Jesus' Portrayal in "The Chosen"

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Radius

Senior Member
Feb 11, 2013
1,171
181
63
#1
I, like many of you, have seen nearly every movie about Jesus' life. None of the depictions of Jesus have left an impression on me like "The Chosen".

You can just feel His love for everyone in every scene. It's been such an inspiration to me. I truly believe that's how Jesus was. A kind man, one who also joked with his friends and was very charismatic.

If you haven't seen the series I strongly urge you too. It will make you cry in every episode most likely, so be ready for that, too.

What are your thoughts about The Chosen?

God Bless.
 

TamLynn

A heart at rest
Nov 27, 2014
985
1,019
93
#2
I, like many of you, have seen nearly every movie about Jesus' life. None of the depictions of Jesus have left an impression on me like "The Chosen".

You can just feel His love for everyone in every scene. It's been such an inspiration to me. I truly believe that's how Jesus was. A kind man, one who also joked with his friends and was very charismatic.

If you haven't seen the series I strongly urge you too. It will make you cry in every episode most likely, so be ready for that, too.

What are your thoughts about The Chosen?

God Bless.
I've enjoyed all the episodes...and you're right, they did make me cry.

I like how they describe the show as "the life of Jesus through the eyes of His friends."

I realize every little bit of it isn't exactly what happened and they've taken some artistic liberties, but still, it always leaves me feeling very grateful to know Jesus as my Savior. 🙏🏻
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,269
1,425
113
#3
I, like many of you, have seen nearly every movie about Jesus' life. None of the depictions of Jesus have left an impression on me like "The Chosen".

You can just feel His love for everyone in every scene. It's been such an inspiration to me. I truly believe that's how Jesus was. A kind man, one who also joked with his friends and was very charismatic.

If you haven't seen the series I strongly urge you too. It will make you cry in every episode most likely, so be ready for that, too.

What are your thoughts about The Chosen?

God Bless.
I liked the first episode of the first season a lot. A favorite was when Mary was approached and embraced by Jesus. In some other episodes , I didn't care for certain ways Jesus was portrayed. For example one episode where Jesus had rebuked some of his disciples seemed overly harsh and unkind. And in one episode Jesus was joking about a disciple to a lady, I didn't agree with it because it came off as rude thing to do and gossip.
 

Aerials1978

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2019
1,707
987
113
#4
Vidangel who produces The Chosen is Mormon owed and operated. I would say watch with a lot of discernment.
 

TamLynn

A heart at rest
Nov 27, 2014
985
1,019
93
#6
Just finished a Google search.
Vidangels founding members
Vidangel who produces The Chosen is Mormon owed and operated. I would say watch with a lot of discernment.
Google searching to find out more. 🙃
 
T

tstumf

Guest
#7
I liked the first episode of the first season a lot. A favorite was when Mary was approached and embraced by Jesus. In some other episodes , I didn't care for certain ways Jesus was portrayed. For example one episode where Jesus had rebuked some of his disciples seemed overly harsh and unkind. And in one episode Jesus was joking about a disciple to a lady, I didn't agree with it because it came off as rude thing to do and gossip.
I still weep like a baby at that scene no matter how many times I see it. I’m ok till he speaks Isaiah 43:1 to her and im dropping tears as a man. I really believe this show has helped me see Jesus not as religion but a walk in intimate relationship with him, a brotherhood in the faith. I watched the narrated 1978 Jesus film and I couldn’t connect. this show I think really drives home Jesus was 100% human and still 100% Christ the son of God. It’s really good at capturing his human emotions and interaction with those around that have really gotten lost in the fog of thousands of years of religion. We tend to forget the disciples were average sinners just like you and me and Jesus said
“follow me”. Jesus picked not the religious experts to follow him as disciples but average Joe fishermen and women who had a dark past. I think that gets lost . Mary Magdalene ,James, John , Simon/Peter, Saul/Paul were people no different than us called to a higher purpose by Jesus. that’s what I like about the show it takes the veil of religion off Jesus and his disciples.
 
