Grace Thompson
The Chosen is an American Christian multi-season television series about the life and ministry of Jesus. While the show has received positive reviews from some Catholics, it is not a Catholic production. The show was created, written, directed, and produced by Dallas Jenkins, who is Protestant. The show has been criticised by some Catholics for adding and changing parts of the Bible. However, Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in the series, has stated that the show is made by devout Christians and is not intended to be a replacement for the Bible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Production | The Chosen is not a Catholic production. |
| Producers | The Chosen was produced by a Protestant. |
| Religious ministers | A panel of different religious ministers agreed on the content before it was recorded. |
| Bible Roundtables | The show's creator, Dallas Jenkins, attends Bible Roundtables, which are forums to discuss controversial differences that arise in the show. |
| Catholic actors | Jesus is played by Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie. |
| Catholic consultants | Catholic consultants include Fr. David Guffey, CSC, the Catholic Bible consultant for Seasons 1 and 3, and Jonathan Roumie. |
| Catholic commentary | Catholic commentary on the show is available on the Formed app and through the Augustine Institute. |
| Catholic portrayal | Some Catholics have criticized the show for misrepresenting Catholic theology. |
| Emotional and spiritual experience | The show's creator, Dallas Jenkins, wants viewers to have an emotional and spiritual experience when watching. |
| Dramatic license | The show takes dramatic license and is not a doctrinal exposition of the Gospels. |
| Artistic license | The show takes artistic license to portray the rapport between Jesus and his apostles through the lens of modern relationships with authority figures. |
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What You'll Learn
The Chosen is a Protestant production
However, it is important to note that The Chosen is not intended to be a doctrinal exposition of the Gospels or a replacement for the Bible. It is a dramatic presentation that takes artistic license, and viewers are encouraged to exercise critical thinking and consult additional resources for a deeper understanding of the symbolism and theology.
The show has also received support from some Catholic organizations and individuals. The Augustine Institute, a faithful Catholic organization, acquired the rights to broadcast the first season and developed a Catholic Commentary series on the Formed app. Additionally, Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in the series, has been well-received by Catholic fans.
While The Chosen may not align perfectly with Catholic theology in every aspect, it has sparked discussions and provided a starting point for meditative prayer and evangelization. It is up to individual Catholics to decide whether to watch the show, and many have found it to be an artistic and spiritual delight that offers a fresh perspective on encountering Christ.
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Catholic priests have reviewed the show
While some Catholic priests have praised "The Chosen", others have criticised the show for its portrayal of certain characters and themes.
Positive Reviews
Catholic priests have praised "The Chosen" for its high production value and acting, with one priest, Fr. X, describing it as "wonderful". The series has also been commended for its positive portrayal of Jesus, with one priest commenting that it "enhances my vision of these Biblical figures by making them more human and complex". The show has also sparked discussions among priests and lay people, who have joined Zoom groups to watch and discuss the series together.
The Augustine Institute, a faithful Catholic organisation, acquired the rights to broadcast the first season, and developed a series of Catholic commentaries on the show. Catholic priests have also been consulted during the production of the show to ensure theological accuracy.
Negative Reviews
However, some Catholic priests have criticised "The Chosen" for its portrayal of certain characters and themes. For example, Fr. Brian Graebe has challenged the series' portrayal of Mary experiencing labour pains, which he argues is inconsistent with Catholic theology. Other priests have expressed concern that the show's Protestant creator, Dallas Jenkins, may inadvertently promote Protestant notions that are incompatible with Catholic faith.
Some priests have also taken issue with the series' portrayal of certain Biblical characters, such as St. John the Baptist and St. Peter, arguing that the show projects a Protestant interpretation of Scripture onto Catholic viewers. Additionally, some priests have criticised the show for its modern equivalent figures of speech and laid-back nondenominational tone, which they believe detract from the seriousness and divinity of Jesus and the Apostles.
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The show has been criticised for its portrayal of biblical characters
The Chosen, a multi-season television series about the life and ministry of Jesus, has received criticism for its portrayal of biblical characters. While some viewers appreciate the show's attempt to humanize Jesus and explore his emotions, others argue that it takes too much artistic license and deviates from traditional interpretations of the Bible.
One point of contention is the portrayal of Jesus' relationship with authority figures. In the series, Jesus is depicted as less reserved and more emotionally expressive than traditional depictions of a rabbi or family father in the first century. This portrayal is influenced by modern American and European cultures, where people have more casual relationships with authority figures. While some viewers find this relatable, others argue that it misrepresents the solemnity and prayerfulness of Jesus' character.
The show has also been criticized for its interpretation of specific biblical events and characters. For example, the portrayal of St. John the Baptist as an irresponsible troublemaker and the implication that Jesus bowed to St. Peter's wishes conflict with Catholic theology and traditional interpretations of the Bible. Additionally, the depiction of Mary experiencing labour pains and the alteration of Jesus' message to sinners have been cited as inaccurate and misleading.
