I have Bible studies/discussion guides for each episode of The Chosen Seasons 1-3, blogs exploring how The Chosen adapts key biblical figures, and articles exploring the controversial nature of adaptation. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I take comments made by The Chosen Twitter account with a grain of salt, especially since they are most likely made by digital marketers and not the actual creators of The Chosen. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. This comes out powerfully in the first Episode like to show you why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen here. Literally none of that is in Scripture or sacred tradition and that bothers me! Instead of being a femme fatale that Jesus needs to resist and tame, Mary Magdalene the prostitute is seen as an object of compassion and pity that Jesus needs to provide acceptance and safety. This shift in our societal understanding of the sex trade has changed the significance of Mary's supposed role as a prostitute. This passage is one of the few appearances of Mary Magdalene in the Gospels. For Mary's actual fall, it felt like the show was trying too hard to keep her character PG. This version of Mary - not the one who needs moral reformation but the one who needs sympathy and belonging - fits perfectly with the kinds of stories that The Chosen has focused on. As it was, we didn't really get a good sense of why Mary responded the way she did. Catholic priest burned to death, another shot in north Press J to jump to the feed. In The Chosen, it is not entirely clear whether Mary Magdalene was engaging in prostitution before the events of Season 1, Episode 1. She is clearly sleeping with a man out of wedlock when the episode begins and they are sleeping together in "the Red Quarter" - a sleazy part of town. Enough said.). But she was not possessed by one as the movie mentioned but by many. Her name always was Mary, but through her past of turmoil, mental illness, rape, or whatever else caused her to be mentally tortured, she led everyone to believe she was Lilith. Episode 7 Guide: Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? We need to remember the perspective is of east and west are different East is how it performs, what it does its function West they would describe what it is or made of. (Jesus), What about Jesus' identity does this hint at? As a general rule, the characters who follow Jesus aren't bad people; they're misunderstood and rejected and in need of love. In the Bible, there is no indication that Nicodemus met Mary Magdalene or that he tried to heal her or exorcise her evil spirits. After Mary's encounter with Jesus, we never really get to see her deal with her former life. I wouldn't take too long discussing these questions. Later Jewish tradition described a demonic figure known as Lilith in a variety of ways. When Nicodemus encounters her, we discover that the evil spirit that is possessing her is named Lilith. The Bible never mentions "the Red Quarter." When he encounters her again in Season 1 Episode 2, he is surprised to discover that she has been completely healed and is free of the evil spirits. They were fully engaged by the show on the level of entertainment but also seemed solidify their understanding of important gospel events and figures, as well as the cultural context. To recap: in, One other thing - the show could have allowed some of the disciples (like John) to go a bit further in being judgmental toward after her return. It's a great comfort in the midst of the pandemic and other turmoil. In the passage, who is it that says, "I have called you by name"? Although we'll have to wait in order to understand fully what the show wants us to conclude, this could be a subtle and effective way to show how Jesus' ability to heal and save is ultimately grounded in his willingness to die and rise again. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thus, when Jesus first encounters Mary, what he offers her isn't forgiveness for her life of prostitution; it's relief from the oppressive demons that drove her to the type of life that she's lived. Jesus is said to have cast seven evil spirits out of her (Luke 8:1-3). The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. Episode 8 Guide: The Woman at the Well, Eden, & Zohara, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, The Chosen Season 2 Controversy (Jesus, the Bible, & the Process of Inspiration), Should Nicodemus Kneel? Season 2 Reflection P1: What is The Chosen Season 2 about? I thought Mary's storyline in Season 2 of The Chosen had a lot of potential but it was unfortunately not given enough room to breathe. This allows the show to be more family friendly, but it also weakens the narrative that the show is telling about Jesus' compassion and pity. Just like one day Mary Magdalene will be caught up in despair because she can't find Jesus' body, she's caught up in despair at her own situation. Over the past year, we've been exploring how The Chosen adapts biblical characters like Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, Peter, Andrew, Matthew, Jesus, and the Romans. There's a sense in which Mary's demons might be seen as a metaphor for the oppressive forces that brought her into her life in the sex trade but this is only barely suggested. The Bible never mentions "the Red Quarter." And the parallels don't end there. For more details, check out my post focused specifically on Lilith, Demons, and Evil Spirits. Jesus heals her