The Chosen, some questions.

Hazelelponi · Feb 15, 2020

Heavenhome said:
Hi there, I have previously opened a thread in The junk drawer saying that The Chosen was the best Christian series I've ever seen.

Now when I watched it I found it so fascinating as it opened up the different characters in the Bible and everything surrounding it and it really gave me loads to think on. It is superbly presented and acted.
However there has been a couple of things that have niggled me and I thought I would open this thread to discuss this and get others opinions.

I don't believe in making any images of Jesus as we do not know what He looked like so would this also include films?

Now when it is in a film say where he appears as a stranger is one thing but when it is in a straight out Biblical portrayal I feel this is a different matter altogether.

Also in it Mary Magdelene is actually one of Jesus first followers and she is with the disciples travelling with them, even before all the 12 have been called.
This sits uncomfortably with me, don't get me wrong I know there were women who were with Jesus at many times and I know there were other followers called, but the 12 were specifically named and were men.

So what to make of it all?
I've watched as the director says that it was based on the Bible and that nothing replaces Scripture which is good but is this a cop out, sort of covering all bases?

When making any Biblical movies should Scripture be totally followed ( I think yes) or doesn't it matter?
Because I don't believe that there should be any images of Jesus made (after all we don't know what He looks like) I feel like a hypocrite that I watched and recommended it. As I said it is brilliantly made but I think that I will stick to the Bible alone.

I only watched the first episode and I didn't think it stuck with scripture at all.. but for "clean" television it was good.

I dont believe anyone watching a television show expects it to be very real. Science in science fiction has little to no relation to actual science, historical fiction takes sweeping liberty with history itself and the list goes on.

So it's the same with religious television, liberties will be taken with the truth..

I also believe that we cannot and should not attempt to depict Jesus in art or film (or anything else in heaven). I'm very adamantly against that for myself, however if others do it does it mean it would be encumbant upon me to refrain from watching it?

That I'm not sure about, as I haven't taken this all the way yet - I just know what I can't do personally when it comes to my own artwork.

But if the show is bothering you in some way, then just stop watching it as that's God trying to tell you something for you..

*LILAC · Feb 15, 2020

Is this something similar to what The Bible mini series was?

Aussie Pete · Feb 15, 2020

Heavenhome said:
Hi there, I have previously opened a thread in The junk drawer saying that The Chosen was the best Christian series I've ever seen.

Now when I watched it I found it so fascinating as it opened up the different characters in the Bible and everything surrounding it and it really gave me loads to think on. It is superbly presented and acted.
However there has been a couple of things that have niggled me and I thought I would open this thread to discuss this and get others opinions.

I don't believe in making any images of Jesus as we do not know what He looked like so would this also include films?

Now when it is in a film say where he appears as a stranger is one thing but when it is in a straight out Biblical portrayal I feel this is a different matter altogether.

Also in it Mary Magdelene is actually one of Jesus first followers and she is with the disciples travelling with them, even before all the 12 have been called.
This sits uncomfortably with me, don't get me wrong I know there were women who were with Jesus at many times and I know there were other followers called, but the 12 were specifically named and were men.

So what to make of it all?
I've watched as the director says that it was based on the Bible and that nothing replaces Scripture which is good but is this a cop out, sort of covering all bases?

When making any Biblical movies should Scripture be totally followed ( I think yes) or doesn't it matter?
Because I don't believe that there should be any images of Jesus made (after all we don't know what He looks like) I feel like a hypocrite that I watched and recommended it. As I said it is brilliantly made but I think that I will stick to the Bible alone.

I'm with you. Stick to what is known from God's word. I don't see a problem with portraying Jesus except with most movies from the western world. Jesus looked so ordinary and so Jewish that they had to bribe Judas to point Him out to the guards who came to arrest Him. If you are going to make movie at least use a realistic-looking actor!

paul1149 · Feb 15, 2020

*LILAC said:
Is this something similar to what The Bible mini series was?

I couldn't watch The Bible series, highly vaunted though it was, because I felt it departed from Scripture in significant ways. I knew this in my spirit after maybe 20 minutes of trying to like it.

