The Limits of the Lens

May 23rd, 2025

Television, movies, plays, and productions can all be enjoyable ways to pass the time, but how discerning are you when it comes to platforms where the sacred and the secular intersect? In today's blog, Paul Varnum, who knows firsthand how appealing visual media can be, cautions us to pay close attention to what we watch and to never use it as a substitute for the truth of God's Word.

No Actor Can Truly Portray Jesus

In this modern era of visual storytelling, biblical narratives have gained new life through film and television. Projects like The Chosen have captivated audiences by portraying the life of Jesus in a relatable, emotional, and deeply human way. For many viewers, these representations offer comfort, inspiration, and even a greater desire to read Scripture. However, as powerful as these media can be, they carry a subtle danger we must not overlook: mistaking a human depiction of Jesus for the fullness of who He truly is.

Fully God, Fully Man

Jesus is not merely a man with good morals or an inspiring story. He is fully God and fully man—the Word made flesh (John 1:14). No camera, actor, or director can capture the divine mystery of the incarnation. Every film or series about Jesus inevitably presents Him through a human lens—limited by the actor's abilities, the scriptwriter’s interpretation, and the director’s vision. As compelling as these portrayals may be, they fall short of conveying the glory, authority, and divine essence of Christ.

It is not wrong to watch these productions, but we must be cautious in how we engage with them. The Jesus of the Bible is not simply kind, clever, or charismatic—He is holy. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Savior. When we form an emotional bond with a screen version of Jesus, we risk establishing a relationship with an interpretation rather than the living Lord.

Jesus reveals Himself through the inspired Word—not through an actor’s performance.

This is especially important for new believers or those exploring the Christian faith. Visual media can serve as a helpful doorway, but it must not become the foundation of one’s understanding of Christ. That role belongs solely to Scripture, where Jesus reveals Himself through the inspired Word—not through an actor’s performance.

We must remember that no man can portray God perfectly because man is not God. As Isaiah writes, “To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?” (Isaiah 40:18). Any portrayal of Jesus will always be an approximation—some closer, some farther—but all fall short.

As believers, let us be grateful for tools that spark our imagination but also be discerning. May we never trade the true Christ for a cinematic substitute. Let’s go back to the source—the Bible—and build our relationship with Jesus on truth, not on a screen.

Author Bio:
Guest blogger Paul Varnum, Senior Video Producer for Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, has worked with ministries such as Focus on the Family, where he was involved in series such as That the World May Know and Answers in Genesis, where he was responsible for getting the video department up and running and directed the award-winning Demolishing Strongholds film series. He now lives between Maine and New Jersey with his wife, Holly, and loves to spend time with his children and grandchildren.

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