay. So you brought up why you had a concern with me not accepting the majority of Christian books, movies, pastors, etcetera.
My response to your statement was with Scripture using Matthew 7. Matthew 7 is teaching that narrow is the way that leads to life and few be there that find it. The few that Jesus is talking about is in context to professing believers. So Jesus is saying that FEW within the sphere of Christianity will find life (Eternal life). This means, that the majority of Christian books, movies, pastors, etc. are not always going to get everything correct involving the Bible because they are not on the narrow path because Jesus said FEW be there that find life. So your position must try and discredit this basic reading of Matthew 7:14 in order for your charge against me to stick as if it is valid. Meaning, you want me to believe that God’s way is of the many in Christianity and yet Jesus says it will be FEW. Those who are not of the Few are carnal minded. Romans 8 warns about how the carnal mind is at enmity with God. So those who are carnal minded are not going to always understand everything in the Bible correctly.

Side Note:

Keep in mind that I do not reject everything the majority of Christianity believes. For example, I believe in the Trinity, and I believe Jesus will return physically to this Earth at His second coming. Many Christians also believe in a real bodily resurrection, which I also agree with. So there are things I do agree with involving many Christians. I believe Protestantism is closest to the truth. So I am for the Bible alone as my authority for all matters of faith and practice along with the Anointing to understand it (1 John 2:27).

Side Note 2:

Knowing your requested details on what exactly is involved in regards to fulfilling one being on the Narrow way is not relevant in this discussion. What is relevant is whether or not you agree with what Matthew 7 says in regards to the FEW that will find life (eternal life) in context of the sphere of Christianity. If you disagree, verses need to be presented. This is where the argument should be in order for your original charge to stick. So the ball is in your court to prove your case. If you keep asking me to explain what being on the narrow way looks like, then I will take that as meaning you don’t know how to refute my use of Scripture involving Matthew 7 that defends against your original false charge. Meaning, I will see this type of tactic as you trying to forfeit the real argument here because you do not have the capacity to properly explain Matthew 7 to defend your belief. Please understand that I will say this. The few are those who did not hold to the view that they can continue in sin with the thinking they are saved without any need to confess or forsake such sins. Read Matthew 7:21-23. Then read Matthew 7:26-27. Jesus is saying that those who do not do what He says is like a fool who built his house upon the sand. Christians who are on the narrow path are those who are saved by God’s grace and they strive to live righteously and not justify the idea they can and still be saved. Hebrews 12:14 basically says that without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.

 

[ozso]

Okay. So you brought up why you had a concern with me not accepting the majority of Christian books, movies, pastors, etcetera.
My response to your statement was with Scripture using Matthew 7. Matthew 7 is teaching that narrow is the way that leads to life and few be there that find it. The few that Jesus is talking about is in context to professing believers. So Jesus is saying that FEW within the sphere of Christianity will find life (Eternal life). This means, that the majority of Christian books, movies, pastors, etc. are not always going to get everything correct involving the Bible because they are not on the narrow path because Jesus said FEW be there that find life. So your position must try and discredit this basic reading of Matthew 7:14 in order for your charge against me to stick as if it is valid. Meaning, you want me to believe that God’s way is of the many in Christianity and yet Jesus says it will be FEW. Those who are not of the Few are carnal minded. Romans 8 warns about how the carnal mind is at enmity with God. So those who are carnal minded are not going to always understand everything in the Bible correctly.

Side Note:

Keep in mind that I do not reject everything the majority of Christianity believes. For example, I believe in the Trinity, and I believe Jesus will return physically to this Earth at His second coming. Many Christians also believe in a real bodily resurrection, which I also agree with. So there are things I do agree with involving many Christians. I believe Protestantism is closest to the truth. So I am for the Bible alone as my authority for all matters of faith and practice along with the Anointing to understand it (1 John 2:27).

