For more details, check out my post focused specifically on Lilith, Demons, and Evil Spirits. Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible and explore it with your ministry or family? But why does Mary Magdalene get all the attention and not Joanna or Susanna, who are also mentioned? Because The Chosen seeks to be kid-friendly, it may use the term "Red Quarter" in order to hint to older viewers that Mary is either a prostitute or a sexually immoral woman without explicitly mentioning prostitution or sex. I hope you enjoy them! Why do you think The Chosen depicted Mary as a prostitute? In The Chosen, when we first meet Mary Magdalene, most of the characters refer to her as Lili. In The Chosen, when we first Mary Magdalene in Season 1 Episode 1, she has already been possessed by evil spirits for some time. Mary Magdalene was a disciple of Jesus. There you go! Luke briefly describes how Mary Magdalene was exorcised by Jesus and became one of his traveling followers (Luke 8:1-3). Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. You may want to warn students beforehand that this episode contains some demonic activity. This comes out powerfully in the first Episode like to show you why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen here. Her association with prostitution was a result of the proximity between the first mention of her in Luke (. Season 2 Reflection P1: What is The Chosen Season 2 about? The assumption at that time was that women became prostitutes because they were inherently immoral and desirous. However, In the Bible, there is no indication that Mary Magdalene fell back into sin, backslid, or left Jesus. Episode 7 Guide: Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? Episode 1 depicts how she got these demons cast out of her by Jesus. [Spoilers] Did anyone else misinterpret the HotD Finale? Hopefully though, season 2 will find more ways to develop her character in a manner that's dynamic and engaging, because there's still much that could be done. I hope I better can temper myself. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus cleansed her of seven demons, and she financially aided him in Galilee. 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. Later Jewish tradition described a demonic figure known as Lilith in a variety of ways. Still, at the end of the day, the 12 disciples who get the most screen time in the Gospels are all males. The Gospels don't tell us very much about what these women do, with the significant exception of the burial and resurrection, but this provides leeway for female characters to play a more significant role throughout the ministry of Jesus and not just when they are mentioned. It hints at where the show is going: This passage takes place after Jesus' death and resurrection at the end of the Gospels. Over time, there's been a growing awareness of how most women end up in prostitution: not because they are innately promiscuous but rather as a result of coercion, sexual trauma, and systemic inequities. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. ***Update: Learn more about the origin of "Lilith" in my recent post ***. Until Jesus shows up, some youth may find the show a little slow. every time a new character showed up. Explain: The Chosen is a multi-season streaming series that's adapting the four Gospels. When Nicodemus encounters her, we discover that the evil spirit that is possessing her is named Lilith. 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. [SPOILERS] Is the Jon Snow spin-off really such a good idea? When Nicodemus encounters her, we discover that the evil spirit that is possessing her is named Lilith. There was just a hint of judgment in Episode 7, but it gets brushed aside way too quickly, given the cultural expectations. As I noted above, in the Bible there is no indication that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. 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. Her association with prostitution was a result of the proximity between the first mention of her in Luke (Luke 8:1-3) and a story about a prostitute (Luke 7:36-50). Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Her association with prostitution was a result of the proximity between the first mention of her in Luke (. Luke notes that Mary had seven spirits exorcised from her, but the other women experienced miraculous healing as well. For more details, check out my post focused specifically on Lilith, Demons, and Evil Spirits. Its not perfect, but its a pretty great start. The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. Below I'll share an outline describing how to do a Viewing Party for The Chosen Episode 1 (I Have Called You by Name). 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. Many Christians still memorize this passage to remind them of how God is always with us, even in the most difficult trials. I think Mary went by Lilith when she came to Magdala, not scripturally speaking, but for the story line. (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. 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 wouldn't take too long discussing these questions. The Gospels never refer to Mary as Lilith. More importantly, allowing some of the disciples to judge Mary a bit more would have added more tension and could have fueled future arcs. When making the Chosen, he is advised by a Catholic Priest, Rabbi, and Evangelical Pastor. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I offer my work for free and rely on the generous support of readers like you. 