“You Said This” — John Rich Challenges Jordan Peterson on Christ

Quick Overview

Dr. Jordan Peterson expressed that believing fully in Christ is terrifying because it demands submitting to a reality that requires a catastrophic adventure involving being cut and burned by divine scrutiny, though the alternative—eternal terror after rejecting the truth—is ultimately the greater fear.

Key Points: Dr. Peterson initially described Christ as the union of the historical person and the myth, stating he was amazed by his own belief, which he felt was too terrifying a reality to fully embrace. The interviewer countered that if Jesus is who the Bible says He is (creator, controls heaven and hell), one should run to Him because He loves the creation and the alternative is eternal separation. Peterson explained his terror stems from the necessary subjugation involved, drawing parallels to Abraham's catastrophic adventure called out by God, which involves encountering famine, war, and the necessity to offer up his son. The process of true belief involves a "holy terror" where God cuts and burns away everything unworthy, symbolized by the flaming sword barring the way back to the eternal garden, though this process adds back multiples of what is removed. The ultimate terror is rejecting the truth during one's short life span, only to face eternal terror when one stands before Him and hears, "Depart from me. I never knew you." Peterson confirmed that he already turned his life over to Christ a long time ago, stating that belief is a way of living, not just a set of statements. The interviewer stressed that the alternative to opening the door when Christ knocks is being turned over to one's desires forever, warning, "He won't knock forever."

Context: The transcript captures a dialogue between an interviewer and Dr. Jordan Peterson regarding the nature of belief in Christ, specifically focusing on Peterson's past description of this belief as terrifying. Peterson elaborates on this terror by connecting it to biblical narratives like Abraham's life and the expulsion from Eden, framing it as a necessary, though frightening, engagement with ultimate reality and morality.