FOR SOME TIME I have been intrigued about The Chosen series having heard much mixed reviews over the last year or so. Rather than rely upon what others are saying, I deemed it best to watch the series in its entirety – every episode of the five seasons (The sixth – and final – season is supposedly under production with a finale film to round it all off). At least a fair analysis takes place, and of course one needs to approach such subjects with an unbiased and open-minded perspective. Also taking into consideration that viewing first hand gives one a raw sense as opposed to a possible biased ‘learning’ from off another’s perspective, which is so prevalent today. So many people rely on various comment threads via social media platforms to gain information on certain individuals, movements, or the latest vogue. Their homework is done for them, but their scoring isn’t always all that great; it’s quite embarrassing when taking into consideration they have not even acquainted themselves first-hand with such an individual or group and will regurgitate something that is partially true, twisted or just downright false. There are no shortcuts when performing research, and to be factual it is only fair to see with your own eyes, hear with your own ears, and feel/discern with your own heart. It’s the same principle when reviewing a book or a movie; you have to read or view it yourself. After all, have we not found that today’s reviewers and critics lack sound acumen? It is certainly no good tagging off from someone else who has done the work; some way or other one is going to be found out!

Another aspect – and the main one – is knowing exactly what viewpoints will be expressed. From personal observation should come conviction; it’s knowing exactly what one is talking about, not assuming, presuming or even guessing. So, having put aside any prejudice regarding The Chosen, I thought it was only fair to observe from beginning to end what so many Christians are raving about. One may be wondering why on earth I am even raising this instead of just getting straight to it. Well, for the very reason that in reviewing or critiquing The Chosen, I have most certainly done my own homework with absolutely no outside influence, just the Scriptures, a notebook and a pen by the side of me.

While I have drawn from the main aspects that are erroneous in light of Scripture, I deemed it unnecessary to highlight every theological point that is less significant, knowing that such an approach would be pedantic and even tedious, not just for myself in writing but also for readers. So, my review or critique is far from being exhaustive but sufficient in exposing the main elements that counter the authority of God’s Word.

One cannot help in appreciating the profundities and dynamics of The Chosen’s producers in artfully capturing the locations, cultures and atmosphere of the times of Jesus, and in essence the efforts in bringing to life such times are quite emotionally influencing; the portrayal of Jesus healing many people of varied infirmities and diseases, how he, in a very down-to-earth demeanour, interacted with countless scores of people from all backgrounds, and how he was so compassionate to those who could not free themselves from addictions and lifestyles that were on a road of colossal destruction. To be fair, the directors and producers brought the life of Jesus home, made it real to where the majority of us can well relate to. One cannot deny there are some very moving scenes that have the potential to deeply impact emotionally, but what Jesus are we really being presented with here? This is the all-important question to remember throughout the entirety of this series. There are many aspects in life that profoundly move and even change us; emotionally we can be so easily swayed – and it’s in this sense that I want to drive home that experiencing a good rollercoaster of emotions doesn’t necessarily spell out God. In our day we are very subjectively orientated; we are prone to pursuing our feelings as being the authority rather than objective reality that ought to govern one’s bias or emotions. Ultimately, God is the objective reality that governs all realities, particularly in how we perceive reality.

Just a brief background and to who the creator and director is which is Dallas Jenkins (son of Jerry B Jenkins Dallas Jenkins – coauthor of the ‘Left Behind’ book series, and who also contributed a novelization of each episode within the first and second season of The Chosen), in production with Angel Studios. IMDb rates the show at 9.1/10 and stating as a groundbreaking performance in representing the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Producers of this series are in association with LDS (Church of the Latter Day Saints), although Dallas Jenkins refuted such claims, via interviews, that The Chosen has no Mormon influence within its script or theology, noting and insisting the show is “conservative evangelical.” Douglas Hoffman (professor of the New Testament at Biola University, California) also served as a consultant for the series.

