Agreed completely. It’s not the subject matter — I’m always interested in learning about things that are well-known to others but unknown to me — but this reads like a press release rather than journalism. Everything is taken at face value with zero critical framing. Even the backlash section sounds like it was written by the filmmakers. Is this an advertisement?
I’d be curious to know how many of the show’s passionate supporters are simultaneously voting for politicians who question whether feeding and healing the poor is necessary while championing tax breaks for billionaires. That disconnect between the “loaves and fishes” narrative and our lived political reality would be more in line with the newsletter’s mission, I would think. The story of the show’s success could be interesting, but not without an examination of what that success actually means.
Don’t ever make that assumption, please I’m a huge fan, a practicing Catholic, and a proud and compassionate liberal. I am in the minority but I am most definitely not alone!
Oh for sure, and sorry if I made it sound like I’m assuming people who are fans must also be MAGA Republican. I meant to just point out the disconnect between the generosity this piece describes versus what our country voted for.
I disagree. For me, the theme supports the “ do what you can with what you have” and “You never know when someone will have a change of heart”. I appreciate the back story - even though I haven’t watched a single episode.
If the story is about feeding a massive crowd of hungry people, what are these filmmakers doing to address this very real, present day issue? Are funds being donated to Feeding America and World Central Kitchen to make a tangible difference? Or is this just about trying to convert more followers and obtain more untaxable dollars? With soon to be seven series of global notoriety, where are the receipts?
Thanks for covering The Chosen. Back when it was first being released I began watching it. I loved it. As Christian Nationalism and Trump’s clear influence on American Christians began to take hold, I started to step away from active participation in my church and had a real crisis of faith. So, I haven’t engaged with The Chosen since 2022. I do think it’s a good project, one that shows Jesus in the way that Christians should see Him and should emulate. This made me want to re-engage with that content.
It’s a shame you’re allowing Trump to shape your faith, which could carry you through these dark times. I hope you’re able to find your way back and find a church that separates politics from their ministry.
I had a great church. The problem is living in an area that is RED, it’s very hard to find a church and a majority of people within that aren’t shaped by Trump’s politics. My church, one of the 50
largest in the country wasn’t about blatantly calling out anti-Christian behaviors. They tried a subtle approach. Unfortunately, that left too much room for justification by members raised on hardcore, punitive, conservative religious values. I’m not personally allowing my faith to be shaped by Trump’s politics. My faith in Jesus and my belief in Jesus are as steadfast as before. My compassion and empathy are even stronger. I do not need to attend a church to have that relationship. God is present with individuals and in community.
My husband and I (both Catholics) have been huge fans of the show since season 1 and have donated every season since. Every year at the start of Lent, we watch every season from the first episode and time the last with Easter, enriching our experience of the season. This show has without doubt converted my Bible studying from words on a page that I had trouble grasping and relating to, to visualizing the humans 2000 years ago who changed the world. Without a doubt, Dallas Jenkins, Jonathan Roumie, and the entire show have transformed our lives and deepened our faith, simply by bringing Jesus to life. I wish I could thank them in person. PS The round table discussions on the app with Dallas, a Priest, a Methodist Pastor, and a Messianic Rabbi are invaluable for insight.
I’m a fan of the show and glad you covered the backstory. It’s made a big impression on me and has encouraged me and deepened my faith as I read the Bible. I do like how the characters are portrayed. It doesn’t pretend to replace scripture but tells the stories in a way that I relate with them in a powerful way. They cover themes that everyone experiences.
You know, The Greatest Story Ever Told was a book that my mother read back in the day that really resonated with her and it is all about Jesus , in a novel , but based on scripture. Books like that can really help a lot of people continue to live a better life and I'm all for that mode of story telling that is transformative to many .
For those who feel like this story is misplaced, even if you look at this project from a purely historical perspective, I think they’ve done a great thing. The times and culture of the first century are brought to life in a way that gives depth and understanding for those of us who grew up hearing or reading these stories.
Even if you want to consider it historical fiction, the juxtaposition of Roman occupation, government, religious systems, etc., against the culture they were oppressing is portrayed in a way that brings that time period to life as no other production has before (at least not with this type of response/following). And for those with a belief in Scripture, it fleshes out these familiar passages and provides an understanding of the complexities of the situations, helping our faith grow, change, and adapt.
I think there’s probably as much variety in supporters of The Chosen as there is in any form of entertainment. As a believer who does not identify as a conservative, I hold out hope that continued engagement can change hearts and minds and affect folks’ reactions to our political climate, in a similar way as the atheists Jonathan Roumie described.
