Because it was so popular, many Christians overlooked the biblical contradictions of the The Shack. In fact, many defended and recommended it until the author wrote Lies We Believe About God exposing his low view of Scripture.
Whenever God or Bible stories are presented in a book or film, the author's discernment and attitude toward Scripture is extremely important.
And that brings me to the author of The Chosen, Dallas Jenkins. He was raised in a Bible-believing home, but he has developed some dangerous beliefs.
Jenkins has partnered with Mormons in some significant ways.
VidAngel, which is owned and operated by practicing Mormons, produces the series. Two of the executive producers of the series are practicing Mormons (source). Several seasons of The Chosen were filmed in the LDS Motion Picture Studio in Utah. This is not simply a studio owned by Mormons. It is owned by the LDS church and Jenkins had to secure permission from church leaders to use it. This is the same location where the LDS church films videos about the Book of Mormon, their most revered holy book, a book that contradicts God's Word (source/ source /source).
This contradicts the Scriptural warning in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18:
"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.' Therefore, 'Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.' And, 'I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.'"
When we choose to be closely involved with non-believers or cult members, especially on a Christian project, it's very likely that they will influence us.
And this appears to have happened in Jenkins' life. Despite the fact that LDS doctrine has a heretical view of Jesus and salvation, Jenkins claims that making The Chosen has helped him understand that a person can be a practicing Mormon and worship the true Jesus.(3)
In
an interview with a Mormon host, Jenkins said, “One of the top three
most fascinating and beautiful things about this project has been my
growing brotherhood and sisterhood with people of the LDS community that
I never would have known otherwise and learning so much about your
faith tradition and realizing, gosh, for all the stuff that maybe we
don’t see eye to eye, that all happened, that’s all based on stuff that
happened after Jesus was here. The stories of Jesus we do agree on, and
we love the same Jesus. That’s not something that you often hear…I’ll
sink or swim on that statement…I don’t mind being called a blasphemer…” (source)
Some concerns with The Chosen Jesus
I've had concerns with some of the errors in The Chosen, and knowing that Jenkins lacks discernment about the LDS cult adds to my concerns.
Jenkins has scripted Jesus to say that His mother Mary is the most important and powerful person He knows.
He's scripted Jesus to tell His disciples to follow their hearts.
He's scripted John the Baptist to have attitudes that contradict his attitudes explained in Scripture.
He's created a quote for Jesus that doesn't resemble any quote in Scripture: "Get used to different." And he's made that quote a major focus, selling mugs, t-shirts, hoodies, hats, bracelets, and children's activity books based on it.
He's scripted Jesus to define Himself as the law of Moses despite the fact that Jesus represents the New Covenant, not the Old Testament law.
And this is just a sample of concerns Christians have raised, all of which were unnecessary additions to the script.
Jenkins feels God has called him to give the world the definitive portrayal of God's people.
I am also concerned with Jenkins' extremely high view of his purpose in the world:
“I felt like God was saying that ‘this will be the definitive portrayal of My people and this is what people are going to think of around the world when they think of My people. And I’m not going to let you screw it up.’” ~ Dallas Jenkins (source)
For more detailed examples of specific things in The Chosen which go beyond artistic license and contradict Scripture, see my longer post: Using Discernment When Watching the Chosen. And read about the most recent error in The Chosen: Why Scripture Refutes The Chosen's "I am the law of Moses," Statement
I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. When I wrote it, I prayerfully and carefully handled God's Word.
It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first four devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" or "read sample" on Lifeway or Amazon.
No comments:
Post a Comment