About the Guest:

Brandon Robbins is a dynamic Pastor and YouTuber with a deep passion for exploring and teaching the stories of Jesus and his disciples. He has been an enthusiastic follower of the Chosen series, dedicated to analysing and expanding on its theological and historical themes. Brandon is the author of "The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus," a book that dives deeper into the Chosen's episodes to enrich the understanding of Jesus's teachings. He is known for his insightful and engaging content that resonates with both the religious and mainstream audiences alike.

Key Takeaways:

• The Chosen series integrates modern entertainment with historical depth, providing a riveting portrayal of Jesus and his disciples.
• Understanding Jewish customs enriches the viewing experience, making connections with scripture more profound and insightful.
• The unique storytelling framework of the Chosen prioritises human experiences, drawing deeper personal connections to the events.
• Significant aspects of Christian spirituality, such as prayer and understanding scripture, are explored in depth to enhance spiritual transformation.
• The Chosen generates a community-driven movement, expanding biblical narratives into other media forms and platforms, fostering a global conversation.

Notable Quotes:

• "It focuses not just on telling the story of Jesus, but really telling the story of Jesus through the eyes of his disciples." – Brandon Robbins
• "Jewish people could do that with the whole Bible. And so when you see something quoted in Scripture… everybody knew what that meant." – Brandon Robbins
• “It was just beautiful to watch her eyes as she viewed Jesus in this way that is even different than what she experiences in church." – Brandon Robbins
• “The Chosen has been all about connecting with people. And that is what has caused them to just be evangelistic about it." – Brandon Robbins
• “When you can put that sort of stuff into a story and understand how it relates to people now, you'll see people dig into scriptures that nobody's ever really touched before.” – Brandon Robbins

Resources:

• Brandon Robbins's Book: The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus

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Key Takeaways:

• "The Promised Land" cleverly balances humor and deep theological themes to explore humanity's relationship with the divine.
• Leadership and forgiveness are central themes as Moses navigates his own pride and responsibilities.
• The series finale emphasizes the importance of community and collective worship in experiencing God's presence.
• Human imperfection, explored through characters like Bezalel and Aaron, underscores the message that God seeks obedience, not perfection.
• The show's ability to intertwine Old Testament stories with modern television genres opens new avenues for understanding biblical narratives.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The big finale to the big finale is worshipping God. And I'm kind of down with that." — Laura Bennett
2. "When you experience God's presence, there is a response. There can be nothing other than some kind of response." — Ben McEachen
3. "God doesn't want perfection. He wants obedience. And it's more that. It's more the heart attitude than the actual thing you're presenting." — Laura Bennett
4. "I liked how God came to the fore in the final couple of minutes." — Laura Bennett
5. "You can understand as a human who knows they're unworthy in front of God." — Ben McEachen

Laura Bennett hosts Hope Afternoons in Sydney, Australia, and UNDISTRACTED podcast. Laura has reviewed TV and movies for Hope 1032 for more than a decade.

Ben McEachen hosts Hope Mornings in Sydney, Australia, and co-hosts Money: Faith and Finance. Ben has reviewed TV and movies for Empire, News Ltd and Hope 1032.

Have you heard of The Watchlist? Catch this amazing podcast here!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

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About the Guest

Shereen Khan is an accomplished actress best known for her role as Miriam in the hit series "The Promised Land." With a background in studio executive positions, Khan has transitioned into acting while maintaining a strong influence in the entertainment industry. Her portrayal of Miriam has been lauded for its depth and nuance, capturing the complexity of a revered biblical figure while bringing a fresh comedic angle to the story. Her career showcases her versatility and innovative approach to storytelling, making her a celebrated figure in both acting and production circles.

Key Takeaways:

• Innovative Storytelling: "The Promised Land" offers a fresh comedic take on biblical tales, blending reverence with humor to explore human stories within extraordinary events.
• Growth of Faith-Based Content: There is a rising demand for high-quality productions that engage audiences through innovative storytelling while respecting scriptural origins.
• Miriam's Leadership Journey: Shereen Khan highlights Miriam's development from an introverted character to a community leader, finding her voice and tackling leadership challenges.
• Female Empowerment: The show captures the nuances of female leadership in a patriarchal society, offering insights into standing up for oneself and others.
• Communal and Personal Worship: The series' finale exemplifies how communal worship and personal devotion can coexist, showing God’s presence in community.

Notable Quotes:

1. "It is unexpected to take a beloved biblical story… and create a self-reflexive comedy out of it." – Shereen Khan
2. "Miriam is sometimes the most intelligent person in the room, fiercely passionate not only in her faith but in her music." – Shereen Khan
3. "With newfound gifts comes a lot of responsibility… handle that gift well and gracefully." – Shereen Khan
4. "The takeaway here is listening is one of those things… it's really step one in good leadership." – Shereen Khan
5. "God wants your devotion to be open and communal as much as anything else." – Shereen Khan

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