220: The Chosen S1E1 — “I Have Called You by Name”

BEMA Episode Link: 220: The Chosen S1E1 — “I Have Called You by Name”
Episode Length: 57:50
Published Date: Thu, 20 May 2021 01:00:00 -0700
Session 6
About this episode:

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings commence a review of The Chosen, starting with an overview of what the series is and discussing the first episode.

(No) Discussion Video for BEMA 220

The Chosen

The Chosen (TV Series) — Wikipedia

The Chosen (2017 TV Series) — IMDb

Everyman’s Talmud by Abraham Cohen

Transcript for BEMA 220

Notes

*Note: The following notes are handwritten by me, Adam, and I reserve the right to be wrong.

BEMA Episode 220: The Chosen S1E1 - “I Have Called You by Name”

Title & Source Summary

Episode: 220 - The Chosen S1E1: “I Have Called You by Name” Hosts: Marty Solomon and Brent Billings Focus: Review and theological discussion of The Chosen Season 1, Episode 1

This episode marks the beginning of BEMA’s commentary series on The Chosen, a crowdfunded television series depicting the life of Jesus Christ. The hosts discuss the unique production approach of the series and provide detailed analysis of the first episode, which focuses on character development and backstories for Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, Simon Peter, and Matthew. The episode explores themes of demon possession, religious authority, desperation, and Jesus’s compassionate ministry to the marginalized.

Key Takeaways

The Chosen uses a “Christian midrash” approach - Taking biblical elements and creating plausible backstories that illuminate the text without claiming to be Scripture itself.
The series excels in historical accuracy - From clothing and architecture to socioeconomic realities of first-century Galilee, the show demonstrates careful research and attention to detail.
Demon possession is portrayed with appropriate complexity - The show blurs the lines between spiritual oppression, mental illness, trauma, and PTSD in ways that reflect both ancient understanding and modern sensibilities.
Jesus enters quietly and compassionately - Unlike typical Hollywood portrayals of divine power, Jesus’s first appearance is marked by gentleness, knowing Mary’s name, and speaking words that restore her identity.
The Pharisaical worldview is accurately depicted - Nicodemus represents a sincere religious leader wrestling with the limitations of his tradition while remaining open to deeper truth.
Economic desperation drives behavior - The show effectively demonstrates how poverty and debt could lead faithful Jews into morally compromising situations like fishing on Shabbat.
When did Shabbat become theater? - Nicodemus’s question challenges both ancient and modern religious performance that prioritizes appearance over authentic encounter with God.

Main Concepts & Theories

The Crowdfunding Model and Production Approach

The Chosen represents a unique production model in Christian media. Rather than traditional Hollywood financing, the series is crowdfunded with a “pay it forward” donation system. Viewers can watch for free and are encouraged to support future seasons through voluntary contributions. This model allows for creative independence while building community investment in the project.

The series begins with a disclaimer explaining that while based on the gospels, it includes:

Combined or condensed locations and timelines
Added backstories and dialogue
Artistic imagination designed to support the truth and intention of Scripture

Marty notes this approach succeeds where other biblical productions fail because it embraces being “a fictional dramatic presentation” rather than trying to stay rigidly within biblical dialogue, which often creates stilted, unnatural conversation.

The Midrashic Approach to Scripture

A messianic rabbi consultant described the series as “Christian midrash on the gospels.” Midrash is the Jewish tradition of exploring what might lie between the lines of Scripture - not replacing the text but illuminating it through plausible narrative expansion.

This approach allows The Chosen to:

Develop three-dimensional characters from brief biblical mentions
Explore the socioeconomic and political realities of first-century Galilee
Create emotional connections that help viewers understand why people responded to Jesus as they did
Maintain respect for Scripture while acknowledging the creative imagination involved

Historical Context: The World of Second Temple Judaism

The episode effectively portrays several aspects of Second Temple Jewish life:

Religious Diversity: Quintus the Roman mentions Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots - demonstrating the variety of Jewish responses to Roman occupation and religious questions.

Socioeconomic Stratification: The contrast between Matthew’s wealthy quarter (with luxury items like door locks and multiple sandals) and the Red Quarter (where poverty makes Torah observance nearly impossible) illustrates how economic systems perpetuate inequality.

Torah Observance and Purity Laws: Nicodemus’s concern about fish caught on Shabbat and his statement “what goes into a man defiles him” (the opposite of Jesus’s later teaching) accurately represents Pharisaical focus on external purity.

