THE CHOSEN Series—10 Critical Concerns

Posted by Dan C. on November 18, 2022

January 23, 2022 by Lighthouse Trails Editors

With the in-theater premier of Season 3 of The Chosen series, I thought it wise to post the following critique of the series through Season 2, as well as the rave review provided by Christianity Today. Here it is, and I apologize for any formatting errors. I watched one episode when it first came out and when I realized that most of it was pure fiction, I quit watching:

THE CHOSEN Series—10 Critical Concerns

January 23, 2022 by Lighthouse Trails Editors

1) The Chosen and Its Mormon Influencers

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

The Chosen series was initiated and inspired from a partnership between Dallas Jenkins, an evangelical filmmaker, and three Mormon businessmen, Jeffrey and Neal Harmon and Derral Eves after the three men viewed a film written and directed by Jenkins called The Shepherd. The Mormon influence on The Chosen is considerable: the executive producer is Mormon, the distributor is Mormon, certain episodes were shot on a special Mormon set in Utah, and the crowdfunding and media expertise is provided by Mormons.

In 2017, Dallas Jenkins had reached a self-described career low as a filmmaker when he was given an opportunity to partner with the successful Mormon businessmen who believed they could create a “global phenomenon”¹ with The Chosen. With the Mormon church’s long-standing hope and efforts to be viewed by the evangelical church as just another denomination and Jenkin’s unsatisfied desire to be a successful Christian filmmaker, it seemed like the perfect match to help each other out. Thus, the birth of The Chosen.2

Those who defend The Chosen may say that so far (through Season 2), no Mormon doctrine has been introduced into the series, and therefore, it’s not a problem that Mormons and evangelicals are working together. If this were a secular film, perhaps that would be a valid argument. But in a film series that is supposed to be depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and His disciples and which claims to complement the Bible’s message, then 2 Corinthians 6:14 must be applied where believers (who are to be in the light) are instructed not to be unequally yoked with those who are in spiritual darkness.

It is ironic that forty years ago, Christians were flocking to their churches by the tens of thousands to watch a film called The God Makers, which warned about Mormonism, most particularly about the false Jesus of Mormonism.³ Today, in stark contrast, countless Christians are enthusiastically watching a film about Jesus that is Mormon-influenced with seemingly little concern or spiritual discernment.

2) Are the Biblical Jesus and the Mormon Jesus the Same?

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2 Corinthians 11:4, emphasis added)

The apostle Paul warns that some will present a “Jesus” to the church who is not the Jesus of the Bible but is one who brings a spirit that is not the Holy Spirit and a gospel that is not the one that can save men’s souls. Paul’s concern is that some members of the church will embrace and “bear with” a false Christ.

The Chosen’s director, co-writer, and chief publicist, Dallas Jenkins, has gone on record stating that the Mormon Jesus is the same as the Bible’s Jesus. In an interview Jenkins did in May of 2020 on a Mormon program, he stated:

I can honestly say . . . one of the top three most fascinating and beautiful things about this project has been my growing brother and sisterhood with people of the LDS community that I never would have known otherwise and learning so much about your faith tradition and realizing, gosh, for all the stuff that maybe we don’t see eye to eye on, that all happened, that’s all based on stuff that happened after Jesus was here. The stories of Jesus, we do agree on, and we love the same Jesus. That’s not something that you often hear. . . . I mean I’ll sink or swim on that statement, and it’s controversial, and I don’t mind getting criticized at all for the show, and I don’t mind being called a blasphemer. . . . I’ve made it very clear that if I go down, I’m going down swinging protecting my friends and my brothers and sisters . . . I don’t deny we have a lot of theological differences, but we love the same Jesus.⁴ (emphasis added)

In the book, The God Makers, Ed Decker and Dave Hunt state:

Mormon missionaries claim to be bringing true Christianity to the world. . . . When questioned, Mormons insist that their gospel comes from the Bible and that they have the same God and the same Jesus as Christians. In actual fact, they have a completely different God from what the Bible presents, a different Jesus, and a different gospel. These differences are denied or glossed over by the missionaries, who are often evasive and unwilling to tell the whole truth to a prospective convert for fear of losing him.⁵

Below is a list of some of the “attributes” of the Mormon Jesus:

· Jesus is Lucifer’s brother.

· Jesus is a spirit child conceived through physical means between an exalted man (Heavenly Father) and the virgin Mary.

· Jesus is not eternal and had a beginning (i.e., not part of an eternal Trinity).

· Jesus was not always God but earned his way to godhood just as we will become gods someday.

· The work of the Mormon Jesus was insufficient for man’s salvation, and to complete it, one has to believe in Joseph Smith that he came from God to restore the church (i.e., Smith has a role in salvation).

· Mormon doctrine teaches that without our own righteousness, there is no forgiveness of sins (contrary to Romans 4:5 and many other Bible verses).⁶

These and many other teachings of the Mormon church clearly show that the Mormon Jesus is not the same as the Jesus of the Bible. And for Dallas Jenkins to say otherwise helps to legitimize Mormonism as true Christianity and to bring it into the evangelical fold.

In 2021, Dallas Jenkins further defends what he calls his “brothers and sisters” in the Mormon religion when he states:

[The] calling of my life is to make the authentic Jesus known to the entire world, and anyone who’s going to help me do that is welcome.⁷ (emphasis added)

Jenkins’ open invitation to “anyone” who wants to help present his alleged “authentic” Jesus is a prime example of what the apostle Paul was warning about in 2 Corinthians 11:4.

By calling Mormons his brothers and sisters (obviously in a spiritual sense), this implies there is no reason to introduce them to the one eternal God and evangelize them to a true biblical faith.⁸

3) The Chosen—“A Definitive Portrayal of God’s People”?

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

In a 2021 interview, Dallas Jenkins says the following:

I felt like God was saying like [The Chosen] is going to be the definitive portrayal of my people, and this is what people are going to think of around the world when they think of my people, and I’m [God] not going to let you screw it up.⁹

In other words, Jenkins seems to be saying that everything in the series has been approved by God. And what’s more, God isn’t going to let Jenkins mess any of it up, even though Jenkins went to Mormons to help create, produce, and promote The Chosen and develop a “definitive portrayal” of the church, and even though most of the content of The Chosen is not found in the Bible (by Jenkins’ own admission).

When Dallas Jenkins “felt” he heard God telling him these things, did he test what he heard, as Scripture instructs us, to see whether these things were of God? One of the ways a Christian can “try [test] the spirits,” is to compare what he thinks he is being told with Scripture.¹⁰ Would the God of the Bible actually tell Jenkins that his film series is going to be the “definitive portrayal” of His people (the church) when most of the content is not in the Bible and is made up? Wouldn’t this put The Chosen above God’s Word? But according to Scripture, God puts His Word even higher than His name!:

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (Psalm 138:2)

The Mormon church teaches that the Christian church went completely apostate and basically became non-existent until the early 1800s when Joseph Smith came on the scene and restored the church. However, the biblical Jesus says this about His church: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Now, was there some apostasy that came in after the resurrection? Absolutely (just as the apostle Paul warned about in Acts 20:29). But from the beginning of the church that Jesus and His disciples established, there has always been a remnant of the true church which has consisted of born-again believers in Jesus Christ (God in the flesh). Thus, it is unbiblical and absurd to think that Joseph Smith was used to restore the Christian church. If God really told Dallas Jenkins that The Chosen would be the “definitive portrayal” of His church, it stands to reason that God would not condone Jenkins’ turning to Mormons to market and influence this “portrayal.”

4) “95% of the Content Isn’t From the Bible”—Dallas Jenkins

Dallas Jenkins told one interviewer that “95% of the content [of The Chosen] isn’t from the Bible.”¹¹ This means that The Chosen is almost completely man’s word—not God’s Word.

The Chosen writers do not hesitate to add their own ideas and opinions to actual Bible events. For example, Mary Magdalene backsliding is not in the Bible; Matthew portrayed as autistic—not in the Bible; Jesus rehearsing His sermon on the mount—not in the Bible (John 12:49-50; John 17:8). With future episodes yet to be written and future seasons to come, how far afield will the writers of The Chosen take their creative liberties to recreate and reimagine God’s Word?

Matthew 7:29 says, “For he [Jesus] taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” The meaning here for the Greek word “scribes” is writers. Dallas Jenkins often says that the fictionalized stories he’s created are “plausible.” According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word plausible means “superficially fair, reasonable, or valuable but often specious (i.e., having a “false look of truth or genuineness” and “having deceptive attraction or allure”).¹² When Jenkins writes into The Chosen script that the apostle Peter had a gambling debt that pressured him to fish overtime on the Sabbath to pay back what he owed, Jenkins suggests that this is “plausible.”¹³ But in the Matthew verse, it is clear that Jesus was not offering plausible ideas but was “one having authority” (i.e., speaking the truth).

Jenkins continually elevates the practice of “artistic imagination”¹⁴over literal Scripture. In interviews, he gives the impression that Scripture, by itself, is flat, boring, and one-dimensional (contrary to Hebrews 4:12 which says it is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword).” The result is a cleverly devised extra-biblical story that is 95% fiction.

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables . . . (2 Peter 1:16)

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God . . . (2 Corinthians 10:5)

There are serious ramifications that can occur with fictionalizing the Bible. For instance, in Season 1 of The Chosen, where Jenkins has Peter fishing on the Sabbath, Jenkins asked Messianic Jew, Rabbi Jason Sobel (one of Jenkin’s advisors), what he thought about adding this in; the Rabbi did not believe such a scenario would be plausible and that “this would be a huge deal to the point where I don’t even believe it would have ever happened.”¹⁵Non-believing Jews who watch the series and see this scene could easily believe this is in the New Testament, and knowing that something like this would be nearly impossible in the Jewish culture of the time, it will be further evidence to them (in their minds) that the New Testament is a collection of fictitious stories that never could have happened. This is just one example where Jenkins’ “artistic imagination” could backfire and be detrimental to those searching for truth.

