The following report is from USA Today:
Dallas Jenkins, creator of the streaming faith series “The Chosen,” didn’t stop at the well-covered depiction of Jesus’ birth in a lowly stable during his upcoming Christmas special.
Jenkins literally had Jesus’ father Joseph shoveling stable animal droppings to clear the way for his laboring wife Mary in “Christmas with the Chosen: The Messengers,” the first episode to herald a special theatrical release.
That image alone, of Joseph scooping manure to prepare a spot for Mary to give birth, is not only one of the special’s defining images but one of the main themes of ‘The Chosen’ series. It shows his humanity and his humility. I just think it says so much.
Says Jenkins, who featured the shovel shot in the special’s trailer.
The burgeoning flock following “The Chosen,” the first multi-season story of Jesus’ life, showed its eagerness to witness this unvarnished truth and message (with Hollywood-style production values), setting a Fathom Events records in the process. The release passed one million ticket sales and $13.5 million at the box office after opening Dec. 1 (and now streams free on The Chosen app).
The No. 1 word that we put on our wall, the banner across everything we do, is ‘authenticity.’ So many past Bible projects telling Jesus’ story have been a little stiff, maybe a cleaned up, sanitized version of the story. We desperately seek to pursue a portrayal that’s as authentic as possible.
Devotees of the free streaming series already achieved a crowd-funding miracle by raising $37 million to produce two seasons following Jesus of Nazareth’s life. Global viewers have multiplied on streaming services such as Peacock, Roku and The Chosen app, which claims total viewership at 314 million.
The keep-it-real approach is built into the theatrical Christmas special and the DNA of the series’ main characters, especially the highly-relatable adult Jesus, who can make jokes at the dinner table before enthralling faithful followers.
Jenkins, the filmmaker son of Christian novelist Jerry Jenkins (“Left Behind”), wanted to step away from the “stained-glass window” version of Jesus.
In some other story presentations, Jesus seemed distant, formal and stiff. Not someone who I believe would have excited and impacted so many people. One of the must-haves is that Jesus has this immense connection with people.
He found inspiration in actor Jonathan Roumie, whom he had originally cast as Jesus in his 2014 short film “The Two Thieves.” After securing crowd-funding for the first four episodes of “The Chosen,” Jenkins reached out.
He said, ‘I’m not sure where this series is going. But if you want to put the sandals on again, let’s do it.’ I’m an actor in need of work. I said ‘sure.’
Roumie recalls
With the series now planned for seven seasons, Jenkins and Roumie can flesh out the possible realities of the daily human existence of Jesus and his disciples.
Many past tellings of Christ’s story are condensed into two hours. You get the greatest hits of sermons and miracles, with really no time to get into what Christ’s day-to-day life could have been like. That fully human existence would not be complete without having a sense of humor, without going to parties in his native land’s culture. Which might mean – heaven forbid – we see Jesus dancing at a party. Well, it turns out people loved it because they’d never seen Jesus cracking a joke before.
Says Roumie
Jesus in “The Chosen” not only cracks jokes (sometimes without getting an apostle laugh), but also dances (period appropriately) and displays everyday human moods.
Yeah, you’re going to show Jesus telling more jokes. But we also show him as sad, as angry, we show him as funny and as humored by others. Those shades and personality traits are very important.”
Jenkins explained
Michael Foust, a Nashville, Tennessee-based reporter for the Christian site Crosswalk.com, says that “in 20 years of covering faith-based entertainment, I have never seen anything soar like ‘The Chosen.’ “
The quality production and the emotional honesty are key, he says. “Watching ‘The Chosen’ is almost like being a fly on a Jerusalem street post, watching Jesus with his disciples. You really see Jesus’ humanity. That element is unique.”
The result has been an unprecedented success that has allowed the production team to move from the first-century village Utah set to a permanent home depicting a historically accurate setting on 900 acres in Midlothian, Texas, for the third season (set to start filming in mid-2022) and beyond.
Roumie, a Roman Catholic, fulfilled his “childhood dream” of meeting Pope Francis in August, bringing along his Protestant colleague Jenkins. Roumie asked for papal prayers to continue portraying the globally inspiring role.
At the time, the actor was not aware of the top-secret Christmas special that Jenkins was filming. His services were not required for the Christmas episode, which features a dual storyline of the birth, some 30 years before the era of “The Chosen,” and his followers’ saga 15 years after Jesus’ crucifixion.
“Christmas with the Chosen,” which will also stream for free following this month’s theatrical run, fills out the episode with soul-stirring performances from faith luminaries such as Phil Wickham, For King & Country, Maverick City Music and the One Voice Children’s Choir. Between songs, the story culminates in Jesus’ birth in a stable.
Even though we have this big epic performance of ‘Joy to the World’ by multiple musicians on our huge set, it’s contrasted with the world that Jesus actually came into. It’s a good reminder that Jesus came for everyone, including the oppressed and those in poverty. And it’s a great reminder, lest we ever turn the story of Jesus into something elitist.
Says Jenkins
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
James 4:4
I am always very sketched out with these “Christian” movies to begin with, but this movie’s “authenticity” speaks for itself when liberal USA Today gives it praise, and one of the lead actors is salivating to kiss Pope Frankie’s sweaty ring.
Moreover, am I not the only one who giggled when they talked about “what Christ’s day-to-day life could have been like?” So much for authenticity.
All this is, like all the other “story of Jesus” flicks, is a vain appeal to the world and to win them through their own devices. This film only sold well because Roman Catholics, ecumenicists, and other professing Christians who felt “led of the Spirit,” packed the theaters. I could say a lot here, but it’s typical Laodicean garbage, that only causes the REAL word of God to be blasphemed. But I guess that’s so “antiquated:” we need to depict Jesus being a comedian and a dancer, so he does come off as “elitist.”