The Chosen is, in my view, completely different. It uses artistic license, to be sure, but I find it consistent with the spirit of the Bible. It's more than entertainment, it's insightful and edifying. I rate it very highly. FWIW, over at IMDB it's running something like a 9.8 rating, which is pretty much unheard of.

But everyone has to follow their own conscience. One eats vegetables, another eats meat. We should be fully convinced in our own mind that what we're doing is right.

Heavenhome · Feb 15, 2020

Hazelelponi said:
I only watched the first episode and I didn't think it stuck with scripture at all.. but for "clean" television it was good.

I dont believe anyone watching a television show expects it to be very real. Science in science fiction has little to no relation to actual science, historical fiction takes sweeping liberty with history itself and the list goes on.

So it's the same with religious television, liberties will be taken with the truth..

I also believe that we cannot and should not attempt to depict Jesus in art or film (or anything else in heaven). I'm very adamantly against that for myself, however if others do it does it mean it would be encumbant upon me to refrain from watching it?

That I'm not sure about, as I haven't taken this all the way yet - I just know what I can't do personally when it comes to my own artwork.

But if the show is bothering you in some way, then just stop watching it as that's God trying to tell you something for you..

I did watch the full series one and have decided no more.
The difference with a Christian themed movie/series and a Bible based series/film to me after thinking deeply on it is this.
Anything that is presenting the Bible and Jesus must always stick to what the Bible says, that is what God gave us and to depart from it is mixing error with truth.
And we know how dangerous that is.

Therefore as I don't agree with any portrayal of Him in art, well it would have to follow on that it would include films or I would be a double minded hypocrite.

Thanks to everyone who has replied I do appreciate it, I had decided that I was going to stop watching but was interested in what you all thought on the subject.

Hazelelponi · Feb 16, 2020

Heavenhome said:
I did watch the full series one and have decided no more.
The difference with a Christian themed movie/series and a Bible based series/film to me after thinking deeply on it is this.
Anything that is presenting the Bible and Jesus must always stick to what the Bible says, that is what God gave us and to depart from it is mixing error with truth.
And we know how dangerous that is.

Therefore as I don't agree with any portrayal of Him in art, well it would have to follow on that it would include films or I would be a double minded hypocrite.

Thanks to everyone who has replied I do appreciate it, I had decided that I was going to stop watching but was interested in what you all thought on the subject.

Your probably correct in your thoughts.. God bless you.

faroukfarouk · Feb 17, 2020

Aussie Pete said:
Stick to what is known from God's word.

I'm not even enthusiastic about portraying Him like that. Good to stick to God's Word.

Heavenhome · Feb 17, 2020

I do not think there ever should be any portrayal of Jesus whatsoever, whether in art or film.

I am repenting for watching The Chosen and I am so sorry that I ever put up the post for people to watch it.

It was wrong and I have repented before God and want to state it here.

I am sorry to everyone I opened up the thread praising it.

And here I am so often on the forum saying we need to rely on the Bible alone and use discernment......
I am suitably chastened.

*LILAC · Feb 18, 2020

The movie The Passion of the Christ has always been one that gives me strange feelings. Just reading the scriptures, one can understand that He underwent extreme pain and torment. And what about cartoon versions for children?

Heavenhome · Feb 18, 2020

*LILAC said:
The movie The Passion of the Christ has always been one that gives me strange feelings. Just reading the scriptures, one can understand that He underwent extreme pain and torment. And what about cartoon versions for children?

Thank you, Lilac, yes, I agree with you.
For all those years before TV and film Christians both adult and children managed perfectly well without it, didn't they?
Dare I say probably a lot better?

I truly don't understand myself because I had always thought portrayals were wrong, yet here I was not only watching but then sharing.
Then again it shows me the sin that still resides in natural man that must be continually rooted out.
Not only has it taught me I was wrong but also to never be complacent and always be on guard.
Yes, everything we are told to be, Ephesians 6:10-18.

tturt · Feb 24, 2020

Thanks for posting "The Chosen.' When I read Scripture, sometimes I think about what that may have looked like. So several times when watching these episodes, I've thought it could have just as easily been that way - of course. There's no details in Scripture about exactly where they put their nets out when Jesus told them for example.

