There are so many depictions of “Jesus” today, from books like Jesus Calling to films like The Passion of the Christ and The Chosen, and most of these depict a false Jesus. Some are downright blatant in their dangerous heresy, like The DaVinci Code. Anything, though, which isn’t 100% biblically accurate—taken straight from the pages of Scripture itself without any embellishment or deviation—depicts a false Jesus, false God, and false Christianity.
Today, I’m “looking” (pun fully intended) specifically at visual depictions and why it is important to know that pictures and movies and statues (or carved images) can become idolatrous, because they are giving us a made-up physical image and invented actions and characteristics of an imitation “Jesus,” therefore, when we think about Jesus, these are the images and actions that come to mind, these people or pictures that have been created. And this is wrongful. The Chrisitan faith is a critical-thinking faith, and we love God with all we have, including our minds (Mark 12:30). So, the image of God, of Jesus, we have in our minds matters.
I’m going to take a second and get a little nerdy. Let’s dig into the human brain for a moment.
Dr. Haig Kouyoumdjian with Psychology Today states, “A large body of research indicates that visual cues help us to better retrieve and remember information. The research outcomes on visual learning make complete sense when you consider that our brain is mainly an image processor (much of our sensory cortex is devoted to vision), not a word processor. In fact, the part of the brain used to process words is quite small in comparison to the part that processes visual images. Words are abstract and rather difficult for the brain to retain, whereas visuals are concrete and, as such, more easily remembered.”
Dr. Kouyoumdjian continues to explain—roughly—that if we try to remember specific grade-school vocabulary lessons, we’re more than likely going to fail or have a great deal of difficulty remembering. However, if we try to remember something like our first kiss or our first grade-school best friend, it’s going to be quite a bit easier to visualize and recall the memory. He also points out the easy recognition of logos, stating, “Consider how memorable the visual graphics are in logos, for example. You recognize the brand by seeing the visual graphic, even before reading the name of the brand (like Starbucks or McDonald’s)” (emphasis added).
In a study about neuroscience, Joel Pearson claims, “Mental imagery can be advantageous, unnecessary and even clinically disruptive.” We see some disturbing results in those who suffer from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), recalling some horrific images via memories and dreams, thus causing psychological distress and damage.
So, it should be understood visual images are impactful to and remain in the human brain for a long time, often throughout the entire lifespan.
With this “in mind” (pun fully intended again), we have to know that images of God/Christ can impact us greatly.
In knowing idolatry is complete rebellion, one which the unsaved human heart is inclined towards (just look at the examples of Israel and their constant turning from God and to false gods), God has set specific rules.
“Therefore watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth. And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of his own inheritance, as you are this day. Furthermore, the LORD was angry with me because of you, and he swore that I should not cross the Jordan, and that I should not enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance. For I must die in this land; I must not go over the Jordan. But you shall go over and take possession of that good land. Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the LORD your God has forbidden you. For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”
This passage is just one of many.
As if Scripture itself isn’t enough (it should be!), let’s breakdown what these false images mean for us today. I’m going to use the popular film series, The Chosen, as an example. The Chosen supposedly portrays Bible stories about Jesus and His walk on earth. Now, I will admit, I have not watched the show, at least not any episode in its entirety. However, I have seen clips, and I’ve seen dialogue written by those who have viewed the show—quite enough to give sufficient discernment. Something that came into my mind while I was writing this as a comment to an Instagram user was We don’t have to actively participate in false teaching or idolatry in order to know what it is when we see/hear about it.
*There was always some niggling doubt in my mind, something that didn’t quite set well or seem right with the show, which is why I never watched. I had considered seeing the Nativity episode in theaters when it came out, still, I never caved into watching. I believe this is when the Holy Spirit is giving us that little warning, and we have to listen and obey, walking by Him, not our flesh.
The first approach to my rebuke of this show is the visual depiction of Jesus.
With all that I’ve just stated, it is important we see how spiritually damaging visual depictions of God/Jesus are and can become. Not only do these depictions seemingly violate the second commandment, which we see reiterated throughout Scripture, but they implant a false Jesus into our brains which we can easily recall when we are trying to worship the One True Jesus of the Bible. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want the actor who portrays “Jesus”—Jonathan Roumie (or Jim Caviezel or Warner Sallman’s “Jesus” or Leonardo da Vinci’s “Jesus” or Obi-Wan Kenobi or any other man-made image)—to pop up in my mind when I’m trying to worship the biblical Jesus—the Christ, GOD the Son in which “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).
If we look at this logically, we see the command (which still applies today) not to have any carved images of God or of any other false gods (idols).
