The list is my collection of issues cited in multiple Chats below this list.
- Portrayal of Matthew with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): In the series, the character of Matthew is depicted as exhibiting behaviors consistent with ASD. This narrative is not present in the Bible
- The series provides detailed backstories and personal struggles for various disciples, such as Simon Peter dealing with tax debts and marital issues. This narrative is not present in the Bible
- There is a scene where Jesus asks Matthew for advice on his upcoming Sermon on the Mount. Matthew says to not use the salt theme first and Jesus agrees he was wrong and thanks Matthew. This narrative is not present in the Bible
- Season three opener when Peter is told to go and spend time with his wife. Immediately one of the other disciples comes to Peter’s house and asks if he can stay with them. The conversation then takes an unnecessary direction with sexual overtones and innuendos. It even went as far as the disciple offering to stay on the roof, so he didn’t have to hear Peter and his wife having relations. On what planet would such language and behavior be appropriate for children to watch, especially in reference to a presentation of biblical events.
- Ties to Mormonism — Although Jenkins [creator] has a Christian testimony, his partners in the film are a collection of Mormons, Roman Catholics, and Jews. The executive producer is a Mormon, the production company is Mormon-owned; clearly, the work is in partnership with Mormons… “Jesus” in Mormonism is the brother of Satan.
- There is a scene where Jesus responds to a disciple’s question with, “What does your heart tell you?” Critics argue that this response aligns more with teachings from the Book of Mormon rather than the Bible.
- A key passage is Mark 7:21-23 (NRSV), where Jesus teaches about the condition of the human heart: “For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
- Another related passage is Jeremiah 17:9 (ASV), though not spoken by Jesus, it aligns with biblical teachings about the heart: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?”
- In Latter-day Saint (LDS) theology, both Jesus Christ and Lucifer (who became Satan) are considered spirit children of God the Father, making them spiritual siblings. This belief stems from the LDS doctrine of a pre-mortal existence, where all human beings, including Jesus and Lucifer, existed as spirit offspring of Heavenly Parents before earthly life.
- There is a scene where Jesus responds to a disciple’s question with, “What does your heart tell you?” Critics argue that this response aligns more with teachings from the Book of Mormon rather than the Bible.
- Mary Magdalene:
- is portrayed as a “13th disciple” traveling with Jesus and the other disciples. 4.
- In The Chosen, the “Red Quarter” is a fictionalized area in Capernaum associated with disrepute and immorality, used to hint at Mary Magdalene’s troubled past.
- Nathanael is portrayed as a drunkard and failed architect, contradicting Jesus’ description of him as an Israelite without deceit. Jesus says that Nathanael is without deceit in John 1:47. (NRSV) “When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit’”
- Combined or Condensed Timelines and Locations: “The Chosen” sometimes merges events, timelines, or locations for narrative coherence. For instance, certain miracles or teachings might be depicted as occurring in a single setting or timeframe, whereas the Bible presents them separately. This artistic license can create misconceptions about the sequence and context of events as described in Scripture.
Critical Bible scholars have raised concerns about the historical and scriptural accuracy of “The Chosen,” a television series depicting the life of Jesus and his disciples. While the series has been praised for its production quality and engaging storytelling, several specific issues have been highlighted:
- Artistic License and Non-Biblical Additions: The creators of “The Chosen” have acknowledged that approximately 95% of the series’ content is not directly sourced from the Bible. This extensive use of creative storytelling involves adding backstories, character development, and dialogues that are not found in Scripture. Critics argue that these additions, while intended to provide depth and context, may lead viewers to accept fictional elements as biblical truth. This concern is particularly significant for audiences unfamiliar with the Bible, as it could result in a distorted understanding of the Gospel narratives. theaugustapress.com
- Portrayal of Jesus and Theological Implications: Some scholars have taken issue with certain portrayals of Jesus in the series. For instance, there is a scene where Jesus responds to a disciple’s question with, “What does your heart tell you?” Critics argue that this response aligns more with teachings from the Book of Mormon rather than the Bible, potentially introducing theological inaccuracies. Such portrayals may inadvertently promote concepts not rooted in biblical doctrine. truthscript.com
- Influence of Non-Evangelical Consultants: The involvement of consultants from various faith traditions, including a Catholic priest, a Messianic Jewish rabbi, and an evangelical professor, was intended to ensure a broad perspective on biblical and historical accuracy. However, some critics express concern that this ecumenical approach might introduce interpretations or traditions not aligned with evangelical Christianity, potentially leading to theological compromises or the inclusion of non-biblical elements. gotquestions.org
- Potential for Misleading Depictions: Given the series’ dramatization and addition of non-biblical content, there is a concern that viewers might conflate the show’s fictionalized elements with actual Scripture. This blending of fact and fiction could lead to misconceptions about biblical events and teachings, especially among those who rely on the series as a primary source of understanding the life and ministry of Jesus. theaugustapress.com
While “The Chosen” aims to provide a relatable and immersive portrayal of Jesus and his followers, critical scholars advise viewers to approach the series with discernment. They recommend cross-referencing the show’s content with biblical texts to distinguish between artistic interpretation and scriptural fact.
