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<\/source><\/picture>For some Christians, watching \u201cThe Chosen\u201d is a heavenly calling. For others, like author and preacher Voddie Baucham, it\u2019s the exact opposite.<\/p>\n
In an Aug. 2 appearance<\/a> on “The Babylon Bee Podcast,” the 54-year-old dean of theology at African Christian University in Zambia cited one of the Ten Commandments as his reason for not watching the hit series.<\/p>\n The topic of \u201cThe Chosen\u201d came up when hosts Sam Greer and Jarret LeMaster were discussing Baucham\u2019s recent appearance with Glenn Beck and the wisdom of appearing on Christian-adjacent shows such as Beck\u2019s, which line up more closely with his beliefs than other mainstream media outlets like CNN.<\/p>\n Baucham, who previously served as pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church in Texas, told the Bee hosts he appreciates the fact that when he appears on Beck\u2019s show, \u201cthere are no restraints put on me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can communicate the Gospel. I can be, you know, free and bold and \u2026 he and I have a relationship behind the scenes and off the camera, and you know, I’m grateful to the Lord for all of that, right?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n After LeMaster made a passing reference to \u201cThe Chosen,\u201d Baucham interjected, saying that was another example where he chooses to exercise restraint.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s another deal, you asked me about my line,\u201d he said. \u201cYou said \u2018The Chosen\u2019 … that’s a line I draw.\u201d<\/p>\n When pressed further on why he doesn\u2019t watch the show, Baucham replied, \u201c2CV, man. Second Commandment violation,\u201d in reference to Exodus 20:4<\/a>: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”<\/p>\n \u201cThe Chosen,\u201d which outperformed <\/a>a number of other TV shows in its broadcast TV debut on the CW Network in July, has enjoyed mainstream success as the first-ever multi-season show about the life of Jesus Christ, while also serving to renew debate among Christians about the theology behind media images of Jesus.<\/p>\n The series has also spurred controversy over the beliefs of its cast and crew, including when actor Jonathan Roumie met with Pope Francis for a private summit<\/a> at the Vatican last September in which the pontiff referred to him as Jesus.\u00a0<\/p>\n In June, series creator Dallas Jenkins was forced to speak out after a rainbow pride flag was spotted <\/a>on \u201cThe Chosen\u201d set in documentary footage. The controversy later prompted actors on the show to criticize calls for a boycott as \u201chomophobic.\u201d<\/p>\n Apart from the questions of idolatry, others have warned about attaching the image of Roumie to the person of Jesus Christ while in prayer or other times of worship.<\/p>\n