In the first few episodes it is implied that Mary Magdalene backslides, but according to Scripture nothing of the sort transpired. Jesus was arrested by the Romans not long after the start of His ministry; again, nothing of the sort whatsoever until HE was arrested by the Jewish authorities prior to His crucifixion. John the Baptist and Jesus discussed among themselves not being one hundred percent sure of their mission. It is one thing to bring in a human element in the attempt to realistically portray these key characters, but quite another to dilute or dissolve the Biblical reality of how they knew their mission; there is absolutely no record or implication that John questioned his calling at the start of his ministry, and it goes without question that Christ’s face was set to be the Lamb of God. Some may argue artistic license, but knowing the wonder of God’s revelation by sending His Son to redeem a lost world, why should there be any need to ‘spice’ things up a little to make the narrative more appealing. Isn’t this so prevalent in our churches today, evading the power of the Word of God because it is deemed insufficient to convict, restore and transform, and so we utilise entertainment to entice and maintain people’s concentration spans?

I couldn’t help but being reminded of what this was beginning to resemble – a modern London soap opera called East Enders, except with a religious twist mixed in with it, but I persevered, determined to follow my commitment through in viewing each and every episode.

So, the series continues to unfold with Matthew the tax collector suggesting and correcting Jesus to alter His own sermons prior to Him preaching, and with Jesus gladly receiving such advice! It also shows Jesus speaking with Matthew privately on quite a few occasions to write down truths rather than what we read in the Scriptures that Jesus actually spoke to the crowds. Do we not read that the Scriptures were written by human authors who were carried along or moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21)? The strong impression laid is that Matthew was the close one to Jesus, but doesn’t Scripture strongly signify that John was closer than all the other disciples?

Have we ever thought of Jesus rehearsing His sermons? Well, we certainly have it portrayed in The Chosen. The written Gospels give no inclination whatsoever of practising His ‘lines’ prior to speaking to the crowds; why would the Son of God fall back on such when He spoke the world into being out of nothing? Did Jesus really doubt His divine ability to speak? Why would the Word of God find the need to rehearse His Words? “Good luck” is the verbiage used by Jesus to add insult to injury in hoping His sermon will reach the crowds. Even Mary the mother of Jesus is portrayed encouraging her son moments before He spoke to those gathering in the hundreds, followed by pats on the back from others prior to making his way through a shrine that hid Him from the crowds. Here we have Jesus portrayed as a rock star about to thrill the crowds! Inevitably, the crowds applaud Jesus after His supposed first sermon, with the unavoidable facial expressions of Jesus seeking approval. First, hearts would have been arrested with conviction and left astounded after having hearing no one speak like this before. Second, God never seeks man’s approval and affirmation. To round it off nicely, Jesus thanked Matthew for his advice in helping shape His sermon! Stop here for a moment… a fallen man in sin is thanked for helping the Son of God to preach aright?! How weak, how pathetic, how blasphemous! After the sermon Jesus stated the words, “The Lord make His face shine upon you and give you peace” No! Jesus is the Prince of peace; He is the Lord Himself Who declared, “My peace I give unto you.” Jesus is both Son of God and Son of man, very God of very God, and the Scriptures are emphatically clear as to why the Jewish leaders hated Him because He declared Himself equal with God, but yet, The Chosen series does not imply that but rather Jesus as someone being mostly human with a bit of divinity thrown in.

John the Baptist is presented in such a way that is entirely foreign to the New Testament accounts of the Gospels. It is almost laughable… actually, quite embarrassing to see such a prophet being presented with a quirky sense of humour and whose demeanour represents that of a clown instead of the greatest human prophet. The Baptist’s life was inflamed with an inextinguishable fire and passion for God, a life that was lonely and eccentric only because of the food he ate and the simplicity of clothing for abiding in the desert. Many don’t tolerate anything too serious today; it’s no longer a part of our culture as many live to party; most work to party and drown a sense of any solemnity away through inebriated joy. Anything too somber – serious, for a better word – does not fit well with a lifestyle that cancels any intensity.

The Chosen’s representation of the Lord Jesus Christ is so incalculably far from the true Messiah revealed in the Scriptures. I will go further – that unless the Holy Spirit illumines the very words amidst Scripture’s pages, and opens up one’s mind to really see Jesus, there shall be no hope of beholding Him, even if a TV series were to be accurate in its depiction.

Artistic license and the well worn-out verbiage, “God can use anything” would have Balaam’s donkey blush. The Lord of the Rings novel – and one of the best – to include The Chronicles of Narnia is spellbinding literature, but we are not dealing with fiction when it comes to the Scriptures. That clichéd statement, “God can use anything” is no justification for blatant errors and heresy that have infiltrated 21^st century Christianity, yet we hear it often said to cover a multitude of sin.