Dallas Jenkins appears to believe that reimagining the New Testament on screen will draw people to reading the Bible and, at the same time, draw people to Jesus. However, by presenting 95% fictionalized content, it may create a “Jesus” with a great personality but one with no redeeming power and rather present “another Jesus” where viewers will be entertained but not saved.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21)

5) Jonathan Roumie’s Spiritual Affinities and His Influence on Millions

Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen, is a fervent Catholic with a strong affinity toward the New Age. He is a Knight’s Templar, and in 2020, he was nominated for papal knighthood;¹⁶ he also claims to have had “personal interactions” with a deceased Catholic “saint.” Roumie “credits his Catholic faith as the foundation of his portrayal of Jesus.”¹⁷ And now, because of his newfound celebrity status playing the role of Jesus, Roumie has gained a significant global platform through interviews, live events, YouTube, TV, radio, and social media—a platform he is using to draw his fans and followers to his Catholic beliefs and his New Age propensities.* The following is just a small sampling of Roumie’s involvement with both:

· In a YouTube video that as of this writing has had over half a million views, Roumie testifies that he utilizes the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a meditative Catholic prayer ritual that was started in 1935 by Saint Faustina. “Mother” Mary Angelica (founder of the popular Catholic station, EWTN, and teacher of the Chaplet) says this about the Chaplet:

“[Saint] Faustina stated that she received the prayer through visions and conversations with Jesus, who made specific promises regarding the recitation of the prayers.”¹⁸

· In an August 2021 statement on his Twitter account, Roumie posted a photo of himself standing next to the tomb of Padre Pio, a Roman Catholic priest and mystic who died in 1968. Roumie stated:

“Visiting Saint Padre Pio, one of the most powerful saints and witnesses to the suffering and the miracles of Christ in the 20th century, as well as one with whom I’ve had personal interactions; also the first priest on record to have had the stigmata (physically documented)!”¹⁹ (emphasis added)

*(In an interview with Roumie, a Catholic priest stated: “God bless Dallas for being able to help us [the Catholic Church] to actually spread this message of divine mercy in a way through you [Roumie].”)²⁰

· Jonathan Roumie has also become a popular voice on Hallow, the number one Catholic contemplative meditation, prayer, and sleep app. For those not familiar with contemplative prayer, you may request a free booklet from Lighthouse Trails that explains its New Age roots.²¹

^·On June 9, 2019, on Roumie’s Instagram account, Roumie praises and promotes New Age practitioner Russell Brand, a strong proponent of Transcendental Meditation.²² After spending an evening with Brand at a TM presentation, Roumie states, “fantastic night of do-gooding, meditative appreciation, and transcendental inebriation.”²³

· Roumie’s recommended reading list on Amazon includes The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything by Jesuit priest and New Age sympathizer, James Martin. The book openly teaches the panentheistic New Age doctrine of God “in” everyone and everything as the following quotes from that book illustrate: “God can be found in everything. And everyone too”;²⁴ “ We’ll look at how to find God in everything and everything in God”;²⁵“. . . goal: finding God in all things . . . encountering God . . . In all things. And in all people.”²⁶

Martin’s book teaches that one can reach a panentheistic state of New Age awareness through meditative exercises such as Lectio Divina, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius (the founder of the Jesuits), contemplative prayer, imaginative prayer, and centering prayer. These are all forms of New-Age style meditation under the guise of “Christian meditation.”²⁷ Also referenced in Martin’s book several times is Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (considered the “Father” of the New Age movement). For Roumie to list a book on his recommended reading list that is so outrightly filled with New Age practices and beliefs makes it wholly evident that he is definitely drawn to the New Age.²⁸

Some will say it doesn’t really matter that a devout Catholic who has “interactions” with the dead, participates in and promotes Catholic/New Age mystical prayer practices, and who resonates with numerous New Age-sympathizing public figures is playing Jesus because he is just acting a part. What he does with his personal life can cause no harm. But this is faulty reasoning. It is because of his role in The Chosen that he has this newly found platform that has given him a celebrity status. For example, Roumie was listed as one of “10 Catholics Who Restored Our Faith in Humanity in 2021.”²⁹ He is already influencing millions of people.

In a Zoom interview with the National Catholic Register, Roumie said that he “hopes to lead people ‘to Christ in some way.’”³⁰ Given what he is promoting and practicing, the Christ he is leading people to is a different Christ and not the biblical Jesus.

6) Dallas Jenkins—Unequally Yoked or Equally Yoked?

In August of 2021, Dallas Jenkins joined Jonathan Roumie for a visit with Pope Francis. As the two were sitting together waiting for the meeting, Roumie asked Jenkins what he was thinking at that moment. Jenkins replied:

I am honestly . . . This is a big deal because for me it represents two things that are important. One is the branching out of the show to the world. Another one is the branching out of the show to people in traditions that I wasn’t part of. So it shows that the walls are coming down. I’ve never . . . I’ve been a Christian a long time. . . . I’ve never seen a project that united more faith traditions.³¹(emphasis added)

While critics have said that Dallas Jenkins is “unequally yoked” in his connections with those of different “faith traditions,” perhaps he is actually “equally yoked.” In other words, if you look at statements like the one above, Jenkins makes it increasingly apparent that he may be more in the camp of those outside traditional biblical Christianity than those within it. Even one of the three writers for The Chosen, Tyler Thompson, is described by Jenkins as a “Cathelical” (what Jenkins says is “partly Catholic, partly evangelical)” as a 5-hour documentary on YouTube shows.³² It would be difficult for creators of The Chosen to deny that the atmosphere they’ve created is definitely ecumenical. In one YouTube video, where a Catholic interviews Mormon Executive Producer, Derral Eves, The Chosen is praised for its “ecumenical” and “inter-religious” appeal.³³

One of the people Jenkins favorably quotes is the panentheistic mystic and Franciscan priest, Richard Rohr, who is a proponent of the New Age concept of the “cosmic christ.”³⁴ In a March 14, 2019 Facebook entry, Jenkins posts an excerpt of Rohr’s book, What Do We Do With the Bible? saying that the quote was “rocking my world.”³⁵ Jenkins’ 2019 Facebook entry by Rohr states:

Just because you use Scripture, even in a God-affirming way, does not mean you’re using Scripture for life and love, growth and wisdom—and for the sake of God or others. Many of the worst genocides and atrocities in history have been supported by Scripture quotes in the mouths of selfish and scared people. Excessive God talk and quoting of Scripture are the best cover possible for a narcissistic personality. In fact, sometimes it seems to me that the churches that go on and on about “the greatness of God”—in both their sermons and their music—are often filled with the very groups and individuals that most want that greatness for themselves. I doubt if God needs us to be saying how great God is, as Satan does here with Jesus. Yes, religion is the best thing in the world and also the worst thing in the world—and so is Holy Scripture.³⁶

Rohr tries to attribute genocides and atrocities to the quoting of Scripture;³⁷ but atrocities and genocides are committed by people who do not care to follow Scripture. They are committed when people add to Scripture that which does not belong there and by people who take away from Scripture that which should be there. Scripture shines a light on evilness and is the beacon that is a light unto our path. Thus, it reveals the secrets of the heart and exposes darkness.

The derogatory manner in which Rohr speaks of God’s Word (and of those who talk about it and quote it a lot) is typical for Rohr and other popular figures today who resist the truth of the Bible.³⁸ It is disturbing that Dallas Jenkins resonates with and is “rocked” by statements such as Rohr’s, especially in light of how little scriptural content Jenkins uses in The Chosen. But it is also disturbing that Christian leaders such as Jack Hibbs³⁹ and Kirk Cameron⁴⁰ are yoking themselves to The Chosen by openly promoting the series to their countless followers.

7) Seduction by Fiction

In December of 2021, T. A. McMahon of The Berean Call ministries wrote an article titled “The Chosen Fiction.” T. A. studied filmmaking in graduate school, worked for Century Fox studios for several years, then entered a career as a screenwriter in Hollywood prior to becoming a believer. This section is an extract of T. A.’s article; used with permission.

“The Chosen Fiction”

Can the Bible be presented through the filmmaking process and stay true to what God’s Word says about His Word? This is how the process works. A movie begins with a screenplay. It’s either an original story or a screen adaptation from someone else’s work (such as the Bible). The screenplay or movie script, in addition to presenting the storyline or plot, the characters, and the dialogue, consists of visual descriptions of what is taking place in the movie story. . . .

Changes to the script always take place during filming. . . . Reasons for the changes from the original script are seemingly endless: actors’ egos, budget cuts, weather problems, location problems, the executive producer’s ego, the cameraman’s “inspirational idea” for filming a scene, union problems, stunt failures, the director’s ego, etc. . . .

As with other theatrical endeavors, “biblical” production comes about primarily through the screenwriter’s interpretation of what has been written in Scripture. Add to that the movie-making necessities and changes—things such as a storyline and dialogue related to the plot that are obviously lacking in the Bible—that, therefore, must be supplemented by the screenwriter in order to create a theatrical production.

Character descriptions are limited, at best, and must be added in order for a casting director to select the actors. Along that line, how does one cast the sinless God/Man, Jesus Christ? The perfect attributes and righteous characteristics of the Son of God could never be displayed by an actor on the screen. When such an idea is incorporated into the script, the end result is a counterfeit Christ, at best. . . . If what a person is taught about Jesus is not true to the Person revealed in the Scriptures, that character is “another Jesus” and a false Christ, no matter how endearing and engaging the actor may be. The same is true regarding all the actors representing biblical characters.

Movies are perhaps the most seductive of all media the world over. I learned as a screenwriter that manipulating an audience’s emotions was the key to a box-office success: make them laugh, make them weep, frighten them, make them cheer, arouse their passions, their lusts. In other words, control their emotions. That power of persuasion through the film medium seduces believers who normally would recognize that they are being snared by a fictional screen character. The comment most often given by those who enjoy The Chosen series is, “I really like a lot of the human qualities displayed by The Chosen’s Jesus. It’s so easy to relate to him.” . . .

The Chosen’s audience has been conditioned to accept whatever the screenwriter, director, and other creative personnel contribute, with no apparent concern for biblical accuracy. . . . Yet for the greater number of viewers, many of whom have not read the Bible regularly, the images they watch are received as though they are actually in the Bible.

I’ve been told biblical movies are great motivators for people to check the Bible out. Really? And if they do, what happens when they can’t find the movie scenes such as the gritty backstory of Mary Magdalene? Furthermore, most people would rather watch a highly dramatized Bible story with little concern that it’s fiction than read the actual words of Scripture.⁴¹

8) “Get Used to Different”?

The Jesus of The Chosen tells his disciples and global viewership to “get used to different.”⁴²However, the Bible’s Jesus Christ emphasized to His disciples and followers just the opposite—beware of different. The true Jesus warns to beware of a different Christ—a false Christ—who will pretend to be Him (Matthew 24:3-5, 15, 24). God reiterates and magnifies this warning about the coming of a different Christ—Antichrist—in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation.

While The Chosen’s creators, directors, and producers may argue that “get used to different” was just a throw-away comment in a particular situation, why has this statement become the flagship motto for the series? It’s emblazoned on Chosen merchandise from T-shirts and hoodies to ball caps and coffee mugs; and Chosen actors and staff often wear “get used to different” T-shirts when being interviewed or making a speech. In January 2022, the owners of the series applied for a U.S. Trademark for this seemingly benign and innocent motto.⁴³ We can find some very interesting insights into the marketing of The Chosen by examining a book written by Executive Producer Derral Eves, The YouTube Formula. From a section titled “The Ultimate Unicorn: Jesus,” Eves, states:

On a big project like [The Chosen], we do a multiday lockdown marketing session, but beforehand, we have several brainstorming sessions to get a good handle on who the right viewer persona would be. . . . we realized that Gen X and millennial women are the biggest spenders online, so our target buyer persona was females aged 25 to 45. We targeted the people who were the community, school, and church volunteers, the I‐love‐Jesus type. . . .

Some of our biggest contributors said they donated money because someone had pushed it to them—that someone was usually a person who fit our target persona profile (our buyer strategy worked!). In just a few short weeks, we were able to get tens of thousands of Facebook followers.

The essence here is that the more you understand and relate to your audience and create content for them, the more YouTube will connect the dots and feed them their preferred flavor of ice cream, so to speak. Maybe it’s the unicorn‐poop‐flavored kind, or maybe it’s the Jesus kind. . . .

You have to keep going back to look at your data and reevaluate. The more data that comes in, the more patterns you will see and the better you will be able to shift your strategy as needed to make better decisions about your content. . . .

When I work with clients, I always have them develop a plan to build their following before they create more content. . . . make sure you create the content specifically for them. . . .

