What Are Christians to Make of Jordan Peterson?

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Christianity Today

Religion, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.3 • 622 Ratings

🗓️ 30 May 2018

⏱️ 51 minutes

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Summary

He’s a Canadian psychology professor. A YouTube star. A bestselling author. He’s Jordan Peterson. Here’s how New York Times columnist David Brooks describes him: In his videos, he analyzes classic and biblical texts, he eviscerates identity politics and political correctness and, most important, he delivers stern fatherly lectures to young men on how to be honorable, upright and self-disciplined — how to grow up and take responsibility for their own lives. Despite his success, Peterson is an increasingly polarizing figure. He hates Marxism (and is unafraid to suggest his political opponents are acting in ways consistent with this ideology) and has rankled a number of feminists because of his statements about gender. However, these attitudes aren’t likely the source of his broad appeal, says Wyatt Graham, the executive director of the Gospel Coalition Canada, who has written about Peterson’s work. "I think [most people] see him as essentially, get up with your shoulders straight, be responsible, don't be that 30-year-old whose parents are trying to evict him right now on CNN, and be responsible for your life,” said Graham. “A lot of young people, a lot of young men in particular, love that part of his message.” Graham joined associate digital media producer Morgan Lee and editor in chief Mark Galli to discuss what makes Peterson different from other self-help gurus, what to make of his more controversial convictions, and how Christians should view his what types of theological concerns believers should have about his messages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you in part by The Apologetics Guy Show, the podcast that helps you find clear answers to tough questions about Christianity.
0:11.0	Learn to explain your faith with courage and compassion.
0:14.5	Join Moody Bible Institute professor Dr. Mikhail del Rosario at Apologeticsky.com.
0:28.8	Music Michael Del Rosario at Apologeticsguy.com. You're listening to Quick to Listen. Each week we go beyond hashtags and hot takes discuss a major cultural event.
0:35.4	I'm Morgan Lee, an associate digital media producer here at Christianity
0:38.8	today, and I'm joined by our editor-in-chief, Mark Alley. And I'm going to reverse things and say,
0:44.7	I'm not having a precious moment. I'm having a precious week because I love this warm weather.
0:49.5	It was in the mid-90s yesterday. It was just awesome. And the day before and the day before.
0:53.7	And the day before. Exactly. I have also had a great week because of the weather.
0:58.6	And I also think it's like amazing mark because it completely coincided with like our holiday
1:04.7	weekend. And that was even more remarkable. There you go. We'd have to be in the office. So speaking
1:09.4	of people who didn't get a holiday weekend, that would be our guest today. Exactly. Who is our guest? His name is Wyatt Graham,
1:15.2	and he is the executive director of the Gospel Coalition Canada. Hey, Wyatt. Thanks for having me.
1:21.3	Are you jealous of us for not getting a vacation day? Um, I think we have other vacations
1:26.4	that we can make up for so
1:27.7	I wonder who has more federal holidays, Canadians or Americans?
1:32.5	I would guess Canada, but to be honest, I have no idea.
1:35.4	I don't have any idea, too.
1:36.4	I know that Americans are, like, bad at taking holidays or taking vacation time in general, though.
1:41.0	One of my favorite Canadian holidays, I don't know if it's a holiday or it's just a day. Boxing Day is it?
1:45.7	Oh, yeah. That's kind of like your Black Friday, but less intense. Okay. It's the day after Christmas.
1:51.8	Right, right. Why is it called that? I think you gave gifts traditionally on Boxing Day, not Christmas. So you might box up the gifts and give them away.
	...

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