Tax Collection System: Matthew’s portrayal as a despised collaborator who enriches himself by collecting Roman taxes from his own people reflects historical reality. The public hatred, spitting, and ostracism he experiences would have been typical.

The Demonic Realm: Blurring Ancient and Modern Understanding

The episode’s treatment of Mary’s demon possession demonstrates theological sophistication. Rather than a simplistic “movie demon” portrayal, the show layers multiple interpretations:

Ancient Understanding: Second Temple Judaism had extensive demonology (reflected in apocryphal works like Enoch). They would have attributed many conditions we now understand as mental illness to demonic influence.

Modern Categories: Mary’s symptoms could represent PTSD from sexual assault, grief from her father’s death, mental illness like schizophrenia, or some combination.

Theological Reality: The show suggests something genuinely oppressive and beyond human help while avoiding the trap of making mental illness seem merely spiritual.

Marty notes that Nicodemus calling on angels (Gabriel, Raphael, Michael), patriarchs, and even the name of God - yet having “no power here” - sets up a crucial theological point: true demonic exorcism was understood as something only God could accomplish. This makes Jesus’s later deliverance of Mary all the more significant.

Nicodemus: The Struggling Religious Scholar

Nicodemus emerges as the episode’s most complex character - a “teacher of teachers” who is genuinely devout yet increasingly aware of the limitations of his religious system.

Key Character Elements:

Member of the Sanhedrin, visiting from Jerusalem
Educated and sincere in his faith
Open to questioning and wrestling with doubt
Confronted by evil he cannot address through his religious framework
Constrained by religious performance expectations

His conversation with his wife Zohara contains profound theological reflection. Using a cheap mirror as illustration, he wonders if Torah itself might be like a “blurry reflection” of a more beautiful reality. Her immediate response - “Never utter those things in public” and “That might even be blasphemy” - captures the tension between authentic spiritual seeking and institutional religious expectations.

Marty deeply identifies with Nicodemus, stating he represents the tension of being a religious leader who wrestles with questions that others find threatening.

Simon Peter: Desperation and Moral Compromise

The episode portrays Peter as a desperate fisherman willing to compromise Torah observance to avoid financial ruin. While Marty expresses strong disagreement with making Peter a “scoundrel” who doesn’t care about God, he appreciates the character development that follows.

Peter’s Situation:

Facing crushing tax debt that threatens to cost him his fishing boat
Married to Eden (fictional character not in biblical text)
Engaging in gambling and fighting to make money
Willing to fish on Shabbat despite serious religious prohibition
Planning to betray fellow merchants to the Romans for tax relief

The episode suggests that Pharisees made “allowances for fishing on Shabbat if lives are at stake,” which Peter tries to exploit. Andrew’s response - “Lives are not at stake here” - highlights the moral compromise involved.

This backstory illustrates how economic oppression could drive faithful Jews to desperate measures, though the historical plausibility of fishing on Shabbat remains debated.

Matthew: The Outsider’s Wealth

Matthew’s introduction emphasizes his isolation despite (or because of) his wealth:

Palatial estate with luxury items (door locks, servant, extensive wardrobe)
Obsessive-compulsive tendencies (germophobe, analytical, number-focused)
Publicly despised and spat upon
Requires transportation through crowds to avoid confrontation
Lives in fear despite his privilege

Marty particularly appreciates this OCD characterization as a “believable backstory” that explains Matthew’s detailed record-keeping in his gospel while making him sympathetic despite his collaboration with Rome.

The Socioeconomic Critique: Systems of Oppression

A powerful undercurrent in the episode is how religious leaders like Nicodemus condemn “sinners in the Red Quarter” for failing to keep Torah, while benefiting from systems that make Torah observance nearly impossible for the poor.

As Marty notes: “It’s not easy to live in the Red Quarter and follow cleanliness law. It’s not easy to live in the Red Quarter and be Torah observant.” The Pharisees who point fingers at these “sinners” for keeping the Kingdom away actually “prop up systems that just keep them” in oppression.

This critique has obvious contemporary parallels to religious communities that condemn the poor for moral failures while supporting economic structures that perpetuate poverty.

Jesus’s First Appearance: Radical Compassion

The episode’s climax comes with Jesus’s encounter with Mary Magdalene at The Hammer bar (named after Judah Maccabee). The scene is deliberately constructed to contrast with typical depictions of divine power:

Instead of dramatic entrance: Jesus enters quietly, without fanfare Instead of commanding presence: He gently places his hand on hers Instead of condemning: He prevents her from self-medicating with compassion Instead of displaying power: He speaks her name with tenderness Instead of performing: He quotes the Scripture her father taught her

The Isaiah 43 passage becomes personally applicable: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine.”

