CHOSEN FOR WHAT?

This Isn't The Jesus of Scripture!

"At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. See, I have told you in advance."

-Matthew 24:23-25

In recent years, the TV show The Chosen has become one of the most popular "Christian" television phenomena, winning the hearts of many. Its glossy cinematography, relatable characters, and emotional storytelling have convinced countless Christians that it is a valuable tool for evangelism and discipleship.

But Christians need to ask the harder and more necessary question: Is The Chosen actually helping the cause of Christ — it it advancing His Kingdom, His Mission, the will of the Heavenly Father... or is it subtly, yet significantly, undermining the true Gospel and the authority of God's Word? It is, in fact, doing the latter. The Chosen is far more dangerous than most secular programming, and here’s why:

1. BLURRED LINES:

One of the most glaring issues with The Chosen is its proud and extensive use of "creative liberties." The writers dramatize the biblical narratives and freely add to, subtract from, and alter them to fit a particular emotional or narrative arc.

Scripture warns us:

"Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar." -Proverbs 30:5–6

In Revelation 22:18, we read, "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book." While faithful dramatization for teaching purposes can be permissible when clearly distinguished from Scripture,

The Chosen does not distinguish. Instead, it creates purely fictional backstories for characters like Mary Magdalene, Matthew, and Nicodemus, and portrays Jesus speaking words He's never said. Viewers — especially younger, less biblically literate ones — begin confusing imaginative fiction with divinely revealed truth. This is not harmless. It subtly reshapes the person and work of Christ in the minds of those yet to be washed in the WORD and born again by the Holy Spirit. It's the leading of Dallas Jenkins rather than the leading of the Holy Spirit. It paints a portrait of and points to a different "Jesus" than the one revealed in Scripture (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:4).

Kirk Cameron, in an interview with Dallas Jenkins, the creator of The Chosen, discussed the show's method of expanding upon the biblical narrative to provide cultural and historical context. Jenkin's compared this to how pastors deliver sermons: by offering background and inviting the audience to imagine the experiences of biblical figures. If your pastor is adding fictional "background" material and passing it off in sermons as historical biblical context... run away. Solid expository sermons are rooted in the sound exegesis (the careful interpretation and explanation of a text, especially Scripture, to discover its original meaning intended by the author, considering the historical, cultural, literary, and grammatical context) of Scripture.

2. YOKED TO UNBELIEVERS:

Dallas Jenkins has repeatedly expressed open partnership with Mormons, even claiming that Latter-Day Saints (who deny the Holy Trinity, the full and eternal deity of Christ, and the sufficiency of Scripture) "believe in the same Jesus" as Christians. This is not a subtle or "minor" difference of opinion. It is a grave, tragic, and heretical doctrinal error. The Jesus of Mormonism is not the eternal Son of God — He is a created being, a spirit brother of Satan, and one of many gods in Mormon theology. The Apostle Paul issues a stern warning:

"For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed... you put up with it readily enough." -2 Corinthians 11:4

In cozying up to Mormonism — even filming the show on a Mormon-owned set — The Chosen confuses viewers into thinking doctrinal distinctions are unimportant. It normalizes heresy under the guise of "Christian unity" and thereby disobeys the call to be separate from false teachers (2 John 9–11).

3. SIN AFFIRMING:

The Chosen has made headlines for publicly affirming LGBTQ+ "inclusion", even allowing LGBTQ+ flags on set and promoting the “love is love” ideology under the banner of Christian charity.

True Christian love is not the affirmation of sinful humanity. It is a courageous call to repentance in response to the gift of faith in Christ. He alone can transform sinners by His Spirit through the GOSPEL. Jesus said:

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." -Matthew 4:17

"Go, and from now on sin no more." -John 8:11

Affirming sin is not gracious, kind, or compassionate — it is unadulterated cruelty. By celebrating, normalizing, and approving lifestyles that Scripture clearly condemns (Rom 1:24–27; 1 Cor 6:9–11 et. al.), The Chosen shows itself ASHAMED of the true Gospel, which calls sinners to die to self and live by faith in Christ (Luke 9:23–24).

4. FLESH APPEAL:

The Chosen — like much of Hollywood’s "faith-based" heretical entertainment — primarily seeks emotional engagement rather than spiritual conviction. Its goal is often to make people "feel connected" to Jesus (whoever they want Jesus to be), rather than to proclaim the simplicity of The Gospel... which lovingly invites sinners into relationship with Christ by grace through faith... which results in repentance and transformation.

The Apostle Paul warned:

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." -1 Corinthians 2:14

When Christian "art" is driven by good intentions that are built on the fundamental principles of the world and its standards of success — emotional manipulation, popularity, inclusivity — it ceases to be a faithful witness. It becomes, as Paul warned in 2 Timothy 4:3–4, part of the movement where people will "not endure sound teaching" but "accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions" and "turn away from listening to the truth."

Here's where all of that comes from:

"Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron." -1 Timothy 4:1-2

5. SCRIPTURE is SUFFICIENT:

The greatest danger of The Chosen is this: It subtly teaches that the Holy Scriptures, the sixty-six books of the Bible, are not enough. It promotes spiritual lethargy and sloth. Rather than opening God's WORD and calling out to the Holy Spirit to teach, lead, and guide into rightly dividing it themselves, people instead lean upon the understanding of writers, directors, and actors for their emotional and interpretive creativity and entertainment. Ultimately what they're saying is that the Word of God is insufficient to stir hearts, renew minds, and build faith.

This is the same satanic tactic the serpent used in Eden:

"Did God really say…?" -Genesis 3:1

But God's WORD declares:

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." -2 Timothy 3:16

God’s Word is not lacking. Christ does not need Hollywood's help. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ — not by watching cinematic adaptations (Romans 10:17).

6. APPROVING APOSTASY?

Finally, The Chosen fits the pattern that Paul warned would mark the last days:

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons..." 1 Timothy 4:1

When people consume fiction that intentionally blends truth with lies, embraces heresies, and endorses sin — all in the name of "Jesus" — they are not merely being entertained. They are being slowly, imperceptibly drawn away from the true Gospel and led toward apostasy. It ends up being what the Apostle Paul stated in Romans 1:32, "Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also APPROVE of those who practice them."

Conclusion: Return to the Word

Dear friends, The Chosen is not harmless. It is not neutral. It is a subtle but blatant counterfeit "gospel" produced by worldly people promoting deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons. It advocates entertainment and the emotional benefits of Christ without the offense, brutality, necessity, and reality of the Cross. The LORD of lords is NOT honored by compromise. He is honored when His people UNASHAMEDLY cling to His Word — without addition, without subtraction, and without apology.

"Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." -Acts 17:11

The desire of every Christian is not to simply know Jesus Christ, rather it is to make Him known! The saints of Christ desire to see Him glorified in and through our redeemed and transformed lives as intergral, functional members of a local church that promote and proclaim the one true GOSPEL. For those who want to reveal the KING of kings beauty, hear His voice, and be transformed into His likeness —open your Bible. Read the WORD. Saturate yourself in the living, active, God-breathed Scriptures. Know THE WORD OF GOD so that you can rightly discern what others are teaching, preaching, and promoting.

God does'nt need Hollywood. The Living Word is enough.

Blessings & love,

Kevin M. Kelley

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