A Response about "The Chosen"

question and answer

We received this response from the organization that produced The Chosen (TC) television series and what follows is our response (TBC) to the organization's complaints.

TC: We don’t mind criticism, but we do expect it to be accurate, particularly when it comes from organizations dedicated to the truth.

And this video [the audio of TBC's article posted on YouTube] starts right off with a blatant deception when it says we “profess to be true to the Bible’s teachings, as well as a faithful representation of the Bible and its characters,” and “it claims to visually represent the Bible.”

TBC: The opening statement of season 1 episode 1 of The Chosen declares:

“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.”

That statement seems to indicate that the intention of The Chosen programs is “to be true to the Bible's teachings, as well as a faithful representation of the Bible and its characters.”

When a movie company films biblical stories of “the gospels of Jesus Christ,” isn’t it “visually represent[ing] the Bible”?

TC: That is simply false. We have said EXPLICITLY from day one that we are not a re-enactment of the Bible...

TBC: Evidently, those who wrote this TC response haven't watched their series. Most of the scenes are attempts to “re-enact” stories from the Bible.

The exceptions are the numerous “backstories” which feature biblical characters in scenes not found in the Bible but are from the minds of the creative movie production people, and that would include the “dialogue” of the many actors that “have been added.”

TC: ...that the show is INSPIRED by the Bible, not based on it verse by verse, and from the first frame of the show, we encourage people to read the Scriptures.

TBC: The use of the phrase “INSPIRED by” (upper case emphasis is TC’s) is used in theatrical movie productions to imply to the audience that historical accuracy is involved. Accuracy is rarely if ever a concern in theatrical dramas. “Inspired by” is simply a religious cover for The Chosen's artistic license which constitutes blasphemy.

The encouragement to people who watch The Chosen to read the Scriptures sounds good, but is fraught with confusion and delusion. The backstories as well as the numerous scene additions and character details of the actors are nowhere found in Scripture. What then of the person who takes The Chosen's advice to “read the Scriptures” and can't find what was presented in the TV series? Which is he to believe: The Bible, or the fiction created by the screenwriter and his production associates?

TC: We’re not God’s Word, the Bible is God’s Word, and it is perfect. And as to the silly mention of the Bible verse about “adding to scripture,” fear not, we're not adding to Scripture because we’re not Scripture.

TBC: Let’s consider how silly is the “silly mention of the Bible verse about ‘adding to scripture’.” “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Proverbs:30:5-6) “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” (Revelation:22:18) Silly?

TC: Your Bible hasn’t changed since the show was created. Just like any movie or show about any historical period of time or characters, we’re a show about the people of 1st Century Galilee, with the Bible as our primary source of truth and inspiration.

TBC: The primary historic person presented throughout The Chosen is a fictitious Jesus Christ. The characterization of him whom the Bible declares is God manifested in the flesh is as far removed from “the primary source of truth” as heaven is from hell.

TC: This video [TBC’s article] also adds other shockingly false assertions, such as the ridiculous notion that we're introducing the “Jesus of different faiths.” Never said.

TBC: We suggest that you review the many interviews with Dallas Jenkins, especially those with Mormon [3] apologist David Snell. They both agree that they believe in the same Jesus—that would be the LDS Jesus and the evangelical Jesus that Mr. Jenkins professes to believe in.

TC: Or the laughable assertions about the beliefs some of the producers supposedly have about Jesus having multiple wives. Patently false.

TBC: I rather doubt that the committed Mormon [3] producers consider the polygamy of “Jesus” a “laughable assertion.” That would be to reject the teachings of Mormon [3] Apostles Orson Pratt and Orson Hyde (“Jesus Christ was married at Cana of Galilee, that Mary, Martha, and others were his wives, and that he begat children” Journal of Discourses 2:210) as well as polygamists 4th Mormon [3] President/Prophet Wilford Woodruff and 10th President/Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith. Furthermore, an unmarried and childless Jesus would disqualify him from working his way to become a god.

TC: Not to mention that the creator of the show, the one who has total control of the content, is an evangelical, and the show has zero “Mormon [3]” influence. At least try to be accurate.

TBC: Your reference to professing evangelical Dallas Jenkins as “one who has total control of [The Chosen's] content” tells us that you are ignorant of Mr. Jenkin's contract which is a “Work for Hire Agreement.” That means that The Chosen Mormon [3] Production Company is ultimately in control.

In consideration of the many biblically compromising interviews given by ecumenist Dallas Jenkins, no one should look with confidence regarding his alleged “control of [The Chosen's] content.”

What was stated in our article was that the introduction of the multitude of unbiblical scenes added to The Chosen series opens the door for the acceptance of any beliefs about the Bible, including the bizarre doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.