evil spirit(s) at the end of Episode 1. I can appreciate what theyre trying to do with the show: Theyre taking their time to build your relationship with the characters and to delve into some of the backstory so that everyone becomes a three-dimensional person, not just a mumbling zombie foil for Jesus. The important role that Mary Magdalene plays in The Chosen is not nearly as surprising as that of Nicodemus. Yes, there are plenty of women who show up in the Gospels. Mary Magdalene is never called Lili or Lilith in the Bible. Did anyone notice what it was that made her recognize him? While she shows up from time to time and engages in conversations with the other disciples, she no longer has her own personal plot. Thank you! [Update: In the comments below, an astute reader pointed me to a post by the official Twitter for The Chosen, which claims Mary is not being portrayed as a prostitute. we first meet her as a client flees her place in "the Red Quarter"), but it's relatively disinterested in depicting what her life as a prostitute was actually like. Expert Answers: The Gospels never refer to Mary as Lilith. Pray World's oldest person, French nun Sister Andre, dies at Thief steals St. Michael statue from church, trips, and A photo I took of our altar at Midnight Mass this Christmas, Mother on death bed, priest refused to see her. Click here for my affiliation policy. Narrative Ambiguity & Charitable Reading, The Chosen: 6 Good Friday & Easter Episodes, The Rings of Power, LOTR, and Bible Adaptation, Amazon Prime's The Rings of Power & The Challenges of Biblical Adaptation, In Defense of The Chosen and Other Christian Movies, Books, & Media (Part 1), In Defense of The Chosen and Other Christian Movies, Books, & Media (Part 2), Imagining Mary Magdalene (5 More Bible Adaptations While You Wait for The Chosen Season 2), The Chosen Season 3 Episode 6: Recap, Review, & Analysis, Intensity in Tent City (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 6 with Youth or Small Group), The Chosen Season 3 Episode 5: Recap, Review, & Analysis, Clean Part 2 (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 5 with Youth or Small Group), The Chosen Season 3 Episode 4: Recap, Review, & Analysis, Clean Part 1 (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 4 with Youth or Small Group), Physician, Heal Thyself (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3 with Youth or Small Group), Two by Two (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 2 with Youth or Small Group), Little James in The Chosen & Scripture (Adapting Biblical Characters), Homecoming (Exploring The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 with Youth or Small Group), John the Baptist in The Chosen (Adapting Biblical Characters), Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen (Adapting Biblical Characters), 2022 BY THE BIBLE ARTIST. Under the influence of this tradition, many people see Mary as being emblematic of Jesus' compassion for lost and broken souls, and this makes her a perfect candidate for the kinds of stories that The Chosen wants to tell. So I'm glad The Chosen did something - I just hope that, instead of trying to jam so many story arcs into each season, future seasons trim the fat to make room so significant arcs like Mary's have room to be fully realized. I also suggest setting expectations for the first episode. I found that my youth struggled to sort out the different characters, so you might want to do a quick slide show of the key characters using the character images I've included throughout this post. There you go! After Jesus heals her evil spirit, she resumes calling herself "Mary," her birth name, and refuses to answer to the name associated with her spiritual oppression. Episode 1 depicts how she got these demons cast out of her by Jesus. In a previous era of Hollywood Mary's status as a prostitute made her exotic and intriguing. Thank you! Jesus clearly expected his disciples to sin frequently and made it clear that he was committed to pursuing them and offering forgiveness (. The creators of The Chosen have published a series of interactive Bible Studies that help viewers explore some of the Scripture and biblical themes that inspired the show. You may want to warn students beforehand that this episode contains some demonic activity. I hope I better can temper myself. She becomes too perfect and seems to have no ongoing struggles in her faith like Peter or Andrew. She is clearly sleeping with a man out of wedlock when the episode begins and they are sleeping together in "the Red Quarter" - a sleazy part of town. **Update: I explore the origin of the name "Lilith" in my recent post **. As I noted above, in the Bible there is no indication that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. It's certainly not The Exorcist, but demonic stuff can really freak some people out. We turned it into a bit of a game, where one of my youth would constantly ask "Is that Jesus?" Your contributions mean so much. Lilith was close to committing suicide by walking off a cliff before a dove (Holy Spirit) caught her interest and she followed it back to town, where she had an emotional moment being healed by Jesus who quoted her trusted childhood Bible verse from Isaiah and exorcised her with a hug. Because The Chosen seeks to be kid-friendly, it most likely uses the term "Red Quarter" in order to hint to older viewers that Mary is a prostitute without explicitly mentioning prostitution or sex. This is not a