CrossLens Ministries

02/23/2026

For deeper dives into the Scriptures that frequently engage with The Chosen television series, Brandon Robbins is a reliable resource! His channel is an excellent gateway to The Chosen, The Bible, and ultimately to a relationship with our Lord Himself. In a culture that seems to be coming apart at the seams, we need an Anchor that is securely fastened to The Solid Rock, Christ Jesus! "All other ground is sinking sand!"

Have you ever had a hard time understanding the Bible? Perhaps some passages make sense, but others are utterly confusing. You know there is an important message contained within those words, but something is missing. I want to help you to become so familiar with the world of Jesus that you understa...

09/01/2025

THE CHOSEN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH SCRIPTURE!
PLEASE, PLEASE READ THIS!!

SPOILER ALERT: This post describes the nature and goal of THE CHOSEN TV series, and presents an outstanding TOOL for understanding and engaging with God's Word. I will let Dr. Rick Gillespie-Mobley, the author of the series of "commentaries" on The Chosen and its relationship with Scripture speak on the topic and interject some additional thoughts enclosed in brackets [ ] THIS IS SO WELL SAID!! WORTHY OF FULL READ!! See below:

"One of the purposes of "The Chosen" is to create characters with a depth of life, so that you can read the scriptures and understand why biblical characters may behave in the way that they do. "The Chosen" is not a biblical story as revealed in the Scriptures, but it is a story that contains the Scriptures and provides us with a possibility of how things may have taken place. If you accept it for what it is [namely, an "illustrated sermon" based on the Bible and a "visual Bible commentary" combined], you will be strengthened and encouraged in your faith. If you demand it to be a literal rendition of the Scriptures, you will be disappointed in your search. "The Chosen" is a wonderful way to capture the heart, the emotions, and the essence of the characters in the Scriptures. It is outstanding in its presentation of characters of various racial and cultural backgrounds. It does more to promote racial harmony and equality within the body of Christ than any work I have seen before on the life of Christ. [and it makes people want to READ THE BIBLE!]

The purpose of this book is to help you understand how the Scriptures are woven into the story and to learn from both the lives of the characters and the teachings of Scripture. By providing you with a summary of the main characters in each episode, a summary of the content of the episode, and the Scriptures referred to in the episode, you will be able to glean a greater understanding of what is happening as you watch. You will also be informed on which things in an episode are in the Scriptures and which are there simply for character development and storyline.

There are questions for discussion that you can use in a small group if you choose to use "The Chosen" as a Bible study topic. The questions do not require a scholarly background to lead the discussion. They are a combination of your reactions to the characters and your application of the Scriptures. The number of questions you will use will depend on the size of your group and whether or not you have watched the episodes prior to the meeting. Obviously, you will have more time for discussion if you watch the episodes prior to coming together. This is the fifth book in the series having covered Season five.

[I highly recommend this book--and all the books by Dr. Rick Gillespie- in this series on The Chosen and Scripture]

One of the purposes of "The Chosen" is to create characters with a depth of life, so that you can read the scriptures and understand why biblical characters may behave in the way that they do. "The Chosen" is not a biblical story as revealed in the Scriptures, but it is a story that contains the ...

07/21/2025

There are many paths to effective learning. In the modern Western world, cerebral processing is the primary path to cognitive understanding.

But cognitive understanding is not the be-all, end-all of education.

While learning about THINGS (i.e., the material world) is well-served by the cerebral processing of carefully constructed outlines and logical arguments, learning about PEOPLE requires attention to the AFFECTIVE aspects of relationships if it is to be EFFECTIVE. Capturing the heart is every bit as important as convincing the head.

WDJD? What Did Jesus Do? Jesus told stories!

In order to invite people INTO God’s kingdom, educate people ABOUT God’s kingdom, and make people reproducing disciples OF God’s kingdom, Jesus told stories.

And He told stories not merely to INform peoples’s head, but to TRANSform their heart.

Thus, Jesus told stories BOTH through His own life “story” (i.e., His disposition and deportment) AND through His artistically created stories (i.e., “parables”). For followers of Jesus, it is the same.

Now HOW a story is told determines HOW effective or ineffective it will be and what lessons hearers will learn from it. Let Ray Neu show you how!

Ray Neu 1

07/21/2025

There are many paths to the learning experience. The western world is dominated by cerebral processing of well-outlined, logical argumentation.

But cognitive understanding is not the be-all, end-all of education.

While knowledge of "things," i.e., the material world is well-served by cerebral processing; knowledge of people is relational and must include affective awareness.

Storytelling is an equally effective tool (in some cases, the most effective tool!!) to engage the affective aspects of human relationships.

Jesus chose STORIES as his primary teaching methodology--BOTH His own story (i.e., modeling through His own life) AND His artistically created stories (i.e., parables) to invite people INTO His kingdom, to educate people ABOUT His kingdom, and to make them active proponents OF His kingdom.

LEARN how to invite, teach, and disciple others through STORYTELLING! Let Ray Neu show you how!

