TSIYON NEWS

From Eliyahu

Consider this:

 

Have you seen the made-for TV series "The Chosen"? The series is loosely based on the Gospels of the Christian version of the Bible. I say "loosely" because, as with any dramatic production, a lot of the dramatic portrayal comes out of the imaginations of the writers, producers, directors, and actors in their personal interpretation of the content. I'm fine with that with most topics, but the Bible is a different story altogether. The apostle Paul highlights that difference, saying:

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."  2 Timothy 3:16-17

The big difference is: Scripture is from God, so is the ultimate truth. To change the perception of the details in any way is to distort that truth - and that can have dire consequences in people's lives in ways that God knows, but people cannot even foresee. This is not a small thing. I have to say, I have never seen a movie, a TV show, or read a book or article offering dramatic portrayals of Bible characters and events that has not contained some such distortions. The worst in recent memory was the movie "Noah" - a story of disinformation that seems meant to denigrate the Holy Word of our Creator. I hate that movie!

 

As for The Chosen, it is better than most. At least it is intending to portray the Scripture in a positive light. At best, some of it is truly uplifting and very enjoyable to watch. The worst of it is quirky. The series cannot be trusted to be true to the facts, and that can be a problem. Many people who watch the series may never have read the Gospels for themselves, much less truly study them. For them, the series IS the Gospels. For others, the quirky parts can change their perception away from the Biblical truth. When that happens, even in what seem to be small ways, it can be very destructive.

 

Want an example? How about "Creepy John" the Baptist? In the series, that's what the fictional apostle Peter calls the great prophet - "Creepy John." Not once, but several times, as if, in modern terms, "cancelling" this important Bible figure. In reality, this may play well to the spiritual ignorance of modern audiences, but it completely misses how John/ Yochanan was viewed in the Hebraic culture of his day, as well as how he is defined by Yeshua Himself.  

The Gospels portray Yochanan the Immerser a/k/a John the Baptist as being highly favored by the people of Judea. Notice these verses:

"Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins."  Matt 3:5-6 KJV

Notice how well received Yochanan was by the people of Judaea. They all responded to his ministry! Clearly, they did not discount him as "Creepy John."

 

Here is a second witness:

[Yeshua said to the Pharisees] "The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet." Matthew 21:25-26 KJV

During his lifetime, John the Baptist was literally more popular than Jesus Christ! Does that make you cringe a bit? Me too. However, the Gospels present Yeshua as a controversial figure with some for and others against, while all held John to be a prophet. That means that John was, in fact, more popular in his lifetime than Yeshua.

 

Clearly, The Chosen either missed these facts or intentionally misrepresented them. I think it is probably just an instance of Christian bias against Yochanan the Immerser. Christian theology has no fully-formed role for Yochanan the Immerser. They don't seem to understand the reason for his popularity in the Hebraic culture of his day, and they don't want him to be, in any way, more popular than Jesus, so they tend to discount him in their narrative.

 

In reality, there are good reasons why Yochanan needed to be that popular with the people. As the Forerunner he was preparing the way for Yeshua. He needed to reach everyone quickly, so he came on the scene in a way that would best accomplish that purpose in the Hebraic culture of that day. That a prophet of so great a stature among the people endorsed Yeshua as Messiah elevated the status of Yeshua as the Messiah, and truly made the way for Him.

 

This is a good example of why Tsiyon is now offering our live series, Yeshua's Narrow Way. There are many misconceptions about the events and characters in the Gospel accounts, and a good many of these continue because the Hebraic context of 1st Century Judea is not kept in view. Yeshua's Narrow Way will bring you the authentic Yeshua, His authentic story, and His authentic message - all as presented from the Hebraic perspective of the Gospel writers. This is important, because His message does not agree with the popular theologies of our day. It is time to return to Him, to know Him as He is, and to listen to what He really said! 

 

Tonight on Yeshua's Narrow Way we will be taking a closer look at Yochanan the Immerser. Instead of passing over him as a bit character in the script we will be digging deeper into this major character of Scripture that he really is. In fact, this will be only the first of three episodes on Yochanan the Immerser! Be sure to be with us for all three.

 

Join our live-stream tonight at Tsiyon.Net at 8 PM, CST. We begin to stream our timer before  7:50, is you wish to get logged in a little early.Be part of this adventure!

 

In His Name,

 

Eliyahu

Tsiyon.Org

 

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