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.“
“Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, ‘What does this babbler wish to say?’ Others said, ‘He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities’—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.’ Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
“So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. or as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: “To the unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’”; as even some of your own poets have said, “For we are indeed his offspring.” Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’”
Again, Deuteronomy 4 says that since no form of God was seen, then there should be NO figure of God made (see also John 1:18; 6:46/Exodus 3:6; 33:20-23—even though sometimes a physical form was revealed Christophany/theophany/Angel of the Lord, God was not seen). God makes it clear He does NOT want to be worshiped that way (with unapproved altars, pillars, or images):
You shall tear down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and burn their Asherim with fire. You shall chop down the carved images of their gods and destroy their name out of that place. You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way.
So, going back to logic, if God commands no images/art/imagination of man (of Him) and commands not to be worshiped in that manner at all, and Jesus IS God, wouldn’t logic follow that the same commands apply to Jesus, being HE is God? Yes, He is God the Son, fully God and fully man (hypostatic union), having a physical body with physical characteristics that could be seen as a man, yet, there were no images made of Him that are known today. Even so, as God, if we did have a historic capture of Him (an authentic portrait/statue of His actual man-body from His time on earth), it is to my discernment He wouldn’t want us to have or “worship” the art/man-made image of Him. Just my brain braining here, but perhaps that’s just one reason (not the main reason, of course) why He came when He did (or why man was not yet given the inspiration for such technology)—when there were no cameras or cell phones or movies, and no artists painted His portrait or carved His image from His direct person.
The second approach to my rebuke of this show is the portrayal of Jesus (actions/words), especially by producers with questionable and downright heretical beliefs.
There are many instances in The Chosen which depict a “Jesus” that is contradictory to the biblical Jesus.
Since I have not participated in watching The Chosen, I do want to offer links to those who have, those who may offer better discernment in this area than I, but I will point out a few issues that have been quite publicized already.
Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDpVvtK4Mqs
https://g3min.org/the-chosen-and-the-sufficiency-of-scripture/
https://www.instagram.com/p/C28hkEHPhpU/?img_index=1
*My disclaimer: I haven’t watched/read all these links in full, and (as I usually say) I do not always agree 100% with the beliefs of everyone I’ve shared, but I want to offer a decent variety of content for you to study, pray over, and discern on your own, testing EVERYTHING against Scripture.
First, there are famous quotes that have been all over social media, such as “I am the Law of Moses” (said by The Chosen’s “Jesus”) and “We love the same Jesus” (said in an interview on a Mormon/LDS YouTube channel by Dallas Jenkins on May 29, 2020 in reference to Christians and Mormons).
The full context of the latter quote states,
“[I was] learning so much about your [LDS] faith tradition and realizing, gosh, for all the stuff that maybe we see eye-to-eye on, 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…No, it’s the same. I mean, I’ll sink or swim on that statement, and it’s controversial, and I don’t mind getting criticized at all for the show, and I don’t mind being called a blasphemer. I don’t like it when my [LDS] friends are, and I’ve made it very clear, that if I go down, I’m going down swinging, protecting my [LDS] friends and my brothers and sisters.” In its description of the video interview, the YouTube channel states, “When [Dallas] decided to work with VidAngel (a Utah based company which was started by a few Latter-day Saints) to distribute his series about Jesus, it brought together people with different perspectives on Christ, which helped grow their faith.” (Y’all, just this one statement is a huge red flag!).
You can see the differences between Christianity and Mormonism here—that we DO NOT, in fact, worship the same Jesus.
In another interview with Melissa Dougherty, Jenkins tries to backpedal a little, but only somewhat, as if to pacify the Christian community just enough—sort of like he did to identify with the LDS community with that first interview above.