[L]et me tell you how my partners and I built a loyal following around . . . The Chosen, and it has nothing to do with religion. Every client I work with is required to read a book called Primal Branding that teaches the fundamentals of community building. . . . When . . . Dallas Jenkins and I connected, one of the first things we talked about was building an audience. . . .

We needed a passionate social army who could see our vision and our mission and make it their own. . . . As The Chosen’s community grew, our Creed changed based on feedback and interactions with our followers. . . .

“Get used to different” became a catchphrase that viewers really responded to. So it became a Creed. . . . The same thing happened with the phrase, “Binge Jesus.” Our viewers latched onto it, and we integrated it into our Creed.44 (emphasis added)

As you can read above, a big part of The Chosen’s popularity can be attributed to adjusting the content to fit into what the “community” of targeted viewers want to see. Underlying what on the surface appears to be a project affirmed by God (as is claimed by its creators) is a well-researched, market-driven, and calculated formula to make The Chosen successful and “different.”

9) The Chosen—The Stage for a Worldwide “Revival” and “The Healing of the World”

God is tilling the soil and sowing seeds for a fertile revival. . . . I think it’s already happening, and I think we are an additional element of that story and of that accomplishment, by God.⁴⁵—Jonathan Roumie

In Season 2, The Chosen’s Jesus says he is starting a “revolution” and invites everyone to “partner” with him in “the healing of the world.”⁴⁶ But the true Christ said He did not come to bring revolution or international peace and healing, but rather “division”—to separate those who desire truth from those who oppose it (Luke 12:51). Similarly, New Age leaders talk about a world-wide revival as well. In both cases—The Chosen and the New Age—the goal is to break down barriers and bring all faith traditions together.⁴⁷

In 1898, a book titled Christianity and Anti-Christianity in Their Final Conflict by Samuel J. Andrews was released. Andrews was concerned that the church was not being warned about the Bible’s account of the last days when the Antichrist would come on the scene and deceive the world. Pastor Andrews described the Bible’s warning of “great deception”—not of a world-wide revival:

This summary of the Lord’s teaching shows us that anything like a conversion of the world before His return by the preaching of the gospel was not in His thoughts. Had it been, He could not have failed to comfort His mourning disciples, and encourage them to vigorous action by assurances of the success of their mission. But He persistently holds up before them hatred, persecution, death. His life on earth was prophetic of the history of the church; and the greatest manifestation of hostility to her, as to Him, would be at the end.48

In former New Age follower Warren Smith’s 2020 book The Titanic and Today’s Church, he shares important insights about a coming false “revival” and “revolution”:

Looking for spiritual experiences while hurrying toward “revival” without identifying, confronting, and repenting of the false teachings, false teachers, and spiritual danger in our midst . . . is symptomatic of the same false confidence and complacency the crew of the Titanic exhibited as they underestimated the physical danger in their midst. The Bible describes a great last-days deception, not a great last-days revival. . . . For the church to have revivals without repenting of the sin and deception entrenched in it does not make for a true revival.49

10) “Never Underestimate the Enemy”

Jesus Christ warned that in the last days, there would be many false christs. He said, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5). Is it possible that our adversary, the devil, could use a series such as The Chosen to deceive many?

In Season 2, Episode 4, a religious zealot, in referring to the Roman official they are seeking to kill, turns to his accomplice and states—“Never underestimate the enemy.”⁵⁰ But have Dallas Jenkins, his Mormon partners, his Catholic Jesus, and complacent viewers underestimated the enemy and where this all may be going?

In Primal Branding, the book Derral Eves recommends all his clients—including Dallas Jenkins—read, there is a haunting quote at the end of the book. The author states:

In the end, the question that primal branding finally asks is, do you want to be just another bland service organization or product on the shelf, or do you want to become a necessary and desired part of the culture? As Maureen White, a former vice president at Target, said to me, “I get it. Don’t just build a church; create a religion.”⁵¹ (emphasis added)

Is the revolutionary “movement” and “revival” The Chosen is spearheading actually sowing the seeds of a new “religion” for a New Age? Are Dallas Jenkins and his cast and crew unwittingly walking millions of people in the world and the church into a deadly deceptive trap? Would it not be wise for them to take heed to the words quoted in their own production?

Never underestimate the enemy.

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. (Amos 8:11)

To order copies of THE CHOSEN Series—10 Critical Concerns click here.

Endnotes:

1. “The Chosen, the Pope and Going Global” (RNS, August 11, 2021, https://religionnews.com/2021/08/11/the-chosen-the-pope-and-going-global).

2. The Chosen Exposen—The Full Documentary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LI484mywHU), minute mark (mm): 20:00.

3. Ed Decker and Dave Hunt, The God Makers DVD (Jeremiah Films, 1982).

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXIiv3NhIhc&t=796s, mm: 9:37-10:55.

5. Ed Decker/Dave Hunt, The God Makers (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1984, Kindle edition), chapter 1, Kindle location: 125-129.

6. In addition to The God Makers (1984), there is also The God Makers II by Ed Decker and Caryl Matrisciana (Harvest House, 1993) and Walter Martin’s The Maze of Mormonism and Kingdom of the Cults.

7. A Candid Conversation with Dallas Jenkins, Director of The Chosen (Melissa Dougherty, 4/27/21, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__-Yyq1FPQI), mm: 67:45-67:55.

8. Read Mike Oppenheimer’s booklet, Did Jesus Identify Himself as God? (read free online at: https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=19180).

9. A Candid Conversation with Dallas Jenkins, Director of The Chosen, op. cit., mm: 14:26-14:37.

10. Read “Neglecting to Test the Spirits—A Tragedy of Enormous Proportions” (https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=30277).

11. A Candid Conversation with Dallas Jenkins, op. cit., mm: 25:11.

12. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plausible.

13. The Chosen’s Biblical Roundtables (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRN3PtFebyo).

14. https://eurweb.com/2020/12/04/the-pulse-of-entertainment-season-2-of-the-chosen-begins-filming-in-utah-at-lds-motion-picture-studio.

15. The Chosen’s Biblical Roundtables, mm: 16:33.

16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnM0jIKQnbs, mm: 55:30.

17. https://www.ncregister.com/interview/actor-in-the-chosen-hopes-to-lead-people-to-christ-in-some-way.

18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVGEHr_lzbw&t and https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=34091.

19. https://twitter.com/JonathanRoumie/status/1424372235205283848.

20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3zTl7jIZO0&list=RDLVjAF5bxfNmCQ&index=3.

21. Write to P.O. Box 307, Roseburg, OR. 97470 or e-mail editors@lighthousetrails.com for the free booklet, or read online free at: https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=18192.

22. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByhHES6pzul.

23. Ibid; also see: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanRoumieOfficial/photos/i-love-how-eloquently-and-magically-my-brother-russellbrand-addressed-the-global/10158031802889597.

24. James Martin, The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything (New York, NY: HarperCollins e-books, 2010 epub edition), p. 6.

25. Ibid., p. 27.

26. Ibid., p. 391.

27. See endnote #21.

28. Read Warren B. Smith’s testimony, The Light That Was Dark: From the New Age to Amazing Grace (Mountain Stream Press,2nd Ed. 2006).

29. https://aleteia.org/2021/12/30/10-catholics-who-restored-our-faith-in-humanity-in-2021.

30. See endnote #17.

31. https://twitter.com/JonathanRoumie/status/1428034768852160515?s=20.

32. The Chosen Exposen—The Full Documentary, op. cit., mm: 259:34.

33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxqYx9Li_aM, mm: 26:29, 39:38.

34. https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=30756.

35. The Chosen Exposen—The Full Documentary, op. cit., mm: 244:00.

36. Richard Rohr, What Do We Do With the Bible? (Great Britain, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2019 edition), pp. 69-70.

37. Read Carl Teichrib booklet, Is Religion to Blame?—War, Religion, and the Interfaith Global Peace Agenda (https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=15995).

38. Read https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=28301.

39. One example: from Jack Hibb’s 11/17/21 study, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2li4P6Rx_aM, starting at 4:36 minute mark.

40. One example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ena4yu_Coc.

41. T.A. McMahon, “The Chosen Fiction” (December 1, 2021, https://www.thebereancall.org/content/chosen-fiction), used with permission from TBC.

42. “Get Used to Different” Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKYpA3A-4eY.

43. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: https://uspto.report/TM/97208962.

44. Derral Eves, The YouTube Formula (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2021, taken from the Kindle edition), pp. 149-151, 251-252, 256.

45. https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/2021/december/god-is-sowing-seeds-for-a-fertile-revival-says-actor-who-plays-jesus-as-nbsp-the-chosen-is-set-to-blitz-france.

46. Season 2 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tZ7cg4D_z8 (also in Season 1, Episode 7).

47. Read “The New Age: ‘All the World’s Great Spiritual Traditions and Paths” by Ray Yungen (https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=30719).

48. Samuel J. Andrews, Christianity and Anti-Christianity in Their Final Conflict (Bend, OR: The Berean Call edition, 2017; first published in 1899), p. 17.

49. Warren B. Smith, The Titanic and Today’s Church (Mountain Stream Press, 2020), p. 125.

50. The Chosen, Season 2, Episode 4, mm: 25:33-25:37.

51. Patrick Hanlon, Primal Branding: Create Belief Systems That Attract Communities (New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, Free Press, 2006, Kindle edition), p. 244.

“The Chosen”– AngelVid TV Series-Updated

Posted by Dan C. on May 4, 2020

Last year about this time I watched the first episode of season 1 of the VidAngel TV series The Chosen. It was free. I posted my own thoughts about it here, as well as the producer’s perspective (Dallas Jenkins) here. Now that season 1, in it’s entirety is free (great marketing strategy) I have watched all 8 episodes, as well as summarized each episode. This post will not provide the episode summaries, but instead will provide this old man’s thoughts on the series as a whole. Let’s go.

Here again is the producer’s (Dallas Jenkins) ‘disclaimer’:

“The Chosen is based on the true stories of the gospels of Jesus Christ. Some locations and timelines have been combined or condensed. Backstories and some characters or dialogue have been added.

However, all biblical and historical content and artistic imagination are designed to support the truth and intention of the Scriptures. Viewers are encouraged to read the gospels.”

That disclaimer is quite similar to many we have seen for Hollywood productions and is extremely significant. We’ll explain.

The Chosen Web page states the following, which is also very significant:

“The Chosen is the first-ever-multi-season TV show about the life of Jesus. Created outside of the Hollywood system, The Chosen allows us to see Him through the eyes of those who knew him. No matter where you are at in your journey with Jesus Christ, this TV show is for you.”

The episodes themselves follow several distinct story lines in each and every episode:

There is the story of Mary Magdalene, which seems to be the main story in Episode 1, where she receives deliverance from her demon(s). She also appears in the other episodes, traveling with Jesus and the disciples, and is presented more “fully” than in the biblical text.

Then we have the story of Nicodemus, Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, who in the first episode is traveling to Capernaum on a teaching mission. His meeting with Jesus described in John, Chapter 3 occurs in the final episodes, while previous episodes build up to the John account.

He too is present in all of the subsequent episodes.

Then we have a story centering on Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, and Matthew the tax collector. The three meet in interesting circumstance in the first episode and like the other stories they are seem in all of the season 1 episodes.

And of course, we have Jesus. He delivers Mary Magdalene in Episode 1, calls his disciples to follow him, teaches children, heals the sick, and shows great compassion to everyone he encounters.