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 Hebrew word "lilit" only shows up in Isaiah 34:14, where most modern translations render it as something along the lines of "night bird." This is symbolically tied to her encounter with another demon, Belial, who calls Mary Lilith, asserting the continued existence and power of her old identity. Starting around episode three I think is when it finds its groove. 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? It's also strange that we never actually return back to the fact that Mary was having PTSD - Jesus forgives her fall but doesn't say anything about her ongoing suffering (perhaps that's a storyline for a future season). 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. As a general rule, the characters who follow Jesus aren't bad people; they're misunderstood and rejected and in need of love. Click here for my affiliation policy. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. The creators of The Chosen probably chose this name because it is associated with demons in Jewish traditions. Her association with prostitution was a result of the proximity between the first mention of her in Luke (Luke 8:1-3) and a story about a prostitute (Luke 7:36-50). In the same way, we get our first glimpse of the pre-resurrected Jesus as we follow her struggles in the first episode. And to be fair, there isnt a whole lot of backstory for any of the disciples in the Bible, so its not a surprise the writers filled in the blanks with some artistic license. However, some scholars believe the word would be better translated as demoness and see it is a reference to a Mesopotamian spiritual being. 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. (the Lord), Who is it that says these words in the show? Catholic priest burned to death, another shot in north Press J to jump to the feed. This passage is one of the few appearances of Mary Magdalene in the Gospels. How does that truth encourage you? Thank you! That being said, there's no biblical reason to think that she could not have done so. Just before Luke introduces us to Mary Magdalene, he tells a story about a prostitute that Jesus forgives (, 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. Do you believe Jesus knows you by name? EDIT: I still have my concerns, but I believe my rash judgment is sinful, so I'll keep it to myself. It's certainly not, Due to COVID restrictions, my youth group watched The Chosen online using Zoom. Catholic Christianity offers the world the fullness of the Christian Faith. The ancient name Lilith derives from a Sumerian word for female demons or wind spirits. 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. This story was invented by The Chosen for the purposes of the plot. Why do you think the creators added them? There are a few Bible passages that I thought were helpful to discuss the first episode of The Chosen. 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. In The Chosen, when we first meet Mary Magdalene, most of the characters refer to her as Lili. It's certainly not The Exorcist, but demonic stuff can really freak some people out. Many characters and stories are based on events in the Gospels, but there are also characters and events that the creators made up to tie things together. In the modern vernacular, a "red light district" is a term that refers to an area of the city known for prostitution, strip clubs, and other immoral establishments. (ex. Mary Magdalene is never called Lili or Lilith in the Bible. . The trauma of her rape is hinted at again in Season 2, Episode 5, and is the trigger that causes Mary to backslide. It is an excellent form of Lectio Divina. In The Chosen, when we first Mary Magdalene in Season 1 Episode 1, she has already been possessed by an evil spirit, Lilith, for some time. What do you think Mary's life was like before Jesus showed up? Jesus is said to have cast seven evil spirits out of her (, As I noted above, in the Bible there is no indication that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. I've condensed the lesson into an easily printable pdf below. What distinguishes Mary from the other women, however, is her association with prostitution. Yes, we see that Jesus had warm and empowering relationships with females. These experiences cause Mary to flee back to her old life, drinking and gambling. 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? 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Just before Luke introduces us to Mary Magdalene, he tells a story about a prostitute that Jesus forgives (Luke 7:36-50). 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. East pencil writes or draws used for note taking West pencil is yellow has a eraser and lead. 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. Literally none of that is in Scripture or sacred tradition and that bothers me! (for LOTR: Tom Bombadil. [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. Hopefully these questions will prove helpful as you watch episode 1 of The Chosen with your youth group. To clarify why the creators would want to add new characters and stories and leave some stories out, you could ask the following questions: What are some other popular adaptations of books into film or television? In The Chosen, we see a brief flashback during Season 1, Episode 1 that strongly implies that Mary was raped by a Roman soldier. 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. 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. 