The Dr. Josh Axe Show

Episode: Does Jesus Heal Everyone? Dallas Jenkins on the Theology of Healing and Suffering
Guests: Dallas Jenkins & Amanda Jenkins (Creators of The Chosen)
Host: Dr. Josh Axe
Date: October 16, 2025

OVERVIEW

In this deeply moving and theologically rich episode, Dr. Josh Axe sits down with Dallas Jenkins and Amanda Jenkins, the creators of the widely acclaimed series The Chosen. They explore the show's profound spiritual impact, the realism of Jesus and the disciples, the modern hunger for faith, and—centrally—the complex theology around healing, suffering, and God's purposes. Personal stories, including struggles with chronic and childhood illness, intertwine with discussions about storytelling, authenticity in faith, denominational unity, mind-body-spirit health connections, and the ongoing legacy and criticism of The Chosen.

MAIN THEMES & DISCUSSION POINTS

1. The Realness of Jesus and the Disciples

• Dallas describes his aim to “take Jesus off of stained glass windows and down from statues and just remind you of his presence here on earth…that you could have an intimate relationship with him.” [06:16–08:32]
• The show portrays the disciples as flawed, youthful, and “human beings—teenagers or early 20s,” which makes their transformation all the more relatable, especially for young adults. [09:31–10:38]

2. The Impact of The Chosen and the Modern Spiritual Hunger

• Dallas discusses an unprecedented hunger for faith over the past several years: “God clearly has decided that at this time in the world he has something to say.” [11:51–12:15]
• Tangible effects: Upticks in Bible sales (up 20%), search spikes for biblical characters caused by the show (e.g., Nathaniel in YouVersion Bible app), and stories of people returning to or deepening in faith. [13:35–15:30]
  • Quote: “People see the show and they go: I need to go check that out [in the Bible].” —Dallas Jenkins [15:29]

3. Storytelling, Redemption, and the Shift in Television

• Discussion on the contrast between redemptive storytelling and the prevalence of anti-heroes: “Now, having a positive redemptive moment is almost considered cheesy...We want to reveal that God is the God of the least of these, of the deepest and darkest struggles we have.” —Dallas Jenkins [17:04–20:47]

4. The Theology of Healing & Suffering

Personal Stories & Show Decisions

• Dallas and Amanda’s family journey: Their daughter’s chronic illness and Amanda’s experience as a mother of a non-verbal autistic child—“Do you have the pair of shoes in the closet? Do you believe that I could?” [23:31–27:44]
• The casting of Jordan (Little James, who has cerebral palsy) prompted the team to address, for the first time on screen, the reality that not all are healed, even among Jesus’s closest followers. [22:11–23:31]
  • Notable Scene: Little James asks Jesus why he is sent to heal others, while not being healed himself.
  • Quote: “Think of the story you have when you’re faithful to me and you follow me even when you’re not healed.” —Dallas Jenkins, describing Jesus’s response [29:40]

Theological Insights

• “Over the course of history and in the Bible, it’s clear that God does not heal everyone, even when they ask for it, even if they have faith.” —Dallas Jenkins [24:22]
• The eternal perspective: “Little James, you are going to be healed. It’s only a matter of time…have to get outside the temporary perspective and live in that eternal perspective.” [31:54]

Listener Impact

• Thousands have written to say the “Little James” scene helped them feel seen in their suffering for the first time. [34:19]
• Both Jenkinses emphasize: seek healing and build relationship with God, but “not my will, but yours be done.” [35:51–36:52]

5. Mind, Body, and Spirit Connections

• How people-pleasing and performing for affirmation impacted Dallas’s physical health: “My desire for affirmation would lead to physical things, too...I struggled with E.D. My counselor said, 'You're addicted to performance.' It creeped into my physicality.” [43:17–44:07]
• The holistic approach to health—mind, body, and spirit—as essential to full healing and serving others. [45:01–47:33]

6. Unity Beyond Denominations & the Role of Story

• The show has sparked connections and sometimes tensions across denominational lines: “If you’re Catholic, great. If you’re Protestant, great. If you’re Orthodox, great. Do you love Jesus?...Are you serving him?” —Dr. Axe [51:04]
• Amanda notes the importance of humility and “just focusing on Jesus,” not tribalism or exclusion. [48:14–49:47]

