For many Christians, The Chosen has become a beloved dramatization of Jesus’ ministry. It is emotional, cinematic, and relatable. But as a Bible learner who cares deeply about historical and theological accuracy, I have found myself increasingly uneasy with the show’s direction. My concerns aren’t about production quality or acting—they center on ideology. Specifically, The Chosen often feels more like a 21st‑century reinterpretation of Jesus than a faithful representation of the first‑century world in which He lived.
When I mentioned this to a family member, they asked, “What do you mean by ‘too 21st century’?” It’s a fair question. To answer it, we must remember that Scripture was written nearly 2,000 years ago. The worldview, social structures, and cultural norms of the first century were radically different from ours. If a show claims to portray an “authentic Jesus,” it must reflect that world—not ours.
Unfortunately, The Chosen often gives us a relatable Jesus, shaped by modern sensibilities, rather than a historically grounded Jesus shaped by the first century. Below, I explore two major ideological issues present in the show: feminism and influencer culture—neither of which aligns with Scripture or ancient Jewish life.
Feminism in The Chosen
Feminism, at its core, teaches that men and women are essentially the same. While feminism gets some things right—things Scripture affirms—it also introduces ideas that are foreign to the Bible and the ancient world.
What Feminism Gets Right (Biblically Speaking)
Scripture clearly teaches:
- Men and women share equal worth as image‑bearers of God (Genesis 1:27).
- Both receive salvation and spiritual gifts (Galatians 3:28).
- Women were disciples of Christ and the first witnesses of the resurrection (Matthew 28).
These truths elevate women far above how many ancient cultures viewed them.
Where Feminism Conflicts With Scripture
Biblical teaching also affirms distinctions between men and women:
- Women were created as helpers to men (Genesis 2:18–24).
- Women bore children and were ritually unclean during menstruation and childbirth (Leviticus 12).
- Women were not permitted to hold pastoral or elder authority over men (1 Timothy 2:8–15; 3:1–13).
- Wives were called to submit to husbands, and husbands to lovingly lead (Ephesians 5:22–24; 1 Peter 3:1–7).
These roles were not “social constructs”—they were embedded in creation and affirmed throughout Scripture.
Women in the First Century
To understand the cultural gap, consider how women were viewed in first‑century Judaism:
- Women could not testify in court.
- The temple had a separate court for women.
- A woman could be divorced for trivial reasons, such as burning a meal.
- Women depended on male relatives for financial stability.
- Inheritance for daughters existed only if no sons were present.
- A woman’s honor was tied to childbearing.
This world is vastly different from ours—and vastly different from the world The Chosen often portrays.
The Modern Consequences of Feminist Ideology
When feminism erases distinctions between men and women, it inevitably leads to:
- Men claiming to be women
- Gender‑neutral restrooms
- Surgeries to “change” sex
- Men competing in women’s sports
- Gender ideology
- Homosexuality and transgenderism as normalized identities
If men and women are “the same,” then the categories themselves become meaningless. Scripture strongly opposes these ideas:
- Deuteronomy 22:5
- Genesis 1:27
- Leviticus 18:22
- 1 Peter 3:1–7
Examples of Feminism in The Chosen
Feminist themes appear frequently in the show. A few examples:
- Season 1, Episode 2: Mary Magdalene hosts and leads a Sabbath meal.
- Season 1, Episode 6: An Ethiopian woman directs the healing of a paralytic and orders men around.
- Season 2, Episodes 5–6: Mary Magdalene relapses into sin, yet Jesus never calls her to repentance.
- Season 3, Episode 4: Tamar insults Zebedee’s olive oil—behavior no ancient culture would tolerate.
These scenes reflect modern feminist values, not first‑century Jewish norms.
Influencer Ideology in The Chosen
Another modern idea woven into the show is influencer culture—the pursuit of popularity, approval, and “followers.” In today’s world, influencers post content to gain likes, shock audiences, or build a personal brand.
This mindset did not exist in the ancient world.
Prophets Were Not Influencers
Biblical prophets:
- Called people to repentance
- Were beaten, mocked, and killed
- Spoke unpopular truths
- Lost followers rather than gained them
John the Baptist was beheaded for confronting Herod’s sin—not for building a platform.
John the Baptist in The Chosen
The show portrays John the Baptist as:
- Seeking approval from his followers
- Confronting Pharisees for attention
- Arguing with Jesus about confronting Herod
- Acting like a social‑media personality rather than a prophet
This depiction is not found anywhere in Scripture. It is a modern reinterpretation of a man who lived—and died—by conviction, not popularity.
Why This Matters
When modern ideologies are inserted into Scripture, it becomes eisegesis—reading our ideas into the text rather than drawing God’s truth from the text. This distorts the message of the Bible and reshapes Jesus into a figure who reflects our culture instead of His own.
The real Jesus:
- Is fully God and fully man
- Lived a sinless life
- Died to pay the penalty for sin
- Rose from the dead
- Calls all people to repentance and faith
He did not fail. He did not sin. He did not leave His followers spiritually broken or confused. Yet The Chosen sometimes portrays Him as uncertain, hesitant, or mistaken—something Scripture never does.
Conclusion
The Chosen is visually impressive and emotionally compelling, but its insertion of modern ideologies—feminism, influencer culture, and more—makes it unreliable as a source for biblical understanding. When we allow 21st‑century ideas to reshape first‑century truth, we risk missing the real message of Scripture and the real Jesus who saves.
For these reasons, I cannot recommend The Chosen as a faithful representation of the Bible. The Jesus of Scripture is far greater, far holier, and far more trustworthy than any dramatized reinterpretation.
Biblical Interpretation Through Demonstration 