12 Rules for Life: A Christian Resection
“Life is suffering. That’s clear. There is no more basic, irrefutable truth. It’s basically what God tells Adam and Eve, immediately before he kicks them out of Paradise”
4 million copies sold. 2.68 million YouTube subscribers. 146,512,213 YouTube video views to date.
New York Times is calling him "The most influential public intellectual in the Western world right now."
This Canadian Psychologist, who has taught mythology to lawyers, doctors, businesspeople, and hired as a consultant by the UN, is being called a modern Nietzsche or Hume. A rational evolutionary apostle for so-called liberal Christianity.
At the end of his introduction in 12 Rules for Life, Dr. Peterson explains his overarching belief of the human quest for meaning.
"the soul of the individual eternally hungers for the heroism of genuine Being, and that the willingness to take on that responsibility is identical to the decision to live a meaningful life. If we each live properly, we will collectively flourish" (p. xxxv).
This week I did a 50ft swan dive into the lectures, writings, interviews, and mind of Dr. Jordan Peterson.
Why? It is simple. People think he is a Christian.
Over the past two months, I have had two work friends ask me if I read Jordan Peterson. I said I had not, which they were shocked by since I am a vocal Christian. They were convinced that this man has finally made Christianity understandable and believable for them.
This is book 18 of 52 in the Tim Challies 2020 reading challenge, and the task was to read a book about theology. I chose 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson in part because he ties almost every rule to some sort of appeal to God or Being, but mostly due to my friends who believe he is a Christian.
He is not.
In an interview with the National Post, Christie Blatchford asked him pointedly, "Are you a Christian? Do you believe in God?"
Dr. Peterson replied, "I think the proper response to that is No, but I'm afraid He might exist."
So why is there any confusion? Peterson self-identifies as not being a Christian.
Consider this excerpt from his 1st of 12 Rules for Life:
"To stand up straight with your shoulders back means building the ark that protects the world from the flood, guiding your people through the desert after they have escaped from tyranny, making your way away from comfortable home and country, and speaking the prophetic word to those who ignore widows and children. It means shouldering the cross that marks the X, the place where you and Being intersect so terribly" (p. 27).
As my preaching professor, Dr. Neely used to say, "that will preach!"
To the average western reader, Christianized by a post-Christian culture, who is looking to make sense out of this world and their pain and suffering, Dr. Peterson's words sound extremely rational, intellectual, and biblically informed.
12 Rules for Life is a well crafted articulate engaging work of literature that identifies true aspects of the human condition. Dr. Peterson states it plainly,
"You've failed to make the mark. You've missed the target. You've fallen short of the glory of God. You've sinned. And all of that is your contribution to the insufficiency and evil of the world" (p. 198).
And yet, if we start small, articulate our goals, realign our focus, understand ourselves, we can change our trajectory and have a meaningful life (according to Dr. Peterson).
"Meaning emerges when impulses are regulated, organized, and unified. Meaning emerges from the interplay between the possibilities of the world and the value structure operating within that world… it will make everything better" (p. 199).
So if I have meaning than my selfish insufficient nature is cured? Dr. Peterson goes further, it is even atoned for.
Dr. Peterson says that when you place making the world better at the top of your values, "its something more like atonement for the criminal fact of your fractured and damaged Being." He goes on, "It's payment of the debt you owe for the insane and horrible miracle of your existence" (p. 200).
If I could boil down Dr. Peterson's argument to its most basic level it is this:
Doing Good will make your Life Good… So do Good.
At his crucible, we find just another voice perpetuating moralistic therapeutic deism.
While reading this book, I became overwhelmed with wanting to rewrite every rule of Dr. Peterson's with a Christian response. And so, what follows is a Christian resection of Dr. Peterson's 12 Rules for Life.
WARNING: This is long.
Rule #1: Stand Up Straight With Your Shoulders Back | Resection #1: Kneel Down With Your Head Bent Low
"Thus emboldened, you will embark on the voyage of your life, let your light shine, so to speak, on the heavenly hill, and pursue your rightful destiny" (p. 28).
Dr. Peterson analyzes in this chapter the biology of lobsters and how their brain function is quite similar to humans. Using his evolutionary theoretical position, he argues how we can learn significant principles from how the lobster accelerates and achieves dominance.
The lesson? Fake it till you make it. Put those shoulders back and practice confidence.