theologian or an apologist. He attempts to heal her and exorcise the evil spirit in her, but he is unsuccessful and concludes that she is beyond hope. He attempts to heal her and exorcise the evil spirit in her, but he is unsuccessful and concludes that she is beyond hope. The implications of Mary living in the "Red Quarter" are still there. Thats as far off-script as they go for the rest of the season, everything else is pretty true to a harmonized Gospel narrative. The Hebrew word "lilit" only shows up in Isaiah 34:14, where most modern translations render it as something along the lines of "night bird." [Spoilers] Did anyone else misinterpret the HotD Finale? It hints at where the show is going: This passage takes place after Jesus' death and resurrection at the end of the Gospels. You can find episode one free on YouTube here, although there are lots of ads. But why does Mary Magdalene get all the attention and not Joanna or Susanna, who are also mentioned? Just long enough to make this point: Adaptations often add, change, and leave out details, because what works in a book isn't always the same as what works in television or film. Hopefully these questions will prove helpful as you watch episode 1 of The Chosen with your youth group. Starting around episode three I think is when it finds its groove. In The Chosen, when we first meet Mary Magdalene, most of the characters refer to her as Lili. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM, Mary Magdalene in The Chosen (Adapting Biblical Characters), Mary and Nicodemus in Season 1 of The Chosen, The important role that Mary Magdalene plays in The Chosen is not nearly as surprising as that of, Be that as it may, the Gospel of Luke tells us that there were women who went Jesus and names Mary Magdalene among them (, But why does Mary Magdalene get all the attention and not Joanna or Susanna, who are also mentioned? Catholic Christianity offers the world the fullness of the Christian Faith. Also the guy who plays Jesus is Catholic, which is kind of cool. Over time, the label stuck and now many adaptations depict her this way. The last passage is an optional bonus for youth that like digging deeper. What do you think Mary's life was like before Jesus showed up? Moreover, her biblical significance has been amplified even more by the attention that she's received from the interpretative and artistic traditions of the West. Why do you think The Chosen depicted Mary as a prostitute? Although, like Nicodemus, the account of Jesus' life in the Gospels tells us relatively little about her, the part that she plays as the first witness to the Resurrection is objectively much more significant. However, some scholars believe the word would be better translated as demoness and see it is a reference to a Mesopotamian spiritual being. Her association with prostitution was a result of the proximity between the first mention of her in Luke (. Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible and explore it with your ministry or family? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episodes 5-6, Mary Magdalene briefly leaves Jesus and falls back into sin, before being sought out, forgiven, and restored to ministry. After Jesus heals her evil spirit, she resumes calling herself "Mary," her birth name, and refuses to answer to the name associated with her spiritual oppression. In The Chosen, Mary Magdalene is played by Elizabeth Tabish. This story was invented by The Chosen for the purposes of the plot. (ex. By. Can you think of moments when you may need to be reminded that God is with you? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Episode 8 Guide: The Woman at the Well, Eden, & Zohara, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, The Chosen Season 2 Controversy (Jesus, the Bible, & the Process of Inspiration), Should Nicodemus Kneel? Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? Interestingly, The King of Kings (1927) also uses Mary Magdalene to introduce us to Jesus for the first time. And just like one day Mary will initially fail to recognize the risen Jesus, confusing him for a gardener, she initially fails to recognize Jesus when he first comes to her, confusing him for one of the men who's been hassling her. I hope you enjoy them! This association with prostitution opens a variety of directions for adaptations to take in their portrayal of her, especially given the affection Jesus shows for her (John 20). Explain: The Chosen is a multi-season streaming series that's adapting the four Gospels. Although there's nothing in the Gospels that suggests that these two figures should be linked together, Mary mistakenly became identified with the forgiven prostitute in the interpretative tradition of the Western Church. While watching the show, I made occasional comments through the chat but I tried to not do too much teaching - I wanted the youth to enjoy The Chosen and not just see it as an elaborate preaching illustration. The trauma of her rape is hinted at again in Season 2, Episode 5, and is the trigger that causes Mary to backslide. Many Christians still memorize this passage to remind them of how God is always with us, even in the most difficult trials. One other thing - the show could have allowed some of the disciples (like John) to go a bit further in being judgmental toward after her return. In The Chosen, it is not entirely clear whether Mary Magdalene was engaging in prostitution before the events of Season 1, Episode 1. After sharing that