Format

Presenting several main stories throughout the series episodes was clever, and not unlike many secular television shows. Each episode is set up to get you interested in the next one. The first free episode last year was intended to encourage you to rent/buy the rest. Last year I watched the free episode only. I wasn’t about to pay for a LOT of fiction biblical fiction. I find scripture far more interesting. Offering all of last year’s episodes for free this year encourage you to rent/buy year 2 episodes. Good marketing.

The Producer’s Disclaimer

“The Chosen is based on the true stories of the gospels of Jesus Christ. Some locations and timelines have been combined or condensed. Backstories and some characters or dialogue have been added.

However, all biblical and historical content and artistic imagination are designed to support the truth and intention of the Scriptures. Viewers are encouraged to read the gospels.”

This disclaimer heads off the ‘adding to scripture’ allegation, depending on how you define ‘adding to scripture’. Some viewers will accept that, others will not. Key terms are “Based on” and “artistic imagination”.

Similar statements have been made for other Hollywood and made for TV docudramas through the years. But should ‘artistic imagination’ be used to embellish biblical accounts? Your call. Also, I would estimate that the amount of scripture in the entire series probably wouldn’t add up to more than an hour of content, most of which was in the last two episodes. That might be too generous.

The stated purpose of The Chosen series:

“The Chosen is the first-ever-multi-season TV show about the life of Jesus. Created outside of the Hollywood system, The Chosen allows us to see Him through the eyes of those who knew him. No matter where you are at in your journey with Jesus Christ, this TV show is for you.”

More to follow on that.

Content

True to the disclaimer, much was added to the biblical account. After all, it was touted as being an in-depth look at Jesus from the viewpoint of those who knew him best. Since the New Testament accounts don’t provide that in-depth coverage, the best we can say is that those perspectives are probably accurate in some places but they might get it wrong in others.

There are a lot of segments that are made up out of whole cloth (artistic imagination). While they add a lot to the story lines, they place an undo amount of emphasis on certain aspects of the main characters, thus distracting from the life of Christ Himself.

The good news of Christ’s death for sin runs in the background, however much more time is given to His love and compassion, which is sadly similar to much of today’s evangelicalism. The serious issue of our sin before a holy God is not presented. Personally, I find that sad, but it’s entirely in line with the vast majority of today’s evangelicalism.

Issues

We are told by the producer, Dallas Jenkins, that “No matter where you are this is for you.” Yes and no. If you enjoy good clean entertainment, yes. Depending on where you are in your Christian walk however, it might not be for you. We’ll look at these issues from three perspectives.

New believers. While they have repented of sin and believed on Christ for salvation, they are still babes in terms of their knowledge of scripture. They could easily assume that all the added material (necessary for a series like this) is actually in the Bible. Their knowledge of scripture is minimal, for the most part.

Believers growing in their faith. These could be believers whose spiritual diet ranges from Facebook memes and favorite verse quotations to those involved in serious Bible study. By ‘serious’ I mean studying the Bible in context (immediate/surrounding section/book/whole Bible). They might suspect that some of the series’ content has been added to the text of the Bible, but might not. Some will even remember the disclaimer at the beginning. Some will be encouraged to more biblical research, but some will not.

Believers who really know their Bibles, having read (hopefully multiple times) and love serious Bible study (includes using different translations & good commentaries) for what is in the text and the author’s intent (human and God). They take the matter of salvation very seriously and find it sad, if not inexcusable that God’s hatred of sin and it’s eternal punishment all but missing from Season 1. There is a short mention early on, but you get no spoilers from me!

If and when they watch The Chosen they will immediately recognize most of what was added to the Bible narrative. They will most likely check out that which they are not sure of, like I did. Some might forget the early disclaimer and play the “if anyone adds to this book let him be cursed” card. Some will thoroughly enjoy it, others will be conflicted, and others will hate it.

Dans’ Personal Opinion

Jesus and the gospel message are far too important for cleverly presented stories, whether they are set in biblical times or the present. It bothers me If/when the message of the gospel that Christ died for the sins of men is diminished in any way. The gospel is a serious matter with eternal consequences.

In my opinion, the BAD news of the gospel, the problem of sin and eternal judgment, must precede the GOOD news, Christ’s substitutionary atonement for our sin. When a sinner truly recognizes the problem of sin, repents of that sin and believes in Christ, there exists true salvation. Whenever a sinner comes to Christ for his/her best life now, or any variant thereof, hell awaits a deceived sinner and Satan laughs.

Therefore, In my opinion:

The Chosen has good entertainment value. . .for Christians. It will be offensive to those who are living in rebellion to the God they know exists.
The Chosen is not a very good ‘standalone’ evangelistic tool. However, I do think it can be a conversation starter leading to a clearer presentation of the gospel. I’m not saying that no one can/will be saved watching it on their own. Many souls have been saved down through the centuries whose hearts have been opened by ‘something’, who became curious, and to whom a clear presentation of the gospel later provided.
If I apply the BIG question with which I approach Christian entertainment (Where’s the Gospel?), The Chosen series does a slightly better job than most Christian entertainment these days.

If you think that is a theologically ‘Reformed’ opinion, you would be correct. If you think it’s merely the opinion of one of those awful ‘Calvinists’, there’s help available and you can start here.

BTW, Todd Friel, over at Wrethed Radio recorded a Wretched Radio podcast after having asked for reviews of Season 1 episodes, discusses the reviews and the series in general. He did a good job. You can listen to that podcast here.

Have a blessed day!

Why I’m Not Overly Excited About the New Christian Movie ‘Overcomer’

Posted by Dan C. on September 22, 2019

I remember when I started seeing advertisements here and there about the Kendrick brothers’ new movie ‘The Overcomer’. I didn’t have the obligatory “I’ve GOT to see it!” feeling then and I don’t now, for reasons that might become clear in this article.

Please don’t hate me,

This morning I saw on Facebook a post from a friend and one of the Chaplains who serves at the chapel we attend here n Colorado. It was a link to an article from The Christian Post titled ‘”Overcomer’ opens in top 3 at box office, grosses $8.2M”. I read it and clicked the link to a previous CP article about the movie called “’Overcomer’ doesn’t water down the Gospel, still appeals to nonbelievers, filmmakers say”, which I had previously read. There a few bits from both articles I found interesting that I will share with you.

First of all, let me be really clear that I am not condemning the film,, it’s admirable production value., the churches taking busloads to see it, or any individual who pays to see it on the big screen, especially non-Christians who watch it and become interested in knowing more about Jesus Christ and saving grace as a result.

On to the subject of my lack of excitement . Also bear in mind that I have not watched the film yet, a cardinal sin worthy of a certain level of condemnation from some of my Christian brethren. At the same time, the fact that a few remarks from these articles caught my attention just might mean that I have been paying attention while engaged in reading the Bible and studying its doctrine.

Since the article about box office results after the grand opening was the first article I read this morning, Keep in mind that I often read these sorts of articles about Christian film productions with the question “Did it/will it present a clear message of the gospel of Jesus Christ?”

The movie’s theme centers around a basketball coach in a manufacturing town who loses his tem when the plant sits down and a lot of people leave town. He ends up coaching a sport he doesn’t even enjoy and ends up realizing that his true identity is found in Christ, not in his own accomplishments. The ‘gospel’ moment in the article was this:

“As previously reported, the film does not shy away from the Kendrick brothers’ Christian message and centers around the message of Ephesians 1 and 2, which focuses on identity. The movie includes a scene where the sinner’s prayer is spoken and touches on things like learning how to pray and how to know God.”

That the sinner’s prayer is spoken could be a good thing, if what precedes the praying is an accurate discussion of WHY it needs praying – that all of , until God saves us, ‘dead in our trespasses and sin’ and ‘by nature children of wrath’ , as we are told in the first few chapters of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, which seems to be the source of the film’s argument that our true identify is in Christ, not our accomplishments.

The article tells us this:

“As previously reported, the film does not shy away from the Kendrick brothers’ Christian message and centers around the message of Ephesians 1 and 2, which focuses on identity. The movie includes a scene where the sinner’s prayer is spoken and touches on things like learning how to pray and how to know God.

“Satan loves to convince people that they’re the opposite of what Ephesians 1, 2 and 3 say they are,” Alex Kendrick told The Christian Post during a sit-down interview with CP earlier this month. “

While I agree with the above sentiment, it is nowhere found in the referenced Ephesian text. The actual text focuses on our natural state without Christ , (‘dead in our trespasses and sin’ and ‘by nature children of wrath’ . Then we wee in the text of Ephesians what are perhaps the most important words in all of scripture “But God……”, followed by a beautiful description of God’s complete sovereignty in the salvation of men, It is God who raises up dead men, makes them alive in Christ , and gives them a new identity.

This new identity in Christ is very real, and the result of God’s intent to save all of his people, through the shed blood of his only Son.. Does ‘Overcomer’ address the ‘dead n trespasses and sin’ and ‘by nature children of wrath’ pieces of the puzzle?

On to the second article, ‘Overcomer’ doesn’t water down the Gospel, still appeals to nonbelievers, filmmakers say, which preceded It preceded report of the film’s opening by a few weeks.

While it provided a more detailed description of the movie’s theme and story line, it also said this:

““There’s a temptation to water down the truth, and the whole time we’ve been very overt and open about what we believe,” Stephen Kendrick said. “This story doesn’t water down the Gospel, and it’s embedded with the truth. We believe, now more than ever, that the Church needs to hear overt truth.”

Stephen Kendrick tells us that ‘there’s a temptation to water down the truth” (very true), and that ““This story doesn’t water down the Gospel”. (It doesn’t?)

“But we also understand the need to go to nonbelievers and communicate biblical truth in like a parable format as Jesus did. We try to package truth in an inspirational story that anybody can relate to. Everybody’s going to be touched by marriage difficulties at one point or another, or the trials that come with losing your identity. So regardless of what you believe, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll enjoy the movie, even if you don’t know the Lord. We try to include the Gospel in all of our movies so that a nonbeliever will hear it and hopefully come to Christ as a result of it.”

We are told that we all have marriage difficulties and trials that come with losing our identities, which is also true, Then comes the most troubling tidbit (at least for this guy):

“We try to include the Gospel in all of our movies so that a nonbeliever will hear it and hopefully come to Christ as a result of it.”

Doesn’t the Bible tell us that the unbeliever hates God and cannot please Him (Romans 8:7-8),or even understand spiritual things and considers them foolishness (which the gospel is) (1 Corinthians 2:14)?

Lastly, no unbeliever truly comes to Christ to ‘rediscover their identity’. There is one, and only one reason to embrace Christ – for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus died to fix our sin problem, not our identity crisis. ‘Overcomer’ might be a good movie fort hose who are already believers (like the movie’s main character) and having identity issues, but if it doesn’t discuss the issues of sin and repentance from it for the forgiveness of sins, it’s weak in the proclamation of the gospel. The ‘gospel’ that says Jesus died to solve your identity crisis (or any other temporal problem) can’t save anyone, but it might point them in the right direction.

Heaven’s War

Posted by Dan C. on July 4, 2019

Trapped between worlds! After a terrorist bomb explodes, US senator Jonah Thomas is forced into an epic battle fought somewhere between life and death, Heaven and Hell.

