A Must-See Streaming TV Series

According to answers.com there have been more than 1,000 movies made about Jesus. They range from blasphemous to spectacularly inspiring. Let me highlight a new TV series that deserves a spot at the very top of the list.

The Chosen is a brand-new, crowd-funded streaming TV series that debuted last year. The producers anticipate eight seasons.  Season 1 consists of eight episodes totaling about six hours, which cover just the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. It would only take about 20 minutes to read aloud all the biblical passages covered in the first eight episodes. That leaves plenty of room for additional narrative. The producers are absolutely clear that they are presenting a fictional narrative, not a documentary, and certainly not Scripture. They create plausible backstories for many familiar characters including Nicodemus, Matthew, Mary Magdalene, and others. The writers don’t pretend that there is historical evidence for any of these made-up stories, but they have captured the both the spirit and heart of their subjects and the gospel message itself.

When evaluating the merits of any depiction of Jesus’ life, we must consider the two key issues:  how skilled the producers are at presenting their material and – most importantly – how accurately they portray Jesus. The Chosen clearly show Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God and, indeed, God himself. So, theologically, it is rock-solid.

Many other films and TV shows about Jesus are also theologically sound, but they often come up short in their artistry. One thing that sets The Chosen apart is its incredibly compelling, non-cheesy portrayal of Jesus’ humanity, the best I’ve ever seen. He is warm, friendly, funny, and completely human. He smiles, plays with children, and even jokes around a bit.

Here’s one of my favorite mildly comical scenes. As the disciples are about to depart on their first trip, Simon (Peter) tells Jesus that, as the only married follower, he’s concerned about the home front while he’s gone, especially since his mother-in-law is seriously ill. Jesus goes to Simon’s house and, in a private conversation with Simon’s wife, tells her that he sees her and recognizes her role in letting Simon accompany him. But first, Jesus says, he has a few things to take care of, signaling that, as a gift to her, he will heal her mother. Plus, he says, normal Simon is difficult enough. You think I want to travel with a worried Simon? He then rolls his eyes skyward and bursts into a warm smile. I love it. This is the compassionate, warm, divine Jesus I want to know!

The producers have cast their material in a believable, accessible way. Too many biblical epics, especially from the 1950s and 1960s are guilty of a highly stilted style, complete with – of all things – British accents and dreamy-eyed characters who seem to float through life in some semi-mystical state. That’s not where I live. By contrast, The Chosen anchors its story and characters firmly in real life in such a way that I feel am right there as the story unfolds.

Some may quibble over how the script fills in some of the gaps, and there are a few minor points I might have handled somewhat differently. But I assure you, my “heresy detector” didn’t go off a single time. Plus, you will fall in love with the divine and yet incredibly human Jesus all over again.

Get The Chosen app, watch this series, and share it with your Christian and not-yet-Christian friends. It succeeds on all levels:  dramatic, artistic, theological, and devotional. And consider helping fund future seasons.