A Globally Accepted Jesus?

The crowdfunded series, “The Chosen,” has soared in popularity and success, surpassing all expectations. It has garnered acclaim from Christians, individuals of other faiths, and those with no faith at all. However, can the Jesus of the Bible truly be embraced by such a diverse audience? At the conclusion of Jesus’ earthly ministry, despite His teachings, miracles, and acts of kindness, He was followed by only 120 remaining disciples. He frequently discussed the reality of rejection and warned about the emergence of false Christs. Is it possible that this show could be introducing us to one of them?

During the initial stages of “The Chosen” when its potential was being gauged, I looked into the background of the producer, Dallas Jenkins (son of Jerry Jenkins, co-author of the Left Behind series). There was nothing imediatly allarming about him or his background. Discovering his collaboration partners for the show, I found a Messianic Rabbi, which I deemed beneficial for historical authenticity, and a Christian apologist, ideal for depicting Christ’s diety and ultimately highlighting Him as the sole God and Savior. Despite initial skepticism, especially considering the commercial aspect, I decided to support the show financially, driven by a desire to endorse wholesome content independent of Hollywood.

Upon the release of the first episode, I felt a bit of disappointment seeing an outspoken Catholic portraying Jesus, yet I reserved judgment to see the show’s trajectory. Despite this initial concern, I found myself deeply appreciating the high-quality production and the depth of character development. As a pastor, it became incumbent upon me to continually remind people that “The Chosen,” much like the Left Behind series, falls within the realm of historical fiction. While loosely grounded in biblical narrative, it remains a work of fiction. It’s crucial to guard against allowing it to shape one’s theology and idea of Jesus. Remember, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God,” not any movie or work of man.

As the series unfolded, my sense of disappointment deepened with each passing episode due to remarks made by Dallas Jenkins, the noticeable Catholic undertones in the show, and the actor portraying Jesus utilizing his newfound platform to endorse his Catholic mysticism app (labeled as “prayer and meditation”).

While I may still follow the show’s progression, given the excitement among many Christians, my enthusiasm wanes as I observe a more ecumenical portrayal of Jesus and a blurred depiction of the Gospel. Consequently, I find myself increasingly hesitant to lend any form of support to it.

About this short exposé: 

While I empathize with their sentiments and concerns regarding “The Chosen,” which is why I’m sharing this video, I would also advise caution. These individuals seem to be swinging too far in the opposite direction, advocating for a works-based, Lordship salvation, which is equally erroneous and heretical. I m not familiar with this group, nor do I endorse them.

With that being said, this video does a good job expressing some of concerns I have had about “The Chosen.” Could it be promoting an ecumenical Jesus? Please listen to their findings and warnings about “The Chosen” in this video.