Apparent Criticism of “The Chosen” – Jesuit Smokescreens

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An article disguised as criticism of the series “The Chosen” shows in exemplary fashion how people who have already been misled can be cemented in their position. Critical thinking against this supposed gospel presentation is certainly appropriate, but a Jesuit author has not spared any smokescreens for this.

“The Chosen” – Alleged Gospel

The TV series “The Chosen”, a supposed depiction of Jesus during his work in our world, based on the four Gospels of the New Testament, has now become a world-famous story. Translated or dubbed into around 50 languages ​​and watched by hundreds of millions of viewers since its premiere in spring 2019. Around 30 percent of those interested do not belong to a Christian community. “The Chosen” has now become very popular and the author of an article in the Jesuit magazine “America – The Jesuit Review” wonders whether this series should also be watched by Catholics. (Source).

The author, himself a Jesuit, takes a seemingly critical stance towards “The Chosen” on various points. He highlights one or two visible discrepancies between the actions shown and the statements in the Bible. Nevertheless, he introduces his view with the statement that the series brings the “stories of the Gospels to the screen”. A claim that has long been refuted even by the producer of “The Chosen”, Dallas Jenkins. His words in an interview with Shane Cox that 95 percent of the content of this series does not come from the Bible are in direct contrast to this. (Info).

Too much fuss about pseudo-figure

The fan base, especially around the Jesus actor Jonathan Roumie, is huge. The filmmakers are not afraid to associate the actor’s portrayal directly with Jesus. Biblical verse excerpts presented on social media are also often accompanied by a picture of Roumie. Many of the fans’ reactions speak for themselves. “Roumie is Jesus, Jesus is Roumie.”

Despite the superficially critical attitude towards “The Chosen”, the actor is allowed to express his own opinion in the Jesuit magazine article.”“You could have the key to salvation for people and exactly what to do to be saved and have the meaning of life encapsulated in a three-sentence index card, but if you bury that index card in a bucket of garbage, you’ve lost them.“

How does this fit together when the series “The Chosen” only represents 5 percent of the biblical content?

The “criticism” in excerpts

What is the Jesuit author actually “complaining” about? He criticizes inaccurate depictions of individual actions and the portrayal of the actors. For example, a follower of John the Baptist reported that John called money a social construct. Matthew, a former tax collector, was not immediately welcomed by the disciples who followed him after his calling. In addition, there are elaborations of backgrounds that are actually unknown, such as the question of how the following women could have earned their money. In the series, they are made to sell olive oil. Others, on the other hand, wondered what it meant when Christ “brought the sword.”

The motive of his criticism becomes clear

What the author is actually concerned with in his criticism, or rather what it is not concerned with, is shown by the example of the scene with John the Baptist and his criticism of Herod. John rebuked Herod Antipas for his marriage to his brother’s wife, Herodias. Jesus responded in “The Chosen” with a gentle voice, ““I understand it is against the law of Moses, but I’m here for bigger purposes than the breaking of rules“. And Jesus continued, “The romantic lives of rulers and kings has been and always will be of enormous fascination to people. It was covered at length in Torah. I didn’t see why you feel the need to focus on it now.“

What is the author actually criticizing about this statement? He asks whether one really needs to preach so much about sexual sins!

The author of the Jesuit magazine criticizes the topic raised, saying that it should not be discussed in such detail, but he did not mention the statements put into Jesus’ mouth. This is particularly spicy, because nothing in the statements made by the actor playing Jesus, Roumie, corresponds to the Gospel. Not only are these words pure fantasy, but they directly contradict certain aspects of the Gospel.

Serious discrepancies

It starts with the fact that it is not the law of Moses, but the law of God, specifically the 7th commandment, “You shall not commit adultery!” (Info).

• The term “Law of Moses” further adds fuel to the fire of the great confusion between moral laws (10 Commandments) and ceremonial laws (statutes, statutes) (Info).
• He is “here for higher reasons than just to break rules” implies specifically that Jesus broke rules. This contradicts His sinlessness and also His immutability in terms of character and His laws. Here the position of the Pharisees is taken, who accused Jesus of breaking laws (e.g. Sabbath – Info), die allerdings ihre eigenen menschlichen, traditionellen Gesetze meinten.
• Jesus reprimands John the Baptist “in a gentle tone” for addressing the “understandable” love life of kings and rulers in this way. In this way, Jesus justified the violation of the commandment of fidelity in marriage, since it was a “normal thing”.

But all of this seems justified to the author. One should just not talk about it too much. That is how deception works. One criticizes one or two small things, such as the jewelry and jewels on the Ethiopian Tamar, or questionable scenes that are reminiscent of Chinese rites that the Jesuit Matteo Ricci reported in the 16th century. But core statements that completely contradict the gospel are taken for granted and thus indirectly awarded a seal of quality..

There may also be some satisfaction

One could therefore assume that the Jesuit author was satisfied when he spoke to the father of the producer of “The Chosen”, who is also the co-author of the books “Left Behind”. Also made into a film and based on the idea of ​​an early rapture of the Christian community before the start of a 7-year period of tribulation. A version that is believed by very wide circles in the evangelical world, but is a sophisticated story from the pens of the Jesuits. The authors, development and motives of this “story about a secret pre-rapture” are known. (Info).

This supposed criticism of “The Chosen” is what it is. A vulgar approach to cementing people in their essential error. After his extensive smokescreening, the author also concludes that he does not necessarily want to do “free advertising for the show,” but only “advertisement for reality.” To find out whether “The Chosen” is to “your taste or not,” the author says, it’s time to sit down and watch it.

A real “masterpiece” from the “contemplative thought forges” of the Loyola Brotherhood (Info).

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)