As far as graven images in Exo and Deut, they are made/constructed idols to be used for worship.. Besides some people who lived in the time Jesus was on the earth saw Him. You have to have a person in a film if it's about Jesus. Dont think anyone would worship this actor.

Researching the actors, etc Really? You do realize the background of many writers of Scripture.

Recall the first time I saw a picture of Jesus laughing. I was upset - how dare they! Then I realized for myself, it was a religious spirit and asks the Lord to remove it, So that is one thing I've liked about the episodes, seeing how He could have enjoyed Himself many times.

Andrew B. · Mar 6, 2020

I've watched some word-for-word movies and also fictional inspired-by-scripture movies. I've only liked two of them. The first is the word-for-word Gospel of John, where the annoyances were rare but not minor. And now The Chosen, which has many things that bother me, but it had so many good qualities I would recommend it -- as long as people realize this is a fictional account inspired by real events.

I think everyone involved in making The Chosen was clearly trying to make an engaging movie, and so they created back stories and non-scriptural dialog. But I thought they were respectful of what the Bible conveys. I also liked that they didn't portray Jesus as someone who entered into a trance as he interacted with others, nor did he posture and talk like a Shakespearean actor.

I think this series will draw people closer the real Bible and make them want to read and study more. The DVD set (which I purchased) even includes a critical discussion of every episode, where a Catholic priest, an Evangelical minister, and a Messianic Jewish rabbi discuss the movie with its director.

*LILAC · Apr 8, 2020

Came across this video and I agree with what he says about these types of videos. I used to like Roma Downey but now that I see she's New Age and all that garbage, her stuff is removed from my home. I don't support one iota of that garbage.

Heavenhome · Apr 9, 2020

Thank you Lilac for posting that video, it is excellent.
I am just convinced that we have the Bible, why do we need more? Why do we have to see someone act out Jesus for it to seem " more relevant" or appealing to us ?
Why.do we need all these extras when God gave us everything He wanted us to know?

Could it be that it is so much easier to watch a movie or series than it is to sit and read carefully and prayerfully the very words of God?

Once again I appreciate you posting this, thank you and God bless you

faroukfarouk · Apr 9, 2020

Heavenhome said:
Thank you Lilac for posting that video, it is excellent.
I am just convinced that we have the Bible, why do we need more? Why do we have to see someone act out Jesus for it to seem " more relevant" or appealing to us ?
Why.do we need all these extras when God gave us everything He wanted us to know?

Could it be that it is so much easier to watch a movie or series than it is to sit and read carefully and prayerfully the very words of God?

Once again I appreciate you posting this, thank you and God bless you

I really agree about the Scriptures being all sufficient and an infinite spiritual resource for the believer.

faroukfarouk · Apr 10, 2020

@Heavenhome Thanks for the 'like'...

Cis.jd · May 3, 2020

Heavenhome said:
Hi there, I have previously opened a thread in The junk drawer saying that The Chosen was the best Christian series I've ever seen.

Now when I watched it I found it so fascinating as it opened up the different characters in the Bible and everything surrounding it and it really gave me loads to think on. It is superbly presented and acted.
However there has been a couple of things that have niggled me and I thought I would open this thread to discuss this and get others opinions.

I don't believe in making any images of Jesus as we do not know what He looked like so would this also include films?

Now when it is in a film say where he appears as a stranger is one thing but when it is in a straight out Biblical portrayal I feel this is a different matter altogether.

Also in it Mary Magdelene is actually one of Jesus first followers and she is with the disciples travelling with them, even before all the 12 have been called.
This sits uncomfortably with me, don't get me wrong I know there were women who were with Jesus at many times and I know there were other followers called, but the 12 were specifically named and were men.

So what to make of it all?
I've watched as the director says that it was based on the Bible and that nothing replaces Scripture which is good but is this a cop out, sort of covering all bases?

