Myth and Meaning in Jordan Peterson: A Christian Perspective

by Ron Dart (Editor), Bruce Riley Ashford (Contribution by), Hunter Baker (Contribution by), Alastair Roberts (Contribution by), Esther O'Reilly (Contribution by)

Overview

Popular philosopher Jordan Peterson has captured the imagination of Western world.

For some, Peterson represents all that is wrong with patriarchal culture; for others, he is the Canadian academic prophet who has come to save civilization from dizzying confusion. Regardless of how one feels about him, his influence in North America—and beyond—is difficult to deny.

While the "Peterson phenomenon" has motivated numerous articles and responses, much of what has been written is either excessively fawning or overly critical. Little has been produced that explores Peterson's thought—especially his immensely popular 12 Rules for Life—within the context of his overall context and scholarly output. How is one to understand the ascendency of Jordan Peterson and why he's become so popular? Does his earlier Maps of Meaning shed light on how one might understand his worldwide bestseller, 12 Rules for Life?

In Myth and Meaning in Jordan Peterson, scholars across various disciplines explore various aspects of Jordan Peterson's thought from a Christian perspective. Both critical and charitable, sober-minded and generous, this collection of ten essays is a key resource for those looking to faithfully engage with Jordan Peterson's thought.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683593621
Publisher:	Lexham Press
Publication date:	03/25/2020
Pages:	248
Sales rank:	639,368
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Ron Dart teaches in the Department of Political Science, Philosophy, and Religious Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He has authored or coauthored thirty-five books that deal with the interface between literature, spirituality, and politics, including The North American High Tory Tradition (American Anglican Press, 2016) and Christianity and Pluralism (Lexham Press, 2019).

Table of Contents

Introduction Ron Dart 1

1 Jordan Peterson and the Chaos of Our Secular Age Bruce Riley Ashford 7

2 Jordan Peterson the Counter-Revolutionary: Marxism, Postmodern Neo-Marxism, and Suffering Hunter Baker 30

3 Language and Freedom: Peterson as Champion of Free Speech (and Freedom from Compelled Speech) Alastair Roberts 48

4 Myth, Memoricide, and Jordan Peterson Ron Dart 70

5 Archetypes, Symbols, and Allegorical Exegesis: Jordan Peterson's Turn to the Bible in Context T. S. Wilson 85

6 Jordan Peterson's Genesis Lectures: Interpreting the Bible between Rationalism and Nihilism Laurence Brown 102

7 The Image of Christ: Jordan Peterson as Humanist Esther O'Reilly 126

8 Professor Peterson, Professor Peterson: What Is Your View on … Science and Religion? Esgrid Sikahall 149

9 A Kierkegaardian Reading of Jordan Peterson Stephen M. Dunning 166

10 Being and Meaning: Jordan Peterson's Antidote to Evil Matthew Steem Joy Steem 187

List of Contributors 205

Subject and Author Index 208

Editorial Reviews

When you are finished with this book, you will not only be more informed about one of the world's leading philosophers but, more importantly, you will be drawn to the ultimate source of wisdom and life: Jesus Christ.
—Daniel Darling, vice president for communications, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention

Jordan Peterson is one of the outstanding thinkers of our generation. He sees clearly that without a return to the Bible, there is no future for the Western nations. But can traditionalist Christians make peace with Peterson’s theology? Ron Dart’s collection of essays by Christian scholars masterfully grapples with the promise and the challenge of Peterson’s thought.
—Yoram Hazony, president of the Herzl Institute, author of The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture and The Virtue of Nationalism

For those interested in a more balanced and reflective interpretation of Jordan Peterson, this is the anthology for you. It avoids the easy extremes of either deifying or demonizing Peterson while also performing the needed task of trying to get clear about his relation to Christianity. This is an important text for those who want to understand Peterson as opposed to merely following him.
—John Vervaeke, lecturer at the University of Toronto in the departments of psychology, cognitive science and Buddhist psychology

What is behind the phenomenon of Jordan Peterson? The essays in this book not only offer sound analysis from a variety of cultural and spiritual angles but also point to areas where Christians could (and should) be making strong gospel connections.
—John Stonestreet, president, Colson Center for Christian Worldview

Jordan Peterson is one of the outstanding thinkers of our generation. He sees clearly that without a return to the Bible, there is no future for the Western nations. But can traditionalist Christians make peace with Peterson’s theology? Ron Dart’s collection of essays by Christian scholars masterfully grapples with the promise and the challenge of Peterson’s thought. —Yoram Hazony, President of the Herzl Institute, author of The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture and The Virtue of Nationalism

For those interested in a more balanced and reflective interpretation of Jordan Peterson, this is the anthology for you. It avoids the easy extremes of either deifying or demonizing Peterson while also performing the needed task of trying to get clear about his relation to Christianity. This is an important text for those who want to understand Peterson as opposed to merely following him. —John Vervaeke, lecturer at the University of Toronto in the departments of psychology, cognitive science and Buddhist psychology

What is behind the phenomenon of Jordan Peterson? The essays in this book not only offer sound analysis from a variety of cultural and spiritual angles but also point to areas where Christians could (and should) be making strong gospel connections. —John Stonestreet, President, Colson Center for Christian Worldview

From the Publisher