"Dare to be dangerous" (p. 28).
But hijacking scripture out of context and appealing to a crustacean's brain chemistry to suit a moralistic therapeutic principle of confidence projection to build self-worth is simple; not Christian.
The only response needed for this is Jesus' words from Luke 18:9-14
"To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Resection #1: Kneel Down With Your Head Bent Low
Rule #2: Treat Yourself Like Someone You Are Trying To Help | Resection #2: Treat Yourself Like Someone Who Desperately Needs Help
Dr. Peterson is arguing that we take better care of others, even our dogs than we do ourselves. So, we need to shift our perspective to taking care of our own lives like we would someone else.
Dr. Peterson allegorizes the story of the garden, referring to it as an exercise of the imagination. About the idea of the serpent, he says "the worst of all snakes is the eternal human proclivity for evil. The worst of all possible snakes is psychological, spiritual, personal, internal" (p. 47).
In his perspective, "Perhaps Heaven is something you must build, and immortality something you must earn" (p. 53).
This is not an orthodox Christian perspective, but how does that tie into his rule for life?
Well, it gets more intriguing.
"If we wish to take care of ourselves properly, we would have to respect ourselves – but we don't, because we are –not least in our own eyes—fallen creatures. If we lived in Truth; if we spoke the Truth—then we could walk with God once again, and respect ourselves, and others, and the world" (p. 58).
According to Dr. Peterson, our problem is perception. We view ourselves as fallen creatures. How do we overcome that? Gain respect for yourself by living your truth.
"Heaven, after all, will not arrive of its own accord. We will have to work to bring it about..." (p. 63).
Genuine believers in Christ see the utter deception and danger of these words.
Dr. Peterson is piercing at humanity's truly greatest problem, separation from the creator God (although he does not mean the same thing by "God"), and he is offering a counter biblical solution for perceived validation.
Self-respect.
Listen to how he concludes this chapter:
"You could help direct the world, on its careening trajectory, a bit more toward Heaven and a bit more away from Hell. Once having understood Hell, researched it, so to speak—particularly your own individual Hell—you could decide against going there or creating that. You could aim elsewhere. You could, in fact, devote your life to this. That would give you a Meaning, with a capital M. That would justify your miserable existence. That would atone for your sinful nature, and replace your shame and self-consciousness with the natural pride and forthright confidence of someone who has learned once again to walk with God in the Garden" (p. 64).
Do not fall into this trap. Simply pursuing morality and doing good does not work.
Romans 3:10-12 "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."
Dr. Peterson accurately recognizes human depravity, even with his evolutionary worldview, but wrongfully assumes a person can overcome their personality by sheer willpower.
Romans 3:23-24 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"
There is only one who can redeem us from our veil of sin. Jesus Christ.
If we think we can pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, we won't see that we are in desperate need of help, and are completely unable to help ourselves.
Resection #2: Treat Yourself Like Someone Who Desperately Needs Help
Rule #3: Make Friends With People Who Want The Best For You | Resection #3: Make Friends With God Who Is The Best For You
Making good friends is good advice. Scripture discusses at length the importance of the good company.
However, we have grown into a culture that seeks primarily connections, networking, and relationships to exploit our agendas. And while having friends that want the best from you is good, sometimes God is going to call you to people who want to suck the life out of you.
Why? Because it's not about you.
Consider Dr. Peterson's answer to the natural Christian objection:
"But Christ himself, you might object, befriended tax-collectors and prostitutes… But Christ was the archetypal perfect man. And you're you. How do you know that your attempts to pull someone up won't instead bring them—or you—further down?" (p. 78).
The center of Dr. Peterson's focus is the ultimate good and benefit of the individual.
The center of Christianity's focus is the ultimate good and glory of God.
When Jesus said, "Come, follow me", he meant it.
Resection #3: Make Friends With God Who Is The Best For You
Rule #4: Compare Yourself To Who You Were Yesterday, Not To Who Someone Else Is Today | Resection #4: Compare Yourself To No One Other Than God
"You ask for something better. You sacrifice your pettiness, repent of your envy, and open your heart. Instead of cursing the darkness, you let in a little light. You decide to aim for a better life—instead of a better office" (p. 106).
Dr. Peterson points to the Sermon on the Mount as a pinnacle for self-evaluation. If you focus on living a good life you will receive more than a better job, lawn, or house.
