But while folks love to use the “Jesus could have done that!” argument in defense of the show, we know that much of what The Chosen serves up could never have happened and never would. Jesus arguing with St. John the Baptist? Never. Jesus cracking a sarcastic joke at the expense of Simon Peter and then literally rolling his eyes, moments before performing a miracle for Simon’s mother-in-law? Never. The very Word of God Himself nervously hung up “writing” the Sermon on the Mount, and needing Matthew’s help and advice on effective wording? Never. Jesus, sitting alone, making flatulence noises to attract school-aged children hiding behind a bush? Never. (The producers tried alternately to claim those were “barnyard noises” or “raspberries”—as if raspberries are ever used with anyone other than babies.)

And then there is the deconstruction and disrespect of the holy ones of God: Would the Blessed Mother be the homeliest woman in Jesus’ circle? Never. Would she distastefully describe Jesus’ (supposedly!) “messy” birth when asked about that most holy night? Never. Would St. John the Baptist speak the words of Judas the Betrayer? Never. Would Peter and his wife discuss the “right time” to have babies? Never.

None of this “could have happened” and we should not be okay with heresy, blasphemy, and misleading anachronisms just because a series makes us laugh and cry. And, as I said in my first post on the subject, my criticism of The Chosen is in no way a denial of the legitimate and beautiful Catholic practice of Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina allows reverent imaginings, but there is no allowance for the re-imagining or deconstruction of the Person of Jesus! We cannot simply do whatever we want with Jesus and the saints because they “could have done this.”

Source: The False Christ of The Chosen – Crisis Magazine