While FBI agents and terrorists fight for his life in one world, angels and demons wage war for his soul in another. Will Jonah learn the truth and find his way home before it’s too late?
“One of the most powerful presentations of the gospel ever produced in film.”
– Tim Utekal, Secondly Magazine
“Awesome! A supernatural thriller that beautifully presents the gospel.”
– Jonathan Falwell, author, pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church
“A powerful story of the spiritual battle that rages around us for every human soul.”
– Edwin L Carpenter, Dove.org

General Observations:

The movie tackles the problem of sin and the reality of hell. In fact, at one point we see screaming people falling into a flaming hell, inducing corrupt politicians..

The truth that everyone will one day stand before the Judgment and give account for all deeds done in this life is well presented.

The power of prayer is presented mainly through Jonah’s dying mother and his wife.

The movie presents the message that Christ died for the sins of the world. The archangel Gabriel presents John 3:16 to Jonah Thomas while they are in the spiritual realm where Gabriel, with a little help from his friends, does battle with demons, over Jonah’s soul.

Jonah finally sees the truth (Gabriel’s goal) and surrenders to Jesus, giving his life to the Savior.

Spiritual warfare over the souls of men is the overarching theme of the movie. Some might think the spiritual warfare theme, complete with ‘battle’ scenes and CGI effects overshadow Jonah’s giving his life to Jesus.

There is a happy ending of course, with Jonah, his wife and daughter walking off into the distance and shining sunlight, the“light of Christ”.

The final narrative quote was interesting. As the trio are walking away into the light, we hear the narrator say:

“But for those who do the will of God, they will one day have every tear and every sorrow wiped away and they will live forever in the glory and love of our Lord Jesus.”

Personal Observations:

I purchased the DVD because I kept getting ads on Facebook (must be an algorithm). But rather than pay the full ‘sale’ price, I bought 4 DVDs. Other short reviews might follow this one. We actually watched one of the other DVDs first.

As with other contemporary ‘Christian’ films, I watched this one wondering whether there would be a clear presentation of the gospel. Oftentimes it’s missing. By that I mean a gospel message that included the issue of sin, the need for repentance, and the solution of Christ’s death for sin. For that, the film gets high marks. Christ’s death for the sins of the world was clearly presented. That Christ’s death was for the sins of the whole world, without further clarification, is typical when the intent is to communicate that Christ died for all of the sins of all men, a matter of debate between Calvinists and Arminians.

The film clearly communicated that Christ’s love can breach any obstacle to believing in his sacrifice for sins. And although final judgment is depicted, along with unbelievers being cast into hell, the fact that Jesus is both savior and judge seemed to be blurred. While Christ’s love is clearly presented, Jesus is not presented as presiding at the final judgment. Nevertheless, judgment for sin is clearly presented.

At the end of the day, salvation is presented as the result of Jonah’s free will decision, thus making human decision the determining factor in salvation, which is probably the prevailing opinion of the vast majority of evangelicals.

While salvation is rightly presented as a ‘free gift’, the final narration could communicate that final salvation is conditioned on ‘obedience to the will of God’, possibly conflating law and grace. Here again is the ending:

“But for those who do the will of God, they will one day have every tear and every sorrow wiped away and they will live forever in the glory and love of our Lord Jesus.”

The film seems to teach that although salvation is a free gift to be received by ‘giving one’s heart to Jesus”, living for eternity in the presence of Christ depends on human obedience.

It is my belief, from scripture, that genuine salvation unfailingly produces a life of obedience to the will of God, and naturally results in eternity with Christ. Perhaps the film’s producers also believe that, but it just could have been better communicated.

All in all, it was much better than most of today’s Christian film offerings, which are mostly adventures in missing the point of the gospel message.

“The Chosen’ – from the Producer’s Viewpoint

Posted by Dan C. on April 30, 2019

If you would like to find out more about ‘The Chosen’ series, there’s an interesting article here. It’s actually an interview with Dallas Jenkins, the producer. Here’s one of the questions he was asked, along with his answer:

How would you contrast The Chosen with other dramatizations of the ministry of Christ?

Jenkins: A lot of Jesus projects are done like a docudrama. They take you from Bible verse to Bible verse, miracle to miracle, story to story — and they’re not intended to get deep into the people with whom Jesus surrounded himself.

Our show really digs in to its characters, making it as human and real as possible. Simon Peter was married, so let’s explore what married life was like back then. We know Simon’s personality from the text. How does it translate when he is at home with his wife?

One day on set, we were shooting a scene where they argue as a married couple. I remember saying to some people around me: “I’ve watched all the Bible shows, and I’ve never seen a married couple fight. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a married couple kiss in a Bible show. Or even a married couple at all in those shows!”

We’re taking the time to get deep into these stories. That’s the beauty of doing a multi-season show, as opposed to a 90-minute movie or a small miniseries. Then when the redemption or victory comes, you’ve had time to feel the desperation and need for it.

Note that the producer’s purpose was to “get deep into the people with whom Jesus surrounded himself”. It appears that this series will accomplish that purpose, and in all fairness, Episode 1 did just that. Having said that, the text of the Bible doesn’t go deep into the lives of the people who knew and surrounded Jesus. Therefore, much of the series has to come from ‘outside’ sources, from what we know of the history and culture of the day, as well as from the imaginations of the writers. I think that was done well also.

At the end of the day, the production value seems to be excellent, as is the ‘entertainment’ value. It would be interesting to find out how well it actually treats the redemption story.

At any rate, please don’t let me dissuade you from paying $30.00 to be able to view the entire series. If you want to discuss it, I’d be happy to host that discussion here at The Battle Cry, no matter what you think about it.

“The Chosen”– AngelVid TV Series

Posted by Dan C. on April 29, 2019

The Chosen is recently launched television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ. The series’ creators wanted to distinguish this new series from previous portrayals of Jesus by crafting a multi-season, episode-based story rather than a single film that depicts a single moment or attempts to depict his entire life. The series will portray Jesus “through the eyes of those who met him”.

When I first saw the Facebook advertisements, I confess I was not really interested in another film version of the life of Christ, for reasons I won’t explain here. They kept coming (thank you, Facebook algorithm). Even with an offer to watch the first episode for free was an insufficient inducement to dive in. Then I read some interesting Facebook comments, ranging from a couple that were extremely negative, to the majority that really loved the first episode, with some purchasing the next three episodes (more on that later).

So why not watch the free episode? So I did.

Here’s the opening disclaimer which was similar to those at the beginning of previous Bible based films.

“The Chosen is based on the true stories of the gospels of Jesus Christ. Some locations and timelines have been combined or condensed. Backstories and some characters or dialogue have been added.

However, all biblical and historical content and artistic imagination are designed to support the truth and intention of the Scriptures. Viewers are encouraged to read the gospels.”

The key phrases in the above disclaimer are “based on true stories”, “designed to support the truth and intention of scriptures”. “Viewers are encouraged to read the gospels.” might well have been followed by “….. if you are more interested in what is actually true”. Trust me.

If you hate spoilers, read no further.

The Episode 1 main biblical characters are Nicodemus, Peter & Andrew, Lilith/Mary Magdalene, Matthew, and Jesus of curse (at the very end of the episode). That they are actual characters in the Bible is definitely true. Most of what is told about them in the first episode is pretty much some of the material that was ‘added’ to the biblical account.

The episode follows three story lines. It begins with the Lilith/Mary Magdalene character as a small child who is often troubled in the night, and whose Father tells her to ‘read the words’, a reference to a passage in Isaiah. She appears off and on throughout the film, at the end having demons cast out by Jesus, but not as dramatically as the Jesus in the “Jesus, His Life” Mary Magdalene episode. I had to look up the ‘Lilith’ name, by which she is called until the very end when Jesus calls her ‘Mary’. Lilith was a winged female demon in Babylonian mythology. Her story actually appears in Hebrew mythology.

Next we see Nicodemus traveling down a dusty road with his wife, on his annual visit to Capernaum. It was during this visit that Nicodemus is called upon to perform an exorcism on a woman who was causing a lot of trouble. It was the Lilith character, and Nicodemus fails, setting up the deliverance by Jesus at the end of the episode.

We meet Peter and Andrew in an early form of ‘Fight Club’, or so it seems. They have a racket going. Peter does the fighting and Andrew controls much of the gambling going on. They are of course fishermen, but Roman taxes are driving them out of business. They are condemned by Nicodemus as unholy and wicked men because they go fishing on Shabbat.

Then we have Matthew, the much hated Hebrew tax collector. In the film, there is a scene in which Peter and Andrew appear at his tax collection window and they don’t have enough to pay their taxes and penalties, even though they filed numerous extensions (like with the IRS). The get out of paying (for now) because of a ‘deal’ made with Quintus, a Roman official.

Enough of the story lines. I left out a lot of the details, which were actually interesting, even though most of it was from the imagination of the writers. In the telling of the stories there was also a bit of well-planned suspense. It was hard to put things together during the film sequence, but if you know your Bible, you can see how things are tied together. The ending was intended to get you interested in watching more, for sure! If you like a good story, with some pretty good action, some suspense, and a good sound track, go for it – for a price

To ‘unlock’ the next episodes all you need to is pay $29.99 you can watch all of the episodes, get an exclusive DVD, a free devotional guide, and a FREE 3 month subscription to VidAngel, the streaming service hosting the multi-year series.

If you like this sort of entertainment, go for it. Judging by Facebook comments, may do. Some thought the first episode was REALLY good! One lady said she ‘was moved to tears’! I was hammered by one person who thought my saying I would review it for Biblical accuracy was being way too ‘negative’.

On the other hand, if you don’t think that wrapping a lot of fiction around characters of the Bible is appropriate for serious Christians, if you think that God’s written revelation to his children is worth far more than being used for entertainment purposes, don’t waste your money.

It’s up to you.

‘Jesus, His Life’ History Channel Series – One Blogger’s Observations

Posted by Dan C. on April 22, 2019

‘Jesus, His Life’ was a History channel multiple episode look at the life of Jesus, as told by the people in his life who were closest to him. Eight episodes were aired leading up to Easter told by Joseph, John the Baptist, Mary the Mother of Jesus, Caiaphas, Judas, Pilate, Mary Magdalene, and Peter.

I’m not going to reiterate all of the personal comments contained in the reviews we posted, but share three observations and try and answer one question

Observation 1

Pastor Gabe Hughes, whose review of the first episode strongly suggested that this series would miss the true message of the gospel – that Jesus died for the sins of His people, was right. There were only two significant mentions of sin in the series, at least that I could see, and I watched every episode. One commentator, Adam Marshak, told us, “John’s (the Baptist) message is simple; repent of your sins, receive Baptism, receive purification, and you will be saved.” Was he teaching ‘baptismal’ regeneration? If the answer is yes, he was presenting a false gospel, repudiated in both the Old and New Testaments. The second reference to sin was actually an excellent comment. “There is nothing more important in Christianity than the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus defeats death, so he defeats sin, and his being raised to new life is about the promise to Christians that they too will be raised on the last day.” (Mark Goodacre)

Observation 2

The ‘gospel’ message presented was that Jesus was sent by God to save/fix everything that is wrong with the world, over and over again, by multiple commentators. In a word, ‘social justice’ is the gospel message delivered to the viewer. While matters of justice in society are addressed in the Bible, they are the natural result of Salvation, as believers are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and by that Spirit are urged to love & care for others in a myriad of ways.

Observation 3

In the episode covering the Last Supper, Jesus says, “This is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many.”, using the Mark 4:24 reference. The Matthew 26:28 passage says, “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Probably not a really big deal, but certainly a missed opportunity to include the specific reason shed his blood.

