The director and creator of the hit series The Chosen has released a new video addressing questions about the project's approach to Scripture and urging viewers to judge the series on its "content," not anything else.
Director and creator Dallas Jenkins labeled the video a "statement of faith" for The Chosen and said he was addressing "what may be the most important issue of this show" for viewers.
"And that is: What is The Chosen's approach to Scripture and faith?"
The series, he said, is "not formally connected to a denomination or faith tradition."
"I've been part of a conservative Bible-believing background my entire life," Jenkins said. "And I was a Bible major in college. I believe the Bible is the Word of God and that it needs no improvement. And the consultants I talk to and run things by also all believe the Bible is the Word of God and needs no improvement. ... This show is not a replacement for Scripture."
The video was posted on the official Facebook page of The Chosen.
Jenkins then listed four "guiding principles" to the series' approach to Scripture:
The First and Primary Source is the Gospels
"Our first and primary source for this show is the Gospels. Then there's a lot of prayer involved as my co-writers and I as well as my family, want to make sure we're humble and listening and not arrogant about the best approach to these stories. And prayer helps us do that. Then we run our scripts by our Bible and cultural consultants to ensure biblical historical and cultural accuracy as much as possible."
Faith Traditions, Denominations Have no Impact
"This show isn't based on any religious tradition or particular faith perspective. It's based on the stories in the Gospels and on history. Our questions as we approach each storyline are not about denominational considerations. ... If the scene is from the Bible or history, we ask: Did this happen as we're describing it? And if we add something artistic or creative, we ask: Is this plausible? Does it fit with the character of the people involved? And at least the intention of Scripture? And if it does, then we believe this show can be a great tool to enhance the love of Scripture for viewers. Why do we believe that? Because we hear every day from literally hundreds of people who say that they've never been more passionate about Scripture since watching this show."
Jenkins Is Trying to Please God, not Anyone Else
"When I'm constructing the content of the show, as well as all our behind-the-scenes and supporting content, I am not trying to please or seek the approval of any one person or group, including commenters on social media or critics," he said. "And there's been plenty. I've been called a heretic for working with people of other faiths or traditions, for sitting down to discuss the show with them on video. And I've been called a blasphemer from some members of those other faiths. So when you're concerned that I'm working with someone or talking to someone of a different denomination or faith tradition, believe me, they've got people who are asking them why they're working with me. But I'm okay with that. As long as I'm doing the right thing before God, I don't mind being criticized, the only one I'm seeking the approval of is God.
"... While I'm not seeking the approval of others, wisdom and humility dictate that I consider the perspectives of consultants and those I work with. ... We have consultants – they include a Messianic Jewish rabbi, a Catholic priest, and an evangelical scholar. You can see them in our Bible roundtable videos. But that's not about seeking approval, as they and we obviously don't agree on everything. That's about seeking information so that we can make rational, informed decisions."
The Chosen Doesn't Demand that Everyone Be an Evangelical
"Between the cast and crew and our distribution and marketing teams, there are over 200 people involved in this show," Jenkins said. "And we obviously don't demand that everyone connected to the show comes from an evangelical perspective. We don't even demand that everyone is a believer. As long as the content itself is faithful, we're less demanding with those who helped deliver it. Think of it this way. If season one was distributed by a Hollywood studio, that wouldn't make the content better or worse. Judge the content. Think of great projects of faith you love, whether it's a great faith-based movie or a book or even the Bible itself. For example, if you wanted the Bible, the Word of God, delivered to you or say to the people of Iran, would you be upset if the person who printed the ink onto the paper disagreed with you on theology? If you found out the person who drove the delivery truck wasn't a believer or came from a different church? Would you trust that Bible less if you heard that the person who bound the leather was from a different religion?"
Jenkins added: "Whoever on the cast crew or distribution team will help us achieve that goal of delivering an uncompromised impactful show with high quality and get it out to the most people possible. Regardless of their faith, background or lack thereof, I'm thrilled to work with them. And I can tell you: Our cast and crew and our distribution and marketing team have sweat and bled and cried for this project. They want this project out to every corner of the world, and they are making it happen."
Jenkins urged viewers to judge the show on the content, not anything else.
"Ultimately, the show needs to speak for itself," he said. "You should absolutely judge the show and make sure it doesn't violate your conscience or contradict the character of Christ or the intentions of Scripture. ... If it passes the test, and you love it, then stay focused on the content, and not on the flawed people who made it, including me. I'm just a flawed man and filmmaker trying to tell God's stories in a fresh way. … We're trying to avoid religious tradition and just focus on Jesus and on making a great show."
Photo courtesy: ©The Chosen, used with permission.
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