Some Catholic viewers have expressed concern about the Protestant influences in the show, feeling that it portrays a Protestant interpretation of Scripture. They argue that the show's creative choices and additions to the biblical narrative deviate from Catholic doctrine and theology. However, it is important to note that The Chosen is not intended to be a doctrinal exposition of the Gospels but rather a dramatic presentation that takes artistic license.
Despite the criticisms, The Chosen has also received positive reviews from Catholic organizations and individuals. Some appreciate the show's ambition, spiritual storytelling, and ability to facilitate a personal encounter with Christ. The portrayal of Jesus by a devout Catholic actor, Jonathan Roumie, has been well-received by many Catholic fans. Ultimately, while The Chosen takes creative liberties with the biblical narrative, it has sparked discussions and provided a starting point for meditative prayer and theological exploration.
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The show has been praised for its artistic and spiritual merits
The American Christian historical drama television series "The Chosen" has received praise for its artistic and spiritual merits. The show is based on the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and is set in Judaea and Galilee in the first century.
The show has been praised for its engaging storytelling, relatable characters, and fresh take on biblical narratives. The meticulous attention to detail and high production values are also appreciated by viewers. The emotional impact of the show resonates deeply with its audience. The interaction between the disciples is one of the main focal points of the series, dramatizing the tensions in the nascent Church that are still present today. The treatment of St. Matthew, for instance, has drawn much attention and empathy from audiences. The disciples' foibles and imperfections are reflections of the spiritual descendants who strive to follow Christ today.
The portrayal of Jesus in the show has been described as "iconic" and "singular." Jonathan Roumie, the actor playing Jesus, has become an icon of Jesus by modelling Christ's actions and presence, influencing viewers to be more Christ-like. The serial nature of the show allows viewers to "follow" Jesus through a series of episodes, providing a new televisual way to engage with the life of Jesus that can complement one's spiritual life.
The show has also been commended for its artistic value, with some considering it "good art." The episodes clarify certain points about the gospels and highlight the connections between persons and events. The show puts a face to each apostle, giving them distinctive personalities and quirks. The portrayal of Jesus displaying a range of emotions with everyone, from laughing and making wry comments to being solemn and prayerful, has been noted as reflecting modern relationships with authority figures.
"The Chosen" has generated revenue through merchandise sales, partnerships with Christian publishers, and the release of companion Bible studies. The show has also inspired a series of graphic novels and soundtracks.
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The show is not intended to be a replacement for the Bible
The Chosen is a multi-season television series about the life and ministry of Jesus. The show is a historical drama that delves into the Gospel by retelling and expounding on the character and intentions of Jesus and those who knew him. The show has been praised for its quality production, good writing, and ambitious and visionary spiritual storytelling.
While The Chosen is a Biblically-inspired show, it is not intended to be a replacement for the Bible or a doctrinal exposition of the Gospels. The show takes artistic license and adds backstories and details to the Gospel story, which some viewers may find disagreeable. For example, the portrayal of St. John the Baptist as an irresponsible lunatic and the depiction of Mary experiencing labour pains have been criticised by some Catholics as misrepresentations.
The show has also been described as having Protestant influences, and some viewers have noted that it portrays a Protestant interpretation of Scripture. The show's creator, Dallas Jenkins, has stated that he does not consult a "panel" of different religious ministers on the making of the show but finds it fascinating to hear their different perspectives.
Despite these concerns, many Catholics have enjoyed the show, particularly the portrayal of Jesus by devout Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie. Some Catholic viewers have found certain scenes conducive to meditative prayer and have appreciated the show's ability to help them encounter Christ in a new way.
Ultimately, viewers are encouraged to use critical thinking when watching The Chosen and to recognise that it is a dramatic presentation rather than a doctrinal authority. It can be a starting point for discussion and evangelization, but it should not be the sole source of one's understanding of the Bible or Catholic theology.
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Frequently asked questions
No, The Chosen is a Protestant program. However, it has been praised by some Catholics for its portrayal of Jesus and its artistic and spiritual merits.
While some Catholics have criticised the show for its portrayal of certain characters and events, others have argued that it does more good than harm and can be a positive encounter with Christ. Ultimately, individuals must decide for themselves whether to watch it.
Some Catholics have taken issue with the show's portrayal of certain Biblical characters, arguing that it projects a Protestant interpretation of Scripture onto viewers. For example, St. John the Baptist has been criticised for seeming like an "irresponsible lunatic", and the show's depiction of Mary experiencing labour pains has been challenged as conflicting with Catholic theology.
Some Catholics have praised the show for its artistic and spiritual merits, arguing that it is a fresh and ambitious piece of spiritual storytelling. They argue that it is not intended to be a replacement for the Bible and that it can be conducive to meditative prayer.
