Volume XX, Issue XXVII: The Imagination, The Chosen
For me, reason is the natural organ of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning. Imagination, producing new metaphors or revivifying old, is not the cause of truth, but its condition.”
-- C. S. Lewis
The series: The Chosen [click to watch] is a television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, created, directed and co-written by American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins. It is the first multi-season series about the life of Christ, and season one was the highest crowd-funded TV series or film project of all time. The series' creators stated that they had hoped to distinguish the new series from previous portrayals of Jesus by crafting a multi-season, episode-based story. The series portrays Jesus “through the eyes of those who met him”. In addition to VidAngel and its own app, the series airs on several streaming services.
The Chosen is based on The Shepherd, a short film Jenkins made for a Christmas Eve service at Harvest Bible Chapel in Elgin, Illinois, U.S., filming it on a friend's farm in Marengo. The film got the attention of the faith-based filtering service VidAngel, which was seeking original content to distribute. VidAngel suggested putting the short film on Facebook as a concept pilot to generate interest for Jenkins' idea of a multi-season series. The short film received over 15 million views around the world. To create The Chosen, Jenkins partnered with video marketing strategist Derral Eves, with Eves as executive producer. VidAngel, along with Eves and Jenkins, turned to crowdfunding to raise money to produce the first season, utilizing a provision of the JOBS Act of 2016 which allows companies to use equity crowdfunding to offer a share of ownership and profits from the company to online investors, rather than the arbitrary "perks" offered by regular crowdfunding. At the end of the first fundraising round in January 2019, the project had raised over $10.2 million from over 16,000 investors, surpassing Mystery Science Theater 3000 as the top crowdfunded filmed project. Each investor received equity in the show and is regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). (Wikipedia)
Reconstructing Redemption
By Bob Kirchman
Many years ago I went to a workshop in Williamsburg, Virginia. There I learned about the process of restoration of historic buildings – and reconstruction. You see, the Governor’s Palace and other important buildings were no more. They would be painstakingly recreated from small sketches by the likes of Thomas Jefferson and descriptions in diaries. There was no way of seeing fully how these buildings looked. Imagination and creative interpretation were necessary. But to leave these buildings out would have told less than the whole story of Williamsburg. In the introductory film, Williamsburg, The Sort of a Patriot, we follow the story of an imaginary member of the House of Burgesses, John Fry, through the very real dilemma faced by our eighteenth century founding fathers. It is an effective means of telling the story.
Over the years, the interpretation has been reexamined. In my youth, the Governor’s Palace was furnished quite opulently and was very colorful. The last time I visited, it was furnished far more simply. Even a governor could only have had so many imported goods. Still, the idea that England’s ruler over the colonials was more amply provided stands. It’s just when you read accounts of Governor Spotswood’s home such as “the room was ablaze with light, there were seven candles burning!” you get the idea.
And so, Dallas Jenkins has undertaken a similarly large project. If you are familiar to the Gospels, you will indeed see the preservation of the original text – quite lovingly (as in restoration). You will also see what I like to call ‘Reconstruction of Redemption.’ That each of Jesus’ followers would have a story of redemption goes without saying. But because the Gospel account does not go into great detail, here is where the imaginative story comes into play. Jenkins’ screenplay follows in the noble footsteps of works like Ben Hur and The Robe – Adding color and texture to the true story. No doubt, some of the color and texture will be like the furnishings in the Governor’s Mansion – being reevaluated in time – but the story, and its imaginative retelling, will continue to underscore its truth.
The End of THYME, New Beginning!
THYME is coming to an end. This will be the last ‘regular’ issue in a string stretching back to 2009. It’s ‘THYME.’ You see, we’ve enjoyed sharing our thoughts and visions with you for these twelve years. But the landscape of digital media has changed – become less friendly to what they consider ‘alternative’ ideas. If you engage in true free speech you risk being ‘deplatformed’ or at best marginalized – “preaching to the choir.” I’m looking forward to participating in a Christian ministry in our community – Love in the Name of Christ – and some new opportunities utilizing some older forms of media.
Most of you will remember how Rush Limbaugh took the ‘dying’ medium of AM radio and – well – the rest is history. As the ‘legacy’ media ignored a great body of Conservative thought, Rush brought us the ideas of William F. Buckley Jr. and others. And so today you might lament: “The truth has been silenced.”
The Truth Cannot Be Deplatformed
Big Tech Jacobins are working overtime. Orwellian Ministries of Truth have been canceling accounts and deplatforming apps. Our minders claim to be protecting us from the “misinformation” and “potentially harmful” speech.” – First Things, A Publication of the Institute on Religion and Public Life. No, this is not the ranting of some obscure ‘alt right’ voice in the wilderness. First Things is a serious publication – and they encourage you to subscribe to their magazine – printed on paper! I believe paper magazines will be the next big thing! The Epoch Times actually prints a multi-section paper newspaper every week. It’s worth far more than I’m paying for it. They just launched American Essence, Inspiration and Hope. It is a magazine for anyone who loves America. It celebrates America’s contribution to humanity.
There is a certain satisfaction to reading a real paper publication. Also, the VERITAS conferred by real print cannot be denied. It carries far more weight than your anonymous ‘fact checker’ ever will. Also, you’ll decrease your ‘screen time’ Also, a fine publication containing Thomas Jefferson’s Rules for Life is likely to inspire reading more than once (as it did me). Publications like these inspire rumination more than reaction. In pages such as these, you’ll meet the great thinkers of Faith and Freedom. I cannot think of a more worthy use of one’s time.
Sneak Preview: American Essence
Here’s a new publication that I am really excited about. “American Essence is a monthly magazine with stories about the people, places, and influences that embody the ideals and virtues that formed America. It celebrates America’s contributions to humanity. America has been the flagship of the free world. It has gone through difficult times—many times—but it has been prosperous because it is blessed. It is a land like no other for those seeking freedom of belief, staying true to the motto “in God we Trust.” It is this enduring belief and its core ideals that have carried America through and kept it strong. This, and much more, is what serves as the nation’s great legacy.” Check out the sneak preview of the First Issue [click to read] and Subscribe Here [click to learn more].
