A scene fromthe upcoming fifth season ofThe Chosen, the hit faith-based drama, which dramatizes the life of Jesus Christ, has sparked some controversy after re-emerging having hit the internet late last year. A sneak peek of the series, featuring a conversation betweenJesus and Judas Iscariot, wasn’t overly well received by viewers. The scene, which depicts Jesus telling Judas, “I will pray for you,” has sparked debate with some saying it went too far beyond Scripture.
In the clip, there’s an emotional exchange between the pair of them, asJudaswrestles with what choice he’s going to make. “You have a choice to make, Judas,” Jesus says, responding to Judas’ claim that he must reclaim his birthright. “Who you belong to? Who has your heart? I want it, and I’ve had it before. You followed me willingly.”Judas, clearly torn, responds, “I want to continue. There’s nothing more that I want than that.” Jesus then clasps Judas’ hand and tells him, “Then I will pray for you. But for now, please leave me in peace.”
Why Was ‘The Chosen’s Jesus and Judas Scene Controversial?
The scenewas quite heavily criticized by several leading voices in the religious world who tried to argue that it strayed too far from the Bibical path. PastorGabriel Hughesof Providence Reformed Baptist Church in Arizona pointed out that Scripture never states Jesus prayed for Judas. “Contrary toThe Chosen, the Bible does not say Jesus told Judas, ‘I will pray for you,’” he wrote in a social media post. “He called Judas ‘son of perdition’ (John 17:12), destined to betray the Son of God according to Scripture. Jesus did not pray for Judas to make a different choice, or we wouldn’t be saved.” Florida Southern Baptist PastorAdam Pagewas even more forthright in his criticism, stating, “There’s the Bible, and then there’sThe Chosen. The two rarely, if ever, meet.”
Meanwhile,Shane Idleman, the lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in California, added that while you had to accept that there were going to be some creative liberties in adaptations ofBiblical stories, that particular scene struck him as too far gone. “I’m not sure that Jesus ever ‘had Judas’s heart’ initially or prayed for him,” Idleman said. “We have to be careful with creative freedom.” The discernment news blog Protestia also offered its take, calling the scene “super unbiblical.”
The upcoming season ofThe Chosenwill premiere in April 2025.
The Chosen
Source:The Christian Post via MSN