T

tstumf

Guest
#8
Vidangel who produces The Chosen is Mormon owed and operated. I would say watch with a lot of discernment.
I would say regardless of what is perhaps a Mormon tie someone found the show really does not pander to Mormonism. The producer is Dallas Jenkens and he is an evangelical Christian. His advisers are a Catholic priest, A Jewish rabbi, and and several other experts on the faith both in evangelical and catholic circles. I doubt you will experience Mormonism by watching the show. Dallas Jenkins has been very upfront and frank about the criticism he’s been facing for the show and has several videos out that explain the worries and his responses to the show’s critics. I’ve liked the show and I think it has great potential to help lead the unbeliever to Christ void of denominational and minor church doctrinal disagreements.
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
2,107
763
113
#9
I, like many of you, have seen nearly every movie about Jesus' life. None of the depictions of Jesus have left an impression on me like "The Chosen".

You can just feel His love for everyone in every scene. It's been such an inspiration to me. I truly believe that's how Jesus was. A kind man, one who also joked with his friends and was very charismatic.

If you haven't seen the series I strongly urge you too. It will make you cry in every episode most likely, so be ready for that, too.

What are your thoughts about The Chosen?

God Bless.
For the most part, I liked how our Lord was portrayed. The only thing I didn't like was a scene where he seems to be rehearsing a sermon before speaking to the crowd.
 

Aerials1978

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2019
1,707
987
113
#10
I would say regardless of what is perhaps a Mormon tie someone found the show really does not pander to Mormonism. The producer is Dallas Jenkens and he is an evangelical Christian. His advisers are a Catholic priest, A Jewish rabbi, and and several other experts on the faith both in evangelical and catholic circles. I doubt you will experience Mormonism by watching the show. Dallas Jenkins has been very upfront and frank about the criticism he’s been facing for the show and has several videos out that explain the worries and his responses to the show’s critics. I’ve liked the show and I think it has great potential to help lead the unbeliever to Christ void of denominational and minor church doctrinal disagreements.
While I do agree that someone can be brought to Christ through this show, given that fact that LDS does have major influence on it. What’s being portrayed is a historical Jesus that is not the eternal and only God. Mormons fundamentally reject that. Again, just watch with discernment is all I’m saying.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#11
I watched the first episode and the beginning one the Shepherd
I didnt get past the first episode Im sorry
I know ppl raved about it but...I kinda fell asleep.

I havent seen every movie about Jesus though, so cant really compare all the different portrayals of Jesus. I think once you read the book (The Bible) any movie made of it is always kinda disappointing!
 

Radius

Senior Member
Feb 11, 2013
1,171
181
63
#12
I watched the first episode and the beginning one the Shepherd
I didnt get past the first episode Im sorry
I know ppl raved about it but...I kinda fell asleep.

I havent seen every movie about Jesus though, so cant really compare all the different portrayals of Jesus. I think once you read the book (The Bible) any movie made of it is always kinda disappointing!
It takes 2-3 episodes to get into it. Jesus wasn't even really revealed until the end of episode 1. Don't sell yourself short and keep watching. I promise by episode 3 onward you will love it.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,020
4,439
113
#13
I, like many of you, have seen nearly every movie about Jesus' life. None of the depictions of Jesus have left an impression on me like "The Chosen".

You can just feel His love for everyone in every scene. It's been such an inspiration to me. I truly believe that's how Jesus was. A kind man, one who also joked with his friends and was very charismatic.

If you haven't seen the series I strongly urge you too. It will make you cry in every episode most likely, so be ready for that, too.

What are your thoughts about The Chosen?

God Bless.
My wife and i are watching. Just started series 2.
We love it and we have a bet as to who will cry first.