This exclusive Amazon Prime’s series depiction of the Lord’s Prayer is recited in groups of people, but the whole aspect is completely missed if we just repeat the words. The Lord’s Prayer is a model, guidance in the way we ought to pray. We can be assured that the first disciples or apostles did not repeat such words in their literal format, but the very tenets, principles and hallmarks infiltrated their praying. It would be as pointless as a lecturer giving you a format to construct an essay on a given subject, to only submit the points initially received. Invoking the Lord’s Prayer has as much use as invoking the name of Jesus as some magic formula, and is no better than the myth of a Roman Catholic priest throwing holy water on a demon possessed soul. We only have to look at Peter’s praying in Acts 4 that dripped first and foremost with the honour of God, His cause, and with such boldness, not to escape persecution but to go forth with greater power for His glory. The very DNA of the Lord’s Prayer was heavy in Peter’s praying. Repeating the Lord’s prayer word for word by rote does not come anywhere near to the outskirts or fringes of prayer but reveals we have not even begun to pray in the spirit of true prayer. Even the Pharisees and demons are capable of reciting such words, and the demonic realm is all too pleased to have us live with a form of godliness minus its power.

Season Three has Jesus’ sermons rearranged that come across disjointed compared to what the Gospel accounts give. So, the accuracy of content is far lessened in quality as Scripture references are taken out of context, and is it any wonder when so much is taken out of context amidst so many of today’s churches. This series lays more emphasis on appearance and an artistic approach rather than accuracy. It is also strongly taken for granted that everyone knows the parables of Jesus when mixed up as if the attempt was a sermon jam. Here is sorely missing the opportunity in rightly witnessing to the unconverted, and God forbid that any unconverted person is warmly encouraged to view this saga!

Season Four depicts Jesus escaping his arrest by the Romans long before His time recorded in the Gospel narratives, and all to make the series more dramatic. Is this being pedantic? Is it necessary to point out these errors? Is this just pure nit-picking for the sake of it? On the contrary, there are countless other aspects of artistic license that could be raised, but suffice it for now, the main errors will be highlighted. There is nothing recorded or even insinuated in the Scriptures of the Romans ever arresting Jesus, or taking Him into custody prior to His crucifixion. This is another fatal blow in misrepresenting the Christ of the Scriptures, and verifies an ignorance of God’s Word. Neither is there rightly discerning Christ in context of Who He really was.

Along with the Roman Catholics, we have Peter being referred to and presented as The Rock, which gives affirmation – to their doctrine – as Peter being the first pope. A correct reading of the verse referred to in Matthew 16:18 is Peter’s proclamation of Christ being the Son of the Living God is what the Church is built upon, Christ being the builder – not man; Peter was never the foundation. A right hermeneutics reveals Christ as the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). Are not the popes counted as infallible and sinless, and yet how quick the many forget that Peter greatly sinned when he denied the Lord three times. There is absolutely no continuity to support such a heretic doctrine, and yet we find this error within The Chosen highly acclaimed by countless evangelicals. Another scenario, in context, is Peter portrayed as the one singled out in being given the keys of heaven, but a careful reading of the Scriptures, and we have that word again – incorporating sound hermeneutics will inevitably reveal that also entailed others who would faithfully preach the Word of God, not confined to one particular generation but incorporating the entire church age. This is something one cannot be careless about. Cinema is a very powerful tool, and if any production depicts the Scriptures then there is the demand to ensure that directors, producers and writers remain faithful to what God has revealed; this is nothing to be audaciously slack about leaving impressions open to the viewer’s interpretation. Even using a description, “based on” is very precarious when handling divine truth. Again, Peter Jackson’s depiction of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy was epic, but many purists were far from happy as many aspects of the written novel were left out, or artistic license was incorporated to chop and change certain chapters of the book, but what one must remember is that at the beginning of each film we read, “Based on the novel…” – acceptable, but many fail to notice that. With the Bible, we’re dealing with something infallible, inerrant and totally inspired of God; we therefore have absolutely no right to distort, subtract or even add to God’s Word. It should therefore come as no surprise that there is almost the absence of reverence for God’s Word in our churches, and shouldn’t, then, alarm us if the filming industry follows suit, but when we have supposed Christians involved in such networks then there is no justification for artistically twisting the Scriptures.