While good advice, Peterson skips over two of the scariest sections of scripture as he handles the sermon on the mount.
Matthew 5:48 "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Perfect! How can I possibly be perfect? To enter the Kingdom of Heaven requires the righteousness of God!
And in case you think you can fake it…
Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
When we compare ourselves to God, we see our imperfection and our need for the perfect savior!
Resection #4: Compare Yourself To No One Other Than God
Rule #5: Do Not Let Your Children Do Anything That Makes You Dislike Them |Resection #5: Do Not Let Your Children Grow Up Without The Word Of God
To be fair, my notes at the end of this chapter were, "I genuinely want to parent better after having read this."
This chapter offers an interesting perspective on parenting and argues for the absolute need for discipline, which is defensible with scripture.
My resection agrees with Dr. Peterson in the sense that Christian parents should desire their children to know, believe, and act out God's word. And if the parent is a genuine Christian, these things will naturally cause them to like their children.
But our children are going to sin. Therefore, they will do things that we dislike. While we instill discipline, we also should actively communicate grace. "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise" – Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Resection #5: Do Not Let Your Children Grow Up Without The Word Of God
Rule #6: Set Your House In Perfect Order Before You Criticize the World | Resection #6: Set Your Hope In The Perfect One And Seek To Save The World
"Perhaps you will then see that if all people did this, in their own lives, the world might stop being an evil place" (p. 159)
Dr. Peterson assumes that an orderly home will provide stability and confidence. And in some regard, he is correct.
However, even a house set in order can quickly become corrupt.
Luke 11:24-25 "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first."
The Christian's hope is rooted in the stability of their home, but the certainty of the promises of God. Specifically, Jesus is coming back again. And we are given this time as an act of grace to proclaim this good news until he comes.
Resection #6: Set Your Hope In The Perfect One And Seek To Save The World
Rule #7: Pursue What Is Meaningful (Not What Is Expedient) | Resection #7: Pursue What Is Eternal (Not What Is Enticing)
"Life is suffering. That's clear. There is no more basic, irrefutable truth. It's basically what God tells Adam and Eve, immediately before he kicks them out of Paradise" (p. 161).
When arguing for a better existence, Dr. Peterson argues simply, "The successful sacrifice" (p. 169).
"The God of the Western tradition, like so many gods, requires sacrifice." (p. 169).
True. God does require sacrifice. But no longer from us.
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Pursuing what is meaningful is only found in the eternal God, who sent his Son to be a sacrifice for us.
Dr. Peterson is accurate, that we "sacrifice the pleasures of today for the sake of a better tomorrow" (p.174).
But the better tomorrow that we look forward to is not about a better job, a bigger house, stable community, awesome retirement, or even personal meaning and satisfaction.
The better tomorrow is being with Jesus Christ in eternity.
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Resection #7: Pursue What Is Eternal (Not What Is Enticing)
Rule #8: Tell The Truth—Or, At Least, Don't Lie | Resection #8: Believe The Truth—Speak The Truth
This chapter is quite full of agreeable statements. One of which is Dr. Peterson's observation that "all people serve their ambition. In that matter, there are no atheists. There are only people who know, and don't know, what God they serve" (p. 225).
This is an excellent point. Dr. Peterson uses it to argue for telling the truth. Mainly, because a lie will always be found out and cause more damage than the perceived immediate benefit, even if it doesn't come about for years.
But to not lie, you have to know the truth! As he mentions, sins of omission can be just as detrimental as sins of commission.
Therefore, you must not only speak the truth, but you must believe the truth.
If I believe a lie as being true, then everything I speak that I perceive as truth is a lie.
Romans 1:24-25 "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever!"
And make no mistake. Dr. Peterson is believing a lie about salvation.
"What saves is the willingness to learn from what you don't know" (p. 218).
The belief knowledge as salvation is not new or revolutionary, it has plagued man for millennia.
But you cannot believe this idea of truth and believe the Bible's Truth.
John 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek"
Resection #8: Believe The Truth—Speak The Truth
Rule #9: Assume That The Person You Are Listening To Might Know Something You Don't | Resection #9: Be Quick To Hear, Slow To Speak, And Slow To Become Angry
Dr. Peterson argues in this chapter that we have lost our ability to listen. And if we are honest, he is probably right.
Humility is a rare quality and not often praised in our society. But Dr. Peterson does not approach this topic as it is beneficial for others. He argues that it is in your self-interest to listen.