Brent contrasts this with the West Wing episode where President Bartlet enters quoting “I am the Lord your God” with booming authority. Jesus’s entrance demonstrates that true power often manifests in gentleness, in knowing and naming the broken, in meeting people where they are.

The “God Goggles” Debate

Marty expresses his aversion to interpreting Jesus’s knowledge of Mary through “God goggles” - the assumption that Jesus simply knew everything because he was God. He prefers to see Jesus’s humanity and suggests:

Jesus was a person of deep prayer who listened to God’s voice
God reveals things to people who are spiritually attuned
Prophetic gifting allows people to know things they couldn’t naturally know
Jesus could operate in this dimension without it negating his humanity

This theological perspective maintains Jesus’s full divinity while preserving the reality of his human dependence on the Father.

Examples & Applications

Historical Accuracy in Storytelling

The series demonstrates that biblical storytelling doesn’t require choosing between accuracy and accessibility. Details like:

Authentic first-century clothing across all social classes
Appropriate door lock hardware for wealthy Romans
The password system at The Hammer bar (friends of Maccabee)
The use of Hebrew terms like “Shabbat” without always explaining them

These elements create immersion while respecting the intelligence of viewers to engage with unfamiliar cultural elements.

When Performance Replaces Authenticity

Nicodemus’s question “When did Shabbat become theater?” speaks powerfully to contemporary religious experience. Whenever worship, teaching, or religious practice becomes primarily about maintaining appearances or meeting others’ expectations rather than authentic encounter with God, we’ve fallen into the same trap.

This applies to:

Church services designed to impress rather than transform
Religious leaders who can’t ask honest questions publicly
Communities that prioritize certainty over wrestling with doubt
Spiritual practices done for social validation rather than genuine seeking

Economic Pressure and Moral Compromise

Peter’s willingness to fish on Shabbat and betray fellow merchants illustrates how economic desperation can lead people into moral compromises they would otherwise reject. Contemporary applications include:

Workers who compromise ethics to keep employment
Families who cut corners on religious practice due to multiple job demands
People who collaborate with unjust systems because they have no alternative
The poor who are judged for “failing” at standards that economic security makes easier to maintain

Ministering to Trauma and Mental Illness

The episode’s nuanced portrayal of Mary’s condition offers a helpful model for contemporary ministry. Rather than forcing either a purely spiritual or purely medical explanation, it allows for:

Recognition that trauma, mental illness, and spiritual oppression can coexist
Compassionate presence rather than formulaic solutions
Speaking identity and calling rather than focusing on problems
Meeting people in their darkness rather than demanding they come to the light

The Power of Being Known

Jesus’s simple act of speaking Mary’s name - “Mary of Magdala” - demonstrates the transformative power of being truly seen and known. Applications include:

Learning and using people’s actual names (not nicknames they don’t prefer)
Taking time to understand someone’s story before offering solutions
Recognizing that being known is often more healing than being fixed
The pastoral practice of quoting Scripture that specifically addresses someone’s situation

Potential Areas for Further Exploration

Historical Questions

Galilean fishing practices on Shabbat - What were the actual rabbinic debates about Sabbath exceptions? How would Peter’s justification have been received?
Magdala archaeology - What do recent excavations tell us about the town’s culture, wealth, and religious character in the first century?
Roman tax collection systems - How exactly did the tax farming system work? What percentage could collectors take for themselves?
Second Temple demonology - What did various Jewish groups believe about demons? How did exorcism practices differ between Pharisees, Essenes, and other groups?
The star of Bethlehem - What are the various historical and astronomical explanations for the star? How visible would it actually have been?

Theological Themes

Christology and Jesus’s knowledge - How do we understand Jesus’s divine omniscience alongside his human limitations? What does it mean that he “grew in wisdom”?
Demon possession vs. mental illness - How should contemporary believers understand biblical accounts of demon possession in light of modern psychology?
Religious performance vs. authentic faith - What are the signs that religious practice has become “theater”? How do we maintain corporate worship without falling into performance?
Economic justice and Torah observance - How does poverty affect people’s ability to live out religious commitments? What responsibilities do religious communities have to address systemic injustice?
The suffering of the faithful - Why does Mary, who knew Scripture from childhood, experience such trauma? How do we understand God’s presence (or apparent absence) in suffering?