It has long been my concern that God raise up sound theological Christian directors, that would be led of the Holy Spirit in their filming productions – and why not? It is another form of communication that can reach the masses, but what a travesty of most that has been produced in the name of God.

The attempts to ‘paint’ Jesus as being down to earth in order to represent Him as being relatable is understandable, but with such endeavours, don’t eclipse or lose the divinity of Jesus – fully God as well as fully man. Christianity does not need to be embodied with a culture that’s more palatable to make it relevant; the power of God is real Christianity – walking with Him – is what is dynamic, yet somehow we miss the wood for the trees in our overemphasis on being relevant. “He who believes [lives] in Me, out of his innermost being will flow rivers of life.” (John 7:38) – there we have godliness with power, not an empty form of it.

Most of us are aware of Scripture’s account when Jesus was deeply moved to tears just moments before raising Lazarus from the dead, but the way in which this series portrays the Son of God’s reaction in hearing the news of Lazarus’ death, as if caught by surprise, is a twisting of the real narrative that once again fails to accurately represent our Messiah. The New Testament Gospels reveal Him as composed, not a weak unknowledgeable being. Suffered – yes He did, but with calmness, firmness, and with a non-hesitancy as His face was set toward Jerusalem. He challenged His disciples to have faith, and yet Jesus is interpreted in this scene as aloof from His convictions. Observe Christ’s self-containment as you read through the Gospels – the Gospels written under the breathing inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and compare them to the blasphemous depiction of The Chosen series.

Again, artistic license can be well-utilised with novels previously mentioned such as The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and the likes, but certainly not with Scripture. Do not twist, invert, chop, insert or even subtract from the Word of God. Who are any one of us to even dare attempt to take the Author’s breathings-directings of men that were moved to write accurately only to change them to our liking? That same Author is the One Who hovered over the face of the earth’s waters long before man was formed from the world’s substance; that same Author is the One Who gives life; that same Author is the One Who illumines our eyes to see Jesus; that same Author is the One Who causes us to be born again. Oh how so irreverent toward the Holy Spirit. How ignorant and blind!

It is not a matter of airing my own opinions, and neither is it a case of being pedantic or judgmental; it transcends it all! It is stating truth of the travesty of such a poor man-made representation of our Anointed Messiah. This is how man functions without the anointing of the Holy Spirit. I go further, that nothing of the Holy Spirit drips through the script of The Chosen. It is mere human emotion and subjectivism in striving to retell the story of Christ while sorely missing the mark. Such emotionalism is no different to the kind that erects a false god created in the minds of many. Still, it can be heard from some, “God can use anything” which warrants such a response: what a poor, lame and unfounded excuse!

Jesus is depicted as asking His disciples to accompany Him as He is about to enter Jerusalem, to which Peter replies, “Lord, where else shall we go; You alone have the words of eternal life.” We know that Scripture’s words in their right context followed the incident when many turned away from Jesus after He stated, “whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks my blood” (John 6:47-69). Again, the Scriptures are presented to imply something else, and it should come as no surprise as much of this takes place in modern Christendom. It is no wonder as to why there is a famine of God’s Word today. Many are willing to hold a Bible in their hands while few are willing to behold the Scriptures as the spoken Word of God, words spoken and written in the ways they were meant to be understood; many wrest and twist the Scriptures to their own understanding and preferences; many interpret the Scriptures according to their feelings and inward impressions. Many are hungry for the supernatural of hearing a voice that is extraordinary while few have been given the heart to hear the voice of the Shepherd. Many hearers have the heart of Judas, loving the outward ceremonies while rejecting the very heart of God’s Law – the hidden liberty revealed through the Holy Spirit.

The TV series gives a different narrative on the Last Supper. Most of us are accustomed to what the Scriptures state after Jesus said, “…behold, the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me on the table.” (Luke 22:14-23). So, we will observe that Judas was present as Jesus gave out the bread and wine symbolising His body and blood. Yet, The Chosen depicts Jesus giving Judas bread and bitter herbs. We can all understand the significance of bread and bitter herbs to supposedly link in with the bitterness Jesus felt being betrayed by Judas, but again, we have artistic license taking the lead to insinuate what Scripture never implies.

