Chaos, Order, and Maps
Trying to read this week’s expansive book, grasping the concepts and topics, and then bringing life application to it all-was a week of chaos. Writing this blog attempts to bring order to it. Order and chaos is the tension of this week’s text: In Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, Jordan Peterson introduces a concept of how humans create meaning. he guides readers to understanding the meaning-making process; he analyzes myths through a scientific understanding of how the human brain works. He teaches that a person’s purpose is the pursuit of meaning. The human purpose…is to pursue meaning—to extend the domain of light, of consciousness—despite limitation.[1] Looking through Peterson’s lens, one can deduce his worldview- the world is Interpreted Through meaning, not just facts. He asserts that humans don’t live in an objective world of facts alone but, contrarily, inhabit a world of meaning. He argues that meaning—rather than objective truth alone—is the fundamental lens through which we navigate life.
While researching some supplemental material to Peterson’s book, I found an English psychologist who summed up the book. He states that Peterson’s work is a reminder that how we make sense of the world is just as important as what we know. The primary “map” that Jordan Peterson utilizes is that of Mother, Father, and Son as mythological representations of the world. The Mother is the Unknown. The Father is the Knower. The Son is the Known Hero. Peterson depicts the ‘Great Father’ as the security of the heroic past which is motivated by the fear of the unknown; the ‘Great Mother’ as the regenerative ability to change and adapt to what is needed though it means to face the fear of the unknown; and the ‘son of God,’ which is the eternal adversary who “shrinks from everything he does not understand.”[2] It was here that I began to relate to Joseph Campbell’s, A Hero with a Thousand Faces. He maps the stages of life through departure, initiation, and return, with each stage requiring a new way of understanding, paving the way towards destiny. “Destiny has summoned the hero and transferred his spiritual center of gravity from his pale of his society to a zone unknown.”[3] Campbell also suggests the notion of supernatural aid for those who accept life’s call. As Campbell suggests supernatural aid and Peterson speaks of Mother, Father, and Son, what resonated within me was Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Peterson presents the narrative archetype found in mythologies across cultures, arguing that these archetypes are a reflection of \ the universal human experience of confronting chaos and facing challenges. He also boldly creates a spiritual map in drawing narratives from biblical texts and Christian religion. When I think about making maps in life. My Christian life is defined and aligned with scripture as my map for daily living. Here, faith, prayer, worship, commandments, precepts, and principles are all rooted in scripture and ground me in my walk with God and my journey in life. Peterson is proficient in utilizing the Bible as a reference and a resource; he lists allegories and archetypes, symbols and narratives throughout in his map making claim. While he does this as a path for humans and daily life, he does not seem to reach the final destination of defining it as an essential and ultimate foundational guide. He references Christ as a symbolism: “Christ is symbolically the way”[4] to the symbolic Father. Christ is more than metaphorical, more than symbolic. He is my center, and the Author and Finisher of my faith. He is not a symbol, but a risen Savior.
Peterson also uncovers a familiar theme we have spoken about as a cohort this year: identity. He talks about identity groups, writing, “People need their group identification, because that identification protects them, literally, from the terrible forces of the unknown. It is for this reason that every individual who is not decadent will strive to protect his territory, actual and psychological.”[5]
Yascha Mounk speaks to group identity in his book The Identity Trap, A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time. Mounk challenges the the idea that group identity or “identity synthesis” – is necessary in creating equal opportunity to produce a life of fulfillment. He mentions while it originates with good intentions, unexpected difficulties are later created. When speaking of Identity synthesis he states in its own way, it too makes it harder for people to broaden their allegiances beyond a particular identity in a way that can sustain stability…[6]
I believe identity is critical in map making. Knowing who you are is a good grounding, and sometimes, group identity can be a hindrance in finding your own predestined divine path. Peterson emphasizes that true identity is not found in conformity or comfort but in voluntarily taking on responsibility, confronting the unknown, and striving to bring order out of chaos. Identifying it as both a a moral and psychological project—it is shaped by our choices, our willingness to grow, and our pursuit of meaning in the face of suffering.
After this week’s blog post, I can tell people I have found my identity! (Laughing/ Just Kidding)
[1] Jordan B. Peterson, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, New York: Routledge, 1999, 468.
[2] Peterson, 330.
[3] Joseph Campbell, The Hero With A Thousand Faces 3rd ed. (Novato: New World Library, 2008), 48
[4] Jordan Peterson’s Compilation: “The Death and Resurrection of Christ: A Commentary in Five Parts”. Youtube: “The Psychological Significance of the Biblical Stories” – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL22J3VaeABQD_IZs7y60I3lUrrFTzkpat.
[5] Peretson, 460.
[6] Yascha Mounk, The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time (New York NY: Penguin Press, 2023), 148.
About the Author
Daren Jaime
15 responses to “Chaos, Order, and Maps”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Daren,
Thanks for the post. I enjoy reading everyone else’s takeaways from these more difficult readings. At the end of your post you said “I believe identity is critical in map making. Knowing who you are is a good grounding, and sometimes, group identity can be a hindrance in finding your own predestined divine path.” I have seen this play out at the family level, for example where students feels they must pursue a major in college because their mom and dad were teachers, their grandparents were teachers, etc. I am wondering how you may have seen this play out in your church or community. Where have you seen group identity as a hindrance?
