Some Thoughts on ‘The Chosen’

The Keys to the Kingdom: A Gentle But Firm Correction to ...

Jesus and His disciples

We spent the day this weekend watching three episodes of The Chosen, Season 4.. Why not? It gives us some quality time with Jesus, and we appreciate that very much.

But when all is said and done, The Chosen is a “Bible movie,” which means the screenwriters will add some things that aren’t in the gospels. That makes me fidgety.

Without committing a spoiler, I must still say that I object to a scene we saw yesterday. If this incident really happened, it should have been mentioned in the Scripture. But I feel certain that it was invented by the writers to make a point.

Later on, when Jesus and His disciples visit their friend Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, in Bethany, we are given a hint that Lazarus has already been touched by the illness that will take his life; and Jesus see this, but says nothing about it. We know from the Gospel that Lazarus dies, his body is entombed–and Jesus raises him from the dead.

It’s not that the earlier incident I’ve alluded to fails to raise an important point. It doesn’t. I understand why the writers invented and included it. But even so, viewers who are not familiar with the Bible may not know that this was an invented incident: it didn’t happen. I think the writers should have found some other way to make their point.

It’s not just me being picky, is it? Shouldn’t the Bible, as written, be sufficient for our needs? We are committed to the proposition that the Bible tells the truth. Saying something happened, when it didn’t, makes me uneasy.

I hope I hear more about this from some of you. Again, I have not described the incident in question because I don’t want to influence your perception of it.

‘Yield Not to Temptation’

I don’t know who’s singing this, but I do know that I need to hear it. I need some carrying today, Lord–all that doctoring scheduled for this afternoon.

So here it is, a Sunday school favorite: Yield Not to Temptation.

‘Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun’

A lot of wonderful hymn singing came out of the United Reformed Church’s Synold 2012, held at Nyack, New York, in the Hudson River valley. Here we have Jesus Shall Reign Where’ere the Sun.

Bonus Hymn, ‘To God Be the Glory’

This hymn has been in my mind all day, so I think I’d better post it.

To God Be the Glory, by Fanny Crosby–one of some eight or nine thousand hymns she wrote–sung by the Apostolic Christian Men’s Group.

‘Love Divine, All Loves Excelling’

(I’ve already been to the hospital this morning, for some test or other. Next stop, rehab. Then maybe I can have some breakfast.)

Fill up a cathedral and let the hymn be sung!

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, by Charles Wesley; sung by the Westminster Cathedral Choir.

‘They’re Not Just Idiots…’ (2016)

177 Boarded Up Church Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and ...

Boarded shut and empty: that’s how they like our churches.

It looks stupid, it sounds stupid–but there’s method in the madness.  They think that they can simply wear us out.

They’re Not Just Idiots…

Incessant, vigorous complaining, never pass up a fight–and presto, you’ve got atheists bellyaching about a Christian website set up by Christians so they can post Christian hymns. What else do they expect on a Christian website?

“Yeahbut, yeahbut! Separation of church and state!”

The correct response is “Aw, shut up!”

By Request, ‘Gospel Quartet’

Elder Mike wanted to share this video with you, so here it is–“Gospel Quartet.” It has this going for it: it’s very funny! And God knows I can use a laugh today.

I don’t know how much of this performance is for real. Just relax and enjoy it.

‘We Have Heard the Joyful Sound’

Well, God knows I need saving; and I’ve got a lot of company, too. Intervene for us, O Lord!

We Have Heard the Joyful Sound (Jesus Saves): As sung at Synod 2012, United Reformed Church… and that’s the Hudson River at Nyack, New York.

‘Be Thou My Vision’

I was sick in bed for most of the day yesterday, but I’m much better now.

Be Thou My Vision–sung here by the Lebanon County Youth Choir–is one of the oldest hymns we have. It goes back to the 7th Century. But it’s still well loved and popular.

Prayer Request: Phoebe

I make an urgent prayer request for our friend and sister, Phoebe, who has suddenly come down with–well, I don’t know what and neither, at this point, does she. I have to be careful not to violate her privacy; but she has asked for prayers, and as far as it lies with me, she’s got them.

So please, everybody–pray!

O Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord and champion, please be swift to help and heal our sister, Phoebe, your faithful servant. She needs you now, O Lord! In Jesus’ name, protect her. Amen.