The Television Series Everyone's Bingeing Right Now
What "The Television Series" That Sparked Controversy Refers To
The phrase "the television series" in controversial contexts most commonly refers to The Chosen, the crowd-funded multi-season drama about the life of Jesus Christ that has sparked significant debate within Catholic and Christian communities since its 2019 debut. The controversy centers on theological accuracy concerns, particularly regarding Matthew 16:19 where the series portrays Jesus giving the keys to the kingdom to all disciples rather than exclusively to Peter, contradicting Catholic theology.
Key Facts About The Chosen Controversy
The Chosen holds the distinction of being the largest crowdfunded TV series of all time, raising over $60 million from 1.3 million donors across 190 countries. Despite praise from notable Catholics including Fr. Hugh Barbour and Bishop Robert Barron, serious theological concerns emerged from Catholic theologians who identified specific doctrinal errors.
| Controversy Aspect | Detail | Date Identified |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 16:19 Portrayal | Keys given to crowd instead of Peter alone | May 2021 |
| Mary's Labor Pains | Depicted despite Catholic doctrine of Immaculate Conception | March 2022 |
| Creator Background | Dallas Jenkins is Protestant, raising concerns about theological influence | 2019-2023 |
| Fiction Content | 95% fiction according to creator; only 5% directly from Bible | January 2026 |
- Season 1 released in 2019 with pilot episode in 2017
- First multi-season television series about the life of Christ
- Plans for 7 total seasons covering Christ's entire ministry
- First series launched simultaneously in every country via its own app
- Free to watch with no subscription required
- Available on DVD and streaming through Angel Studios
Alternative Controversial Television Series
While The Chosen represents the most prominent current controversy involving Catholic communities, other television series have sparked significant religious controversy historically:
- The Thorn Birds: ABC miniseries depicting a Roman Catholic priest fathering a child, broadcast during Palm Sunday through Holy Week, drawing objections from the United States Catholic Conference
- Them: Amazon Prime anthology criticized as "torture porn" for realistic scenes of Black pain and violence
- The Boys (2026 finale): Series finale sparked anger and consternation among fans, with Elon Musk posting over a dozen critical tweets despite claiming he "didn't watch" it
Implications for Catholic Education in Latin America
For Marist educators in Brazil and Latin America, understanding media controversies like The Chosen is essential for guiding students through contemporary cultural challenges. The controversy demonstrates why catholic education must prioritize Scripture literacy so students can identify theological errors when encountering dramatized religious content.
School administrators should consider implementing media literacy curriculum that teaches students to critically evaluate religious programming against authentic Church teaching. As one Catholic apologist noted, The Chosen portrays Jesus as a flawed human instead of God, potentially giving believers "serious doubts about the Bible and God" that could carry them away from salvation.
"One needs to be informed about the Gospel to avoid coming to erroneous conclusions based on a dramatized representation." - Catholic theologian reviewing The Chosen
Helpful tips and tricks for The Television Series Everyones Bingeing Right Now
Why Does The Chosen Spark Controversy Among Catholics?
The Chosen sparks controversy because it takes artistic license with Gospel narratives that contradict core Catholic teachings. Catholic theologian Dr. Matthew Schlimm identified the erroneous portrayal of Matthew 16:19 as particularly problematic, noting that the Greek original uses singular "you" (soi) indicating Jesus gave the keys exclusively to Peter, not the entire crowd. This misrepresentation challenges the papal authority foundation of Catholic ecclesiology.
Is The Chosen Biblically Accurate?
The Chosen is approximately 95% fiction according to creator Dallas Jenkins himself, with only 5% coming directly from Biblical text. While the series does not promote uniquely Mormon, Catholic, or Protestant doctrine explicitly, it incorporates backstory created through artistic license that may lead viewers to erroneous conclusions about Scripture. Parents and educators must exercise discernment when deciding whether to allow viewing.
What Should Parents Do About The Chosen?
Parents should watch episodes themselves first, discuss theological concerns with children, and supplement viewing with authentic catechesis from Church-approved sources. The Augustine Institute's "Catholic Commentary on The Chosen" on the Formed app provides orthodox perspective alongside the series. Individual families must decide based on their children's spiritual maturity and Gospel knowledge.
How Does This Affect Marist Pedagogy?
Marist pedagogy emphasizes holistic education integrating faith with reason, making media discernment a natural extension of our educational mission. Educators can use The Chosen controversy as a case study for teaching students to evaluate cultural content through a Catholic lens while maintaining respectful dialogue with those who enjoy the series.
