Reader, the following response is from a retired pastor, a man who protected his flock from false teaching and teachers for decades. He is referring to this post, To Fans of The Chosen.
Pastor Larry writes:
It’s quite surprising to me how many Christians over the past 40+ years of pastoring, have “prayed to” deceased relatives or friends, or they have told me that their husband or wife or son or daughter has appeared to them at night .
And as I have explained, as gently as I could, that these were familiar spirits that are demonic, and not their loved ones. There is a great deception that is still in operation and is deceiving many good Christians. I understand personally the hurt of having a loved one pass away, but I think that Pastors should be aware of this issue and deal with this issue Biblically.
I agree that there are far too many watching tv shows or movies dealing with demonic spirits. And the coming so called holiday of Halloween makes this matter worse for many. I personally believe that Pastors not only need to address, but they must address this matter as our enemy is increasing his tactics of deception and far too many are embracing this stuff.
When they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not a people consult their God? Should theyconsult the dead on behalf of the living? (Isaiah 8:19)
Don’t let all the movies and shows you watch fool you. The Lord hates the act of trying to speak with the dead. It is unholy. It is never the dead who communicate, but demons with their sweet deception.
‘Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:31)
“I can’t find that in the Bible, but I can in THE BOOK OF MORMON.
This is the “mic drop” moment of the new season 3 trailer for ”The Chosen”. Jesus says to the Pharisee, “I am the Law of Moses.”(emphasis added)
Jesus is not the Law. The Law reveals the righteous standard of the Holy God. It reveals our depravity. It points us to Christ but it is not Christ itself. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, by obeying it perfectly on our behalf. Jesus had several “I AM” statements, all of tremendous importance, but He never said “I AM the Law of Moses”.
But in the Book of Mormon you’ll find the LDS version of Jesus saying it…
“Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.” – 3 Nephi 15:9 (emphasis added)
Maybe this wasn’t intentional on the part of the Chosen team, but it’s a problem when your portrayal of Jesus says things not found in Scripture but rather in the Book of Mormon.
Again, when Dallas Jenkins says to “Get used to different”, our reply should be…
“So I love the fact that our communities are coming together with our celebration, our worship, and our faith,” stated Brad Pelo, one of the Mormon Executive Producers of The Chosen, and the driving force behind The Chosen Christmas Special [1] (emphasis mine)
Well, there’s a memorable quote.
Remember the claim that The Chosen is not produced by Mormons?
Those who take the time to investigate know that Mormon involvment is undeniable. Of course, there are those who simply don’t want to know. These bow to that other god, the god of entertainment, and refusal to believe serves as a shield against the truth of the scriptures:
For this is a rebellious people, false sons, Sons who refuse to listen To the instruction of the LORD; (Isaiah 30:9)
Who say to the seers, “You must not see visions”; And to the prophets, “You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions. (Isaiah 30:10)
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; (Eph 5:11)
The Mormon involvement in The Chosen is hands-on. During the interview, Mormon Executive Producer Brad Pelo said:
…it’s my responsibility as Chief Distribution Officer to figure out how to keep fans engaged… [2]
Pelo suggested to Dallas Jenkins they should have the Christmas Special, and it was the Mormon Executive Producers of The Chosen, Brad Pelo and Derral Eves, who were primarily responsible for putting it together. Speaking on an ostensibly Christian podcast, Pelo stated:
…but I would hope speaking into your audience that to the broader Christian community you will see our heart and my heart about coming together, you knowDallas had some opinions about how things would be done but Derral and I produced that, that represents our sort of offering of let’s come together.. [3] (emphasis mine)
We are watching, I believe, the growing spiritual unity between those of different faiths via The Chosen. This is a spiritual syncretism centered around an ecumenical, false Christ. Christianity, Mormonism, and mystical Catholicism are coming together. Differences are becoming blurred in the eyes and hearts of many. Because, after all, we have heard again and again, this is the “authentic Jesus.”
And as Mormon Executive Producer Deral Eves noted:
…and this authentic Jesus needs to go out to more people, we want to get it out to a billion people…[4] (emphasis mine)
What did Dallas Jenkins, who describes himself as evangelical, think of Brad Pelo’s work on The Chosen Christmas Special? According to Pelo:
Okay, you did it, [Dallas Jenkins] says, that means a lot to me that you would work alongside me to help make this happen…. [5] (emphasis mine)
During the interview, still speaking about The Chosen Christmas Special, Pelo casually mentioned:
….most people probably didn’t realize there are a couple of Latter Day Saint artists in those performers you know, and they’re some of the most beloved…. [6] (emphasis mine)
While this article primarily looks at Brad Pelo’s comments about The Chosen Christmas Special, there can be no doubt about Mormon influence and involvment throughout the history of the show.
As noted, some of us put entertainment ahead of Christ. Another reason for acceptance of The Chosen is that many in the visible church simply do not read the Bible and meditate upon the Scriptures with any consistency. And how can we really know who He is and what God expects of us if we don’t know His Word?
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. (Psalm 119:9)
Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11)
There is a third factor going on here. There is a dullness, a spiritual apathy that now hovers over many in the visible church. There are those who know the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) are involved, know full well what the Bible says, but simply do not care. Make no mistake: The Chosen is a spiritual enterprise, and this spiritual mixture matters to Christ. According to the Bible:
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)
Some final thoughts. You may fully realize the ramifications of this….show… that alters Bible stories and characters, and presents an appealing, relateable, and utterly false Christ to millions. But be patient with the brother or sister who does not yet understand this.
It may take much prayer, reasoning, and the Scriptures to open eyes and hearts. It may take time. It does no good to lash out at someone in your church if they don’t react as you know (think) they should when first hearing about this. You may well be speaking to someone who has no concept or understanding of the holiness of Christ.
And there are some eyes and hearts that will never be opened.
And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. (Matt 24:4-5)
“Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together,” is a most important exhortation. Even if we should not derive any especial benefit, at the time, so far as we are conscious, yet we may be kept from much harm. And very frequently the beginning of coldness of heart is nourished by keeping away from the meetings of the saints.”
So, this pastor’s televised sermons helped us get through the time of Covid. The warning in this sermon is full of love, and grace, and this pastor’s tradmark humor, but it is a warning about The Chosen just the same. May the Lord embolden other pastors to address this as well.
This is Athey Creek Pastor Brett Meador. Begin at 43:03 in video and end at 49:48, give or take.
The Bible is replete with warnings about deception, warnings that go largely unheeded. Believers are not immune to deception and should be cognisant of the fact that the visible church is where wolves find their prey.
The Apostle Paul recognized and warned about this threat: “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears” (Acts 20:29-31).
Nowadays, it’s difficult to find a believer that has not been under the influence of some form of false doctrine. False teachers – or fierce wolves as Paul describes them are one of the sources of deception, but there are more. In this article, we’ll look at 3 sources of deception, and conclude with 3 safeguards against deception. …continue reading DO NOT BE DECEIVED…
The Word Like Fire 