I first heard Camille Paglia in a conversation between her and Jordan Peterson. At first, I did not register too much interest. She seemed intelligent and engaging. Later, I saw that historian Carl Trueman interviewed Paglia. This caught my attention. I respect Trueman. So if he found it worthwhile to interview Paglia, I should at least take a deeper look.
Jordan Peterson
Four Reasons Why Jordan Peterson Is So Popular
Jordan Peterson seems to be everywhere. From the Joe Rogan Experience to Channel 4 News, Peterson makes an appearance. And according to David Brooks, Peterson could be “the most influential public intellectual in the Western world.” So what makes him so influential or popular? Here are four reasons. [Read more…] about Four Reasons Why Jordan Peterson Is So Popular
Four People You Should Listen to instead of Jordan Peterson
Jordan Peterson’s popularity is on the rise. His new book, 12 Rules for Life, tops the charts on Amazon. And he is appearing on numerous platforms, physical or digital. He also influences Christians. But should Christian listen to Peterson? I’ve given my answer in a previous article. But to sum it up, Christians should listen to Peterson critically because his message sometimes agrees and other times disagrees with the Christian faith.
Peterson is so interesting because he astutely understands the culture in which we live. And he (sometimes) speaks truth into it. But others, who might be less well-known than Peterson, are doing the same thing. Here are four people who you should listen to instead of (or along with) Peterson. [Read more…] about Four People You Should Listen to instead of Jordan Peterson
Should Christians Listen to Jordan Peterson?
Jordan Peterson has become wildly popular. His YouTube channel has nearly 40 million views. And he has recently gone on a successful book tour across the Western world with much fanfare.
So why is he so popular? David Brooks argues that prior generations and institutions have failed young men and Peterson is filling the gap. He writes, “Parents, universities and the elders of society have utterly failed to give many young men realistic and demanding practical wisdom on how to live. Peterson has filled the gap.”
And yet: if young men of the world have been failed by prior generations and institutions, would the same be true about young men in the church? While it’s impossible to give a definitive answer, the ever-growing contingent of young, Christian men who are following Peterson anecdotally suggests that the answer is, “Yes.”
In light of this, should Christians listen to Peterson? Is he filling the gap that families and churches have failed to fill (I am not claiming this but merely asking the question)? [Read more…] about Should Christians Listen to Jordan Peterson?
Review of 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
Peterson, Jordan B. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. Toronto: Random House Canada, 2018.
Jordan Peterson’s name seems to be everywhere. Whether it’s the now famous Channel 4 interview or the plethora of online videos and interviews, he’s a hit with people, particularly young men. He also influences people—in some case changing people’s lives. To some, he’s a messenger of salvation, giving hope to the hopeless.
His influence doesn’t seem to be waning. According to David Brooks, Jordan Peterson might be “the most influential public intellectual in the Western world.” And his book, 12 Rules for Life, is selling like free candy given to children. It tops the best-seller lists of Amazon (at this moment, it’s #1 for Amazon USA and Canada and #3 for Amazon UK).
So, what’s my verdict of 12 Rules for Life? In short, it’s a good book but not a perfect book. So, read it, learn from it, but criticize it. And I suspect Peterson would be okay with this judgment. In fact, I would wager that he would encourage such a reception of his book. [Read more…] about Review of 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson