Tears were flowing.
Dallas Jenkins, the creator of The Chosen, discussed his series with Jordan Peterson on The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast, where he became emotional while sharing the Gospel. Peterson, who is critical of religious films for being too propagandistic, praised The Chosen for its authenticity. He expressed that many religious films fail because they focus more on delivering a predetermined message than offering a genuine exploration of faith. According to Peterson, this lack of risk and exploration is what makes many films in the genre less engaging.
Peterson explained that he and his wife watch The Chosen together, and he was struck by the way it resonated with her religious transformation. He appreciated the series for avoiding the overtly propagandistic tone that often makes religious entertainment feel forced or inauthentic. He emphasized that religious content, especially when dealing with subjects like God, should maintain the highest artistic quality to ensure it is compelling and meaningful.
Jenkins responded by explaining that one of his main goals with The Chosen is to make Jesus more accessible and relatable, rather than presenting Him as distant or overly formal, which is often the case in religious art. He said the show aims to present Jesus as both human and divine, stripping away the traditional, impersonal portrayals found in religious imagery and films. Jenkins emphasized that his approach is to bring viewers closer to Jesus in a more personal way.
As The Chosen enters its fifth season, it has been a significant success, grossing over $31 million at the box office despite being available for free on its streaming app. Jenkins is expanding the universe of the show, with plans to produce a three-season series about the life of Moses. He continues to focus on telling authentic, heartfelt stories that prioritize human connection over the results or commercial success of the series.
While Peterson often discusses Christianity’s cultural and moral significance, he identifies as agnostic. He has expressed concerns about the potential misuse of religious faith by institutions or leaders, citing how some religious figures exploit faith for personal gain. Peterson advises Christians to approach faith with a sense of skepticism toward those who may misuse it, stressing the importance of evaluating religious leaders based on their actions and integrity.