The Chosen TV series, more reviews

By Elizabeth Prata

The Chosen is a broadcast event that’s sweeping minds and hearts. The series, of which there are two seasons now with more to come, has been met with a ton of discussion- both pro and con.

Dallas Jenkins (son of Jerry Jenkins of Left Behind novels fame) is the series director and he is a superior filmmaker. His pacing, direction, and cinematography is unmatched in the realms of Christian filmmaking, and equals any well-financed Hollywood production.

Jenkins said he has been researching the cultural and historical background of the times in which Jesus lived so the series would be accurate. In this, he seems to have done a fantastic job. The costumes, behavior, and speech of the actors seems to match what actually have been done and said in the time. The sets and locations are great. He also claims that he is not adding to scripture, but being faithful to it. In this, the discussion parts ways. Some say Jenkins is filling in plausible blanks where the Bible is silent, others say he is definitely adding to scripture.

I offered my own opinion a few weeks ago, that review of season 1 is here. I am choosing not to watch season 2, as much as I liked season 1. It has become obvious as time goes on, that writer Jenkins is increasingly influenced by the false religion Mormonism (one of the producers of the show). He has said in interviews he and Mormons worship the same Jesus. We don’t. Those blanks he is filling in (something of concern in the first place) are tainted by a theology presenting a different Jesus.

I’ve gathered some reviews that offer an opinion on a variety of perspectives and pro and con. I’ve found that the most balanced review is a two part plus one review by the ladies at A Word Fitly Spoken: Amy Spreeman and Michelle Lesley. They review season 1 and season 2 and in a third part, address reader and listener comments and questions. Their reviews are below-

A Review of “The Chosen” – Part 1

A Review of “The Chosen” – Part 2

Your thoughts about “The Chosen” – Part 3

Pastor Mike Abendroth of Bethlehem Bible Church in Boylston, Massachusetts also runs a podcast called No Compromise Radio. In this podcast, Abendroth devotes the first half to his thoughts on The Chosen in response to a reader question-

Episodes

Pirate Christian Chris Rosebrough had a few short thoughts on The Chosen. Usually, Rosebrough devotes time to explain why he likes or doesn’t like something and uses scripture. This video is mainly him expressing that he doesn’t like The Chosen, but I was disappointed he didn’t spend a lot of time explaining from scripture why. But I do trust his discernment, and if you do as well, I thought I’d throw the Pirate’s opinion into the mix-

The World (magazine) says they produce sound journalism from a biblical perspective, and they review movies and tv series. Here is their review of The Chosen, and you can tell from the title they liked it: “An Adaptation of the Gospels Worth Watching.”

I am not familiar with Robin Lopez of Mama Bear Apologetics blog but here is her review of season 1.

OK, so that’s 2 negative reviews, 2 positive reviews, and the ladies at A Word Fitly Spoken in the middle of the road. Hope these help!