Whenever I’m hearing about millions of dollars and a religious project, I can’t help but think about it terms of the actual things Jesus taught. Yes he said to go and spread the gospel, and I could see someone make a good argument for this being a modern and creative way to do so. But I also think Jesus himself would rather see those millions of dollars at work on behalf of the people in the world who are sick, starving, suffering, etc. If people are using a dramatized tv show to deepen their faith, then are they thinking about Jesus the character as conceived by Dallas Jenkins rather than the biblical Jesus? People are being inspired to donate to the tv show’s ongoing production, but are they being inspired to give up their worldly possessions, to take care of those in need, to donate to the poor? And has Dallas Jenkins become a rich man from this show? I can only assume that part of the tens of millions of dollars he’s raised pays his salary. But as a crowd-sourced business do they disclose how the funds are actually used anywhere?
It's my understanding that he puts much of the profits back into production for other Jesus movie projects to help spread the message , but the man is entitled to make a living by keeping some profits for himself and his progeny, if he has any, of course.
The Christian message of being good neighbors and mindful of the needs of others is one that must continue to be told .As for The Chosen , it probably has impacted many people of all ages with an imprint that will stay with them for a lifetime just as Jesus of Nazareth and Ben Hur did with me back in the mid twentieth century. Those kinds memories are well worth the millions spent to produce them and yes, for monetary gain but also for the benefit of many people who watched them . Such is the nature of really good entertainment.
I get what you’re saying and agree that art and entertainment have tremendous value. And of course the creator should be able to support his family. It’s very hard for me to put into words exactly what I was getting at with my questions, but as I said in a previous response to someone else, the questions weren’t meant to condemn or hurt. They are just things I grapple with whenever a religious organization is making huge profits and no one really knows where all that money is going. Perhaps all the people who have donated get a detailed report and they publish their spending, earnings, tax returns, etc. I thought someone in this group might actually know. I was just sort of wondering aloud about that piece of the story because know one else was saying anything about it.
Did you read the article? This show alone is responsible for thousands and thousands of converts (data I have from elsewhere) and people hearing Jesus’ word for the first time. He would definitely have wanted people to have The Chosen. Living water and spiritual food is more sustainable (paraphrasing Jesus there).
Yes I did read the article :) My questions weren’t meant as any kind of threat, just some things that came up as I read it. I’m not sure if it’s my age, the type of church I was raised in, my education, my life experience, or what, but I find the idea of a dramatized tv show being considered “Jesus’s word” a little odd. Not in a bad way, just in a different way. Something to ponder. And I have also questioned where money is flowing and who is profiting from something for decades. So for me that is also just something to consider. I wasn’t condemning the show or anyone who loves it or has benefited from it, but was bringing up thoughts I didn’t see in any other comments.
Thank you, Elise, for your fine piece on The Chosen, of which I plan to watch real soon. I like the thought of setting the example of sharing what you have with others and I think that very well mean that it actually happened that way when the 5,000 were fed . Back then ,the head count was for men only and not for women and children who were there ,so, the total amount of people fed that day could have been twice that or say 10,000 souls, maybe more . The humaneness of that moment was amazing and show us that when living in community now we can affect positive outcomes through being generous toward others in our own way with what we may have available as discretionary funds or other things that can make a difference .
We liked the show. Haven’t engaged with it since season 3. But, it’s still evangelical fiction. The show doesn’t engage any actual scholars of the bible and religion. It’s setup to support the idea of Biblical inerrancy. It makes you believe the populous was very literate when the opposite is true. And in the end, it seems the message of Jesus goes completely ignored by those who claim to follow him as evidenced by their behaviors presently. I’m grateful Dallas and Jonathan have done a better treatment of Jesus than previous efforts by other people.
Fascinating. I have enjoyed episodes of The Chosen off and on. I had no idea of the back story. Very encouraging. Just bring your small self and see what happens.
The Preamble really lost the plot with this one.
Agreed completely. It’s not the subject matter — I’m always interested in learning about things that are well-known to others but unknown to me — but this reads like a press release rather than journalism. Everything is taken at face value with zero critical framing. Even the backlash section sounds like it was written by the filmmakers. Is this an advertisement?
