The Berean Call Condemns “The Chosen”
I just thought I’d share my letter to The Berean Call (thus far with no reply), which was a reply to their response to some doctrinal questions I decided to ask them upon reading a couple articles in their newsletters which entirely condemned the production of “The Chosen”...
TBC's Doctrinal Questions (#26068)
Dear Bernard,
Thank you for writing. In responding to your questions, it looks like a little sorting is needed as there are what appear to be assumptions.
As you imply, the question is not predicated upon "what we teach," but rather what the Scriptures themselves say. For example, regarding the "good, perfect, etc. "Law," we recognize that it has a specific role and use for the plan of God. For believers, there is a definite time limit.
In Galatians 3:24, Paul writes, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
Galatians 4:4-5 tells us, "“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Secondly, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul further wrote:
“But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter” [a “Paulism” for “Law”] and in Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
These few of many statements are very plain in Scripture.
Regarding the question about the Lake of Fire, Scriptures tells us that our Lord warns those who follow Him in Matthew 25:41: "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels..."
Again, there are many more references which are to be seen. It was our Lord who came to make the once for all sacrifice who spoke more often of the reality and duration of eternal punishment. Certainly He had a heart for the lost and didn't make excuse for the accountability of man. And, does Scripture address those in remote areas?
"The question is often phrased, "are the heathen really lost?" The Scriptures record that no individual can say that God has left them without a witness. Psalms 19 tells us, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun" (verses 1-4).
Romans 1 tells us, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
Finally, we also recognize the grace of God. On a personal note, God knows in advance those who would reject Him and those who would receive him. Consequently, even the world has a saying: “Only the good die young.” It's based upon experience. If in the mercy of God He “took” those who would have responded to the message of the Gospel, then our concern for the justice of God can be seen as fulfilled.
Thank you for writing.
Ed Newby
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(my reply...)
Greetings Ed and thank you for your reply!
At this point in time, I do not recall precisely the questions I asked you via your online contact form. However, I did mean what I said when I inquired “what TBC teaches” with regard to some specific subjects, like torah and the so called “hell” doctrine for example.
All of us who study the Bible intently have our own viewpoints about *what the scriptures teach*. Therefore, I find it to be certainly appropriate to inquire about TBC’s views regarding some specific doctrines, knowing full well that none of us have complete 100% understanding of every single Biblical teaching because we all see in part as through a glass/mirror dimly.
From your reply and from browsing your website a bit, I understand that your group teaches what I would generally categorize as “mainstream” Christian doctrines.
For example, you seem to teach that God’s torah, or laws, were to some degree done away with, because in your reply you suggest a “time limit” has been placed upon God’s laws. That’s a typical mainstream teaching, however, the Bible in no way remotely suggests that God’s laws were ever done away with. in fact, the Bible says precisely the opposite. Christ makes this clear.
Matthew 5:
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
18 “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
19 “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches [them], he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Having studied this intently for now about half my life, I understand why you and others have come to such a conclusion. When Paul speaks about no longer being “under God’s law” he is referring to no longer being “under the penalty of God’s law”. As you would certainly agree, Jesus’ perfect sacrifice as our Passover Lamb provides forgiveness of all the worlds’ sins — Jesus Christ suffered the penalty for our sins in order to provide a reconciliation to the Father.
Unfortunately, mainstream Christianity teaches that certain laws of God were done away and/or changed. Observance of God’s weekly and annual Sabbaths and appointed holy times are some of what mainstream has rejected, although God never changed these laws.
Further, in the soon coming kingdom everyone will be observing these, rather than the worldly/pagan observances which have been adopted into mainstream.
Isaiah 66:
19 And it shall come to pass [That] from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.
Of course, God’s law cannot provide salvation — only the sacrificial blood of our Messiah can do so. Yet, that doesn’t mean God’s laws, or some of God’s laws, have been nullified either. Consider that God’s Ten Commandments are eternal, the first half of which explain how to love God while the second half explain how to love our neighbors… to at last the bare minimum which is expected of Christ's followers. If God would allow His Sabbath to be negated, why not the commandment against murder, or theft, or coveting?