Jeff, thank you. This is my point exactly. I have seen people enter into ministry and pursue ministry in the church or select areas to serve based on family or friends. When you are not authentically called by God and pursue ministry, it leads to unfulfillment. One person i know well has left the faith altogether, citing not being able to live up to family expectations as the reason. If he had only felt comfortable enough to pursue the purpose God placed in his heart as opposed to people’s plans, what would that outcome have been like?
Hi Daren, In your conclusion it almost sounds as though you are saying that each human needs to take his/her own hero’s journey. I am wondering if that is akin to crossing a threshold from youth to adulthood. surely from a Christian perspective it would be becoming as adult Christian who recognizes the need to continue to always grow. Did I extrapolate something that was far off from your intent?
Hey Diane, I have a clearer interpretation of my response to Jeff. I believe that you find your own path by allowing God to guide you. Often, we hinder our personal journey by trying to meet the expectations of various group identities. This can have negative consequences, as group assimilation can lead to detrimental effects. The situation becomes even more complex when individuals attempt to distance themselves from a specific group identity; they often face criticism and isolation as a result.
Hi Daren, Thanks for your great post, it looks like your wrestling paid off. Considering different archetypes and frameworks that have been developed to make sense of order and chaos, how do you see God working in alternate frameworks? Or another way, can God be (partially) revealed in any way those stories?
Daren,
I’ll jump into this discussion here as my question was along the same lines. You mentioned that Jesus is not a symbol but a risen savior. Is there a time or a way in which Jesus might be symbolized?
Hey Julie, I hope I am answering your question in this.
From a Christian perspective, I see God actively present in alternate frameworks as the One who brings redemptive clarity within chaos- redefining human systems of order as needed. While not all frameworks explicitly name God, many do point toward universal longings for meaning, justice, and transcendence—which I feel are echoes of divine design. Also, understanding the sovereignty of God is diverse and not limited to one particular structure; rather, he maps out many cultural narratives in leading people towards purpose and destiny.
Hi Daren, thank you for your post.
In your opinion, how does group identity, as described by both Peterson and Mounk, support or hinder the discovery of one’s unique divine path?
Hey Shela, On one hand, it can provide a needed framework offering language, belonging, and purpose, this can be of helpful support of someone on their map making journey toward their divine path. However when group identity becomes totalizing, like I mentioned in earlier replies it runs the risk of suppressing individuality. I believe group identity should be a starting point, not a destination.
Daren. I love your comment on conformity and comfort. As I read your post, I am left wondering how these good things are grasped as a way to bring order when in fact they also contribute to the chaos (group think, echo chamber thinking, frontal cortex survival mechanism).
What are your internal questions that help guide to a healthier identity when chaos masks as order?
Hey Joel. Thank you for that thoughtful reflection. One internal question I often return to is: Am I seeking truth, or merely affirmation? This helps me discern whether I’m anchored in conviction or drifting in conformity. I also ask, Is this stability rooted in God’s peace or my fear of change?—which challenges comfort-driven choices masquerading as wisdom.
I also reflect on whose voice am I privileging right now culture’s, community’s, or God’s? These questions help me stay attuned to when chaos disguises itself as order pushing me toward a better identity grounded not in survival or sameness, but rather Spirit-led discernment.
Hi Daren, I echo Joel’s comment—I also loved your insight on conformity and comfort. It really resonated. I’m curious, has this doctoral journey given you more courage to step into the unknown? And has any particular narrative or theme emerged for you along the way?
Hey Elysse, Thank you for this reflective question which made me say YES upon reading. (laughing) This doctoral journey has definitely stirred both fear and courage in me. At times, I’ve feared losing my footing stepping away from what’s familiar in order to wrestle with uncomfortable truths. Yet in that tension, I’ve also found a growing confidence not in having all the answers, but in knowing that faith can hold space for doubt, complexity, and growth. A recurring theme for me in this journey has been courageous disruption—the idea that God sometimes unsettles our comfort to invite us into deeper clarity and purpose. So yes, I’m learning to step into the unknown with trembling faith and growing doctoral boldness.
Hi, Daren, thank you for your discussion on chaos, order and mapping and how you related to Campbell’s Hero’s with thousands faces. What would be your suggestion to a leader to make sure that his/her ‘group identity’ does not affect his/her predestined path? Thank you, Daren!
Noel thank you for yoru question. I believe a leader should regularly engage in self-examination and spiritual discernment asking tough questions; A couple that rise to the top for me: Is my allegiance to this group shaping my calling, or is my calling shaping how I lead this group?
Group identity indeed offers belonging, but when left unchecked, it can subtly and unconsciously override divine purpose. I’d also encourage leaders to work intently on creating relationships outside of their primary group. Entering into these unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable spaces can challenge, stretch, and refine them.