How Biblically Accurate Is The Chosen?

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How Biblically Accurate Is The Chosen?

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  • What Is The Chosen About?
  • Examples of The Chosen’s Biblical Accuracy

As a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a passionate viewer of biblical dramas, I can confidently say that “The Chosen” has truly been a revelation. This crowd-funded TV show has not only captivated my spirit but also resonated with my soul in ways few productions have managed to do.

“The Chosen”

As June 30, 2024, approaches and the fourth season of The Chosen concludes, I can’t help but wonder how the people will react when Jesus is revealed as the Messiah, following his miraculous resurrection of Lazarus. Until we know when Season 5 will premiere, let’s delve into the show’s biblical roots to assess its historical veracity. The creators have skillfully crafted the series by drawing upon well-known Bible stories as a foundation for fleshing out the characters’ backstories, without straying from the essence of the original text.

What Is The Chosen About?

How Biblically Accurate Is The Chosen?

The Chosen, a crowd-funded Christian historical drama, was developed by Dallas Jenkins. Initially available only on the The Chosen app, its popularity surged when it was incorporated into Peacock in 2021. The narrative focuses on the early life of Jesus Christ, portrayed by Jonathan Roumie, during his time in Galilee and Judea during the first century.

In Jesus’ time, as he imparts moral teachings and establishes a following of believers, several prominent biblical characters make their appearance. Among those recruited by Jesus are Mary Magdalene (Elizabeth Tabish), Thaddeus (Giavani Cairo), Little James (Jordan Walker Ross), Big James (Abe Bueno-Jallad), Peter (Shahar Isaac), Andrew (Noah James), John (George H. Xanthis), Matthew (Paras Patel), Shmuel (Shaan Sharma), and others who assist in spreading his message of righteousness.

As a devoted fan, I’ve found myself deeply immersed in the world of “The Chosen,” a series that weaves together tales reminiscent of the New Testament. Interestingly, the opening credits of the pilot episode shed light on the show’s unique storytelling intentions, as revealed in their brief introduction:

“The Chosen series is inspired by the genuine accounts found in the gospels of Jesus Christ. Certain places and events have been merged or compressed, while additional backgrounds, characters, and dialogue have been incorporated. All creative interpretations aim to uphold the essence and purpose of the Scriptures. We recommend reading the gospels for a deeper understanding. The original names, settings, and phrases are translated into modern English for any spoken dialogues.”

How The Chosen Remains Biblically Accurate

How Biblically Accurate Is The Chosen?

Despite making some artistic adaptations to flesh out certain characters’ histories, the series, titled “The Chosen,” maintains a faithful representation of the Bible’s essence. The show’s creator, Jenkins, who holds a degree in Biblical Studies, assembled a group of theologians and religious scholars for precise accuracy. This team includes Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel, Catholic priest Father David Guffey, and New Testament professor Doug Huffman from Biola University, as reported by the Catholic News Agency.

1. Three specialists evaluate the scripts, offering suggestions and historical references to maintain factual accuracy in each installment. In Season 4, the expert team expanded with the addition of Orthodox Jewish scholar David Nekrutman. It’s important to mention that Jenkins acknowledges The Wire and Friday Night Lights as creative touchstones. Meanwhile, co-writers Tyler Thompson and John Swanson have acknowledged Game of Thrones, Battlestar Galactica, and Star Trek as primary sources of inspiration (as reported by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times).

Examples of The Chosen’s Biblical Accuracy

How Biblically Accurate Is The Chosen?

As a dedicated gamer immersed in the world of biblical narratives, I can tell you that “The Chosen” is a captivating series that delves into the heart of the New Testament events from the Bible. To put it simply, Season 1 beautifully portrays the story of Jesus’ birth. As our protagonist matures and performs miracles, he touches lives in remarkable ways – healing Mary Magdalene and restoring mobility to a man confined to a bed. Following the stirring tale of the “Paralytic in Capernaum,” Jesus invites Matthew, a tax collector, to join him and his disciples on their journey through Samaria. This voyage brings them into contact with figures like Nicodemus and the woman at the well, who play crucial roles in spreading Jesus’ teachings.

In Season 2 of the historically accurate drama, titled “The Chosen”, Jesus and his disciples journey through Syria and Judea, expanding their ministry, demonstrating miraculous acts, and amassing followers. The characters Judas and John the Baptist present challenges as Jesus readies to impact a larger audience by delivering the renowned Sermon on the Mount – an event portrayed with careful attention to detail and authenticity in “The Chosen”.

In Season 3, Jesus and his disciples go back to Capernaum to share God’s message. Working in pairs, the disciples encounter their greatest challenge by performing miracles independently, without Jesus’ assistance. The following season (Season 4), Jesus restores sight to a blind man, resurrects Lazarus, and handles John the Baptist’s execution. These events in the show closely follow the Bible, although some artistic liberties were taken to provide a deeper understanding of the characters’ backgrounds. As a result, The Chosen could be seen as a historically-based dramatization rather than a biblical documentary. This production maintains the spiritual lessons from the Scriptures while enhancing and expanding upon certain characters and incidents to appeal to contemporary viewers.

Critics such as preacher Voddie Baucham, among others, have raised concerns about the creative liberty taken in the show “The Chosen,” notably pointing out a potential violation of the Second Amendment (as reported by Christian Post). Additionally, there are accusations that the creator, Jenkins, has integrated Mormon theology into a series centered around Christian evangelicalism (Salt Lake Tribune). However, overall, “The Chosen” adheres closely to the New Testament, and while it does take some liberties, these are consistent with Jesus’ teachings in the Bible and align with the doctrines of the Christian evangelical church.

The Chosen is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock & Hulu.

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2024-08-03 22:01