7. Artistry, Legacy, and What’s Next

• Dallas’s storytelling is deeply influenced by his father (Jerry Jenkins, Left Behind) and aims to help viewers live their own “better story”—one marked by humility, surrender, and following Jesus’s example in suffering and service. [53:31–56:28]
• The Chosen Bible study aims to serve as the primary resource, with the show supplementing deeper scriptural exploration. [57:44–59:48]
• Upcoming projects: Joseph of Egypt miniseries; animated Chosen Adventures for kids; plans to tell the story of Moses and eventually Acts. [86:30]

8. Miracles On and Off the Set

• Numerous unscripted moments where non-believing actors were moved to tears while delivering lines quoting scripture. One actor ultimately became a Christian and was baptized on set. [65:04–68:16]
  • Quote: “Here lies Josh Axe: He made the introduction for people to Jesus… Is there any greater thing you can hear?” —Dallas Jenkins [68:07]

MEMORABLE QUOTES

• On Healing and Suffering:

  • “Sometimes God trusts us with a malady…what we may be able to do in others in our discipleship, going through that struggle…” —Dallas Jenkins [29:40]
  • “Are you willing to accept my answer?” —Amanda Jenkins (on praying for her daughter) [26:38]

• On Mind-Body Connection:

  • “People pleasing is incredibly toxic to really, your digestive system, your immune system…” —Dr. Josh Axe [43:17]
  • “Stop trying so hard.” —Dr. Josh Axe, regarding fertility and health breakthroughs [44:47]

• On Divisiveness and Jesus’s Demands:

  • “He actually said, like, I came here with a sword…families will be divided…because you have to give up everything.” —Dallas Jenkins [79:08]

• On Legacy:

  • “If you can see Jesus through the eyes of those who actually met him, you can be changed and impacted in the same way they were.” —Dallas Jenkins [69:23]
  • “When you’re in his presence, I’m going to be distracted by how he did.” —Amanda Jenkins (her first question for Jesus in heaven) [86:03]

KEY TIMESTAMPS & SEGMENTS

• [06:16–10:38]: Making Jesus and the disciples real, flawed, and relatable—addressing their youth and backgrounds.
• [13:35–15:30]: Tangible spiritual impact; examples from the YouVersion Bible app and Bible sales.
• [17:04–20:47]: Shift in TV storytelling; resistance to redemption themes in modern media.
• [21:36–31:54]: Deep dive into the “little James” healing scene: representation, theology, personal family stories.
• [35:51–36:52]: The importance of “not my will, but yours be done” in all struggles.
• [43:17–47:33]: Affirmation, people-pleasing, and their toll on physical health and authenticity.
• [51:04–52:51]: Uniting denominations, avoiding tribalism, and focusing on Jesus above all.
• [57:44–59:48]: Role of the Chosen Bible study and supplementary resources.
• [65:04–68:16]: On-set miracles; the bullseye of ministry being the people involved in making the show.
• [76:42–77:59]: “We are the messengers now”: personal call to embrace one’s role in God’s Kingdom.
• [78:23–84:19]: Why Jesus remains polarizing; the universal and personal call to surrender.
• [86:30–88:25]: What’s next for The Chosen team: new miniseries, kids’ content, long-term plans.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Spiritual Warfare: Amanda notes, “There’s a lot of spiritual warfare…there’s an actual bullseye.” [72:29–73:21]
• Children’s Resources: Animated series and Bible studies for all ages—designed to spark curiosity and scriptural engagement among kids and families. [62:39–63:38]
• Responding to Criticism: Dallas’s “five loaves and two fish” philosophy—doing his part, leaving the results to God. [40:37–42:38]
• Denominational Discussion: Early fan debates revealed how The Chosen uniquely brings together, and sometimes exposes, denominational lines and biases. [47:58–49:47]
• Casting Decisions and Biblical Details: The debate over “David’s hair color” demonstrates their careful (and sometimes contested) attention to detail and interpretation. [88:43–89:51]

OVERALL TONE

Warm, vulnerable, intellectually honest, and pastorally encouraging. The hosts and guests blend personal testimony, scriptural depth, and frank conversation, inviting listeners of all backgrounds to deeper reflection on faith, suffering, healing, and letting go of results to simply “gather people to Jesus.”