Summary Observation

So from beginning to end, this film series completely MISSED presenting the gospel message that actually saves sinners – that Jesus died for the sins of His people, the very message the Angel bought to Joseph before the Savior’s birth.!

The Question: WHY?

Why do these sorts of films keep failing to share a message that can actually save sinners?

First of all, let me say that I completely understand why secular film makers, who are not themselves believers in Christ, would miss the true gospel. The Bible I read tells me that all unbelievers are lost and in bondage to sin, living in darkness, and in rebellion against their creator. I get that. Such a message won’t generate a large audience, or sell many tickets at the box office.

But why do professing believers keep failing to share the gospel that is about the problem of sin? Well I know why some do (Think Joel Osteen, the series producer). He told Larry King, during an interview, that he never dwells on sin. After all, we all know we sin and it’s not really necessary. In the same interview Joel said he sees himself as more of a life coach than anything else (like a biblical preacher?)

The series was full of commentators who were ordained ministers or, connected to Christian institutions. They didn’t share the genuine gospel either! This series doesn’t stand alone in that regard. The other productions mentioned at the beginning of this post were exactly same. This missing the gospel trends is also a prevailing characteristic of most offerings from Pureflix. I watched a fair amount of Pureflix offerings and finally stopped. They were too painful to watch.

I suspect this trend is based partly on the thought that if we just tell people how much Jesus loves them – wants to bless them in every way materially, and how special they are (God can’t even imagine heaven without us), they will find it really hard NOT to give their lives to Jesus, ask him into their hearts, walk an aisle, or repeat a special prayer, and all by making own ‘free will’ decision. In all fairness, there are many that believe that this is the BEST way to share the gospel. There was a time when I believed it myself. That was a LONG tome ago, before I read the Bible a few more times, and feel in love with the soul humbling doctrines of Sovereign grace.

The Apostle Paul tells us the true gospel is offensive to unbelievers, in their ‘natural’ state. The bad news about sin is deeply offensive to those who love their sin (all lost people). Paul also told us not to remove the natural offensiveness of the gospel (Gal 5:11, 1 Cor 1:17), yet we do, over and over again. Paul also proclaimed that he was NOT ashamed of that gospel (Acts 1:16). This offensive message is THE message that has the power to save sinners!

I see only two possible reasons for not sharing a gospel message that hits to the core problem we all have – SIN. We might have been taught that we just need to ‘attract’ people to Jesus and talking about sin could drive them away. Or, perhaps we are just ‘Ashamed of the Gospel’, as John MacArthur’s book of that name presents to us so clearly.

Again, I’m not trying to be unduly harsh with the makers of this, or any other of today’s popular Christian film offerings. But for this this old soldier, if I fail to share the true gospel, and trust in the sovereignty of God to save His own, just as the Angel promised Joseph, I am either ashamed of the gospel, or I have a very low view of God.

As for this, and many other “Christian’ offerings from the entertainment industry, most are nothing more than ‘adventures in missing the point.’ It was true of the other Bible based offerings we have reviewed here at The Battle Cry. And it it’s true of most Pureflix offerings. It was true of every single one that I watched some of their productions.

A bit of advice. 1) Pray for God to open hearts to receive the ‘bad news’ and the ‘good news’. 2) Pray that He send His gospel to the hearts He opened to hear it. 3) Be ready to be the messenger and share the whole gospel, with gentleness and love. Take the conversation to the ‘bad’ news first, followed by the good news.

“He WILL save His people from their sins.”

_______________

In you didn’t have the opportunity to read an old guy’s reviews of the series episodes, here are the links:

Jesus, His Life, Episode 1: Joseph: the Nativity – Pastor Gabe Hughes
Jesus, His Life, Episode 2–John the Baptist: The Mission
Jesus, His Life, Episode 3: Mary, The First Miracles
Jesus, His Life, Episode 4: Caiaphas: The Raising of Lazarus
Jesus, His Life, Episode 5: Judas: The Betrayal
Jesus, His Life, Episode 6: Pilate: The Trial
Jesus, His Life, Episode 7: Mary Magdalene: The Crucifixion
Jesus, His Life, Episode 8: Peter: The Resurrection

Jesus, His Life – Episode 8: Peter: The Resurrection

Posted by Dan C. on April 20, 2019

After the same ‘Series’ introduction, we have the Episode 7 introductions:

“Peter is what I would call the ‘ride or die’ disciple. Jesus came into his life and changed it forever.” – (Reverend Dr. Otis Moss III)

We see Jesus, speaking to Peter in front of a group of followers: “I tell you, you are now Peter, the Rock. On this Rock I will build my church.”

“Peter really believed that he was going to be the faithful disciple, but that’s not what happens.”- (Nicola Denzey Lewis, Religion Professor, Claremont)

“It’s a story of redemption. Peter becomes the foundation stone on which Christianity is established.” – (Assoc. Prof. Robert Cargill, University of Iowa)

The opening scene has Peter walking away from a lake (Sea of Galilee?) sharing his story. (After having denounced Jesus and been forgiven?)

“My name is Peter and I have been given a second chance to deliver the message of Jesus. This time I won’t let him down.”

Flashback to Mary Magdalene telling Jesus’ followers she has seen the Lord. Peter is angry at Mary for ‘disrespecting’ them with her ravings. He was afraid she was telling the truth and he would have to look the Lord in the eye knowing he had failed him.

Flashback to months earlier, by the Sea of Galilee.

In the gospels Peter is the first disciple called by Jesus. (Adam Marshak, History Teacher)

Jesus reached out to Peter, perhaps because he was fisherman and Jesus knew these were hard working people. The understand what it means to be hungry, what it means to struggle, what it means to work hard.” (Pastor Susan Sparks)

Some background: In Galilee it would have been incredibly hard. People are one boat ride away from starvation. Everything they catch is going to be taxed by Rome, and local tax collectors would take something for themselves. (Rev Otis Moss III)

We see the calling of the rest of the disciples. They’ve been fishing all night and Jesus tells them to go t deep water and let down their nets. Peter is hesitant but goes anyway. The huge catch of fish. Peter is humbled and Jesus tells him not to be afraid and from then on he would be catching people.

A commentator tells us Peter would have known what Jesus meant by ‘fishers of men’, but then we see Peter walking along and wondering what Jesus meant. (????). But he also knew he would always be Jesus’ devoted follower.

Some people think Jesus was like a Marine recruiter looking for a few good men but he was just looking for men who would be willing. (Ben Witherington)

Peter seems to have been looking for something, or at least Peter was really ready to learn, when Jesus called him. (FR Martin) (speculation)

Peter is drawn to Jesus’ teaching, but he might have been a problem student for Jesus because he asked so many questions. But Jesus saw a spark of passion in Peter, which was what he was looking for in his disciples.

One day, Jesus and the disciples are walking along discussing what some are saying about the identity of Jesus. Jesus asks Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You’re the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And of course, Jesus’ reply to Peter:

“I tell you, you are now Peter, the Rock. On this Rock I will build my church.”

We are told that this has tremendous significance because Peter will become the foundation stone of the Christian Movement. (Dr Cargill) (Roman Catholicism, anyone?)

Nest we see a scene from a previous episode where Jesus and the disciples are escaping through the city streets after Jesus had cause some trouble. Peter narrates:

“I wasn’t just Simon of Galilee anymore, I was Peter, the Rock. Over the coming I was right there by his side. People laughed, spat in his face. I shielded him when they threw punches and threw stones. And I was there when they started to listen. So when he told me we would enter Jerusalem once more I was worried.”

Jesus was a surprising choice to head the movement, being just a fisherman. He wasn’t educated, spoke only Aramaic. But Jesus’ concern was to pick someone who has the character and the deep courage to be a follower of Jesus even if it could cost one their life. (Ben Witherington)

After commercial we are taken to the triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, with commentary of course.

“Jesus’ message is dangerous, but for Jesus, Jerusalem is the only place he could possibly go. It’s not only the political, it’s also the religious center of Jewish life.” (Adam Marshak, Fordham University)

“The symbolism of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem should not be lost. This isn’t just a guy taking a ride on a donkey. This is a reenactment of the Jewish coronation of the King of Israel. Peter’s vision of a Messiah is someone who is going to help overthrow foreign rule, in this case Roman rule, and establish a Jewish kingdom (Dr. Robert Cargill)

“I think even Peter, at that point, could see the threat and danger that Jesus was generating. (Pastor Susan Sparks)

NOTE: We continue to see scenes also used in previous episodes this was done a lot, since the same scenes are discussed from the various character’s viewpoints.

Continuing in the Jerusalem scene we wear Peter, “He’s everything we’ve been waiting for. The fulfillment of divine destiny, the start of a glorious new kingdom. But how quickly that all changed.”

On to the Last Supper.

“The last supper rolls around and Peter does not have the exuberance that he had before. There is a slow and impending wait that is upon him and the other disciples.” (Rev Otis Moss)

We see Jesus washing Peter’s feet.

“Peter is horrified at the idea of Jesus washing their feet because he is their leader and this is something a slave would do.” FR Martin)

“When Jesus is washing the disciples’ feet, he’s saying that he’s not come as sort of a royal military king, but as a suffering figure, and he’s acting that role of servant with his disciples.” (Mark Goodacre, Duke University)

“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me. . . . This is the blood of my covenant, which is poured out for many.” – Jesus (Same omission of ‘for the remission of sins.’)

“The last supper becomes the origin of the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, for Christians. (Dr. Cargill)

“Hearing the Messiah speaking about death, and having already witnessed his power, Peter is confused. How is this possible and how is this a revolution? Peter doesn’t quite get it. (Rev. Otis Moss)

“I don’t think Peter expected Jesus to be a Messiah who would start a movement so powerful it would get him killed. I think he expected Jesus to raise up the oppressed, but to push it to the point where the Roman government was so threatened by him that he had to be crucified? I don’t think he saw that coming.” (Pastor Susan Sparks)

Jesus tells Peter “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail you.”, predicting Peter’s denial. Peter objects.

We are taken to the Garden. Jesus goes to pray and Peter follows him. Peter narrates, “Jesus is restless, I was worried. His words had disturbed me and I knew that our arrival in Jerusalem would alert the authorities, but he was insistent. (No gospel records anything about anyone following Jesus in the Garden, only that Jesus went there with Peter, James, and John and asked them to keep watch and pray while he separated himself from them and later scolds them.)

They come to arrest Jesus, Peter cuts of Malchus’ ear and Jesus heals him. Peter is surprised that Jesus healed Malchus instead of fighting!

We head back to Jerusalem and witness Peter’s three betrayals, with a lot dialogue and dramatic commentary.

Peter and the disciples go into hiding. We see Peter filled with self-doubt and loathing, but we are told by one commentator, “I think we should be incredibly sympathetic toward Peter and his denial. Yes, he denied Jesus, but he did it because he was profoundly scared. I think that this denial is one of those moments that comes out as really really human. All of us can relate to a time when we fell short because we were scared, and this is Peter’s moment.” (Adam Marshak)

During the carrying of the cross through the streets of Jerusalem, Peter and the disciples are waiting in hiding, where they remain throughout the crucifixion.

After several days, Mary Magdalene is the first person to see the risen Lord and reports to the disciple that he has risen. Peter scolds Mary because he doesn’t believe her. (Couldn’t find that in the gospels?)

