“The Chosen” - Powerful Message on Film

Over the years, filmmakers who have chosen to portray the life of Jesus have always been challenged to achieve biblical accuracy while also framing the narrative and characters in a way that conveys the message and ministry of Christ in an understandable and entertaining way.  Usually a film will contain a disclaimer to explain how its creators have decided to portray the amazing life and ministry of Christ.  Even the inspired authors of the Gospel accounts included only selected aspects of the life of Christ.

The Apostle John paused near the end of his epistle to include a purpose statement for his Gospel (“Good News”) with an implied disclaimer.  He writes, Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20: 30-31).

The opening credits to Episode 1, Season 1 of Dallas Jenkins’ film production, The Chosen, includes a disclaimer that reads very much like the above disclaimer written by John:

 “The Chosen” is based on the true stories of the gospels of Jesus Christ.  Some locations and timelines have been combined or condensed.  Backstories and some characters or dialogue have been added.
However, all biblical and historical context and any artistic imagination are designed to support the truth and intention of the Scriptures.  Viewers are encouraged to read the gospels.

In her review of The Chosen in WORLD Magazine, Megan Basham notes that Jenkins “takes creative license by asking intelligent questions then imagining stories that might answer them.” For example, Episode 1 introduces viewers to a young man, Matthew, who will become one of Jesus’ disciples and eventually write the Gospel of Matthew.  But here Matthew is employed to do the Romans’ bidding and is hated by the Jewish people because he extracts exorbitant taxes from their meager incomes.

Four other future followers of Christ are introduced: Peter and his brother Andrew, and James and John.  They are among the Jews feeling the bite of taxation as they struggle to maintain their small business—fishing in the Sea of Galilee.  Jenkins uses the threat of financial ruin under heavy Roman taxation as a plausible backstory for why these rugged men had been toiling at their nets all night until Jesus told them to “put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch (Luke 5: 1-11).”

But the first character we meet in The Chosen is an unlikely one to launch a crowdfunded movie series on the life of Christ.  She is Mary of Magdala, better known as Mary Magdalene, and she appears in the first scene in the middle of the night as a fearful little girl clutching her doll.  Her father comforts her with the promise from prophetic Scripture, written 500 years earlier, and they recite these words:

But now, thus says the LORD,
who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
 I have called you by your name;
You are Mine. – Isaiah 43: 1

Fast-forward 28 years, and we find Mary Magdalene who goes by another name and is an abused, rejected, and demon-possessed woman.  To her, the promise of God in Isaiah now seems hollow and powerless.  Nor does Mary find assistance or hope from Nicodemus who represents the organized religion of his day.

Many of us can identify with Mary as we struggle against the age-old temptations of pride, power, materialism, depression, and addiction.  But just when she reaches the depths of despair, Mary hears a Man calling her by her real name, “Mary.” Then, He speaks those same words from Isaiah that she had recited in the warmth and security of her father’s arms—“…I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; You are Mine.”

We were deeply moved and impressed by the first episode of The Chosen.  So we purchased the first season and in so doing, are “paying it forward” to assist writer/director Dallas Jenkins and VidAngel in the making of eight additional episodes for Season 2.  I hope you will take time to view online the first episode, “I Have Called You by Name.”  Subsequent episodes are available at VidAngel.com.