A Catholic Commentary on the Chosen

Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger discuss the last episode of Season 3 of The Chosen. In this episode, they consider the scriptural and Jewish tradition of the queen mother, The Chosen's depiction of the Pharisees, and the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on th...

Join Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they continue discussing Season 3 of The Chosen. In this episode, they unpack the historical background of the Decapolis, the depiction of the apostles struggling to understand Jesus' words, and the tradition of John as the beloved disciple.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augus...

Sit down with Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they continue discussing Season 3 of The Chosen. In this episode, they consider the show's increasingly complex narrative and how it portrays the complexities of discipleship.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .

Join Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they unpack the Catholic and scriptural roots of "Clean, Part 2", highlighting the ways The Chosen brings biblical events to life.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .

The Chosen depicts two powerful miracles in "Clean, Part 1": the healing of the woman with the flow of blood and the raising of Jairus' daughter. Join Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger for another episode of Catholic Commentary on The Chosen. In this episode, they discuss ways The Chosen draws on Catholic tradition, the cost of discipleship, and the relationship between faith and reason...

Dr. Barber and Dr. Hefelfinger are back to discuss Episode 3 of Season 3 of The Chosen: "Physician, Heal Yourself." In this episode, they discuss Jesus' return to Nazareth, the challenges of portraying the Son of God in media, Jesus' authoritative display in the synagogue, and his miraculous escape from danger.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this pod...

In this episode, Dr. Barber and Dr. Hefelfinger explore Episode 2 of Season 3: "Two by Two." They consider the real consequences that following Jesus entails, how Jesus calls his disciples in spite of and because of their pasts, and how suffering can glorify God when it is transformed by grace.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augu...

In this episode, Dr. Barber and Dr. Hefelfinger dive into Season 3 of The Chosen and unpack its first episode: "Homecoming." Highlighting the episode's theological significance for Catholics, they reflect on The Chosen's interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew's response, the mystery of evil, and the call of Judas.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . S...

Join Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they unpack the Catholic and scriptural roots of “Beyond Mountains,” highlighting the ways The Chosen brings biblical events to life.    Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .

Join Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they unpack the Catholic and scriptural roots of “Reckoning,” highlighting the ways The Chosen brings biblical events to life.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .

Join Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they unpack the Catholic and scriptural roots of “Unlawful,” highlighting the ways The Chosen brings biblical events to life.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .

Join Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they unpack the Catholic and scriptural roots of Season 2 Episode 5, “Spirit”, highlighting how The Chosen brings John 5 to life.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .

Join Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they unpack the Catholic and scriptural roots of “The Perfect Opportunity,” highlighting how The Chosen brings biblical events to life.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .

Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger discuss Episode 3 of The Chosen Season 2: “Matthew 4:24”. They highlight its depiction of Mary, recommend Scripture verses to pray with, and comment on the portrayal of Christ's humanity.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .

Join Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they explore the second episode of Season 2 of The Chosen: “I Saw You”. In this episode, they discuss St. Nathaniel, St. Philip, and the way our pasts shape the way we follow Christ.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .

In the premiere of Season 2 of Catholic Commentary on The Chosen, Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger explore “Thunder,” the first episode of Season 2 of The Chosen. In this discussion, they comment on how The Chosen weaves together the different Gospel accounts, the composition of the Gospels, and the relationship between John and Mary.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day fre...

Catholics and Protestants believe different things about Mary's labor. These differences can lead to varying presentations of the birth of Jesus in popular movies and shows. Join Dr. Scott Hefelfinger and Dr. Michael Barber as they explain the Catholic Church's understanding of Mary's labor and the birth of Jesus Christ.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Suppor...

As Season 1 of Catholic Commentary comes to a close, Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger offer their thoughts on the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus’ title as the “Son of Man,” and The Chosen’s presentation of Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well.    Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the...

In "Invitations," The Chosen explores the relationship between faith and reason, especially in Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus. Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger comment on this scene and the touching moment when Matthew decides to leave everything and follow Jesus.    Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institut...

In "Indescribable Compassion," Episode 6 of The Chosen, the healing of the leper and the paralytic is beautifully recounted. Join Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger as they comment on this episode, highlighting the parts they found incredibly touching and the questions for self-reflection that this episode raised.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Sup...

This Catholic Commentary episode examines two stories contained in the Gospels: the Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:41-52) and the Wedding Feast at Cana (Jn 2:1-12). In particular, Dr. Barber and Dr. Hefelfinger discuss the maternal depiction of Mary as intercessor found in The Chosen, the ramifications of Jesus’ first public miracle on his life, whether or not Jesus had other siblings, and m...

In this episode, Dr. Scott Hefelfinger and Dr. Michael Barber comment on the fourth episode of The Chosen, "The Rock On Which It Is Built." They unpack Peter’s conversion, the history of the Jewish people and their hope for reunification, and their joy at the depiction of the miraculous catch of fish.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and t...

In this episode, Dr. Scott Hefelfinger and Dr. Michael Barber comment on the third episode of The Chosen, "Jesus Loves the Little Children." They examine the episode's title, the place of children in the Kingdom of God, and prayer in Jewish and Christian traditions.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Missio...

This episode discusses the second episode of The Chosen, "Shabbat," examining the Jewish beliefs and practices behind the Sabbath celebration and the characters Peter and Matthew.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .

In this episode, Dr. Scott Hefelfinger and Dr. Michael Barber unpack Episode 1 of The Chosen, "I Have Called You By Name." They discuss the theological importance of names, the archeological remains of Magdala, and the Scriptural roots of the episode.   Watch The Chosen on Formed . Get a 7-day free trial of Formed . Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute on the Mission Circle .