It brings a humanity to it.
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,269
1,425
113
#14
I still weep like a baby at that scene no matter how many times I see it. I’m ok till he speaks Isaiah 43:1 to her and im dropping tears as a man. I really believe this show has helped me see Jesus not as religion but a walk in intimate relationship with him, a brotherhood in the faith. I watched the narrated 1978 Jesus film and I couldn’t connect. this show I think really drives home Jesus was 100% human and still 100% Christ the son of God. It’s really good at capturing his human emotions and interaction with those around that have really gotten lost in the fog of thousands of years of religion. We tend to forget the disciples were average sinners just like you and me and Jesus said
“follow me”. Jesus picked not the religious experts to follow him as disciples but average Joe fishermen and women who had a dark past. I think that gets lost . Mary Magdalene ,James, John , Simon/Peter, Saul/Paul were people no different than us called to a higher purpose by Jesus. that’s what I like about the show it takes the veil of religion off Jesus and his disciples.
It was definitely a scene that touched my heart as well. I also enjoyed the scene where Jesus calls Matthew. My opinion is that the chosen gets some things right and some things the show gets wrong concerning how Jesus is portrayed.
 
T

tstumf

Guest
#15
It was definitely a scene that touched my heart as well. I also enjoyed the scene where Jesus calls Matthew. My opinion is that the chosen gets some things right and some things the show gets wrong concerning how Jesus is portrayed.
as they all will portray him wrong this side of eternity. It will be a great mystery to us till we go to meet him or he comes back . It has been a couple thousand years since anyone has seen him. One should keep in mind the Bible and what it actually shows Jesus personality was like. The beautiful thing about Jesus he could seamlessly move his personality around to meet the need perfectly in the moment. He treated the Woman at the well with a cunning playfulness and he could turn around to a Pharisee and rebuke them harshly or in many cases rebuke the disciples with some necessary harshness then also be a jokester with them and playful with his disciples in the next moment. To the The prostitute he showed her compassion and mercy but also told her to “go and sin no more” he did all this perfectly as the situations needed . of course anyone portraying him will fall short. Usually we as unfinished people have strong aspects of our personality and weak places in personality. We prefer to interact with people one way over the other. We might be introverted or extroverted, loud and boisterous or quiet and unassuming Jesus could do it all equally well and meet anyone right where they were and responded perfectly . As far as visually I think they probably got close enough . Middle eastern looking rather than European . The actor portraying Jesus is named Johnathan and he is actually part Egyptian. There have been a couple books I’ve read where they dissect the Bible to try to get a good view of what walking next to Jesus would have been like. The first one is The Jesus I never knew- Philip Yancey and the other one was Beautiful Outlaw - John Eldridge. You would be surprised how much we have misinterpreted the actual biblical Jesus over the years and made his personality absolutely abstract in our walk of faith. We can actually find him again and know his personality very intimately but we have to put away the religiousness and really look at the man and his interactions with people. I’d encourage you to check those two books out. Very revealing about our church culture and how we get assumptions about Jesus . I had a Sunday school picture in my mind of Jesus for much of my life but after reading these books I found he so much more dynamic than that picture of him with the lamb.
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,269
1,425
113
#16
as they all will portray him wrong this side of eternity. It will be a great mystery to us till we go to meet him or he comes back . It has been a couple thousand years since anyone has seen him. One should keep in mind the Bible and what it actually shows Jesus personality was like. The beautiful thing about Jesus he could seamlessly move his personality around to meet the need perfectly in the moment. He treated the Woman at the well with a cunning playfulness and he could turn around to a Pharisee and rebuke them harshly or in many cases rebuke the disciples with some necessary harshness then also be a jokester with them and playful with his disciples in the next moment. To the The prostitute he showed her compassion and mercy but also told her to “go and sin no more” he did all this perfectly as the situations needed . of course anyone portraying him will fall short. Usually we as unfinished people have strong aspects of our personality and weak places in personality. We prefer to interact with people one way over the other. We might be introverted or extroverted, loud and boisterous or quiet and unassuming Jesus could do it all equally well and meet anyone right where they were and responded perfectly . As far as visually I think they probably got close enough . Middle eastern looking rather than European . The actor portraying Jesus is named Johnathan and he is actually part Egyptian. There have been a couple books I’ve read where they dissect the Bible to try to get a good view of what walking next to Jesus would have been like. The first one is The Jesus I never knew- Philip Yancey and the other one was Beautiful Outlaw - John Eldridge. You would be surprised how much we have misinterpreted the actual biblical Jesus over the years and made his personality absolutely abstract in our walk of faith. We can actually find him again and know his personality very intimately but we have to put away the religiousness and really look at the man and his interactions with people. I’d encourage you to check those two books out. Very revealing about our church culture and how we get assumptions about Jesus . I had a Sunday school picture in my mind of Jesus for much of my life but after reading these books I found he so much more dynamic than that picture of him with the lamb.
If we want to get a biblical view of Jesus the best source is the Scriptures. I agree that all will fall short in portraying Jesus. We are called to imitate Christ. Movies / shows may help in one's view of Jesus. Conversely, they may also hurt in how one looks at Jesus. Watching the chosen or any other show on Jesus life, it is good to discern what is accurate and what isn't.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,885
5,630
113
#17
I, like many of you, have seen nearly every movie about Jesus' life. None of the depictions of Jesus have left an impression on me like "The Chosen".

