The Chosen - Tool of evangelisation and unity for the Churches

Scene from Series 3

The person of Jesus Christ has been a magnet for believers and unbelievers alike over the centuries. With growing secularisation, however, knowledge of the life and work of Jesus Christ has been diminishing at an alarming pace particularly in the Western World. Stuart Murray recounts in his book "Post Christendom: Church and Mission in a Strange New World" the story of a small boy on hearing the nativity story in class, asking his teacher why they had named the baby after a swear word!

But how do we share the gospel today? It became clear to me during the recent synodal process in our parish, that people are so stressed with the pressures of everyday life, that however rich the spiritual nourishment you might be offering them down at the church hall, at the end of a hard day all they feel like doing is flopping down in front of the TV.

It is perhaps no wonder thus that The Chosen, a TV series about the life of Christ and his apostles, should have become such a hit. As one pod cast host commented, "It feels like you are in the middle of the gospel rather than watching it." And it is indeed a full immersion experience, as addictive as any soap opera. The viewer gets to hang out with Jesus and his disciples. We listen in to their conversations, share their problems and doubts and see the wonder of the miracles and conversions. In the process we find ourselves absorbing spiritual truths and Christian teaching without realising it.

One of my friends finds it so spiritually enriching and loves it so much that he watches an episode every night, and when he comes to an end of the 16 episodes recorded so far, he starts again. Season three of the Chosen has now been filmed and will be streamed shortly on the Chosen mobile phone app and the Angel vid streaming platform. But for the first time, those who want to see it on the big screen can see it at one of the 200 designated cinemas round the UK (mainly Odeon and Vue cinemas) starting on 18th November. Book tickets here.

For those wanting to catch up and binge watch the preceding episodes see The Chosen Season 1 and Season 2 But you can also dive straight in to season three and be there at the sermon of the mount and its aftermath! Even if it might take a while to work out who is who, if you are new to it all, as with any good soap opera, you will soon find yourself hooked and wanting the next instalment.

So far The Chosen has managed to appeal to all denominations by its show and tell technique. Dallas Jenkins, the visionary behind it is a committed evangelical and does not believe in the theology of the Immaculate Conception for example. . But the person of mother Mary, as portrayed by Vanessa Benavente in the Chosen is so clearly one of simplicity and holiness, that it doesn't matter. I was very struck, by one of the scenes when it is Mary, who brings a repentant Mary Magdalene back to see Jesus, which of course echoes the Catholic understanding of the role of Mary in bringing us to Jesus.

Thanks to the excellent and nuanced script and personal qualities of little known Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, the character of Jesus is particularly compelling. He exudes the love of Christ in an extraordinary way that transcends acting. One of his fellow cast members commented in an interview that there is an aura around Roumie when he is in Jesus mode. This Roumie attributes to the Holy Spirit and the importance of prayer in his life, which is how he prepares for the role.

The cast are an eclectic bunch who come from many different Christian denominations and none. This is perhaps a factor in helping to create a sense of openness and the way it has managed to reach people from so many backgrounds. . Like Jesus, Jenkins has got into trouble for mixing with the "wrong crowd". Although they have no editorial influence, it was Mormon money that got the Chosen launched in the first place. This has led to some worried chatter by extreme evangelicals looking for bits of heretical teaching in the script. Whereas it is clear by sticking to the basics of the love of God, the importance of forgiveness and repentance, the gospel message is reaching many who have stopped coming to church or never been.