Peter goes to the tomb by himself to investigate and sees the guards at the tomb. (Also not accurate?)

Jesus appears to his disciples and followers where they are hiding, confirming his identity to them.

“When Peter saw the risen Jesus, he knew he was seeing something unprecedented. This was not a hallucination or some spiritual ghostlike being. This was a transformed, glorified body that could be touched, but also could enter locked rooms. Peter must have been in utter awe.” (Michael Peppard)

“There is nothing more important in Christianity than the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus defeats death, so he defeats sin, and his being raised to new life is about the promise to Christians that they too will be raised on the last day. (Mark Goodacre) (Excellent comment!)

Peter, feeling that he had lost his last chance for forgiveness went back to Galilee, to his life as a fisherman. He knew he had failed. What else could he do? He discovers he could not just go back to being a fisherman. He thinks it’s all over, and also reflects upon all that has happened. He is still struggling with having denied Jesus. He needs to find forgiveness. (perfectly reasonable sentiments).

One day, while Peter is fishing, he sees Jesus. He knows that Jesus had come for him, Peter. His mental chains had come loose!

Jesus reinstates Peter by questioning him:

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17)

“And with those statements; ‘Feed my lambs’, ‘Tend my sheep.”, “Feed my sheep.”, a threefold re-commissioning, just as there had been a threefold denial, and Peter is restored to being the leader of disciples.” (Ben Witherington)

“From that moment I knew I would be able to do whatever Jesus commanded of me. I’d been given a second chance” – Peter

“Jesus’ great commission is sort of a ‘Big Bang’ moment for Christianity, because it’s the moment where it takes off. Jesus s telling his disciples that they need to spread the word.” (Nicola Denzey Lewis)

The disciples are gathered on the shore and Jesus commissions them to make disciples of all nations.

“This is the first missionary movement in religious history. This is the first time anybody says go out and recruit people in mass.” (Dr Cargill)

Peter tells us:

“I knew Jesus as my teacher, my friend, and as the Son of God. Because of him I am restored. I have regained my purpose.”

“We see Peter a transformed man. He has finally gotten it. He comes out renewed, more confident, ready to go forward, and in fact, he does go forward.” (Nicola Denzey Lewis)

“Peter understood his task was to reclaim various people for the following of Jesus, and to go throughout the Empire to do this.” (Ben Witherington)

“Christianity spreads rapidly throughout the Roman Empire. In less than a decade after the death of Jesus there were probably 10,000 Christians. 200 years after Jesus’ death there might be close to a million Christians. And 300 years after the death of Jesus, the Roman Emperor himself, Constantine converts to Christianity.” (Dr. Cargill)

Cue aerial shot of the Vatican, and the explanation of how Peter goes to Rome and becomes the first Pope. “Is it historical?”, asks Nicola Denzey Lewis. She talks about Jesus’ words to Peter inscribed in the Vatican. And when we read Paul’s letter to the Romans and you don’t find Peter (Ben Witherington).

We Gain see Jesus speaking those famous words to Peter:

“I tell you, you are now Peter, the Rock. On this Rock I will build my church.”

“Peter’s story ends, according to tradition, with him being crucified in Rome, upside down, because he insists he’s not worthy to be crucified the same way as his Lord.” (Mar Goodacre)

“Peter’s story is, in a sense, all of our stories. We make mistakes, we have flaws and weaknesses. But like Peter, we can receive forgiveness and get back up again.” (Pastor Joel, of course! After all, he was the main producer of the series.)

The final scene has Peter walking briskly across rocky ground and saying,

“I am Peter, the Rock, and I will go forth and build His church!”

The End

Dan’s final thoughts:

This post might seem a bit long, but I wanted to be meticulous and accurately describe both the film and commentary, including the names of the commentators, which was a chore in itself, so

As with the previous episodes, this one was filled with the ‘thoughts’ of the main character (Peter). And again, some of those thoughts were reasonable while others are just the musings of various leaders in the church and academia. In all honesty, we are never told in the new Testament how any of the series characters were feeling and thinking.

I thought it interesting that mention was made about the historicity of Peter as the first Pope. After all, quite a few of the commentators were either Roman Catholic or connected to Roman Catholic institutions. A little ‘political correctness’? Who knows?

We do have an excellent comment by Mark Goodacre:

_________________________

I’ll try and have some summary observations up soon.

_________________________

And in case you might like them, Here are the links to all 8 reviews:

Jesus, His Life, Episode 1: Joseph: the Nativity – Pastor Gabe Hughes

Jesus, His Life, Episode 2–John the Baptist: The Mission

Jesus, His Life, Episode 3: Mary, The First Miracles

Jesus, His Life, Episode 4: Caiaphas: The Raising of Lazarus

Jesus, His Life, Episode 5: Judas: The Betrayal

Jesus, His Life, Episode 6: Pilate: The Trial

Jesus, His Life, Episode 7: Mary Magdalene: The Crucifixion

Jesus, His Life, Episode 8: Peter: The Resurrection

Jesus, His Life – Episode 7: Mary Magdalene: The Crucifixion

Posted by Dan C. on April 19, 2019

Now that two more episodes popped up at History.com I have more work to do. I originally thought there were to be only six parts (Pastor Gabe’s review of the first one) I had actually had an overall summary with a few observations in the hopper, but now it will have to wait. On to Episode 7. I apologize in advance for any impending sarcasm.

After the same ‘Series’ introduction, we are told, by various commentators, in the introduction to this specific episode:

“In many senses, she (Mary Magdalene) is the ideal disciple.”(Maybe?)

“She was at the crucifixion, She was at the resurrection.”(True)

“She is the one who receives the message.” Cue Jesus saying “I am ascending to my father.”

“As the first witness to the resurrection, Mary Magdalene is arguably ‘the beginning of Christianity’.” (I’m not sure how that even makes sense.)

The opening scene is a busy Jerusalem street on the day Jesus carried his cross through the city streets.

We hear Mary thinking to herself, “Jesus saved me from myself.” “ He made this woman.” “Who am I without him?” “Some horror is a test for even the strongest and bravest.” “ I am neither, and yet I thought he was going to change the world.” (That Jesus came to ‘change the world’ is a recurring theme in the series.

We see Jesus carrying his cross (the entire cross, not just the cross-beam). He glances over at Mary.

Flashback to ‘months earlier’.

Professor Nicola Denzey Lewis, Professor of Early Christian History, tells us “We first see Mary Magdalene possessed by seven demons. In modern terms it might have been schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, or maybe even PTSD.” (Maybe she thought actual demon possession manifested itself in the same sorts of behavior as the issues she mentioned?)

Ms. Lewis adds, “She (Mary Magdalene) comes to Jesus to be healed.” We see Mary pleading with Jesus and asking Jesus, “Do you see them?” Jesus says, “Yes I do.” (See Luke 8:1-3. We are only told that Mary was among some women who had been cured of evil spirits and she had had 7 demons. This dialogue, as well as the exorcism described below were complete fabrications.)

We witness the exorcism. Jesus grasps Mary by the shoulders and Mary’s hands seem to be reaching out for Jesus’ neck. The whole exorcism process looks almost like a wrestling match. Jesus commands the demons, “Come out of the woman, you unclean spirits!” With his hand pressing down on Mary’s head (looked a bit like Benny Hinn, but Mary didn’t fall over/swoon.), he commands the demons again. “Be quiet!” “I command you to come out of her!” (By now, Jesus is breathing heavily – from all the wrestling, I guess.) “Do not enter her again!” Mary steps backward, quiet, peaceful, and healed.

Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, tells what just really happened:

“In that moment, Jesus freed her from whatever the demons were in her life.” “Jesus’ way of life, his teachings, the way he dealt with folks, it sets her free!” (There’s a difference between demonic possession and having ‘demons in your life’)

NOTE: All of the above took place within the first 5 minutes of the episode! Cue to commercials.

After the commercials, we see another non-existent (in the NT) short exchange of words between Mary Magdalene and Jesus. Jesus asks “What is your name?” She answers “Mary.” They hug it out.

“This is a life changing moment. She goes from being a deeply troubled person to a follower of a great teacher and preacher.”( Professor Ben Witherington III, Asbbury Theological Seminary)

We are given background information concerning Mary and her connection to Magdala, a city next to the Sea of Galilee. It was more common for women’s names to be connected to their husbands or fathers and quite unusual for a connection to a place. We are also told that many people see her as a ‘sinner’ mostly due to Gregory the Great branding her a prostitute in 591 A.D. (there is an account in Luke 7, of an unnamed woman, called a sinner, anointing Jesus feet at the house of a Pharisee)

Jesus is arrested and Jesus’ followers are seen gathered in a house. Some of the women go looking for Jesus, but the men are too afraid. For their lives.

“The women were at the forefront during the Passion weak” (Dr. Michael Peppard, Assoc. Professor of NT Studies, Fordham University)

We are told that the reason Jesus is being crucified is because he is a threat for both Roman and Religious authorities in Jerusalem.

Then we are watching Jesus carrying the cross through the streets of Jerusalem, along with more of Mary’s thoughts as she watched events unfold: “I had seen what he could do. He could have stopped this, but he didn’t Why?”

Joshua Dubois (President Obama’s Faith Advisor) comments on the cross, “The cross is a serious matter, this is a heavy, heavy piece of wood. It weighed between 100 – 300 pounds. (In the film, Jesus is carrying the whole cross, not just the cross-beam, as some would tell us was the custom.)

Jesus falls and Simon of Cyrene is summoned to help him carry it the remaining distance to the crucifixion site.

In this scene, Jesus speaks directly to the women in the crowd, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, weep for yourselves and for your children”. (See Luke 23). A commentator tells us Jesus is predicting the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the fact that in the future there will be more serious things to lament over. (Most commentaries agree)

We see both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, but also secret followers of Jesus. We will see them again soon.

We are now at Golgotha listening to more of Mary Magdalene’s thoughts (not in the gospel accounts: “I waited for the sky to rain fire, or the sea to sweep us away, and I wanted to take out a sword and cut them all down.” “I could not be his warrior but I could be his witness.” (We will hear some of that last line again.)

Jesus’ cross is raised and there is a lot of crying in the crowd. Mary is thinking again: “Let them all cry. “I will not break.” “I will stand strong before my Lord.” She opens her clenched fists and we see blood on palms of her hands (a stigmata experience?).

We see other accurate depictions of what happened while they were waiting for Jesus to die. The offering of vinegar mixed with gall (a narcotic to dull pain), which Jesus refused, as well; as the mocking.

Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

“Jesus’ words from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”, are critical as a summary , one of the main things Jesus came to Earth to do.” (Prof. Witherington)

Jesus; “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (From Psalm 22), and finally. “It is finished!”

We see Mary Magdalene kneeling in front of Jesus on the cross, her hands outstretched and again, the blood on the palms of both hands.

We see the soldier using the spear to finish him off and Mary Magdalene telling him that Jesus is already dead. (Not the way it happened.)

We see Joseph of Arimathea ask for his body so Jesus could receive a proper burial, in the tomb he (Joseph) provided. Pilate seems surprised Jesus is already dead.

Finally, Jesus is carried to the tomb, his body washed and wrapped in linen (also provided by Joseph of A.)

Fast forward to Jesus’ followers gathered in a house, along with Mary Magdalene. The disciples have no idea what to do next. Mary runs from the room to be alone and asks herself “Am I already lost?” “Maybe.”, she answers.

