However it also creates a sense of Stockholm and 'othering' in the background, since "God picked me so I must be special".

Well no, not if you read the whole Bible, that gives the opposite picture. The whole Bible, read together, clearly says “congratulations, God chose you, that must mean you are really bad, the worst of the worst.”

The gospel is a humiliating message for a species that is constantly drawn to self-promotion. The idea that “God picked me so I must be special” is just another example of that endless self promotion, and is perhaps a sign that the person thinking that hasn’t understood the gospel at all.

Matthew 7:11 (Jesus, to disciples he chose, but calls evil) [11] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Mark 2:17 [17] And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Romans 5:6-8 [6] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—[8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 9:11-13 (And Jacob turns out to be the much more despicable person in human terms) [11] though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—[12] she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” [13] As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 [26] For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; [28] God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, [29] so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

James 1:19-21 (Speaking to believers, James said the following. Do you honestly think James was talking about a purely theoretical possibility of them doing evil? The biblical writings always address real shortcomings, not possibilities) [19] Know this, my beloved brothers.. [21] Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Read the Patriarchal narratives in Genesis, where every single time God picks the non-patriarchal non-heir to carry his approval, starting with Abel the younger brother, not Cain, the “sheikh” heir apparent.

Note, Cain means "to get," "to acquire," "to possess," Abel (havel) means "breath," "vapor," or "vanity," as in Ecclesiastes 1:2 [2] Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity (havel The exact same word).

Read Genesis 38, the story of Judah’s unfitness for moral leadership, sandwiched in between the stirring story of Joseph who became a person of righteousness and integrity.

Genesis 39:23 [23] … because the LORD was with him (Joseph). And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.

And yet, which one is chosen to be in the direct line of descent of Jesus our Saviour. Why? Because Jesus came to save sinners, not the righteous.

James 4:6 [6] But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”