You are also most likely familiar with the warning Peter gives regarding being careful when reading Paul’s writings. I have found this warning to be very important, considering that Christians of various denominations have erred in both subtracting from as well as adding to the scriptures.
Such is why I also inquired about your group’s teaching about so called “hell”. Apparently you all subscribe to the mainstream teaching. However, have any elders among your group ever done a simple word study on the four original Hebrew and Greek words having three unique and diverse meanings, all of which have been translated as “hell”?
When doing so one finds that in most every instance whereby “hell” is used, it merely means “the grave”. a few times the original word is “geenna” and means fire, referring both to an area outside of the south Jerusalem gate where fires near-continually burned refuse (in like manner as an incinerator). one time only throughout the entire Bible, the original word translated as “hell” is “tartaroo”, which refers to a place of restraints for the fallen angels or demons.
When the scriptures are read having this knowledge it becomes clear that tradition along with Dante’s Divine Comedy has corrupted the perceived context of such passages which speak of “hell” by combining the three unique meanings to arrive at the false conclusion: “that ‘hell’ is an underground place of continual burning where the fallen angels reside”. Thus, the traditionally held false concept of “hell” was born and remains with us to this day.
There are two possible eternal fates: 1. eternal death (meaning, being dead or not existing for eternity); 2. eternal life. Those who ultimately refuse to repent will be thrown into the lake of fire and destroyed. Christ made this perfectly clear in a most popular Biblical verse:
John 3:
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The original Greek word translated as “perish” is “apollumi” which means “to destroy”.
The absolute Biblical truth is that the ultimate fate of the unrepentant is to be thrown into God’s (not satan’s) lake of fire and never exist beyond that point in time eternally.
Unfortunately, mainstream Christianity teaches the traditional “hell” doctrine, thus adding to the scriptures.
As a related concern for you and your group, based upon a personal comment you made: “God knows in advance those who would reject Him and those who would receive him”, this sounds to me that you believe in the Calvinist (certainly among some others) predestination doctrine, which states that God has already decided who will be in His kingdom and who won’t.
This coupled with the concept that those who are raised up in the Second Resurrection are prohibited from repentance at that point — even though the Bible doesn’t say so — can only be taken to be understood that God decides everyone’s eternal fate before they are born and there is nothing anyone can do to change their status/predestination.
Please consider: if that is true, then there is absolutely no need for a savior. In fact, the very concept of needing a savior would make no sense whatsoever.
Perhaps I have misunderstood what you are driving at, but if TBC teaches such a doctrine, I pray you all repent as soon as possible, as that is perhaps the absolute most horrible false doctrine that has ever been taught — in no way does it portray the infinite loving mercy of our Father and His Son.
Further, to teach that doctrine one must “play God” by making such judgements over billions of humans. God’s Word makes clear that we are never to condemn others while we are still sinners (Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:32-38; Romans 2:1-11; Romans 8:31-34; Romans 14:1-13; Colossians 2:16-17; James 4:10-12).
Certainly, no one is without excuse to know basic rights from basic wrongs because God gives everyone a conscience. After all, Adam & Eve ate from the tree of knowledge between good & evil, so no one can be raised up and stand before God and say, “I didn’t know it was a sin to murder, steal, covet, etc.”
However, billions have certainly lived & died without ever hearing about Jesus Christ, Yahshua Messiah — who is the only way to eternal life — and God has a plan to carry out His will that everyone have the opportunity of salvation. That opportunity must occur during the Last Great Day, as there is no other possible time/place given where this could possibly happen.
———
Now, I do not write to you all these things to bash or condemn you in any way. Again, God’s laws do not provide for forgiveness, and most Christians are in agreement of this Biblical fact. The power of God’s torah is death. The purpose of torah is at least twofold: 1. it provides light upon our path; 2. it brings us to Messiah who forgives and provides eternal life through His perfect sacrifice.
I write to you to call you out for condemning The Chosen production for doing precisely what you are doing — adding to and/or subtracting from the scriptures. By doing so, because TBC has added to and/or subtracted from the scriptures, your groups is not only altering God’s Word but is also engaging in hypocrisy.