I’d be curious to know how many of the show’s passionate supporters are simultaneously voting for politicians who question whether feeding and healing the poor is necessary while championing tax breaks for billionaires. That disconnect between the “loaves and fishes” narrative and our lived political reality would be more in line with the newsletter’s mission, I would think. The story of the show’s success could be interesting, but not without an examination of what that success actually means.
Don’t ever make that assumption, please I’m a huge fan, a practicing Catholic, and a proud and compassionate liberal. I am in the minority but I am most definitely not alone!
Same here Meredith, Catholic, enjoy the show and a proud compassionate liberal.
Oh for sure, and sorry if I made it sound like I’m assuming people who are fans must also be MAGA Republican. I meant to just point out the disconnect between the generosity this piece describes versus what our country voted for.
No worries — but being thought of as MAGA is like trying to shake rats off my body 😉
Presbyterian in a red state here and same, same, same!!! Power on sister. ♥️
I disagree. For me, the theme supports the “ do what you can with what you have” and “You never know when someone will have a change of heart”. I appreciate the back story - even though I haven’t watched a single episode.
If the story is about feeding a massive crowd of hungry people, what are these filmmakers doing to address this very real, present day issue? Are funds being donated to Feeding America and World Central Kitchen to make a tangible difference? Or is this just about trying to convert more followers and obtain more untaxable dollars? With soon to be seven series of global notoriety, where are the receipts?
Good point.
This one didn't really land for me, either. Not interesting whatsoever to me, but I'm also not a Christian. Oh, well. Hopefully next time.
I’m interested in public land especially wild horses and burros. Recommend Wild Horse Education as a legitimate org
Completely
Thanks for covering The Chosen. Back when it was first being released I began watching it. I loved it. As Christian Nationalism and Trump’s clear influence on American Christians began to take hold, I started to step away from active participation in my church and had a real crisis of faith. So, I haven’t engaged with The Chosen since 2022. I do think it’s a good project, one that shows Jesus in the way that Christians should see Him and should emulate. This made me want to re-engage with that content.
It’s a shame you’re allowing Trump to shape your faith, which could carry you through these dark times. I hope you’re able to find your way back and find a church that separates politics from their ministry.
I had a great church. The problem is living in an area that is RED, it’s very hard to find a church and a majority of people within that aren’t shaped by Trump’s politics. My church, one of the 50
largest in the country wasn’t about blatantly calling out anti-Christian behaviors. They tried a subtle approach. Unfortunately, that left too much room for justification by members raised on hardcore, punitive, conservative religious values. I’m not personally allowing my faith to be shaped by Trump’s politics. My faith in Jesus and my belief in Jesus are as steadfast as before. My compassion and empathy are even stronger. I do not need to attend a church to have that relationship. God is present with individuals and in community.
I’m glad to hear it! Sorry for tying the 2 together — I hate when people do that! You’re in a tough spot and I empathize. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Another good point.
good point.
My husband and I (both Catholics) have been huge fans of the show since season 1 and have donated every season since. Every year at the start of Lent, we watch every season from the first episode and time the last with Easter, enriching our experience of the season. This show has without doubt converted my Bible studying from words on a page that I had trouble grasping and relating to, to visualizing the humans 2000 years ago who changed the world. Without a doubt, Dallas Jenkins, Jonathan Roumie, and the entire show have transformed our lives and deepened our faith, simply by bringing Jesus to life. I wish I could thank them in person. PS The round table discussions on the app with Dallas, a Priest, a Methodist Pastor, and a Messianic Rabbi are invaluable for insight.
Nicely said.
I’m a fan of the show and glad you covered the backstory. It’s made a big impression on me and has encouraged me and deepened my faith as I read the Bible. I do like how the characters are portrayed. It doesn’t pretend to replace scripture but tells the stories in a way that I relate with them in a powerful way. They cover themes that everyone experiences.
You know, The Greatest Story Ever Told was a book that my mother read back in the day that really resonated with her and it is all about Jesus , in a novel , but based on scripture. Books like that can really help a lot of people continue to live a better life and I'm all for that mode of story telling that is transformative to many .
For those who feel like this story is misplaced, even if you look at this project from a purely historical perspective, I think they’ve done a great thing. The times and culture of the first century are brought to life in a way that gives depth and understanding for those of us who grew up hearing or reading these stories.
Even if you want to consider it historical fiction, the juxtaposition of Roman occupation, government, religious systems, etc., against the culture they were oppressing is portrayed in a way that brings that time period to life as no other production has before (at least not with this type of response/following). And for those with a belief in Scripture, it fleshes out these familiar passages and provides an understanding of the complexities of the situations, helping our faith grow, change, and adapt.
