Peterson’s appeal isn’t limited to filling a paternal void, as I’m sure you know: he can fill a certain intellectual void. He’s a way out of atheistic materialism. He was for me, an 18-year-old who deconstructed Christianity at age 15. Peterson made Christianity habitable for me via the Biblical Series, and has continued that work as I read Maps of Meaning. Christians ought to focus on that aspect of him as well.
Maybe not all the content of these missionaries' message is "bad" either. People aren't only drawn to attaboys and attagirls, we are also drawn to Truth. What might be true and good and beautiful in their content? Could the great Truth of God's commitment that is far greater than that of the most wonderful earthly parents, who are limited, be lurking among the smaller truths purveyed? I do not really sneer at anyone, although I have a seminary education; I have been too many places where people's hearts were tender toward God no matter what their misperceptions might be. (And I have my own.) I also have encountered dramatic conversion testimonies from those who grasped the core truth of God's love, even in the midst of bad theology. Thank you for your post---so very thought-provoking.
Peterson’s appeal isn’t limited to filling a paternal void, as I’m sure you know: he can fill a certain intellectual void. He’s a way out of atheistic materialism. He was for me, an 18-year-old who deconstructed Christianity at age 15. Peterson made Christianity habitable for me via the Biblical Series, and has continued that work as I read Maps of Meaning. Christians ought to focus on that aspect of him as well.
I am HERE for the fire in this post. Thank you for (what felt like) a rather stream of conscious, straight from the gut piece of writing.
I commit to slowing my sneer, and opening my heart.
Maybe not all the content of these missionaries' message is "bad" either. People aren't only drawn to attaboys and attagirls, we are also drawn to Truth. What might be true and good and beautiful in their content? Could the great Truth of God's commitment that is far greater than that of the most wonderful earthly parents, who are limited, be lurking among the smaller truths purveyed? I do not really sneer at anyone, although I have a seminary education; I have been too many places where people's hearts were tender toward God no matter what their misperceptions might be. (And I have my own.) I also have encountered dramatic conversion testimonies from those who grasped the core truth of God's love, even in the midst of bad theology. Thank you for your post---so very thought-provoking.
I really am bothered to point of sneering by those 3 missionaries. BUT you are so right.