Over the last 10 years, psychologist, author, and online influencer Jordan Peterson has won renown and sparked controversy.

His Roman candle ascent to fame began in 2016 when he posted the three-video series, “Professor Against Political Correctness,” followed by his book, “12 Rules for Life,” which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. Peterson’s rules include directives like, “Stand up straight with your shoulders back” and “Tell the truth—or, at least, don’t lie,” each accompanied by a fetching mix of psychology, philosophy, common sense, and anecdotes.

Particularly gratifying, for those of us concerned about young people, was the army of young males attracted to Peterson, his book, his podcasts, and lectures. He sold out entire arenas addressing the young on such topics as taking responsibility for their lives, practicing personal discipline, and overcoming fear. His messages proved a powerful tonic in an age where old-fashioned masculinity is considered toxic.

Knowing that I was a Jordan Peterson admirer, my oldest son gifted me a copy of his latest book, “We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine,” 576 pages in which the author leads readers through the Old Testament, retelling and analyzing some of the stories found there, demonstrating why these are significant not only in our wrestling bouts with God but with the battles we fight with ourselves.

Eager to begin, I read the preface, “Foreshadowing: The Still, Small Voice,” and the first six pages of Chapter 1, which begins with Peterson’s thoughts on the book of Genesis.

And there I stopped. The bit of paper serving as a bookmark has sat in place for nearly 100 days now.

In part, I stopped because the thought occurred that rather than reading Peterson’s tome, my time might be better spent reading the Bible, which I don’t visit often enough. Moreover, I found myself wrestling more with Jordan Peterson than with God. I stopped wrestling with the Almighty long ago. I wrestle daily with keeping His precepts and commandments, but not with my faith in His existence nor in the wisdom of those injunctions found in both the Old and New Testaments.

The 63-year-old Peterson, however, is apparently still grappling with God.

Larry Taunton gives us some insights into that ongoing duel in his article, “What Went Wrong in ‘Jordan Peterson vs. 20 Atheists.’”

Originally called “1 Christian vs. 20 Atheists,” the sponsors quickly dropped that title of the video of his debate with the 20 atheists, most of them young, when Peterson would neither affirm nor deny he was a Christian. Surrounded by these non-believers, Peterson took them on one at a time, attempting to refute their ideas, yet as Taunton relates Peterson too many times offered them jumbled answers to their questions. Here is one moment from that debate:

“In two separate heartbreaking exchanges, Zina takes Peterson to Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection, and whether belief in him is necessary for salvation. This is where Peterson ought to be taking her, indeed, all of them. But, no, it’s the atheist who goes to the heart of the issue. Zina wants to know what she must do to be saved:

‘So, can we repeat once again what you believe makes someone Christian?’

Peterson: ‘There’s many things, but one of the most fundamental is that you believe that the cosmos itself is founded on the principle of voluntary self-sacrifice, best founded — let me offer you a contrary example. So, I could assume that power rules, and so that my assumption would be if I can make you do it, I win …’

After citing several other similar incidents during this dialogue, Taunton then writes: “When he senses danger, he can always say that your question is unclear, it’s none of your business, or you misunderstood him. As Greg, thoughtful and respectful, told Peterson in just such a moment: ‘I just feel like you kind of retreat into this semantic fog.’”

Regarding Scripture, Peterson knows more than many Christians, including me. Yet to appear as some sort of defender of the faith while unwilling to firmly declare his religious beliefs before a group of mostly 20-something atheists, some of whom may be looking to escape their unbelief, damages all the good that Peterson might convey.

Has Peterson contributed ideas worthy of consideration and practice to a world burdened with cynicism, despair and sorrow? Absolutely. Did his tussle with 20 atheists enhance those ideas and practices? Absolutely not.

With all those books sold along with his other enterprises, which includes charging $200,000 or more in speaking fees, Peterson doesn’t need to participate in stunts like this one. He is a red flag warning that pride, that deadliest of sins, goes before a fall.

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The republication of this article is made possible by The Fred & Rheta Skelton Center for Cultural Renewal. 

Image Credit: YouTube