**First, I apologize for my tardiness to this discussion. All five members of my family are recovering from round three of the flu. I have either been acting as a nurse or patient over the last couple of weeks, and this week got the best of me. I am happy to be back in touch with the world and am pretty sure there is nothing left out there for us to catch. Please be aware that the following is written as I emerge from the cloud of flu meds.**<\/p>\n
Jordan Peterson, a former psychology professor at the University of Toronto, and a Canadian clinical psychologist has emerged in the last few years with some of the most controversial thoughts and ideas. He gained a large following after several YouTube interviews created polarizing responses between political conservatives and progressives.[1]<\/a> His book, 12 Rules of Life<\/em> is a popular recasting of his academic work, and introduces a controversial conversation on political correctness, calling its readers to what he describes as responsible, purposeful living.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n In contrast to his popular work, Maps of Meaning<\/em> is a dense read. This book begins with a personal narrative that is very helpful in situating Peterson\u2019s own search for meaning.[3]<\/a> His description of disillusionment with the church, along with his more recent struggles of depression and anxiety helps the reader humanize this verbose academic. His story sheds light on his journey through the complexities of life.<\/p>\n Carl Jung had a profound impact on Peterson through his teaching that myths offer cultural patterns that make human life intelligible. For Peterson, myths are not mere stories. They are pillars that shape human existence. He refers to myths as, \u201cthe distilled essence of the stories we tell ourselves about the patterns of our behavior.\u201d According to Peterson, these myths offer a pathway to meaning through three elements: (1) the known, (2) the unknown[4]<\/a>, and (3) the hero, or mediator between the two. One writer says, \u201cPeterson sees himself as a mythical hero, a Prometheus bringing light to humanity.\u201d[5]<\/a><\/p>\n This morning, my oldest son, Evan, shared with me his favorite passage of Scripture, Ecclesiastes 12:13:<\/p>\n Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Evan explained that this passage gave him much hope at the end of reading Ecclesiastes. He said, \u201cAfter a book that makes life seem meaningless, these verses offer meaning and direction for a purposeful life.\u201d[6]<\/a> I thought our conversation was more than coincidental after diving into Peterson\u2019s work as well as the controversy surrounding him. The visceral response of people who are quick to heap hate on another suffering human is astounding. For those who fear God, this seems wholly contrary to his commands, and surely his nature. I admit that it can cause me to wonder at the meaning of it all\u2026<\/p>\n So, I choose to follow Evan\u2019s map of meaning. More than simply myth and story, this meaning is found in the One who knows. After all, Ecclesiastes reminds us that \u201cthis is the heart of the matter: Fear God. Do what he tells you.\u201d[7]<\/a>\u00a0 I pray that Peterson, after all of this, finds the heart of the matter as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ___________________________<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> This interview with Cathy Newman has over 19 million views. Jordan Peterson Debate on the Gender Pay Gap, Campus Protests and Postmodernism<\/em>, n.d., accessed February 16, 2020, https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aMcjxSThD54.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Jordan B. Peterson, Norman Doidge, and Ethan Van Sciver, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos<\/em> (Toronto: Random House Canada, 2018).<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Jordan B. Peterson, Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief<\/em> (New York: Routledge, 1999).<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Peterson\u2019s view of gender is deeply polarizing, especially this idea that the \u201cunknown chaos\u201d is feminine.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Jeet Heer, \u201cJordan Peterson\u2019s Tired Old Myths,\u201d The New Republic<\/em>, May 21, 2018, accessed February 16, 2020, https:\/\/newrepublic.com\/article\/148473\/jordan-petersons-tired-old-myths.<\/p>\n