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. The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Quintus, Gaius, and the Romans in The Chosen. Consider how the show depicts Jesus' first appearance. Dallas mentioned how some viewers didn't like that Mary fell back into old ways, which seems ridiculous, but just goes to show how out of touch some people are with both real life and how stories work. (Jesus), What about Jesus' identity does this hint at? There was just a hint of judgment in, Mary Magdalene was a female disciple who traveled with Jesus during his ministry (, All four Gospels suggest Mary was the first witness of the resurrected Jesus (, The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. Normally I wouldn't care but this is a movie about Jesus, and if the people behind it are trying to do good, but it is a great disservice for me to bad-mouth it until the full plot is revealed. 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. The implications of Mary living in the "Red Quarter" are still there. Expert Answers: The Gospels never refer to Mary as Lilith. To the credit of the production team, you cant discern a denominational slant from the script. However, I'll acknowledge that what the show is suggesting about Mary's past life is certainly open to interpretation.]. After sharing that information, you can ask: What stuck out to you about Mary Magdalene's depiction in The Chosen? Why do you think The Chosen is trying to connect episode 1 to what will happen when Jesus is resurrected? She struggles to believe that she can be accepted after falling back into her old life but Jesus forgives her and the disciples embrace her. 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. 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. An adaptation like The Chosen isn't meant to replace the Bible; it's meant to drive us deeper into the Bible and spiritual reflection. Lilith here could just mean demon possessed. The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Quintus, Gaius, and the Romans in The Chosen. Thank you for your input. 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. The Chosen does the "misunderstood reject rather than sinner" quite a bit in Season 1, but I think it's a sensible direction for Mary's character. In the passage, who is it that says, "I have called you by name"? See a Roman centurion fill Lilith/Mary s sight, a suggestion that the woman have. This story was invented by The Chosen for the purposes of the plot. 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. The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. These parallels are more than a neat bit of foreshadowing. (he is God). 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. It's a great comfort in the midst of the pandemic and other turmoil. I offer my work for free and rely on the generous support of readers like you. And the parallels don't end there. Over time, the label stuck and now many adaptations depict her this way. In the Bible, there is no indication that Nicodemus met Mary Magdalene or that he tried to heal her or exorcise her evil spirits. You can find episode one, The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. Your contributions mean so much. Im not a person who cries during Jesus movies, but Ive cried several times during this series, because you can just feel the humanity of the scenes and everything is ten times more relatable. In the Bible, there is no indication that Nicodemus met Mary Magdalene or that he tried to heal her or exorcise her evil spirits. It's odd? He attempts to heal her and exorcise the evil spirit in her, but he is unsuccessful and concludes that she is beyond hope. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. Be that as it may, the Gospel of Luke tells us that there were women who went Jesus and names Mary Magdalene among them (Luke 8:1-3). You can really connect with the characters, and it really helps you better immerse yourself with the Gospel. This shift in our societal understanding of the sex trade has changed the significance of Mary's supposed role as a prostitute. Yes, there are plenty of women who show up in the Gospels. The last passage is an optional bonus for youth that like digging deeper. And just like one day Mary Magdalene will be the first witness to the risen Jesus (perhaps to Nicodemus as well as the disciples), the show also makes her the first witness that we see in action. Dallas Jenkins (Director) is not Catholic, but - in my mind - makes the best Christian films I have seen anywhere. 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. The difference between its depiction of her life as a prostitute, with super-sexualized clothing and a zebra chariot, and The Chosen's depiction of her life is emblematic of changing views of prostitutes between the 1920's and today. Anyway, I love the series. The trauma of her rape is hinted at again in Season 2, Episode 5, and is the trigger that causes Mary to backslide. And we also just had fun chatting about random stuff, like how Quintus was totally fitting the stereotype of the evil bald guy. Initially Mary doesn't recognize Jesus. Mary Magdalene is never called Lili or Lilith in the Bible. We turned it into a bit of a game, where one of my youth would constantly ask "Is that Jesus?" As a result, adaptations of the Gospels from previous generations place a greater emphasis on how Jesus calls Mary to repent and brings about her moral transformation. You can also purchase the DVDs of season 1 on Amazon if you're worried about trying to stream & do Zoom at the same time. 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.
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why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen
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For more details, check out my post focused specifically on Lilith, Demons, and Evil Spirits. Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible and explore it with your ministry or family? But why does Mary Magdalene get all the attention and not Joanna or Susanna, who are also mentioned? Because The Chosen seeks to be kid-friendly, it may use the term "Red Quarter" in order to hint to older viewers that Mary is either a prostitute or a sexually immoral woman without explicitly mentioning prostitution or sex. I hope you enjoy them! Why do you think The Chosen depicted Mary as a prostitute? In The Chosen, when we first meet Mary Magdalene, most of the characters refer to her as Lili. In The Chosen, when we first Mary Magdalene in Season 1 Episode 1, she has already been possessed by evil spirits for some time. Mary Magdalene was a disciple of Jesus. There you go! Luke briefly describes how Mary Magdalene was exorcised by Jesus and became one of his traveling followers (Luke 8:1-3). Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. You may want to warn students beforehand that this episode contains some demonic activity. This comes out powerfully in the first Episode like to show you why is mary magdalene called lilith in the chosen here. Her association with prostitution was a result of the proximity between the first mention of her in Luke (. Season 2 Reflection P1: What is The Chosen Season 2 about? The assumption at that time was that women became prostitutes because they were inherently immoral and desirous. However, In the Bible, there is no indication that Mary Magdalene fell back into sin, backslid, or left Jesus. Episode 7 Guide: Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? Episode 1 depicts how she got these demons cast out of her by Jesus. [Spoilers] Did anyone else misinterpret the HotD Finale? Hopefully though, season 2 will find more ways to develop her character in a manner that's dynamic and engaging, because there's still much that could be done. I hope I better can temper myself. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus cleansed her of seven demons, and she financially aided him in Galilee. 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. Later Jewish tradition described a demonic figure known as Lilith in a variety of ways. Still, at the end of the day, the 12 disciples who get the most screen time in the Gospels are all males. The Gospels don't tell us very much about what these women do, with the significant exception of the burial and resurrection, but this provides leeway for female characters to play a more significant role throughout the ministry of Jesus and not just when they are mentioned. It hints at where the show is going: This passage takes place after Jesus' death and resurrection at the end of the Gospels. Over time, there's been a growing awareness of how most women end up in prostitution: not because they are innately promiscuous but rather as a result of coercion, sexual trauma, and systemic inequities. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. ***Update: Learn more about the origin of "Lilith" in my recent post ***. Until Jesus shows up, some youth may find the show a little slow. every time a new character showed up. Explain: The Chosen is a multi-season streaming series that's adapting the four Gospels. When Nicodemus encounters her, we discover that the evil spirit that is possessing her is named Lilith. 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. [SPOILERS] Is the Jon Snow spin-off really such a good idea? When Nicodemus encounters her, we discover that the evil spirit that is possessing her is named Lilith. There was just a hint of judgment in Episode 7, but it gets brushed aside way too quickly, given the cultural expectations. As I noted above, in the Bible there is no indication that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. 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. Her association with prostitution was a result of the proximity between the first mention of her in Luke (Luke 8:1-3) and a story about a prostitute (Luke 7:36-50). Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Her association with prostitution was a result of the proximity between the first mention of her in Luke (. Luke notes that Mary had seven spirits exorcised from her, but the other women experienced miraculous healing as well. For more details, check out my post focused specifically on Lilith, Demons, and Evil Spirits. Its not perfect, but its a pretty great start. The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. Below I'll share an outline describing how to do a Viewing Party for The Chosen Episode 1 (I Have Called You by Name). 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. Many Christians still memorize this passage to remind them of how God is always with us, even in the most difficult trials. I think Mary went by Lilith when she came to Magdala, not scripturally speaking, but for the story line. (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. 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 wouldn't take too long discussing these questions. The Gospels never refer to Mary as Lilith. More importantly, allowing some of the disciples to judge Mary a bit more would have added more tension and could have fueled future arcs. When making the Chosen, he is advised by a Catholic Priest, Rabbi, and Evangelical Pastor. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I offer my work for free and rely on the generous support of readers like you. 