Jordan Peterson is not a Christian, so it's not a surprise that he leaves love of Christ for his own sake out. He can't promote what he doesn't believe. The problem with Jordan Peterson is not that he defends Christian civilization, it's that he does things the church ought to be doing in the first place. It has lost or ceded ground in so many areas that it takes an agnostic psychologist to bring back interest in the Bible and give men a reason to return to church. The fact that he does it in the only way he knows how, without the benefit of the Spirit he can hardly be blamed for. Those who complain should be the first to step forward and fill the vacuum currently being occupied by Jordan Peterson.
Hi Bani, if you're a new reader you might not be aware that I've shared this exact appreciative sentiment about Peterson before in this space. In 2020 I devoted 42! posts going though his Maps of Meaning. All that to say, I'm a very informed and thoughtful consumer of Peterson's work. I'm both appreciative and critical. Which is the point of the post. Not "Yeah!" Jordan Peterson. Not "Boo!" Jordan Peterson. But discern the spirits and pay attention to how enchantment participates in political projects. I love younger men coming to church, but to Kingsworth's point, are they coming to Christ?
As a devout follower, lover, beloved & disciple of Christ I see & appreciate how you articulated this critique of Peterson. I’ve recently heard others describe Peterson as a “gateway” to Christ which I think is a far more accurate way to describe his perspectives & approach.
I speak to so many people who believe in the power of Christianity for themselves, their families & for the world yet also found it irrelevant or couldn’t connect the dots between the faith of the their childhood & their adult life. This is where Dr. Peterson has really benefited the faith. He, as you probably know, proves over & over that our biological makeup could’ve only been created by & for the God of the Bible. What Peterson does, directly or indirectly, is point people to scripture & to God which is where discernment comes from.
With those who have a history of Christianity yet have walked away yet are still interested in the metaphysical I refer them to Dr. Peterson’s lecture series on Genesis “The Psychological Significance of the Biblical Stories”. In that series he makes the ‘case for Christ’ without the miracles that Lee Strobl experienced. He reached the intellectual beginner which is where so many people are today due to secularism. People are smart & can’t be woo’d into the faith nor can they be guilted or manipulated or have their arm twisted by tradition. He, Peterson, makes God make sense. Secularism & unarticulated tradition pushed so many people away which left a deep need in people. The deep need was for God & Christ yet nothing could fill the gap. The responsibility for this departure falls squarely on the shoulders of “the church”. They simply stopped preaching the good news of Christ & became social clubs for parents & grandparents with too many rules. Churches, especially the traditional “faiths”, have become exactly what Jesus came to destroy. They’ve tried to take the place of true intimacy with God. Many times when I try to talk about, & even around, Christ people jump to “the church”. It’s maddening & I want to scream “Wrong C word”.
Again I want to say, thank you for providing critique to these points. I don’t disagree. Fun fact, Bible sales are up 22% in 2024 & male attendance at church is up 18+%. Dr. Peterson can’t be given credit for this however something cool & interesting is happening in the hearts & minds of people in “the west”.
Have you ever read american gods by neil gaiman? it can be read as the changing enchantments of each era, especially the role of technology in the new enchantments.
Out of context or not, it has helped me to go back to your post 'When Morality Becomes Materialistic: Why Everyone Is a Victim Now' over and over to somewhat help explain what is going on here...
Other than polemics (Nietzsche=bad to the average American Christian) why not consider Peterson in light of the larger existentialist tradition and in connection to Kierkegaard?
Jordan Peterson is not a Christian, so it's not a surprise that he leaves love of Christ for his own sake out. He can't promote what he doesn't believe. The problem with Jordan Peterson is not that he defends Christian civilization, it's that he does things the church ought to be doing in the first place. It has lost or ceded ground in so many areas that it takes an agnostic psychologist to bring back interest in the Bible and give men a reason to return to church. The fact that he does it in the only way he knows how, without the benefit of the Spirit he can hardly be blamed for. Those who complain should be the first to step forward and fill the vacuum currently being occupied by Jordan Peterson.
Hi Bani, if you're a new reader you might not be aware that I've shared this exact appreciative sentiment about Peterson before in this space. In 2020 I devoted 42! posts going though his Maps of Meaning. All that to say, I'm a very informed and thoughtful consumer of Peterson's work. I'm both appreciative and critical. Which is the point of the post. Not "Yeah!" Jordan Peterson. Not "Boo!" Jordan Peterson. But discern the spirits and pay attention to how enchantment participates in political projects. I love younger men coming to church, but to Kingsworth's point, are they coming to Christ?
As a devout follower, lover, beloved & disciple of Christ I see & appreciate how you articulated this critique of Peterson. I’ve recently heard others describe Peterson as a “gateway” to Christ which I think is a far more accurate way to describe his perspectives & approach.
I speak to so many people who believe in the power of Christianity for themselves, their families & for the world yet also found it irrelevant or couldn’t connect the dots between the faith of the their childhood & their adult life. This is where Dr. Peterson has really benefited the faith. He, as you probably know, proves over & over that our biological makeup could’ve only been created by & for the God of the Bible. What Peterson does, directly or indirectly, is point people to scripture & to God which is where discernment comes from.
With those who have a history of Christianity yet have walked away yet are still interested in the metaphysical I refer them to Dr. Peterson’s lecture series on Genesis “The Psychological Significance of the Biblical Stories”. In that series he makes the ‘case for Christ’ without the miracles that Lee Strobl experienced. He reached the intellectual beginner which is where so many people are today due to secularism. People are smart & can’t be woo’d into the faith nor can they be guilted or manipulated or have their arm twisted by tradition. He, Peterson, makes God make sense. Secularism & unarticulated tradition pushed so many people away which left a deep need in people. The deep need was for God & Christ yet nothing could fill the gap. The responsibility for this departure falls squarely on the shoulders of “the church”. They simply stopped preaching the good news of Christ & became social clubs for parents & grandparents with too many rules. Churches, especially the traditional “faiths”, have become exactly what Jesus came to destroy. They’ve tried to take the place of true intimacy with God. Many times when I try to talk about, & even around, Christ people jump to “the church”. It’s maddening & I want to scream “Wrong C word”.
Again I want to say, thank you for providing critique to these points. I don’t disagree. Fun fact, Bible sales are up 22% in 2024 & male attendance at church is up 18+%. Dr. Peterson can’t be given credit for this however something cool & interesting is happening in the hearts & minds of people in “the west”.
Alpha male Nietzschian Christianity lacking love … 🤔 Why does Mark Driscoll suddenly come to mind?
Have you ever read american gods by neil gaiman? it can be read as the changing enchantments of each era, especially the role of technology in the new enchantments.
"Let the cruciform love of Jesus show you the way." AMEN!
This post deserves a wide audience. Thank you!
Out of context or not, it has helped me to go back to your post 'When Morality Becomes Materialistic: Why Everyone Is a Victim Now' over and over to somewhat help explain what is going on here...
Other than polemics (Nietzsche=bad to the average American Christian) why not consider Peterson in light of the larger existentialist tradition and in connection to Kierkegaard?
Really good, Richard. Thank you.