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
2 Corinthians 5:11
Media Cheers Over New Bible Translation Called The NRSVue
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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I had heard of this show before, ignored it because everyone was falling in love with it. That told me right there that it depicts Jesus as lukewarm and never offensive.
Imagine if a movie was made depicting the REAL Jesus of the King James Bible and using King James Bible scripture, too! People would leave the theaters either furious or terrified and they’d boycott it and demand that it gets removed from theaters in a New York minute! They’d call the director a “fundamental Bible thumping nutcase” and a “Pharisee” and all kinds of nice names, too!
Sounds like to me they are knocking Jesus down to our level.He is much more than we could ever measure and beyond.Catholics hate Jesus and they will continue to betray him in the worse way possible.Cant wait for them to get whats coming to them when their burning in the lake of fire.That really makes me mad how they make my Lord and Savior something he not.He is nothing like us.
Sounds like to me they are knocking Jesus down to our level.He is much more than we could ever measure and beyond.Catholics hate Jesus and they will continue to betray him in the worse way possible.Cant wait for them to get whats coming to them when their burning in the lake of fire.That really makes me mad how they make my Lord and Savior something he not.He is nothing like us.They are making Jesus out how they want him to be.They are playing the antichrist not Jesus.
You got that right, Vicky! That’s the Antichrist.
These Jesus movies are actually depicting the Antichrist! Did you see that picture of (ahem) “Jesus?” Effeminate and loving all lovey dovey just wants to give ya a big bear hug and won’t judge ya, going to weddings and drinking wine and being the life of the party!
Those fools know as much much about Jesus as I know about nuclear physics.
The Passion of the Christ (Antichrist) was an Illuminati Roman Catholic movie that is very similar to what was shown in Nazi Germany to brainwash the masses against the jews.
The Gospel of John narrates with the good news PERVersion of God’s word.
The Jesus movie from 1979 was again, just another attempt at Hollywood to make a fast buck.
Jesus Christ Superstar was a rock musical depicting Jesus as a hippie buddy drifter.
Godspell was the retelling of the gospel with a circus act and depicting Jesus as a harlequin clown.
Son of God with Roma Downey’s involvement or acting-she was Monica in that pagan new age false gospel watered-down gospel HELL-I-Vision (television) show Touched by an Angel. She’s a mystical Catholic.
And if Kirk Cameron is involved, forget it!
The biggest lie satan ever told: you can win over the lost with entertainment.
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15 KJV
Their damnation is JUST! The genealogy of Joseph is clearly laid out in Luke 3. He was JEWISH! This film is literally an anti-Semitic film, because they use a black man to depict Joseph. It proves once again that these modern “church” goers, are nothing more than children of the Devil. God hates them, and I hope they are forced to take the death shot.
YES BRYAN YES!!! IM ON YOUR SIDE!!! MY BEST FRIEND AND HERO BRYAN BUT ALL HLORY GOES TO JESUS!!!
*GLORY GOES TO JESUS FOR YOU!!!
What are your thoughts on Erin Bethea, Bryan? She was in Fireproof and some other movie a comedy-drama called Laughing At The Moon.
I see a definite emphasis on interracial marriage here as well. One of the things that really bothers me is their veiled attack against The Lord. Oh it is authentic because we show the “reality” of it. Joseph had to shovel up manure to make a slightly cleaner place for the Lord to be born. The shepherds were in the fields with their flocks, the manger, if it was in a stable (which is not even mentioned in Luke 2) would have been in a clean stable. The stables would not have been left dirty while the flocks were staying out during the warmer months in the fields. The ONLY reason that Joseph and Mary went where they did was because the stables were empty. Had the flocks been indoors there would not have been enough room. The whole thing about the shoveling is an outright lie, it never happened. Lets make a big deal out of the stupidest thing. It is an outright, blatant attack against The Lord, it is also adding to scripture. These wicked devils need to burn in hell. the Lord is VERY angry with these devils.
Jenkins is a Mason. Like his father’s co-author of the ‘Left Behind’ series, LaHaye, was.
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They’re corporatist commies playing the race & gender game, & useful, pragmatic myth-makers, not biblicists. They have no biblical authority & at best ‘shop the versions’ for what they want to say, just like Rick Warren & the rest of that crowd. They’re ‘authentic’ 2 Peter 2 “Christians” merchandizing Jesus & Laodicea, too busy making money to realize how close to Hell & judgment they really are.
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And the stable probably would have been clean, because the shepherds were in the field in late September, early October during the Feast of Tabernacles. Donkeys maybe stabled in the villages & towns. But the booths the people built at that time, & stables were referred to by the same word, too. Succoth. What better time for Messiah to come, and what better time to tax the populace than at harvest time when they had more to take than at any other time of the year.
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Also if you search out the timing related to John the Baptist’s birth & Mary’s visit to Elisabeth, Zacharias a priest of the course of Abia. Luke 1&2; 1 Chronicles 24, you find John’s conception likely around June 22, 6 months gestation when Mary visited & the babe leapt in Elisabeth’s womb. Making Christ’s conception around December 25, his birth in late September, early October. Feast of Tabernacles.
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That’s good to know simply for worshipping in spirit and in truth, pleasing the Lord; but also useful in dealing with pagans & young people being groomed to believe that the Bible is just a rip-off copying of the Sumerians & Babylonians, & Christmas a varnish on their European winter rituals & festivals….it sets them back if you know what you’re talking about, & can show from the Bible why.