Tag Archives: belief

“I am amazed at my own belief, and I don’t Understand it …” Jordan B. Peterson

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As we approach the Easter season, many of us take time to reflect on the person of Christ and the reality of who he is and what he has done. One of my favorite movies this time of year is Risen. A historical fiction following a Roman Tribune who Pilot charges with investigating the rumors of the resurrected Nazarene and to quell any insurrection that may be brewing. In his investigation, his eyes come to be opened. In this film, there are two quotes from Clavius (the Roman Tribune) that strike me. The first is Clavius struggling with what is before him. “I have seen two things which cannot reconcile: A man dead without question, and that same man alive again. I pursue Him, the Nazarene, to ferret the truth.” The second is Clavius trying to come to terms with what he has found. When asked, “What frightens you?” Clavius responds, “Being wrong. Wagering eternity on it.”

This is, of course, a fictional account, but it gives insight into the mind of those struggling with this truth. Now we turn to the real world. In his podcast discussion with Jonathan Pageau, who himself is involved in the Orthodox Christian tradition, Jordan Peterson seems to find himself in a similar struggle to Clavius. For those unfamiliar with Peterson, he is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, well known for his conservative views on political and sociological issues. While not a professing Christian, he has built much of his worldview on morality built on a Judeo-Christian ethic. The theme here is not about his sociological or political views. Rather it is the content of the struggle within him that reflects the same issues seen in Clavius. Here we see the heart of a man who seems to be on the precipice of truly believing. It is moving and compelling, and I pray for God to continue working in Peterson’s heart.

Now Peterson is not special because of his education or his high profile. He is simply a man coming to terms with an incomprehensible truth, what Paul called “foolishness to the greeks.”

“Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.” 1 Corinthians 1:20- 25

Peterson, in his podcast makes the following stements:

When speaking of Christ as the embodiment of “myth” and “Reality,” he says, “The problem is, is I probably believe that but I don’t know … , I don’t … , I’m amazed at my own belief, and I probably don’t understand it.”

He continues with, “Sometimes the objective world and the narrative world touch, … and I’ve seen that many times in my own life. And so, in some sense, I believe it’s undeniable.”

Continuing, he says that ” the ultimate example of that in principle is supposed to be Christ.”

Then he makes the statement that shows the true struggle he is facing. He says, “but I don’t know what to … , that seems to me to be oddly plausible. But I still don’t know what to make of it. It’s too …, partly because it’s too terrifying a reality to fully believe. I don’t even know what would happen to you if you fully believed it.

You can watch the podcast at the link below. The entire podcast is 1 hour and 45 minutes long, but the relevant portion is found from 21 minutes – 24 minutes and 30 seconds.

This is not unique to him, and it can be found in people from all walks of life. Some of you reading may be in this same struggle. I encourage you to pray to God to open your heart to the truth. I invite you to speak with a pastor of a good Bible-preaching church. Additionally, you can find some links below to websites for good organizations to follow-up with.

For those of you who know Christ, I to ask that you pray for Jordan Peterson and for all who find themselves on this precipice to take the step of faith into believing. Take time to build relationships and even serve as a sounding board to help them work through the truth.

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Desiring God

In Christ Alone

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In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

“In Christ Alone”
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

 

he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:7 – 8

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also,as to one abnormally born.
1 Corinthians 15:3 – 8

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
John 10:28 – 30

 

“I believe in the future of (farming) agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds – achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.”

I learned these words thirty years ago when I joined the Future Farmers of America.  I can still quote them, partially due to my participation in the FFA creed speaking contest. These words were written to summarize what the FFA sought to instill in its members.  The beliefs it was built on.

In the same vein of thought, Getty and Townend present a  creed of the Christian faith with their hymn “In Christ Alone.”  They begin with the words, “In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song; This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.” The very cornerstone of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ himself.  In Acts 4:11 Peters tells the leaders of Israel, “Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’”  

From here we are presented in verses 2 and 3 with a clear summary of the foundation of the Christian faith.  They write that Christ took on flesh, born as a baby, died on the cross, was laid in the grave and rose again. This reflects Philippians 2:8 where we read, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death. Additionally it reflects  1 Corinthians 15:3 – 4 where we read, “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

The beauty of this hymn is found in its simple message.  The declaration that Christ alone is the foundation of our faith.  The birth, death and resurrection of Christ is all that matters.  When we place our faith in the knowledge of who Christ is and what he has done we can rest secure in the knowledge that we are His. In John 10:28 – 30 Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

When we realize this, we can declare in strength and power, “No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand; Till He returns or calls me home— Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

 

Read more about “In Christ Alone.”