Character Development

Mary Magdalene’s “seven demons” - What might the Gospel writers have meant by this? How do we avoid reducing her to merely her deliverance?
Nicodemus’s journey - What brought him from this beginning to his later appearances in John’s gospel (visiting Jesus at night, defending him before the Sanhedrin, bringing burial spices)?
Matthew’s transformation - How does someone move from being a despised tax collector to a gospel writer? What does his inclusion among the disciples say about Jesus’s mission?
Peter’s impulsiveness - While Marty resists the “scoundrel” characterization, how do we understand the biblical Peter’s tendency to speak/act first and think later?

Literary and Artistic Considerations

Midrash as interpretation - What are the strengths and limitations of using midrashic imagination to fill in biblical narratives? Where are the appropriate boundaries?
Fiction vs. Scripture - How do we enjoy creative biblical storytelling while maintaining Scripture’s unique authority?
Visual depictions of Jesus - What are the theological considerations in portraying Jesus on screen? How does this impact different faith traditions?
Emotional manipulation in storytelling - When does effective dramatic technique cross into manipulation? How do we engage emotionally while maintaining discernment?

Contemporary Application

Crowdfunding and Christian media - What does The Chosen’s success suggest about the hunger for quality biblical content? How might this model influence future projects?
Evangelism through storytelling - How effective are dramatic presentations in introducing people to Jesus compared to propositional teaching or apologetics?
Interfaith dialogue - What conversations might The Chosen facilitate between Christians, Jews, and others about Scripture, interpretation, and Jesus?
Religious leaders and doubt - How can faith communities create space for leaders to wrestle with honest questions without fear of losing their positions?

Comprehension Questions

How does The Chosen’s production model differ from typical Hollywood biblical films, and what advantages does this crowdfunded approach offer for creative independence and community engagement?
Explain the concept of “Christian midrash” as it applies to The Chosen. What are the appropriate boundaries between creative imagination and maintaining the truth of Scripture?
What does Nicodemus’s inability to deliver Mary from demons reveal about the theological understanding of demon possession in Second Temple Judaism? How does this set up the significance of Jesus’s later ministry?
Marty expresses dislike for Peter’s backstory as a “scoundrel,” yet appreciates the character development. What might be his specific concerns about portraying Peter this way, and how does economic desperation factor into understanding Peter’s choices?
Analyze Jesus’s first appearance at The Hammer bar. How does this scene contrast with typical Hollywood depictions of divine power, and what does it reveal about Jesus’s approach to ministry among the marginalized?

Personalized Summary

This episode of BEMA launches an exciting new series examining The Chosen through the lens of historical context and theological reflection. What strikes me most is how the show succeeds where so many biblical productions fail - by embracing its nature as dramatic fiction rather than trying to be Scripture on screen. This freedom allows for rich character development that makes the biblical world come alive.

The portrayal of Mary Magdalene demonstrates particular sensitivity, refusing to reduce her to stereotypes while acknowledging both the reality of spiritual oppression and the impact of trauma. Her father’s death, the Isaiah 43 passage, and Jesus’s eventual use of those same words creates a powerful narrative arc that illuminates the gospel without adding to it.

Nicodemus emerges as the episode’s most theologically rich character - a sincere religious leader wrestling with the limitations of his tradition. His question “When did Shabbat become theater?” cuts to the heart of religious performance that plagues every generation. His wife’s immediate shutdown of his questioning (“Never utter those things in public”) reveals how religious systems often protect themselves against honest inquiry, even from devoted insiders.

The socioeconomic critique woven throughout - showing how poverty makes Torah observance difficult while the wealthy condemn the poor for their “failures” - has obvious contemporary relevance. Systems of oppression don’t disappear simply because we name them; recognizing them in first-century Galilee should prompt us to examine our own contexts.

Finally, Jesus’s entrance at the end provides a masterclass in compassionate ministry. No fireworks, no booming voice, no dramatic demonstration of power - just a gentle hand, a spoken name, and words of identity restoration from Scripture the broken woman learned as a child. “I have called you by name. You are mine.” This is the Jesus worth following - the one who sees us in our darkness and speaks life rather than condemnation.

The episode reminds us that the gospel is not primarily about religious performance or moral achievement, but about encounter with the God who knows us by name and claims us as his own, regardless of what systems of oppression - religious or economic - have said about us.

Note: This episode is part of BEMA’s ongoing series reviewing The Chosen. For more information about the show itself, visit the official website. The BEMA Podcast can be found at bemadiscipleship.com.

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S6 220: The Chosen S1E1 — “I Have Called You by Name”

Mary Magdalene Redeemed [57:50]