“The Chosen” Fiction
https://www.thebereancall.org/sites/2014.thebereancall.org/files/1221%20December%20WEB.pdf
A Response About “The Chosen”
https://www.thebereancall.org/sites/2014.thebereancall.org/files/0122%20January%20WEB.pdf
All followers of Christ err somehow in that we inadvertently add to or subtract from the scriptures because we currently only see in part and/or as through a glass/mirror dimly (as I already stated). I’m also certain I do not agree with Dallas Jenkins, for example, on every single point of Biblical doctrine either. But I dare not condemn his or anyone’s efforts of spreading the gospel of both Messiah’s sacrifice & resurrection as well as His coming kingdom as God, in their own way as they are led by the Holy Spirit.
TBC recently condemned the entire Chosen production for adding and/or subtracting to the scriptures, even though it was made clear that the series is inspired by and based on the Biblical scriptures. The stated goal of Dallas Jenkins is to encourage more people in these last days to grow more interested in Jesus Christ so that they will be inclined to open their Bibles and read the gospel accounts.
Factually, this has been happening not only with agnostics and/or atheists, but also believers. For example, upon sharing the first couple of episodes (The Shephard & I Chose You By Name) with some Berean-esque brethren I know of various congregations, several of us opened up our Bibles to see how accurate or inaccurate these were when comparing to the scriptures. And while I caught some inaccuracies in some of The Chosen's episodes, I also found myself in error on occasion as well when I double checked the scriptures.
Bottom line: Dallas Jenkins’ goal of getting people to open their Bibles has already been achieved and the show has largely only begun!
TBC also has major concerns regarding those electronically hosting the show (Angel Studios) being Mormon, that the various UN-Biblical teachings of Mormonism might at some point be interwoven into the series. Firstly, have you ever considered that God might use Dallas to witness to those folks which might result in repentance of their fantastical doctrines?
And speaking of fantastical doctrines, please consider which is more un-Biblical and/or “crazy”:
1. Teaching that God resides on a planet located close to the star Kolob? (Mormon)
or
2. Teaching that God would have His followers abandon His Biblical annual holy observances and replace them with pagan traditions... like the one which incorporates bunnies that lay eggs?
Again, I’m not condemning my fellow Christian brothers & sisters for observing traditionally held un-Biblical worldly holidays, as none of us have the authority to condemn anyone and no point of doctrine can provide salvation. I’m merely pointing out the hypocrisy in your condemnation of The Chosen production so that you may repent.
I largely understand your admonishment regarding “visually representing the Bible”. I also had this concern when I was considering checking out The Chosen.
Yet, I remain curious… does your group feel likewise regarding The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston… do you also believe that classic movie was entirely at enmity with God?
Does TBC also believe that children’s coloring books are likewise? This is not meant to be derogatory as I have met those who prohibit them to ever be used in their congregation as well.
I’ve found that admonishments from God come in various forms. I believe my letter to you serves as an admonishment as well. This matter has been weighing upon my heart since I read your December article and I asked God to guide me in that which I should say and share with you.
I hope you pray about all that I have said and ask God for greater revelation regarding the doctrines your group teaches as “Biblical” and that you will consider repenting of your condemnation over God’s work being accomplished in the efforts of others in these very last days.
Believers who don’t think this present earth is coming to a close very soon with the establishing of Messiah’s kingdom ought to consider checking out this presentation:
Berisheet Passover Prophecy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=PtATSQx3cjI&t=632s
Of course, we cannot conclude all the math presented here is 100% accurate. However, based upon the data here along with many other factors, it appears time is running very short.
God truly desires all of His followers to have love, not only for one another, but also for all those who continue to stumble in a world of darkness who have yet to ever hear of, let alone comprehend, the gospel of Jesus Christ, Yahshua Messiah.
Godbless...
8-)
bernard baruch carman
- truth seeker/seeder • audio engineer • musician
- SeedsOfTruth • ∞Liberty • Natural Rights Coalition ∞ infinitygames
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