Side Note 2:

Knowing your requested details on what exactly is involved in regards to fulfilling one being on the Narrow way is not relevant in this discussion. What is relevant is whether or not you agree with what Matthew 7 says in regards to the FEW that will find life (eternal life) in context of the sphere of Christianity. If you disagree, verses need to be presented. This is where the argument should be in order for your original charge to stick. So the ball is in your court to prove your case. If you keep asking me to explain what being on the narrow way looks like, then I will take that as meaning you don’t know how to refute my use of Scripture involving Matthew 7 that defends against your original false charge. Meaning, I will see this type of tactic as you trying to forfeit the real argument here because you do not have the capacity to properly explain Matthew 7 to defend your belief. Please understand that I will say this. The few are those who did not hold to the view that they can continue in sin with the thinking they are saved without any need to confess or forsake such sins. Read Matthew 7:21-23. Then read Matthew 7:26-27. Jesus is saying that those who do not do what He says is like a fool who built his house upon the sand. Christians who are on the narrow path are those who are saved by God’s grace and they strive to live righteously and not justify the idea they can and still be saved. Hebrews 12:14 basically says that without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.

I understand you want to get into an argument with me, but I'm simply inquiring at this point. You seem to want hold back on elaborating.

 

[ozso]

This is how people normally watch fiction. They consider it reality or an alternate reality while they are watching it so as to enjoy it. If they thought it was fake while they watched it, then they could not truly get emotional. Again, has any movie or TV show ever gotten you emotional before? If so, then you had to have suspended that the fictional entertainment was actually real so you could enjoy it.

Is there any movie, tv show, book, performance et al that is acceptable for the few to enjoy?

 

[ozso]

I am not saying most people are confused between reality and fiction while they watch the show. Again, if you ever cried in a movie or show, it was only because you were deep into the show while you were watching it (because you believed it to be real while you watched it). There are obviously moments that you took a step back and realized it was a movie. I am not saying folks struggle with reality or anything. But people like to escape our reality to watch movies pretending they are in that reality. It’s not a perfect reality that always fools them completely by any means. But if they get emotional through the film that means they are so hooked into the movie that they see it as real on some level while watching it. Otherwise, they would not get emotional if they did not think it was believable to them. So folks can get defensive if you attack the Chosen because they went along for the ride of this alternate universe and they had fun with it. Their emotions and lusts were tickled. They like these imaginary friends they have encountered. If you have argued over how great a Star Wars movie was while somebody thought it was horrible, this shows that you are giving credence to fictional characters and its universe that you enjoy. The emotional ride you took was what you were defending. It was believable to you, and to another it was not. While there was no confusion of reality, the more a movie or show can get you emotional, the more you felt it was real overall or in certain scenes. This of course ends when you hit pause because you are hungry, or you need to go to the bathroom, etcetera.

So despite your experience, others will take it differently and more seriously. Therein lies the problem. Heck, they even have study guides for the show! This means that they are saying it is just as profitable as Scripture even if their words say otherwise.

As for distinguishing between this show and the real Jesus:

Well, when the show is highly insulting of the character of our Lord Jesus in attacking His deity and His union with God the Father, then I would say that the show is not worthy to even be watched unless one is taking notes to warn others about it. There is also the push of various sins with no message of repentance, as well. This is common in other worldly movies, and TV shows. So no big problem here if one is still caught up in watching other secular garbage.

What if anything isn't secular garbage?

 

[ozso]

As evident by the Original Post.

Do you think any form of entertainment that evokes any kind of emotion should be avoided?

 

[timothyu]

Remember the golden days of witch trials and inquisitions?

 

[ozso]

Remember the golden days of witch trials and inquisitions?

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[ozso]

What is relevant is whether or not you agree with what Matthew 7 says in regards to the FEW that will find life (eternal life) in context of the sphere of Christianity.

I think that makes no sense. It's like saying few among the elect are the elect. Either someone is a Christian as in those who belong to Christ, or they aren't. So the many who are on the broad road to destruction can not be elect deciples of Christ; they are not within the sphere.

If you visit a lage city like New York, you're going to find that only few in that overall population belong to Christ, because only a few chose to follow Christ.