Dallas Jenkins, the director of "The Chosen", has responded to criticism of a teaser clip for the upcoming season of the show. The clip, which has been viewed 7 million times, depicts angels in the Garden of Gethsemane as blue-skinned and racially diverse, sparking intense online debate.
Jenkins suggested that critics of the clip are guilty of idolatry, implying that their negative reactions are rooted in an excessive need for certainty. Jenkins made his comments in a lengthy Facebook post, in which he distinguished between healthy certainty in one's faith and an unhealthy need for certainty in all aspects of life.
He argued that some people prioritize certainty over curiosity, which can lead to a kind of idolatry. The director's comments were a response to the backlash against the teaser clip, which was posted to social media ahead of the show's November 14 livestream premiere.
The teaser clip itself shows a group of angelic warriors preparing to defend Jesus, played by actor Jonathan Roumie, against a mob. The depiction of the angels as blue-skinned and racially diverse has been a point of contention among some viewers.
Jenkins' response to the criticism has added to the ongoing debate about the show's interpretation of biblical events. The controversy surrounding the clip has generated significant attention, with the teaser drawing 7 million impressions on social media.