The Chosen I Have Called You by Name: A Novel Based on Season 1 of the Critically Acclaimed TV Series

Any author who has written and sold as many books as Jerry Jenkins might be forgiven a tendency to lean on familiar structure while producing yet another manuscript. Fortunately, Jenkins is not just ''any author.'' While the broad storyline of Jesus choosing his disciples will be familiar to some, it is the author's deft handling of the historical language and customs of the time that give his newest release a vibrancy rarely felt by readers of any novel. The Chosen: I Have Called You by Name has been crafted with wise and insightful context. This is the book Jerry Jenkins was born to write. -- Andy Andrews , New York Times bestselling author of The Traveler's Gift, The Noticer , and Just Jones The only thing better than the film is the book, and the only thing better than the book is the film. Jerry B. Jenkins has taken the brilliant project of Dallas Jenkins--this look into the lives of those Jesus chose to be his followers, his friends, and his ''family''--and gone a step (or more) deeper. Readers will be drawn as quickly into the pages as viewers were into the theatrical moments of The Chosen film project. I cannot say enough about both. --Eva Marie Everson, president, Word Weavers International, and bestselling author. I have heard the redemptive stories of the Bible told without the emotion that would indicate real people actually experienced these events. Who drained the life blood from the hearts of these men and women? Jerry Jenkins's account of The Chosen: I Have Called You by Name is a refreshing transfusion that restores life to the people of the Bible. You will feel like you are there. You will hear the Messiah call YOU by name. -- Ken Davis , award-winning author, speaker, and communication consultant When a master storyteller tells the greatest story of all time, you know it's going to grab your heart, mind, and soul. Prepare to be immersed in the very real world of the first century like never before. -- Jay Payleitner , national speaker and best-selling author. The movie series brought me to tears, but Jerry's book showed me the Jesus I wanted to know. The Chosen: I Have Called You by Name draws the reader into the humanity of Jesus. This story captures authentic insight into his personality. His love, humor, wisdom, and compassion are revealed for every person he encountered. Through Jesus' interaction with the real-life characters, I too experienced the Savior who calls the lost, poor, needy, and forsaken into an authentic relationship. -- DiAnn Mills , Christy Award winner and director, Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference Jerry Jenkins is a master storyteller who has captured the action, drama, and emotion of The Chosen video series in written form. Far more than a mere synopsis of season 1, Jerry has shaped and developed the first eight episodes into a fast-paced novel. If you enjoyed the videos, you will savor the story again as Jerry brings each character to life. And if you haven't watched the video series, this novel will make you want to start ... just as soon as you've finished reading the book, of course! -- Dr. Charlie Dyer , professor-at-large of Bible, host of The Land and the Book radio program What better way to bring the gospel to life than to explore the impact Jesus had upon those with whom he came into contact. And what better encouragement for those of us today who hunger for his life-changing presence. I heartily recommend both the video and the book for any who long to experience his transforming love more deeply.--Bill Myers, author of the bestselling novel Eli The story of Jesus has been told and re-told, but with this beautiful novelization, Jerry Jenkins brings unique and compelling perspectives to the biblical accounts of Jesus and his followers, echoing those in the acclaimed The Chosen video series created by Dallas Jenkins. As someone who always thinks the book was better than the movie, I was delighted to discover a book and film series that are equally enthralling and even life-changing. -- Deborah Raney , author of A Nest of Sparrows and A Vow to Cherish Writing with accuracy and immediacy, Jerry Jenkins immerses us in the greatest story ever told in a fresh and powerful way. Jenkins is a master of taking profound scenes and themes from the Bible and weaving them into captivating journeys, whether they are centered on the time of Jesus or the end times. The Chosen: I Have Called You by Name expands on the amazing TV series and will move readers through its unique retelling of the gospel story.-- Travis Thrasher , bestselling author and publishing industry veteran To a girl who cut her teeth on Bible stories, it's no easy task to transform all-too-familiar characters into an experience that is fresh and alive. That is precisely what Jerry Jenkins has done with his newest novel, The Chosen: I Have Called You by Name. From the first chapter, I was enamored. And by the second and third, I started to see the Jesus I've long loved with new eyes and a more open heart. This book offers the reader more than mere diversion. It offers the possibility of true transformation. -- Michele Cushatt , author of Relentless: The Unshakeable Presence of a God Who Never Leaves Jenkins (the Left Behind series) delivers a pleasant take on the lives of those who encountered Jesus of Nazareth at the start of his earthly ministry. Jenkins delves into the lives of Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, Nicodemus, and Matthew the tax collector, among others who were chosen by Jesus to comprise an inner circle. Beginning with the birth of Jesus. The story charts the life of those struggling under Roman control on the shores of Galilee, the early miracles of Jesus, and his revelation as the Messiah to his followers. Jenkins’s depictions add depth and humanity to each figure as they wrestle with doubt, angst, amazement, and devotion. At the same time, the backdrop remains the familiar tales of Jesus’s healings and teachings, including the demon possession of Mary Magdalene, turning water into wine, and speaking to throngs at the Sea of Galilee. Jenkins also supposes a Jesus who has a sense of humor (“Just watch out for the frogs this time!”) and responds with wit (and the occasional wink) as well as wisdom. Those drawn to stories of Jesus’s everyday life will relish Jenkins’s savvy recreation of key moments from the New Testament. (Mar.) -- Publishers Weekly Review , Best Books (March) JERRY B. JENKINS has written nearly 200 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers with total sales of more than 71 million copies. He's known for biblical fiction, end-times fiction (the Left Behind series), and many other genres. He also assisted Billy Graham with his memoirs and has written numerous sports biographies. He lives with his wife, Dianna, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They have three grown sons, one of whom, Dallas, is the creator, cowriter, and director of The Chosen TV series.