‘The Chosen’ Series Creator Refutes Pastor’s Claim of Idolatry
Pastor and author Voddie Baucham isn’t among those watching the hit TV series “The Chosen,” with the renowned Christian thinker revealing his reasons are rooted in the Ten Commandments.
During an Aug. 2 conversation on “The Babylon Bee Podcast,” Baucham, 54, said “The Chosen” is “a line” he draws. When asked by hosts why he doesn’t watch the monumentally popular show about Jesus and His followers, he specifically cited the Second Commandment.
“2CV, man—Second Commandment violation,” he said. “2CV” is an acronym for Second Commandment violation, with Baucham affirming his position.
Not surprisingly, Baucham’s comments about “The Chosen” violating the Second Commandment caught the attention of show creator Dallas Jenkins, who posted a fairly substantial reaction to Facebook.
“I love Voddie Baucham, but I think this take is misapplied,” Jenkins wrote. “The 2nd commandment is clearly referring to objects of worship, and most likely, specifically objects of worship that compete with God.”
The TV and movie director then shared Exodus 20:4-6, adding additional context to the text that precludes people making carved images.
Verse five implores people not to “bow down” or serve these images—a factor Jenkins believes differentiates “The Chosen” from what’s described in Scripture.
“Pastor Baucham’s logic is that because a movie or show portraying Christ is showing someone who comes from heaven, then it’s idolatrous,” Jenkins wrote. “Or because it’s the portrayal of God, an image of God, it’s idolatrous.”
He continued, “But it’s not the portrayal or image itself that’s the issue (if it was, then as the verse says, ‘anything’ on earth or even water would be wrong to portray). It’s clearly the worship of it.”
Jenkins then added what’s seen in the Scriptures above—that “God is a jealous God” and wants His followers to choose Him over any idol. The director made clear he sees no contradiction in his show and the Lord’s teaching in Scripture.
“No one is worshiping the TV screen; we’re not claiming the show is the Bible or Jonathan [Roumie] is actually Jesus,” Jenkins wrote. “And no one believes the portrayal is an object of worship or anything other than another way to illustrate and point people to truth.” {eoa}
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