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 Hebrew word "lilit" only shows up in Isaiah 34:14, where most modern translations render it as something along the lines of "night bird." This is symbolically tied to her encounter with another demon, Belial, who calls Mary Lilith, asserting the continued existence and power of her old identity. Starting around episode three I think is when it finds its groove. 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? It's also strange that we never actually return back to the fact that Mary was having PTSD - Jesus forgives her fall but doesn't say anything about her ongoing suffering (perhaps that's a storyline for a future season). 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. As a general rule, the characters who follow Jesus aren't bad people; they're misunderstood and rejected and in need of love. Click here for my affiliation policy. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. The creators of The Chosen probably chose this name because it is associated with demons in Jewish traditions. Her association with prostitution was a result of the proximity between the first mention of her in Luke (Luke 8:1-3) and a story about a prostitute (Luke 7:36-50). In the same way, we get our first glimpse of the pre-resurrected Jesus as we follow her struggles in the first episode. And to be fair, there isnt a whole lot of backstory for any of the disciples in the Bible, so its not a surprise the writers filled in the blanks with some artistic license. However, some scholars believe the word would be better translated as demoness and see it is a reference to a Mesopotamian spiritual being. 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. (the Lord), Who is it that says these words in the show? Catholic priest burned to death, another shot in north Press J to jump to the feed. This passage is one of the few appearances of Mary Magdalene in the Gospels. How does that truth encourage you? Thank you! That being said, there's no biblical reason to think that she could not have done so. Just before Luke introduces us to Mary Magdalene, he tells a story about a prostitute that Jesus forgives (, 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. Do you believe Jesus knows you by name? EDIT: I still have my concerns, but I believe my rash judgment is sinful, so I'll keep it to myself. It's certainly not, Due to COVID restrictions, my youth group watched The Chosen online using Zoom. Catholic Christianity offers the world the fullness of the Christian Faith. The ancient name Lilith derives from a Sumerian word for female demons or wind spirits. 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. This story was invented by The Chosen for the purposes of the plot. Why do you think the creators added them? There are a few Bible passages that I thought were helpful to discuss the first episode of The Chosen. 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. In The Chosen, when we first meet Mary Magdalene, most of the characters refer to her as Lili. It's certainly not The Exorcist, but demonic stuff can really freak some people out. Many characters and stories are based on events in the Gospels, but there are also characters and events that the creators made up to tie things together. In the modern vernacular, a "red light district" is a term that refers to an area of the city known for prostitution, strip clubs, and other immoral establishments. (ex. Mary Magdalene is never called Lili or Lilith in the Bible. . The trauma of her rape is hinted at again in Season 2, Episode 5, and is the trigger that causes Mary to backslide. It is an excellent form of Lectio Divina. In The Chosen, when we first Mary Magdalene in Season 1 Episode 1, she has already been possessed by an evil spirit, Lilith, for some time. What do you think Mary's life was like before Jesus showed up? Jesus is said to have cast seven evil spirits out of her (, As I noted above, in the Bible there is no indication that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. I've condensed the lesson into an easily printable pdf below. What distinguishes Mary from the other women, however, is her association with prostitution. Yes, we see that Jesus had warm and empowering relationships with females. These experiences cause Mary to flee back to her old life, drinking and gambling. 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? 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Just before Luke introduces us to Mary Magdalene, he tells a story about a prostitute that Jesus forgives (Luke 7:36-50). 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. East pencil writes or draws used for note taking West pencil is yellow has a eraser and lead. 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. Literally none of that is in Scripture or sacred tradition and that bothers me! (for LOTR: Tom Bombadil. [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. Hopefully these questions will prove helpful as you watch episode 1 of The Chosen with your youth group. To clarify why the creators would want to add new characters and stories and leave some stories out, you could ask the following questions: What are some other popular adaptations of books into film or television? In The Chosen, we see a brief flashback during Season 1, Episode 1 that strongly implies that Mary was raped by a Roman soldier. 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. 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. 