Fast forward to sunrise and Mary goes to the tomb, expecting to be able to anoint the body, which was a usual service provided the dead. The empty tomb. She thinks the body might have been stolen, runs back and reports the empty tomb to the other followers gathered together.

Mary, Peter and another disciple return to the tomb to investigate and go; inside. Mary tells the other two to leave and mourns over the fact of the stolen body. It is then she sees the two angels and is told that Jesus was not there but has risen. She walks out of the tomb, mistakes Jesus for a gardener. The conversation, from John Chapter 20, accurately portrayed in the film:

“Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

¹⁶Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

¹⁷Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

¹⁸Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!”

It could have ended at that point, but we are provided some ‘interesting’ commentary:

“Some people would say that this moment, the resurrection appearance in the most important moment in the entire gospel. This is proving the truth of Jesus ‘being’, that he had come back from the dead, fully present and incarnate in the flesh.” (Nicola Denzey Lewis)

Jesus sends Jesus to tell the rest that “I am ascending to my father and your father, my God and your God.” (Accurate)

“It’s a beautiful story and a remarkable story, and it makes her the first witness to the risen Jesus, something that early Christians would not make up because the witness of women wasn’t considered as viable as the witness of men.” (Ben Witherington)

“The fact that Mary was the first person to see the risen Christ says that she is the person Jesus trusted most; that this was indeed the person to be trusted with this news. In fact, he gave her an apostolic call in that moment when he said ‘Go and tell.’” “The fact that Jesus revealed himself just to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection makes her the first Apostle!” (Dr. Christina Cleveland, Duke Divinity School)

“Between the time that Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Christ on Easter Sunday and the time she finally proclaims the news of the resurrection to the disciples, Mary Magdalene IS the Church on earth.? “Only Mary Magdalene understood the resurrection, so therefore she is one of the most important people in the entire New Testament.” (Father James Martin, Jesuit Priest)

Finally, Mary Magdalene runs back and tells the rest, “I have seen the Lord!”

And of course we must have Mary’s final thoughts:

“I thought I was lost, but Jesus found me.”

“I am Mary of Magdala, and I am His witness!”

The End

Dan’s final thoughts:

In answer to my ongoing question, “Where’s the gospel?”, this episode has Mary Magdalene sharing the thought that she thought Jesus ‘came to save the world’ in the very first moments of the episode. One of the commentators tells us that one of the reasons Jesus cam to earth had to do with forgiveness. (“Forgive them, for they know not what they do” – Jesus’ words from the cross.) There could have been something said about Jesus dying for the sins of men in Golgotha scenes for sure, but that would have contradicted the “social justice” theme of previous episodes.

As with the previous episodes, this one was filled with the ‘thoughts’ of the main character (Mary Magdalene), which is the advertised purpose of the series – to tell the story of Jesus from the perspective of those who were closest to him. Some of those thoughts have been reasonable while others are just the musings of various leaders in the church and academia, some of whom perhaps have an ‘agenda’ and want to construct a narrative to match the agenda.

Mary Magdalene, although clearly a follower of Jesus, and tremendously significant during the passion week, was attributed a somewhat, if not greatly exaggerated importance by some of the commentators, in my opinion. Is Mary Magdalene the beginning of Christianity, the first Apostle, the Church itself, or the MOST important person in all of the NT?

This was actually a very profitable exercise. I was ready to write a short summary with final observations. I was breathing a sigh of relief (the whole thing was painful). When two more episodes popped up, I was a bit upset and almost stopped anyway. Then I started watching the episode and in under a minute I knew I was going to really enjoy reviewing it!

It also gave me the opportunity to go back to the NT accounts of Mary Magdalene. For that, a simple Google search request gave me everything, in all four gospels! You can find it for yourself here.

Next up: Peter: The Resurrection

____________________________

Here are the links to the previous Episodes in this series:

Jesus, His Life, Episode 1: Joseph: the Nativity – Pastor Gabe Hughes

Jesus, His Life, Episode 2–John the Baptist: The Mission

Jesus, His Life, Episode 3: Mary, The First Miracles

Jesus, His Life, Episode 4: Caiaphas: The Raising of Lazarus

Jesus, His Life, Episode 5: Judas: The Betrayal

Jesus, His Life, Episode 6: Pilate: The Trial

Jesus, His Life – Episode 6: Pilate: The Trial

Posted by Dan C. on April 17, 2019

We begin this final episode with the same introduction as the first five parts. he episode begins with the same introductory comments.

We begin with a scene of Roman soldiers, along with a carriage in which sits Pilate and his wife, entering through the gates of Jerusalem. Pilate is thinking “I hate this place.” Referring to hot dusty Jerusalem. His thoughts continue “Once I wanted to make a name for myself, but now I just want to scrub this place from my skin”. Pilate’s attitude is significant to the whole story.

The commentators provide a bit of historical content:

Pilate was the prefect, that is the Roman military Governor in the province of Judea from 26 – 36 A.D. He’s famous for one thing. He’s the man in charge during the execution of Jesus. Pilate has come from the lowest level of Roman nobility and probably clawed his way up the ladder to end up in the little backwater town in Judea, arriving on the eve of the Passover. It’s a tough time for a Roman to be in Jerusalem.

Pilate only travels to Jerusalem during Jewish feasts and festivals and fulfills an important ‘behind the scenes’ role, working with the High Priest to make sure there is no unrest during Passover. Pilate also holds the ceremonial robes that Caiaphas must wear – a kind of hostage situation.

Pilate gives Caiaphas his ceremonial robes and asks him if there is anything he needs to know about. Caiaphas answers that there is not. Pilate is naturally suspicious of Caiaphas and really thinks that Caiaphas is expecting trouble.

Next we wee Pilate being awakened in the middle of the night by a messenger from Caiaphas and of course upset. Caiaphas drags Jesus in and presents him to Pilate, hoping Pilate would deal with Jesus because Jesus is popular with the Jewish people. It’s a familiar story. Pilate asks about the charges against Jesus and actually speaks to Jesus: “Are you the King of the Jews?”As with Caiaphas earlier, Jesus answers “You say so.”

Caiaphas and Pilate talk things over with Caiaphas making more accusations about Jesus. Pilate finally tells Caiaphas and the religious leaders “Take him yourselves. Judge him by your own laws.” (So far, so good.). Caiaphas wanted Jesus executed but had no authority to do so. Pilate wonders why Caiaphas wants Jesus dead.

At the same time we are told that the Pilate of history was cruel and merciless petty tyrant, while the Pilate of the Bible is weak and indecisive, not wanting to take full responsibility for Jesus’ death. The story of the trial in the gospels doesn’t really reflect the actual historical and political reality of the time, so we are told, in order to more easily convert Romans to Christianity. The Biblical portrayal doesn’t reflect the true power of the Roman Prefect.

The conversation between Jesus and Pilate is for the most part, faithful to the text of John 18. Pilate’s wife tells her husband to have nothing to do with Jesus, but when Pilate was sitting at tribunal and not privately, as depicted. Also, the film gives us a glimpse of what she saw in her dream, which is not in the text. Pilate then ‘passes the buck’ to Herod.

The appearance before Herod is recorded in Luke 23. Jesus wasn’t forthcoming there either. Herod an his solders mock Jesus and it is Herod’s soldiers who are said to mock Jesus, not Herod alone, as the film portrays. The chief priests and the rulers of the law who were there are not shown in the film either. It is suggested that perhaps Herod thought the mocking was sufficient punishment and that’s why he handed him back to Pilate.

Pilate of course doesn’t want to make a decision to put Jesus to death and is seen taking things over with Caiaphas telling the Chief Priest the he has found nothing in Jesus worthy of execution. He calls for the condemned rebel Barabbas to be brought to him, per the Jewish custom of freeing one condemned Jewish man during the feast.

We are again told that it is naïve to think of Caiaphas a terribly evil character and reminded that portraying Caiaphas birthed anti-Semitism. After all, Caiaphas just wanted to save lives. (This is the same line that was fed to us in an earlier episode.) This is consistent with an earlier commentator’s claims that the Jewish people were not, then or now, in any way responsible for Jesus’ death (even though Peter on Pentecost said otherwise).

Pilate presents Jesus and Barabbas to the crowd. “Give us Barabbas!”, they shout. So Pilate is off the hook and can have Jesus executed without a major uprising. He orders the flogging that preceded the execution. We are given great detail about the whip of cords used in the flogging,

Soldiers again mock Jesus and put a red cloak across his shoulders and the crown of thorns upon his head.

Jesus is dragged through the crowds. Pilate still seems uncertain and Caiaphas tells Pilate, “Go on, crucify him.” Pilate says to Caiaphas, “You take him, you crucify him.”, demonstrating the power play between the two men. Since Pilate knows Caiaphas doesn’t have the authority to put Jesus to death and us warning Caiaphas to stay in his lane. (Scripture says they became fast friends? Luke 23:12).

We are treated to more speculative commentary concerning the back and forth between the two and a silly commentator (professor from Duke) telling us that the gospel writers were wrong trying to blame the Jews for Jesus’ death. (He doesn’t believe the gospel writers weren’t inspired by the Hoy Spirit to write what they did.)

At this point Pilate and Caiaphas sure aren’t acting like fast friends! There’s a lot of angry glaring at each other.

Another10 minutes or do of speculation I was too tired to add to my notes, along with more angry stares between Caiaphas and Pilate. Finally, Pilate himself orders the execution but washes his hands of Jesus blood. More comments about the gospel writers being wrong about the Jews being responsible for the execution (different commentator).

“The historical reality is likely to have been that if Caiaphas had brought Jesus to Caiaphas to Pilate, Pilate would not even have batted an eye in ordering the crucifixion of Jesus” (Dr. Robert Cargill)

Pilate walks away thinking, “What does another dead man matter to me anyway? Golgotha is soaked in the blood of countless men, and I remember none of them. Rome won’t give a second thought to Jesus of Nazareth, so why should I?”

Jesuit Priest, Dr. James Martin tells us, in one of the last two comments of the episode, “We should not blame Caiaphas and the Jewish authorities for the death of Jesus. Only one person had the authority to put Jesus to death, and that was Pontius Pilate, a Roman.”

The very last scene of the episode has Pilate and his wife watching two Roman soldiers dragging Jesus away for his execution. Jesus glances at them both. Pilates wife looks at her husband disapprovingly then turns around and walks away.

“If Pontius Pilate hadn’t executed Jesus of Nazareth. Pontius Pilate would have been lost to history. He would have just been another Prefect of another distant province.” ( Dr. Michael Peppard, Author)

(I guess the very last comment had to be about the main character of the episode.)

The End

Dan’s final thoughts:

This episode had nothing at all to say about Jesus’ mission in coming, either true or false. It didn’t really need to. It was all about Caiaphas, Pilate, and Jesus’ trial. What was shown about Jesus seemed to be accurate. Not so much the Roman Prefect and the High Priest. They were both misrepresented and their relationship (they became friends) twisted to fit the botched narrative commentary.

P.S., I just noticed that there are still two more episodes to follow, Jesus life from the viewpoints of Mary Magdalene and Peter. I had already begun working a summary of sorts with a few overall observations, and now two more???????? (Some of you will get it.) Decision, decisions.

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THE CHOSEN Series—10 Critical Concerns

“The Chosen Fiction”

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