Ray Neu 1

07/16/2025

"WHAT ARE YOU SNEERING AT?"
~ Jesus, Luke 16:14

"The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were SNEERING at Jesus. He said to them, 'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God's sight." (Luke 16:14-15, NIV).

This daily devotional quickly gets to the “heart” of the matter: Who (or what?) has your heart?

When I read the verses, I was immediately struck by the phrase, "who loved money." Like most of us, my default diagnosis of the Pharisees' problem is the PLEASURE that money brings through its "stuff," designer shoes (well, sandals), fancy cars (well, carts, wagons, & chariots) 85" flat screen TVs (well, amphitheaters), and the like. You know. "Stuff to have FUN with."

Now there is nothing sinful about “play” per se. But play turns dark when it rules the day . . . and the night . . . night and day! To put it bluntly, when personal pleasure becomes the “be-all and end-all” of someone’s existence, that person has made Pleasure her/his god—virtue is at best suspended and at worst downright rejected in service of personal, playful, pleasures which now can come even at the cost of someone else's harm.

But this is more of a modern diagnosis of the Pharisees' problem. It is serious for sure. The stakes could not be higher. But there's something far more serious and sinister at play (pardon the pun) in the Pharisees love of money, and The Chosen devotional nails it. (https://www.robstarner.com/?p=1698 for the "rest of the story")

07/15/2025

SO . . . HOW'S YOUR "FLEX" LIFE?

And NO! That's not a typo. "Flex" life impacts every aspect of our lives. You see, flexing the knee is a sign of humility, and humility is the required spiritual posture for prayer and devotion. A sound devotional life is sustenance for the soul.

You say, "Yeah, but how?"

Want some help?

Check out the current 5 volume set of “The Chosen: 40 Days with Jesus” devotional series! See Why! https://www.robstarner.com/?p=1692

07/13/2025

SHOUTOUT TO "COFFEE ON HIGH"!!
Because I am convinced that The Chosen TV series is the best FILM MEDIA tool for evangelism and discipleship, I wear "Chosen Gear" nearly every day. It has opened up SO MANY opportunities to verbally (and non-verbally) point people to Jesus.

Well, here I am in my new "external office" at "Coffee on High" in the historic district of downtown Canal Wi******er, Ohio. This is one of the best coffee/cafe shops I have EVER seen, and it has quickly become my favorite! The sandwiches, pastries, and drinks are high quality (best chai latte I have EVER tasted) and BOOKS(!!) They offer three children's books that are SO WELL helping to teach children about their Creator Heavenly Father--not overtly "preachy" and extremely well written.

Even if all you do is wear Chosen gear, you are indirectly pointing people to Jesus, because ALL of it is related to some key gospel scenes from the show. It is the easiest, least intimidating "street witnessing" you will ever do. It opens the door to engaging others in conversation about eternal destiny, but if you are too shy to talk, your Chosen gear will do the talkin' for you!

So I encourage you to purchase Chosen gear at thechosengifts.com and start street witnessing right away!

And if you are interested in engaging with me in my "Chosen initiative" (coaching church leaders in how to make effective use of the TV series in churches and parachurch organizations, visit my website and its contact page.

07/09/2025

JUDAS ISCARIOT'S MOTIVATION??
"If I am no use to your kingdom, then I am nothing!'

This retort from The Chosen’s Judas is not found in the Bible. It is part of the "illustrated sermon"/visual Bible commentary" creative artistry of The Chosen scriptwriters. And like every extrabiblical word, phrase, sentence, sermon illustration spoken by preachers, written in hymns, proclaimed in advertising slogans, etc., it must be evaluated as to its coherence with what is explicitly written in the Bible. This cry of despair by Judas in The Chosen is a case in point.

Motivations are every bit as subject to moral critique as actions. Jesus was very plain about that. People sometimes do good things for evil motives--predators "grooming" their victims, for example, or "religious folks" making displays of philanthropy to gain the applause of the crowds and achieve some degree of control or influence over people or to extort money from people because of their presumed "special connection with God" (often mislabeled as "the anointing").

Have you ever wondered why Judas betrayed Jesus? “The Devil made him do it! Pure and simple!” you say? Well, I suggest that the answer is neither pure nor simple. Neither is it a purely academic exercise. It has life changing implications for every soul on the planet. (READ MORE: https://www.robstarner.com/?p=1687)

07/06/2025

Excited about my Fall classes at VALORCOLLEGE.EDU!

04/20/2025

"'GOOD GRIEF! It's Friday!!' said no one . . . ever: Reflections on Good Friday!" Christ is Risen Indeed!

03/08/2025

Awesome time of ministry and celebration with "The Chosen Polska" in Łódź, Poland last week!! I met so many super-inspired and super-inspiring Christ-followers! These people are on fire for using The Chosen TV series for spreading the word about the authentic, biblical Jesus and offering their church communities as a support team for their faith journey. I am praying that churches all over the world will do the same!