You can just feel His love for everyone in every scene. It's been such an inspiration to me. I truly believe that's how Jesus was. A kind man, one who also joked with his friends and was very charismatic.

If you haven't seen the series I strongly urge you too. It will make you cry in every episode most likely, so be ready for that, too.

What are your thoughts about The Chosen?

God Bless.

never heard of it but think I’ll give it a watch when I can. seems Like a lot of the reviews in the thread are positive


thanks for taking the time to share God bless
 

Mel85

Daughter of the True King
Mar 28, 2018
10,910
6,897
113
#18
I couldn’t get past the first episode because it didn’t appeal to me in a spiritual way. I do know of others recommending it but also others who have recommended against it.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,232
3,575
113
#19
I, like many of you, have seen nearly every movie about Jesus' life. None of the depictions of Jesus have left an impression on me like "The Chosen".

You can just feel His love for everyone in every scene. It's been such an inspiration to me. I truly believe that's how Jesus was. A kind man, one who also joked with his friends and was very charismatic.

If you haven't seen the series I strongly urge you too. It will make you cry in every episode most likely, so be ready for that, too.

What are your thoughts about The Chosen?

God Bless.
The Chosen is a blasphemy and is leading many astray. It's subtle, that's what's so underhanded about it.

There are many things about it that are off but one that comes to mind is the portrayal of Jesus as still tied to Mary's apron strings even as a grown man. Before He gives the sermon on the mount it portrays Him as seeking reassurance from his mother. It portrays the sermon itself as a theatre production which is staged.

The Chosen is a commercial enterprise and it's making a few people (mostly LDSs) a ton of money; but it's based on a false portrayal of Jesus and the gospel.

This isn't a personal attack on you. I'm not saying anything bad about you because you like it; I'm just pointing out things you may not be aware of.
 

Radius

Senior Member
Feb 11, 2013
1,171
181
63
#20
The Chosen is a blasphemy and is leading many astray. It's subtle, that's what's so underhanded about it.

There are many things about it that are off but one that comes to mind is the portrayal of Jesus as still tied to Mary's apron strings even as a grown man. Before He gives the sermon on the mount it portrays Him as seeking reassurance from his mother. It portrays the sermon itself as a theatre production which is staged.

The Chosen is a commercial enterprise and it's making a few people (mostly LDSs) a ton of money; but it's based on a false portrayal of Jesus and the gospel.

This isn't a personal attack on you. I'm not saying anything bad about you because you like it; I'm just pointing out things you may not be aware of.
Are you sure that Jesus really didnt seek reassurance from his mother? Remember Jesus wasn't completely devoid of being human. He was 100% man and 100% God. If God wasn't human why did He ask the Father in the Garden for some other way than death. He was SCARED. God is not scared. But the human side of Jesus was. Therefore, yes, the creators of The Chosen took certain liberties when directing the film, but to cast it off as "blasphemous" is going way too far in the other direction if you ask me.