Discernment: Hollywood, Saints and The Gospel

For those watching The Chosen Series and Padre Pio please keep in mind they are Hollywood productions. Even if the theme is about Jesus, his disciples, or saints, they are – written for a secular audience regardless of their religious belief or lack of. It does not profess to tell the Gospel truth. It’s retelling is made up of actors and actress whose trade is to present a certain visual tapestry to an audience who may or may not be Christian based.

Always discern when watching anything that retells the story of Jesus as in The Chosen or on any Christian or Catholic inspired characterization because at the end of the day, it’s an interpretation. Having knowledge of the Bible as well as knowing your saints, will give you background information so you won’t be gullible to the subtle half truths or the profane images that may in fact douse the viewer in sin. I am referring to some erotic and sexual themed scenes in Padre Pio.

Remember also actors and the production crew may not be Christians or Catholic. They are basically doing their job.

Why am I writing about this? We have the freedom of choice – to watch or not to watch. We also have the choice to discern or not.

The Chosen – there has been some upheaval over one of the production crew member who has the LGBT rainbow patch on his gear. Many followers were up in arms threatening to boycott the show – which is their right based on their own discernment and tolerance level.

I wish to point out no show should be treated with such a cult like following like The Chosen – because that’s what it has become to a slew of viewers. It is after all a Hollywood production and not a visual Gospel. Characters and Biblical facts are manipulated to create a story.

Please discern if you watch any movie or show about Biblical characters or story. They are the retelling the narrative from someone’s personal viewpoint. The crew and production team are simply doing their job. In fact, many may not be believers.

Know the Gospel. Know the Bible. Discernment is what will help distinguish between consolation and desolation.