The professor reiterated what Jenkins shared with Stetzer last year on “The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast,” which is that the writers’ first priority is to stay faithful to Scripture. Then, as they adapt the Bible for film, they consider, “What’s the plausible backstory to what we have in Scripture?” After that, they consider what will be most relatable to the viewer.
“The Chosen” is a work of art, similar to Leonardo DaVinci’s painting, “The Last Supper.” But because the series is adapting a literary form into an audiovisual art form, “there is no way to not have to add stuff,” Huffman said.
So the writers make plausible decisions, such as having the character of the tax collector Matthew be on the spectrum or choosing a name for Peter’s wife. These artistic decisions humanize the people we read about in the gospels.
When Stetzer asked if there is a danger in fixing an image of biblical characters in viewers’ minds that is not necessarily accurate, Huffman acknowledged, “There is a danger there.” However, the biblical roundtables can help people process the show’s content, and “The Chosen” can actually, as a work of art, encourage people to explore Scripture more than they would otherwise.
“People write me and tell me that they feel like Jesus is so much more human in this show than they imagined, and I really appreciated that,” said Huffman. “That’s part of what I mean by ‘a proper sense of imagination.’”
Regarding how church leaders can leverage the show’s popularity to spread the gospel, Huffman suggested churches could hold viewing parties and have discussions afterward. Churches could also hold Bible studies related to the show.
Huffman, Jenkins, and Jenkins’ wife, Amanda, have co-authored a Bible study titled, “What Does It Mean To Be Chosen?” The study is not a study of the TV series, said Huffman, but a study of Scripture that references the series.
“The Chosen” is already impacting people’s lives in remarkable ways. Huffman said that he and his wife know several people who have come to faith in Jesus as a result of watching the show. One woman was contemplating taking her own life before the show was instrumental in turning her life around.
“If this show can pique [people’s] interest to go to the Scriptures and read the Scriptures the way they’re supposed to be read,” said Huffman, “then the show has been a success. And that is happening around the world.”
