Does it matter whether Jordan Peterson is a Christian or not? He recently had discord with a group of young, liberal atheists, and they sought to find fault with Peterson's ambiguity. It seems to me that he is an agnostic with Christian leanings. I thought Peterson made some very insightful points. Would you, if you are Christian, stake your life on God and His existence? If the answer is “no”, you cannot call yourself a Christian. One of the incredible things about religious belief is the fanaticism and willingness to sacrifice yourself for God. How can God exist when you aren't willing to give your life for Him?
Jordan Peterson and Christianity
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The youth, and apparently those in their 30s and 40s, no longer understand nuance. Do they even read?
Is he still relevant?
I feel like he's a Christian who's really squirelly about admitting he's a Christian for some reason.
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@yachilviveyachali
As a teenager, Peterson decided that "religion was for the ignorant, weak and superstitious" and hoped for a left-wing revolution, a hope that lasted until he met left-wing activists in college.
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@Swagnarok
Is he still relevant?
It seems he is. Why would youths wish to debate him if he were no longer relevant?
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@FLRW
I like your response. Peterson is an intellectual who, after seeing progressivism interfere with his profession and poison the people, likely now views Christianity in a favorable light. I would imagine he is more Christian than not. However, he cannot be called a Christian when he remains unsure and is not willing to stake his life on God. This makes Peterson an agnostic.
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@Castin
I feel like he's a Christian who's really squirelly about admitting he's a Christian for some reason.
He would tell us if he were Christian. He is not a Christian, and is therefore not willing to call himself one.
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@yachilviveyachali
No, you seem to confuse one concept for another. You say a Christian not willing to sacrifice life for God is not Christian. Your implication is a willingnessto give up life for God. That's a bit whacko, because it is God's preference that we give to him the purpose of our lives, not that we give up life, itself. Any fool can desire to off himself. but of what use is a dead body to God? None whatsoever. You simply misuse the term, "sacrifice," because in God's meaning, it is not a desire to end one's life for anybody, but to live for God's purpose and not our own. That is a survivable sacrifice, which is productive for God. This is what comes of cherry-picking single biblical verses instead of including those surrounding the target verse which give context to the single verse chosen to represent a proper idea. Context is king, not just content, and we do not derive context only from a targeted verse. That's why I insist we read cover-to-cover, and not a verse here, a verse there...
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@yachilviveyachali
I feel like he's a Christian who's really squirelly about admitting he's a Christian for some reason.He would tell us if he were Christian. He is not a Christian, and is therefore not willing to call himself one.
He should be identified however he identifies himself, but speaking only in terms of impressions, he is a zealous defender of Christian values and seems like one in all but name.
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@Castin
How is Peterson zealous?
You would be a fool not to be a defender of Christian values. Richard Dawkins calls himself a “cultural Christian”, further commenting that “Christianity is a fundamentally decent religion.” Does this mean he is a Christian?
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@fauxlaw
We must remember that Christ died on the cross. Selflessness and sacrifice is the most fundamental message. What did Jesus come for if not to teach us this?
His disciples and the early Christian martyrs, including Paul, died for Christ. When one asks you to renounce Christ or forsake your life, you must forsake your life. How can you believe in Christ when you would rather renounce his name than forsake your life?
Peterson said he would not stake his life on the existence of God. This means he is not certain God is real, which suggests to me, he is not a Christian. A lack of certainty is called agnosticism, which the likes of Peterson were not formerly criticized for. Agnosticism used to be a good and normal thing. I am sure most of the good intellectuals are unsure, making them agnostic.
Unfortunately now, we live in an age of inane tribalism and “taking a side.” Those in their teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s are arrogant and they no longer read or think about matters. We have become stupid. Peterson's problem is that he isn't stupid.
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@yachilviveyachali
That niggas a phony. Sound like a squeaky balloon slowly lettin air out, straight up retarded. What kind a phony-ass nigga gets asked 'do you believe in God' and starts ooohh WeLL HWAT do you mean by (deep voice all the sudden) "DO YOU" *bunch of honky bullshit" HWAT do you mean by (more squeeky then normal) beleeeve? *more honky bullshit* (real mad and kinda crazy for no reason) HWAT do YOU MEAN by *airquotes* 'GAWD'.
Nigga SHUT THE FUCK UP that was a YES or NO questions. I swear y'all crackas gunna drive me crazy.
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@yachilviveyachali
"Does it matter whether Jordan Peterson is a Christian or not?" - yachilviveyachali #1
To me, not especially.
But what people 'perceive someone as, does tend to color their reactions maybe.
Perceptions of their motivations.
It depends, I vary in what I value.
. . . Take hunger as an example, some people get hangry, 'usually they would react X way, but when hungry act Y way.
Some days and moments I feel more brave or cowardly, more caring or less caring.
Maybe people not usually willing to enter the military, maybe even think they would not if America was attacked in a terror attack,
But theoretical don't always match reality experienced,
'Reading of an event, doesn't always hit as when 'there experiencing with all of one's senses.
The Bible, I 'think, is full of Christians who doubt, question, stray.
Gideon and the Fleece,
Peter denying knowing Jesus three times,
Jonah fleeing from where God instructed him to go.
Course such isn't the 'ideal, and maybe they are not 'being Christian in those moments.
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@Lashwnda
“What do you mean by believe?” is a pertinent question when asked to children.
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@Lemming
Saint Peter realized his mistake, and he repented. He later died for Christ.
I am sure some Christians have doubts. Is this the same as believing in Christ some days and not other days? I don't think it is. It could be that they are frustrations, and not doubts. They could be scared, miserable, and unhappy with God. Being unhappy with God is different from doubting the existence of God.
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@yachilviveyachali
I don't think Christians quite existed in the Old Testament,
But one moment you're believing in God,
Then as soon as his prophet goes up a mountain, leaving you alone a moment, you're worshipping a golden calf.
I get your point though,
Though their depths of faith and actions faltered, arguably they still believed in the existence of God.
But you 'did have that earlier question,
I'm not sure, but surely there are examples of people who 'believe in God, yet are not willing/able to give their lives?
"Would you, if you are Christian, stake your life on God and His existence? If the answer is “no”, you cannot call yourself a Christian." - yachilviveyachali #1
People are also often fallible.
With so many examples in the Bible, of devout believers who have some error or another in their estimation of God, might give people pause in giving their lives up.
Jobs friends criticized him with many 'theories of why he was suffering.
Jesus criticized many practices by the Pharisees.
When Josiah heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.
I don't think faith, devotion, sacrifice, a following through of ones beliefs is 'wrong.
But it can also lead to massacres and 'supposed witch burnings.