Watching the Chosen: History, Faith, and Interpretation

What makes The Chosen so popular, and how does it portray Jesus and his disciples?

The Chosen is the first-ever multiple-season television show about Jesus Christ and his first followers. With over half a billion views on its free electronic media app, the show has amassed a worldwide following and has now become available on cable networks, streaming services, and broadcast television venues as well as making appearances in theatrical releases. But what, exactly, makes it so appealing to viewers? And how do its theology and storytelling technique compare with the biblical narratives?

These and other questions are addressed in this fascinating collection of essays written by theologians, biblical scholars, and other academics from a variety of disciplines and perspectives. The authors discuss the theatrical portrayal of Jesus, the theological ideas and ideals represented in the program, and the ways it utilizes--and sometimes overutilizes--artistic license in bringing the stories from the Bible’s four canonical Gospels to the screen. Although approaching the television show as academics, the authors are sympathetic to the faith implications of The Chosen and are themselves writing from a range of theological perspectives. This thought-provoking volume will appeal to people interested in the intersection of theology and popular culture, church leaders seeking to utilize The Chosen in their ministries, and fans of the television show.

Contributors:
Daniel M. Garland Jr.
Robert K. Garcia
Paul Gondreau
Patrick Gray
Matthew Grey
Kenneth Gumbert
Liz Hall
Todd Hall
Jeannine Hanger
John Hilton III
Douglas S. Huffman
James F. Keating
David Kneip
Dolores Morris
Joy E. A. Qualls
Deborah Savage
Jesse Stone
Gaye Strathearn
T. Adam Van Wart

Robert K. Garcia is associate professor of philosophy at Baylor University. His research interests include analytic metaphysics and philosophy of religion.

Paul Gondreau is professor of theology at Providence College. His research interests include moral theology, Christology, and sacraments.

Patrick Gray is professor of religious studies at Rhodes College. His research focuses on the Greco-Roman context of early Christianity and the history of biblical interpretation.

Douglas S. Huffman is professor of New Testament and dean of academic programs at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. His interests include Christian thought, the story of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, and the story of the early church as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.