When making any Biblical movies should Scripture be totally followed ( I think yes) or doesn't it matter?
Because I don't believe that there should be any images of Jesus made (after all we don't know what He looks like) I feel like a hypocrite that I watched and recommended it. As I said it is brilliantly made but I think that I will stick to the Bible alone.

In an entertainment stand point, having everything mirroring the Bible then it would be boring which would likely fail in getting people inspired or emotionally connected to the show and it's message.

Nothing in this show replaces the scripture at all, and the director saying so isn't a cop out. Cop out for what? All those details you've stated such as Mary, etc posses no harm to the faith or even general theology, these are clear artistic takes.

You "giving up" and making all these antagonistic views is an unhealthy form of christianity in where the faith has given you a phobia (why watch a movie.. isn't the bible enough, it's not going 1:1 word for word!). The 4 gospels themselves are not a 1:1 copy of each other.

This is an overreaction and plain antagonizing things even when they have good intentions to the faith behind it. It is christians who think like this that is the problem.
--

I recommend it. The story telling, acting, and over all production given to something with a budget like this is outstanding.

*spoiler*
My main problem with the show (or writing) is that I felt the way the apostles just started following Jesus to be a bit unrealistic. While I get that this company did not have the budget to go past 7 episodes, I just thought Peter and his wife just being 100% convinced or believing that fast was a bit cheesy.

tturt · Oct 4, 2020

On Directv this morning, channel 374, several episodes

doctorwho29 · Oct 5, 2020

Heavenhome said:
Hi there, I have previously opened a thread in The junk drawer saying that The Chosen was the best Christian series I've ever seen.

Now when I watched it I found it so fascinating as it opened up the different characters in the Bible and everything surrounding it and it really gave me loads to think on. It is superbly presented and acted.
However there has been a couple of things that have niggled me and I thought I would open this thread to discuss this and get others opinions.

I don't believe in making any images of Jesus as we do not know what He looked like so would this also include films?

Now when it is in a film say where he appears as a stranger is one thing but when it is in a straight out Biblical portrayal I feel this is a different matter altogether.

Also in it Mary Magdelene is actually one of Jesus first followers and she is with the disciples travelling with them, even before all the 12 have been called.
This sits uncomfortably with me, don't get me wrong I know there were women who were with Jesus at many times and I know there were other followers called, but the 12 were specifically named and were men.

So what to make of it all?
I've watched as the director says that it was based on the Bible and that nothing replaces Scripture which is good but is this a cop out, sort of covering all bases?

When making any Biblical movies should Scripture be totally followed ( I think yes) or doesn't it matter?
Because I don't believe that there should be any images of Jesus made (after all we don't know what He looks like) I feel like a hypocrite that I watched and recommended it. As I said it is brilliantly made but I think that I will stick to the Bible alone.

I think respectful images of Jesus are ok. God is using this show to bring many people to salvation so He must approve.

As for Mary Magdalene and other little tweaks, episode one begins with a disclaimer that some events are tweaked a bit for the purpose of the story and they also highly encourage reading the real Gospels. It's like the disclaimer at the beginning of the Prince of Egypt. Also, we don't know exactly when Mary met and was healed by Jesus, we honestly don't.

I think it's an excellent show but I also understand your concerns. I hope I've helped a little.

doctorwho29 · Oct 5, 2020

Heavenhome said:
I do not think there ever should be any portrayal of Jesus whatsoever, whether in art or film.

I am repenting for watching The Chosen and I am so sorry that I ever put up the post for people to watch it.

It was wrong and I have repented before God and want to state it here.

I am sorry to everyone I opened up the thread praising it.

And here I am so often on the forum saying we need to rely on the Bible alone and use discernment......
I am suitably chastened.

Repenting seems a bit extreme to me. It's just a TV show and God is using it in truly miraculous ways. If He blesses it, I don't see why we shouldn't. The Bible itself admits that it didn't record even a fraction of Jesus' life, this is speculation on filling in the gaps. It's also meant to truly emphasize how the "Chosen" were people just like us. It's showing that the heroes of faith were simply people with sins, struggles, and idiosyncrasies. I personally can't wait for season 2 but you have to follow your own conscience.

The Chosen, some questions.

:sighing:

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