But the Christian does not need to be motivated by self-interest to be a humble listener.
James 1:19-20 "let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
Tempering our anger and practicing humility is displaying a heart that cares more about the righteousness of God than the words, perceptions, or criticisms of others.
Resection #9: Be Quick To Hear, Slow To Speak, And Slow To Become Angry
Rule #10: Be Precise In Your Speech | Resection #10: Be Honest In Your Prayers
"If you shirk the responsibility of confronting the unexpected, even when it appears in manageable doses, reality itself will become unsustainably disorganized and chaotic" (p. 281).
Primarily, this section deals with control.
Control is obtained through specific proper analysis of where you have come and where you currently are. If you can precisely communicate these two aspects, then you can identify where you want to go and control how you get there.
Like every other chapter, this is an attempt to at manifest destiny.
My resection is simply to surrender ultimate control.
Because you don't have it.
Instead, practice praying honestly to God who controls everything.
I believe that what Dr. Peterson hopes to give people with the advice of precise speech is achieved in honest prayers.
Praying honestly allows you to surrender genuine emotion over to the one that is directly in control of your circumstances.
Consider the honest prayer of David in Psalm 25:
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
Praying honestly gives us confidence in the control of God that provides peace and patience in moments of uncertainty.
Resection #10: Be Honest In Your Prayers
Rule #11: Do Not Bother Children While They Are Skateboarding | Resection #11: Send It… With Everything You Got… For The Glory Of God
"Men toughen up by pushing themselves, and by pushing each other" (p. 331).
This chapter is primarily on gender observations, specifically that of men and the need to cultivate healthy masculinity in adolescence.
Skateboarding is dangerous and kids can get seriously hurt. But that sense of adventure and facing the fear of pain is what instills in young boys' resiliency, so don't bother them when they are skateboarding.
This chapter is filled with significantly more insightful cultural observations than skateboarding, but that is the gist. And I quite agree with it in the sense that young men need to cultivate their God-given masculine natures.
That is why I say to Send It! With everything you got, but whatever you are doing, do it for the glory of God.
Be it church, youth group, education, sports, music, arts, a neighborhood lawn mowing business, or whatever you do, absolutely send it! Meaning go for it, jump headfirst! Do you want to try a backflip off a diving board? Kick the tires kid and get after it!
This isn't chauvinist adventurism; it is cultivating a godly sense of maximal effort while instilling total dependence upon God.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Resection #11: Send It… With Everything You Got… For The Glory Of God
Rule #12: Pet A Cat When You Encounter One On The Street | Resection #12: Stop And Stare… You Start To Wonder Why You're Here Not There
"Wish upon a star, and then act properly, in accordance with that aim. Once you are aligned with the heavens, you can concentrate on the day. Be careful. Put the things you can control in order. Repair what is in disorder, and make what is already good better. It is possible that you can manage, if you are careful. People are very tough. People can survive through much pain and loss. But to preserve they must see good in Being. If the lose that, they are truly lost" (p. 351).
The idea is if you see a cat, stop and pet it, those few seconds might just help you realign yourself back in the direction you need to go.
The previous quote sums up Dr. Peterson's 12 Rules for Life. Moral therapeutic deism. If you live your truth than you will find meaning and can navigate through significant pain and suffering. And you just might make this world a better place.
My resection of this point is somewhat similar, and yes, I stole this from One Republic.
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
Sometimes you just need to stop.
Stop.
Stop and stare at your life. Who you are? What do you have? Where did you came from? Where you are going?
For the Christian, this moment of reflection should recall the amazing grace of God in saving you by the blood of Jesus Christ.
For the Christian, stop for a second and consider, where would you be if Jesus hadn't saved you? Stop and consider the miracle of grace. Stop and think, the God of the universe loves you, and sent his Son to die for you.
Stop and say with the apostle Paul, "whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead" (Phil. 3:7-11).
Resection #12: Stop And Stare… You Start To Wonder Why You're Here Not There
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Dr. Peterson's moralistic therapeutic deism falls short of satisfying the burning desire of your soul; to be reconciled to your creator.
This went a touch longer than I anticipated! I hope you have enjoyed this review and resection of Dr. Peterson's 12 Rules For Life. I only recommend this book as a means for studying our culture that is fascinated and embracing Dr. Peterson's perspective.
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