5 Takeaways from Jordan Peterson’s Interview with Dallas Jenkins of ‘The Chosen’

"The emergence of The Chosen as a spectacular success occurred on the heels of a relatively cataclysmic failure," Peterson says in the new episode of The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast.

Here are five takeaways from the interview:

1. Jordan Peterson Watches' The Chosen'

"I'm always leery of religiously themed entertainment because it's got that propagandistic element of subversion, and even though, hypothetically, it's for a good cause, it makes me revolt. … The Chosen didn't do that. I enjoyed watching it, partly because it succeeds on the basis of its ability to tell a story."

The series, Peterson said, is "beautiful."

"The cinematography is top-rate," he added. "The acting is top-rate. …I wanted to know what was going to happen next. It was a real cliffhanger. And so I really enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to the continuing seasons."

2. Jordan Peterson Was Never an Atheist

Asked by Jenkins if he ever was an atheist, Peterson replied he was not.

"I was never an atheist because I was never sure, confident enough in my own doubt to proclaim it as a virtue," Peterson responded. "… At minimum, I knew that I didn't know what the h-ll was going on. There's another thing that mitigated against that, too, is that I've believed in evil since I was very young."

If one believes in evil, Peterson said, then "you believe in good because it's the opposite of evil."

3. At His Lowest Moment, Dallas Jenkins Was Ready to Drive a Bus

Jenkins famously developed the idea for The Chosen after an earlier project, the film The Resurrection of Gavin Stone, which bombed at the theaters. Jenkins told Peterson he was on the verge of changing careers. 

As the box office numbers rolled in on opening weekend, Jenkins was disheartened. 

"Do I need to learn how to drive a bus so that I can provide for my family?" he recalls thinking.

At the time, Jenkins was on staff at a church in Chicago. Months later, he received permission to film The Shepherd, a short film that served as the catalyst for The Chosen. 

"I'm on my friend's farm in Illinois, 20 minutes from my house, filming this short film," Jenkins said.

4. A Sermon from Kyle Idleman Sparked Jenkins' Creativity

Roughly five years before The Chosen gained viral status, Jenkins directed a short film, Two Thieves, that explored the crucifixion from the perspective of the thieves on the cross. 

He got the idea for the film while listening to a sermon from Kyle Idleman of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky.

"He did a sermon on the crucifixion and the story of the crucifixion and Jesus' relationship with the two thieves on the cross," Jenkins said. 

One of the thieves, he noted, transitioned from mocking Christ to placing his faith in Him. Scripture is silent on the background of the thief's transformation. 

"This pastor opined -- not claiming fact -- but he opined: What if he was broken by Jesus' comment, Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do?" Jenkins said. "... I thought that was very compelling. And I thought, 'I want to make a short film where we unpack the backstory.'"

Jenkins and Tyler Thompson co-wrote the Two Thieves. Thompson is now a co-writer for The Chosen.  

5. The Cast Believes Season 5 Is the Best

Season 5, which will be released in theaters beginning March 27, is receiving high accolades behind the scenes, Jenkins said. 

"Those who've seen it and read the scripts and the actors …were all saying, 'Oh, this is our best season yet,'" Jenkins said.

Season 5 chronicles Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem in the days leading up to the crucifixion.

WATCH: Retelling the Greatest Story Ever Told | Dallas Jenkins | EP 509

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.