“You’ve been on record saying that you have LDS friends (Mormons), and you ‘love the same Jesus.’ What does that mean? Can you break that down for me?” Dougherty “Before I did The Chosen, my knowledge of the LDS church was…limited, but it was limited to just my upbringing in the evangelical church of studying LDS (and studying various religions in college, etc.). In the last three years (as of 2021), I have spent hundreds and hundreds of hours, thousands of hours, with LDS people, because LDS folks make up a chunk of the distribution company (Angel Studios/VidAngel) that is handling our show…A lot of people know the set that we used for season two…is owned by the LDS church. So, I’ve gone to Israel with several LDS folks for research for the show, were partnered with me on the show because they’re handling distribution. I’ve prayed with them hundreds of times. Some of them have become my closest friends…. I regret maybe saying it (“we love the same Jesus”) with less clarity than I’m saying it now, but I don’t regret the statement…We don’t share the same ‘religion;’ I don’t consider myself religious; I don’t like that word. I have a relationship with Christ (said choppily), not a religion (read my response to religion vs relationship here)…. There are several things we have strongly different beliefs about, but what I was referring to was when we’re talking about Jesus of Nazareth, we’re talking about the Jesus of this show and the Jesus of the Gospels that I’m writing this show about. I have asked every conceivable question of my LDS friends about Jesus based on everything that I’ve heard, read, things that you’ve said,…I would say that, number one, there are things that I have read or heard from ex-LDS or from articles or videos or whatever, that simply don’t reflect the beliefs of at least the LDS folks that I know or at least most of them.” Jenkins “Do you think it reflects the beliefs of the LDS church that they follow?” Dougherty “Sometimes.” Jenkins
He goes on to combat misconceptions many people have about the evangelical church (like following Joel Osteen, or the Old Testament condoning killing your enemies), applying these to all evangelical Christians, thus likening it to misconceptions Christians have about the Mormon religion as a whole. He says that his friends who are “deeply ingrained in the LDS church” would deny certain aspects— “that is not accurate; that is not what I believe.” Or they’ll say, “Yes, we believe that, and here’s why.” He does admit some of their beliefs “if not heresy boarders on heresy.”
The interview continues, which you can watch yourself here, but, again, it seems like a lot of trying to clarify any issues to save face for things he’s previously declared (we love the same Jesus), yet, not retracting his statement (in fact, in another video, he states he stands by his statement). In this interview then, as well as others, it is obvious Mormonism has been a strong influence in his life, whether intentionally produced in this show or not.
Either way, with such a strong Mormon presence around the show’s atmosphere, it is obvious (even if unintentional)—as we see with the “I am the Law of Moses” quote among other things—there is influence over the show’s depiction of “Jesus.”
While it is true Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17), the Jesus of the Bible never says that He IS the Law. However, the false Jesus of the Mormon religion says, “Behold, I am the law” (3 Nephi 15:9).
“So, when he says, ‘I am the law,’ it’s kind of the equivalent, it’s in many ways it’s a figure of speech, of course, ‘cause Christ didn’t actually say these exact words in Scripture. We don’t know if he said something like that or not, but we think that it’s certainly possible” (Jenkins).
As the title of the video where this quote is found suggests (I quoted Book of Mormon?), Dallas seemingly tries to brush off his awareness that this quote has anything to do with Mormonism.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Others have pointed out that the “Jesus” of The Chosen refused to be worshiped, told a religious leader to follow his heart/questions what his heart tells him, omits the call for repentance in quoting Luke 5:32, is too weak to preach the Word in a sermon, even asking Matthew for help, and uses modern, progressive language like “Love is love.” The show also portrays Jesus as a sinner in childhood, being corrected about his “transgression,” and how he can rectify what he’s done. That he is “flawed” (Kdubtru).
*That last one violates the core doctrine that Jesus was sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21/ Hebrews 4:15)
Again, for a breakdown of the episodes and how they portray Jesus falsely, see the links I’ve provided above.
Personally, what I have seen that stands out as most disturbing, are the comments made by Dallas Jenkins and Jonathan Roumie that the show is not Christian.
Just using my own wisdom and offering a general opinion here, but it seems like Dallas Jenkins may be trying to ride the fence between his Mormon friends and his Christian friends, speaking out of both sides of his mouth to pacify each side, and to create a dualistic view which could blend the two religions on, at least, some topics. Additionally, this doublespeak, perhaps even gaslighting people, is also seen when Jenkins confusingly states frequent contradictory statements about the show representing Jesus of the Bible accurately, but also the show not being Chrisitan—some of what we see here:
“the content of the show has zero influence or input from any formal faith tradition or church (so, no influence from Christianity, too). None…it’s not my job in the show or outside of the show to try to give you all of the different versions of Jesus…It’s my job, both as a believer and…as the creator of a show that is being seen by so many, to try to get that right, to try to portray Jesus accurately…but I want to make another very very important point,…the show is not a replacement for Scripture” (The Chosen—YouTube).
My final approach to my rebuke of this show is the effect it is having on Christians (and non-Christians as well).
Many people give the show credit as being just another reliable translation of the Bible.
Like this person
—she equates The Chosen to a version of the Bible that “fits with” everyone. We can never change God’s Word to make it “fit with” anything we want, even under creative license.
We also see people elevating the actor who portrays Jesus as Jesus himself or even above Jesus, like this person
And this person
—She has misguided her child to think Jonathan Roumie is the real Jesus. To which Roumie laughed off. This is so dangerous! But even if it’s not taken to that extreme level, it still leads people astray.