I think there’s probably as much variety in supporters of The Chosen as there is in any form of entertainment. As a believer who does not identify as a conservative, I hold out hope that continued engagement can change hearts and minds and affect folks’ reactions to our political climate, in a similar way as the atheists Jonathan Roumie described.
Well said.
Whenever I’m hearing about millions of dollars and a religious project, I can’t help but think about it terms of the actual things Jesus taught. Yes he said to go and spread the gospel, and I could see someone make a good argument for this being a modern and creative way to do so. But I also think Jesus himself would rather see those millions of dollars at work on behalf of the people in the world who are sick, starving, suffering, etc. If people are using a dramatized tv show to deepen their faith, then are they thinking about Jesus the character as conceived by Dallas Jenkins rather than the biblical Jesus? People are being inspired to donate to the tv show’s ongoing production, but are they being inspired to give up their worldly possessions, to take care of those in need, to donate to the poor? And has Dallas Jenkins become a rich man from this show? I can only assume that part of the tens of millions of dollars he’s raised pays his salary. But as a crowd-sourced business do they disclose how the funds are actually used anywhere?
It's my understanding that he puts much of the profits back into production for other Jesus movie projects to help spread the message , but the man is entitled to make a living by keeping some profits for himself and his progeny, if he has any, of course.
The Christian message of being good neighbors and mindful of the needs of others is one that must continue to be told .As for The Chosen , it probably has impacted many people of all ages with an imprint that will stay with them for a lifetime just as Jesus of Nazareth and Ben Hur did with me back in the mid twentieth century. Those kinds memories are well worth the millions spent to produce them and yes, for monetary gain but also for the benefit of many people who watched them . Such is the nature of really good entertainment.
I get what you’re saying and agree that art and entertainment have tremendous value. And of course the creator should be able to support his family. It’s very hard for me to put into words exactly what I was getting at with my questions, but as I said in a previous response to someone else, the questions weren’t meant to condemn or hurt. They are just things I grapple with whenever a religious organization is making huge profits and no one really knows where all that money is going. Perhaps all the people who have donated get a detailed report and they publish their spending, earnings, tax returns, etc. I thought someone in this group might actually know. I was just sort of wondering aloud about that piece of the story because know one else was saying anything about it.
I appreciate your honesty , Stephanie. There are religious scam artists in the world who make millions off of gullible people ,for sure.
Did you read the article? This show alone is responsible for thousands and thousands of converts (data I have from elsewhere) and people hearing Jesus’ word for the first time. He would definitely have wanted people to have The Chosen. Living water and spiritual food is more sustainable (paraphrasing Jesus there).
Yes I did read the article :) My questions weren’t meant as any kind of threat, just some things that came up as I read it. I’m not sure if it’s my age, the type of church I was raised in, my education, my life experience, or what, but I find the idea of a dramatized tv show being considered “Jesus’s word” a little odd. Not in a bad way, just in a different way. Something to ponder. And I have also questioned where money is flowing and who is profiting from something for decades. So for me that is also just something to consider. I wasn’t condemning the show or anyone who loves it or has benefited from it, but was bringing up thoughts I didn’t see in any other comments.
I concur.
Thank you, Elise, for your fine piece on The Chosen, of which I plan to watch real soon. I like the thought of setting the example of sharing what you have with others and I think that very well mean that it actually happened that way when the 5,000 were fed . Back then ,the head count was for men only and not for women and children who were there ,so, the total amount of people fed that day could have been twice that or say 10,000 souls, maybe more . The humaneness of that moment was amazing and show us that when living in community now we can affect positive outcomes through being generous toward others in our own way with what we may have available as discretionary funds or other things that can make a difference .
I love the show but did not know the backstory. Thanks for sharing this.
We liked the show. Haven’t engaged with it since season 3. But, it’s still evangelical fiction. The show doesn’t engage any actual scholars of the bible and religion. It’s setup to support the idea of Biblical inerrancy. It makes you believe the populous was very literate when the opposite is true. And in the end, it seems the message of Jesus goes completely ignored by those who claim to follow him as evidenced by their behaviors presently. I’m grateful Dallas and Jonathan have done a better treatment of Jesus than previous efforts by other people.
Work
Fascinating. I have enjoyed episodes of The Chosen off and on. I had no idea of the back story. Very encouraging. Just bring your small self and see what happens.
Fascinating - thank you for sharing!