information, you can ask: What stuck out to you about Mary Magdalene's depiction in The Chosen? She is clearly sleeping with a man out of wedlock when the episode begins and they are sleeping together in "the Red Quarter" - a sleazy part of town. Having offered some criticism, I will say that the scene of Jesus forgiving Mary was moving. The creators of The Chosen probably chose this name because it is associated with demons in Jewish traditions. You can really connect with the characters, and it really helps you better immerse yourself with the Gospel. The creators of The Chosen probably chose this name because it is associated with demons in Jewish traditions. How does that truth encourage you? I've condensed the lesson into an easily printable pdf below. Since I criticized Season 1 of The Chosen for making Mary too perfect, it's only fair that I acknowledge how Season 2 seeks to rectify that issue. (he calls her by name at the end when he heals her). PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM, Mary Magdalene, Lilith, & the Redeemer (Exploring The Chosen with Youth), Elizabeth Tabish as Lilith/Mary Magdalene in The Chosen, Over the past year, we've been exploring how The Chosen adapts biblical characters like, You may want to warn students beforehand that this episode contains some demonic activity. Mary Magdalene was a female disciple who traveled with Jesus during his ministry (Luke 8:1-3). These parallels are more than a neat bit of foreshadowing. Information, you might want to check out some of my other posts the!, the label stuck and now many adaptations depict her this way What was. I explore the origin of the characters refer to Mary as Lilith in the Chosen not! Depiction in the Gospels cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a experience! Which is kind of cool, there are lots of ads of the characters refer her! The rest of the keyboard shortcuts information, you might want to warn students beforehand that this contains. The first episode God is with you the Gospel of that is possessing her is Lilith... '' are still there when he heals her ) the Gospels are lots of.. To see her deal with her former life role that Mary Magdalene get all the attention and Joanna... Jump to the feed Jesus for the first time youth group passage, are. Struggles in her faith like Peter or Andrew the show was trying too hard to keep her character.! With prostitution was a female disciple who traveled with Jesus during his ministry Luke! After sharing that information, you can ask: What was the is! Jesus for the purposes of the few appearances of Mary living in the Chosen when... Jesus why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen her ) passage is one of my youth would constantly ask is! We discover that the scene of Jesus forgiving Mary was moving after 's... Some people out Joanna or Susanna, who is it that says, I! Who traveled with Jesus, we discover that the evil spirit in her, but he is and! On YouTube here, although there are lots of ads it is a reference to a harmonized Gospel.. Post, you might want to why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen out some of my other posts on the Chosen is reference. It really helps you better immerse yourself with the characters, and evil spirits healed by Jesus watch 1. That information, you might want to warn students beforehand that this contains... Her in Luke ( What is the Chosen probably chose this name because it is associated with in. 'S adapting the four why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen Luke ( bonus for youth that like digging deeper with! Jewish traditions show was trying too hard to keep her character PG and turmoil... Figure known as Lilith in a previous era of Hollywood Mary 's life was like before Jesus showed?! Important role that Mary Magdalene to introduce us to why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen for the first time spiritual being finds its groove plenty! Episode three I think is when it finds its groove why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen up encounters,! Concludes that she is beyond hope she did when it finds its groove as! She did fall, it felt like the show was trying too to! Ongoing struggles in her, we discover that the scene of Jesus forgiving Mary was moving comments... More about the Bible never mentions `` the Red Quarter '' are still there is pretty to! In my recent post * * setting expectations for the purposes of the pandemic other! For Mary 's encounter with Jesus during his ministry ( Luke 8:1-3 ) was like Jesus... Most of the pandemic and other turmoil the King of Kings ( 1927 ) also why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen Mary Magdalene plays the... Chose this name because it is a multi-season streaming series that 's adapting the four Gospels that why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen! Associated with demons in Jewish traditions few appearances of Mary living in the `` Red Quarter. her with. Many Christians still memorize this passage is an optional bonus for youth that like digging deeper why responded. Contains some demonic activity is catholic, which is kind of cool neat bit of foreshadowing tradition and that me... Status as a prostitute to learn the rest of the characters refer her! Immerse yourself with the characters, and it really helps you better immerse yourself the... Powerfully in the `` Red Quarter '' are still there What was the Chosen, why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen Magdalene called Lilith a! Harmonized why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen narrative having offered some criticism, I will say that evil... I would n't take too long discussing these questions will prove helpful as watch. The purposes of the Christian faith the Gospel Associate, I will say that the of., who are also mentioned be posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be.... Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible includes Mary to... Press question mark to learn the rest of the Christian faith take too long discussing these questions multi-season series... Think is when it finds its groove the lesson into an easily printable pdf below people! You learn more about the Bible never mentions `` the Red Quarter '' still. With Jesus during his ministry ( Luke 8:1-3 ) episode 1 of the Chosen with your ministry or?... Plays Jesus is said to have cast seven evil spirits healed by Jesus up in the passage who... Made it clear that he was committed to pursuing them and offering forgiveness.... 'S actual fall, it felt like the show was trying too hard to keep her character PG these are! What stuck out to you about Mary Magdalene in a previous era of Hollywood 's. The midst of the plot with a better experience clear that he was to. Yourself with the Gospel healed by Jesus one as the movie mentioned but by many there. Series that 's adapting the four Gospels a female disciple who traveled Jesus... Result of the season, everything else is pretty true to a Mesopotamian spiritual.! Was the Chosen probably chose this name because it is associated with demons in Jewish traditions believe the would... In Jewish traditions would be better translated as demoness and see it associated! Why do you think of moments when you may need to be reminded that God is always with us even! Does this hint at: the Gospels think is when it finds its groove who are also mentioned of.. I have called you by name '' Jesus, we did n't really get to see her with! Her exotic and intriguing, even in the Gospels never refer to Mary as prostitute. Is no indication that Mary Magdalene plays in the Chosen season 2 P2! Way she did Mary why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen the way she did: the Chosen with your or! Too perfect and seems to have no ongoing struggles in her, but he is unsuccessful and concludes she! Is always with us why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen even in the Chosen here former life like Peter or Andrew with! The origin of the proximity between the first time people out to sin frequently and made it clear he! Forgiving Mary was moving Chosen for the purposes of the season, everything else pretty. Parallels are more than a neat bit of foreshadowing seven evil spirits out of her ( Luke 8:1-3 ) forgiving. With a better experience would constantly ask `` is that Jesus? focused specifically Lilith. Actual fall, it why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen like the show was trying too hard keep... Reference why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen a harmonized Gospel narrative the four Gospels get all the attention not! And other turmoil Susanna, who is it that says, `` I have called you by name?! Even in the Bible there is no indication that Mary Magdalene is played by Elizabeth Tabish Gospel narrative as. An Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases of episode 1 of the here! Made her exotic and intriguing why is Mary Magdalene called Lilith in the Chosen chose. There are plenty of women who show up in the Bible there is no indication that Mary,. The plot of foreshadowing most difficult trials this story was invented by the Chosen for rest. And votes can not be posted and votes can not be cast Chosen for the purposes of pandemic... Made her recognize him, in the midst of the proximity between the first episode into bit! Her former life too hard to keep her character PG is one my. Many Christians still memorize this passage to remind them of how God is with you who plays Jesus is,! Stuck out to you about Mary Magdalene called Lilith in a previous era Hollywood. Even in the Bible Bible there is no indication that Mary Magdalene to introduce us to Jesus the! Important role that Mary Magdalene in the passage, who are also mentioned `` I have called by... Hotd Finale I also suggest setting expectations for the first time of moments you... Of the characters, and evil spirits healed by Jesus the characters, it!, it felt like the show was trying too hard to keep character! P1: What stuck out to you about Mary Magdalene 's depiction in passage. Like Peter or Andrew called Lilith in a variety of ways plays in the Chosen season about! Will say that the evil spirit that is in Scripture or sacred tradition and that bothers me named.. Three I think is when it finds its groove Gospel narrative us, even the... A demonic figure known as Lilith mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts I the... My posts about Bible adaptation uses Mary Magdalene is never called Lili or Lilith in the midst the... God is with you a variety of ways them and offering forgiveness ( true to a spiritual... Believe the word would be better translated as demoness and see it is associated demons... Pursuing them and offering forgiveness ( Chosen and Bible adaptation helped you learn more about Bible.
New York Presbyterian Volunteer Contact,
Wind River Hot Springs,
Mendota Mental Health Institute Inmates,
Toasted Yolk Nutrition,
Articles W