Here is another example
Now, using your own discernment, look through the rest of these comments and see how deceived people are by a false Jesus and how the show is making a negative impact.
I do want to point out, yes, people may be turning to their Bibles more or even “coming to Christ” (if in genuine conversion or not, we cannot rightly tell), but this is not the show’s doing, it’s God’s. Many people are often too quick to give credit/glory to music, shows, sermons, etc. for their leading to Christ or growth in Christ instead of giving all glory to God. “Well, this song/show brought me out of the dark. It made me turn my life around,” is something similar to what people would say. But these things do not save people. God through Christ does. So, we need to be sure to give Him ALL the glory, always. Knowing this, we also have to know God can and does use even corrupt things to point and lead lost people to Him. It’s NOT BECAUSE of what they are but IN SPITE of what they are. God uses even corrupt things/people IN SPITE of what they are. So, as wise, discerning Christians, does this mean we should pursue these corrupt things/people? No, not at all!
I noticed a commenter on YouTube say, “Why get entertained by a false painting of God (Jesus)? Cause if it’s 95% ‘made up’, it’s a false portrayal of God.” (Susannah N.)
Even if it’s <1% made up, it’s a false portrayal!
Here are a few quotes about depictions of Jesus:
“The devil doesn’t care at all if you know Jesus or love Jesus or pray to Jesus—as long as it is a false Jesus, a make-believe Jesus, a Jesus who is not there, and who therefore cannot save” (David Guzik).
“Christianity is all about Jesus. Our understanding of Jesus determines whether our beliefs about Him is genuine or not. If we radically misunderstand who He was or why He came or what He accomplished for us, we have fallen for a different Jesus and a counterfeit gospel” (Rob Bowman).
The devil can’t get rid of Jesus. But he can distort Him. He can show you another Jesus that likes what you like, dislikes what you dislike and believes what you believe” (Melissa Dougherty).
If we don’t get Jesus right, we cannot properly worship Him. Our worship is in truth; if we don’t worship the true Jesus but have a false image in mind or a false understanding of Who He is, we are not worshipping Him properly or acceptably (there is such thing as unacceptable worship which God has and does reject!). Many aren’t worshipping the true Jesus but a false one they’ve concocted in their own minds. A Jesus they’ve made in THEIR OWN image.
With so much controversy, biblical inaccuracies, and the simple fact an image has been created that gives us a false, idolatrous picture of God the Son, it is my exhortation to my siblings in Christ to refrain from participating in viewing this show. Same as He Gets Us, Jesus Calling, The Shack, and the many other false portrayals and downright heretical representations of a false “Jesus.”
You will hear many people recommend that this is a matter of “Christian Liberty.” Well, for my first take on that, read this. Otherwise, we are NEVER at liberty to commit idolatry in any form, nor should we as Christians give this type of advice to our siblings in Christ. We should be edifying one another, spurring on one another towards Christ (the true Christ), the study of the Word, and righteous, holy living.
Be wise. Pray fervently for wisdom, discernment, and truth to be revealed. 🤍
I want to leave with this:
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”
References:
Kouyoumdjian Ph.D., H. (July 20, 2012). Learning through visuals. Retrieved March 2, 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/get-psyched/201207/learning-through-visuals
Pearson, J. The human imagination: the cognitive neuroscience of visual mental imagery. Nat Rev Neurosci 20, 624–634 (2019). Retrieved March 2, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-019-0202-9
LINK (initial statement) Saints Unscripted. May 29, 2020. Interview with a Mormon and an Evangelical! Retrieved March 4, 2024 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXIiv3NhIhc&t=579s
Jenkins, Dallas. October 28, 2022. “I quoted Book of Mormon? (How we handle criticism).” Retrieved March 4, 2024 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2qT8wKKpb8
Dougherty, Melissa. April 27, 2021. A Candid Conversation with Dallas Jenkins, Director of The Chosen. Retrieved March 4, 2024 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__-Yyq1FPQI
LINK (Stands by) The Chosen. May 19, 2022. My definitive (final) comments on the “LDS issue” Retrieved March 4, 2024 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZrZ4meAoOk&t=271s
Kdubtru. August 16, 2023. The Chosen says, “Jesus sinned” Retrieved March 4, 2024 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiullynxtGQ
HonestYouthPastor. January 17, 2023. Is The Chosen Helpful Or Hurtful? Live Chat Comment from Susannah N. Retrieved March 4, 2024 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94_HY4MVwAw
LINK Got Questions. October 31, 2023. Do Christians and Mormons worship the same Jesus? Retrieved March 5, 2024 from https://www.gotquestions.org/C