We move onto the Garden of Gethsemane and astoundingly the series incorporates Isaac and Abraham, Ezekiel linked in with the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37), and Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, each one appearing subsequently to Jesus as He asked for the cup to pass from Him. There is no portrayal of angels ministering to Him. Here we have a completely different scenario in The Chosen; it is so foreign to what is written in the Gospel narratives. Any serious student of God’s Word will acknowledge that this particular passage is the climax of agony; here the battle was won prior to Jesus’ crucifixion. This section demands accuracy in remaining faithful to Scripture’s narrative, not playing around and utilising art to spice things up a little. It is a mystery infinitely beyond our depths of understanding that calls for serious prayer to just brush the fringes of such an abyss. Here is where the very crux of Jesus’ struggle climaxed, so much that His sweat became drops of blood; the pressure was unlike any other man or woman has ever had to endure – and why is that? Because the very legions of hell gave all their utmost efforts to dissuade Jesus from going through the horrors that lay ahead as SON OF MAN. We recall that Satan left Jesus alone for a while subsequent to His forty days in the wilderness when he came and presented enormous temptation before Him. The devil’s next onslaught was in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus looked full into the depths of hell he was about to encounter. The devil’s ultimate effort was to overthrow Jesus from fulfilling His climactic role as Messiah; the devil could never deny Him as Son of God, but as Son of Man – this is where the battleground truly lay. Would Jesus go through with this as Redeemer? In that Redemption was an insurmountable agonising price. The foretaste of God the Father’s wrath and our hell to be endured saturated the soul of Jesus. This is something colossal the producer of this series has not even ventured to begin to understand whatsoever. It is an absolute and utter failure. Here is the crux of Christianity, it’s very tenets of what it entailed for God Who so loved the World, and what it truly meant in giving His only begotten Son to purchase you and me out of the hell we were all heading to without a single drop of hope to its end; such a future is eternally sealed without bail, parole or reevaluation.

This is modern mainstream evangelicalism that is poor, blind, naked and wretched that has the spirit of liberalism coursing through its veins. It is man’s attempt – void of the Holy Spirit – to depict Jesus Christ. Albeit that it may have a ‘beauty’ and a strong element of emotionalism moving many to tears, it is nevertheless earthly, humanity’s ‘brilliant’ attempt while sorely missing God’s standards, lacking the applause of heaven and gaining hell’s praise!

The problem with depicting Jesus unaided by the Holy Spirit is that we have divinity reduced to a very common Jesus; a Jesus who is so down to earth while lacking heavenward reality; a Jesus we’re all too familiar with and yet unknown; a Jesus too easily approached yet void of His transcendence; a Jesus who is a friend and chum while His Lordship over all creation is blatantly forgotten. The awe has been removed from the modern Jesus. We may justify the use of artistic license, but when it comes to the revelation of God we dare not take liberties to change it according to our preferences. This is the liberal mindset – a lawless mindset that refuses to bow the knee to Scripture’s overarching authority, and so we have a different Jesus, a Jesus according to finite and fallible understanding.

How is it that such a prevailing liberal mindset appallingly raises significant financial support to produce a series that directs minds away from the true living God? Where are the people with artistic temperaments filled with the Spirit of God today? We have heard it said and sung, “Why should the devil have all the good music?” I ask a similar question but with a slight twist, Why is it that directors and producers who do not acknowledge God create the best films? Is it all down to money? Is that the Christian’s excuse? As Spirit-filled Christians we ought to be outdoing the world when it comes to creativity, but hardly anywhere do we witness it in our era. Let us seriously consider these things. Let it burn in our hearts until we rouse ourselves from being spiritually docile and asleep.

For those who endeavour to watch this series, do so with a solid Biblical awareness; let that be the umpire in your observations; let God’s infallible and inerrant Word be the light amidst an array of emotions that may possibly occur. It is not necessarily having the motive to expose error per se, but rather, being so engrossed in the Scriptures, and being so familiar with them through regular study and prayer that inevitably rings the ‘alarm bells’. How well we know our Bibles – with a sound hermeneutic – will determine our analysis.