NOTE – The Source cited above The Augusta Press is very negative and cites the editor’s reasons. Extracts from his article are below.
- made Matthew a babbling, beardless autistic person
- Jesus a long-haired, hippy, effeminate who goes to bars
- season three opener when Peter is told to go and spend time with his wife. Immediately one of the other disciples comes to Peter’s house and asks if he can stay with them. The conversation then takes what I felt was an unnecessary direction with sexual overtones and innuendos. It even went as far as the disciple offering to stay on the roof, so he didn’t have to hear Peter and his wife having relations.
- On what planet would such language and behavior be appropriate for children to watch, especially in reference to a presentation of biblical events.
- To sexualize biblical accounts to add entertainment value for society and thus adding to the Scriptures is a very dangerous sin.
- A pride flag was included in part of a promotional video that “The Chosen” put out.
- If church people don’t start standing up against this type of woke garbage masquerading as the gospel, our society won’t be able to recognize the gospel when they actually hear it.
From Perplexity.ai — In The Chosen, the “Red Quarter” is a fictionalized area in Capernaum associated with disrepute and immorality, used to hint at Mary Magdalene’s troubled past. Its significance lies in several narrative and symbolic aspects:
- Implied Immorality:
- Mary’s Struggles and Redemption:
- Cultural and Narrative Context:
- Creative Liberty:
- While the Bible does not mention a “Red Quarter” or associate Mary Magdalene with prostitution, this setting is a creative addition by the show’s creators. It draws on cultural assumptions about Mary’s past while reimagining her as a misunderstood and deeply wounded individual rather than focusing solely on moral failings. 25.
Overall, the Red Quarter symbolizes Mary Magdalene’s lowest point, making her eventual redemption by Jesus more dramatic and emotionally resonant. However, this portrayal is not based on biblical text but rather on traditional and artistic interpretations.
Citations:
- https://www.schooleyfiles.com/2024/01/the-chosen-11-i-have-called-you-by-name.html
- https://www.thebibleartist.com/post/mary-magdalene-in-the-chosen-adapting-biblical-characters
- https://www.beabrilliantwriter.com/the-chosen-review-s1e1/
- https://www.patheos.com/blogs/filmchat/2020/05/the-chosen-season-one-episode-one.html
- https://www.reddit.com/r/TheChosenSeries/comments/mw6vh6/why_do_some_believe_mary_magdalene_was_a/
- https://holybranches.com/explaining-the-chosen-season-1-episode-1-i-have-called-you-by-name/
- https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/9/1083
- https://stbenedict.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Full-study-guide-season-1-REV-for-website.pdf
Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share
“The Chosen” is a television series that dramatizes the life of Jesus and his disciples, incorporating both biblical narratives and creative storytelling. While the series aims to remain faithful to the spirit of the Scriptures, it introduces additional backstories, character developments, and dialogues not found in the Bible. This blending of fact and fiction has raised concerns among some viewers and scholars about potential misconceptions regarding biblical events and teachings.
1. Portrayal of Matthew with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): In the series, the character of Matthew is depicted as exhibiting behaviors consistent with ASD. This portrayal is not based on any biblical text but is an artistic choice to add depth to his character. While this interpretation offers a unique perspective, it may lead viewers to associate these traits with the historical Matthew, despite the lack of scriptural evidence supporting such a depiction. gospelmattersblog.com
2. Extensive Backstories and Character Development: The series provides detailed backstories and personal struggles for various disciples, such as Simon Peter dealing with tax debts and marital issues. These narratives are not present in the Bible and are created to enhance character development. While they add dramatic depth, they might lead viewers to accept these fictional elements as biblical facts. ebible.com
3. Combined or Condensed Timelines and Locations: “The Chosen” sometimes merges events, timelines, or locations for narrative coherence. For instance, certain miracles or teachings might be depicted as occurring in a single setting or timeframe, whereas the Bible presents them separately. This artistic license can create misconceptions about the sequence and context of events as described in Scripture. movieweb.com
4. Added Dialogues and Interactions: The series includes dialogues and interactions among characters that are not recorded in the Bible. While these additions aim to humanize the figures and provide context, they may lead viewers to attribute specific words or sentiments to biblical characters that are not supported by Scripture. movieweb.com
While “The Chosen” seeks to offer a relatable and immersive portrayal of biblical stories, viewers are encouraged to consult the Bible directly to discern between the series’ artistic interpretations and the actual scriptural accounts.
NOTE – A source for part of the above ChatGPT response is the page The Chosen: Should Christians watch it? The other source, movieweb.com, is quite biased.