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. The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Quintus, Gaius, and the Romans in The Chosen. Consider how the show depicts Jesus' first appearance. Dallas mentioned how some viewers didn't like that Mary fell back into old ways, which seems ridiculous, but just goes to show how out of touch some people are with both real life and how stories work. (Jesus), What about Jesus' identity does this hint at? There was just a hint of judgment in, Mary Magdalene was a female disciple who traveled with Jesus during his ministry (, All four Gospels suggest Mary was the first witness of the resurrected Jesus (, The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. Normally I wouldn't care but this is a movie about Jesus, and if the people behind it are trying to do good, but it is a great disservice for me to bad-mouth it until the full plot is revealed. 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. The implications of Mary living in the "Red Quarter" are still there. Expert Answers: The Gospels never refer to Mary as Lilith. To the credit of the production team, you cant discern a denominational slant from the script. However, I'll acknowledge that what the show is suggesting about Mary's past life is certainly open to interpretation.]. After sharing that information, you can ask: What stuck out to you about Mary Magdalene's depiction in The Chosen? Why do you think The Chosen is trying to connect episode 1 to what will happen when Jesus is resurrected? She struggles to believe that she can be accepted after falling back into her old life but Jesus forgives her and the disciples embrace her. 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. 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. An adaptation like The Chosen isn't meant to replace the Bible; it's meant to drive us deeper into the Bible and spiritual reflection. Lilith here could just mean demon possessed. The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Quintus, Gaius, and the Romans in The Chosen. Thank you for your input. 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. The Chosen does the "misunderstood reject rather than sinner" quite a bit in Season 1, but I think it's a sensible direction for Mary's character. In the passage, who is it that says, "I have called you by name"? See a Roman centurion fill Lilith/Mary s sight, a suggestion that the woman have. This story was invented by The Chosen for the purposes of the plot. 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. The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. These parallels are more than a neat bit of foreshadowing. (he is God). 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. It's a great comfort in the midst of the pandemic and other turmoil. I offer my work for free and rely on the generous support of readers like you. And the parallels don't end there. Over time, the label stuck and now many adaptations depict her this way. In the Bible, there is no indication that Nicodemus met Mary Magdalene or that he tried to heal her or exorcise her evil spirits. You can find episode one, The Bible includes Mary Magdalene in a list of women who had evil spirits healed by Jesus. Your contributions mean so much. Im not a person who cries during Jesus movies, but Ive cried several times during this series, because you can just feel the humanity of the scenes and everything is ten times more relatable. In the Bible, there is no indication that Nicodemus met Mary Magdalene or that he tried to heal her or exorcise her evil spirits. It's odd? He attempts to heal her and exorcise the evil spirit in her, but he is unsuccessful and concludes that she is beyond hope. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. Be that as it may, the Gospel of Luke tells us that there were women who went Jesus and names Mary Magdalene among them (Luke 8:1-3). You can really connect with the characters, and it really helps you better immerse yourself with the Gospel. This shift in our societal understanding of the sex trade has changed the significance of Mary's supposed role as a prostitute. Yes, there are plenty of women who show up in the Gospels. The last passage is an optional bonus for youth that like digging deeper. And just like one day Mary Magdalene will be the first witness to the risen Jesus (perhaps to Nicodemus as well as the disciples), the show also makes her the first witness that we see in action. Dallas Jenkins (Director) is not Catholic, but - in my mind - makes the best Christian films I have seen anywhere. 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. The difference between its depiction of her life as a prostitute, with super-sexualized clothing and a zebra chariot, and The Chosen's depiction of her life is emblematic of changing views of prostitutes between the 1920's and today. Anyway, I love the series. The trauma of her rape is hinted at again in Season 2, Episode 5, and is the trigger that causes Mary to backslide. And we also just had fun chatting about random stuff, like how Quintus was totally fitting the stereotype of the evil bald guy. Initially Mary doesn't recognize Jesus. Mary Magdalene is never called Lili or Lilith in the Bible. We turned it into a bit of a game, where one of my youth would constantly ask "Is that Jesus?" As a result, adaptations of the Gospels from previous generations place a greater emphasis on how Jesus calls Mary to repent and brings about her moral transformation. You can also purchase the DVDs of season 1 on Amazon if you're worried about trying to stream & do Zoom at the same time. 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.
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