Unpacking the Sacred: Thoughts on 'We Who Wrestle with God

What happens when a renowned psychologist turns his analytical mind toward ancient biblical stories? Jordan Peterson's ambitious book "We Who Wrestle With God" has sparked fascinating conversations across churches, book clubs, and universities. His fresh psychological perspective on foundational narratives from Genesis, Exodus, and Jonah creates a unique opportunity to revisit Scripture with new eyes.

As we explore Peterson's interpretation of stories like Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Abraham's calling, and Jonah's rebellion, we discover both profound insights and significant theological gaps. Peterson excels at making ancient wisdom feel urgently relevant to modern struggles - finding purpose in chaos, confronting our shadows, and wrestling honestly with the divine. His passion for Scripture is contagious, potentially rekindling curiosity about biblical wisdom in an increasingly secular age.

However, Peterson's framework often views God more as a psychological ideal than the living Creator revealed in Scripture. His emphasis on individual heroism and self-improvement sometimes overshadows the Bible's central themes of grace, redemption through Christ, and covenant community. This creates a fascinating tension for believers navigating his work.

Whether you're a longtime Christian seeking fresh perspectives on familiar stories, a spiritual seeker curious about biblical wisdom, or simply someone who enjoys thoughtful cultural engagement, this episode offers balanced insights on Peterson's contribution to spiritual conversation. Join us as we wrestle together with these profound questions, holding Peterson's psychological lens up against Scripture's redemptive light. The journey of faith includes room for questions, and sometimes our wrestling itself becomes an act of worship.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to Compass Chronicles
• 3:19 Introducing Peterson's "We Who Wrestle With God"
• 4:26 Biblical Stories Through Peterson's Lens
• 6:29 Wrestling with God and Faith
• 10:43 Cultural Impact and Final Recommendations
• 14:33 Invitation and Closing Prayer

Transcript

Speaker 1: 2:14

Welcome to the Compass Chronicles podcast. Where faith meets fandom, life gets real and every step of your journey reveals a deeper purpose. I'm your host, javier, and I'm so glad you're here Around here. We believe that faith isn't just something we tuck into Sunday mornings. It's alive in every corner of our lives. Whether you're navigating the latest fandom obsessions, wrestling with real-world challenges or chasing after a deeper understanding of God's calling, this is the place where it all comes together. Each episode, we dive into stories, ideas and conversations that inspire us to keep moving forward with hearts wide open and a spirit ready to grow. So, whether you're tuning in during your morning commute, unwinding after a long day or just looking for a fresh spark of encouragement, welcome to the journey. Let's navigate faith, fandom and real life together.

Speaker 1: 2:57

Today, we're launching a new series where we will be diving into books that spark faith-filled reflection and might just inspire your next read. We're starting with we who Wrestle With God Perceptions of the Divine by Dr Jordan B Peterson, a bold, thought-provoking book that's got everyone talking, from churches to book clubs. It's a deep dive into the Bible stories, human nature and how we encounter God. For those of us walking with Christ, it's both a treasure and a challenge, and I can't wait to unpack it with you. Peterson, a psychologist and author, loves blending psychology and philosophy to tackle life's big questions. Who are we? What's our purpose? In this book he explores Old Testament stories from the book of Genesis, the book of Exodus and the book of Jonah, focusing on what he calls perceptions of the divine as believers. This is exciting and offers fresh angles on scripture, but it's also tricky, since his ideas don't always align with traditional Christian theology. Today we'll sift through his insights, hold them up to God's word and see what they mean for our faith. This 500 plus page book is packed with ideas, some profound, some puzzling and many that linger. My goal is to guide you through it from a Christian perspective, exploring how it deepens our walk with Jesus and speaks to today's world. Let's start with the book's big idea.

Speaker 1: 4:07

Peterson sees biblical stories like Adam and Eve's fall, cain and Abel's conflict or Moses' journey as timeless narratives that shape how we make sense of life. He says stories help us navigate a complex world. As Christians we get this. The Bible is God's redemptive story, guiding us from creation to eternity. The book of Psalm, chapter 119, verse 105, says your word is a lamp, for my feet, a light on my path.

Speaker 1: 4:30

But Peterson leans on psychology, often framing God as a symbol of our highest ideals, not the living God who acts in history. That's where we start wrestling, not just with God but with His lens. The book unpacks key Old Testament stories, mining them for psychological lessons. Take Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis, chapter 3. He sees their fall as a metaphor for self-awareness and the burden of choice, with the serpent symbolizing chaos. It's a fresh take and it echoes the truth that sin has consequences. The book of Romans, chapter 6, verse 23, puts it clearly, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Yet Peterson skips the redemptive promise in the book of Genesis, chapter 3, verse 15, where God says the woman's offspring will crush the serpent's head, a promise fulfilled in Christ.

Speaker 1: 5:14

Or consider Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis, chapter 4. Peterson frames Cain's murder as resentment and rebellion against goodness, tying it to modern struggles. It's compelling aligning with the book of James, chapter 4, verses 1 to 2. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires, that battle within you? You desire but do not have. So you kill, but he misses God's mercy. In the book of Genesis, chapter 4, verse 15, where Cain is spared, this points to grace, as the book of Titus, chapter 2, verse 11, declares. This pattern repeats. His insights are deep but focus on individual effort, missing the Bible's bigger story of salvation through Christ. The book of John, chapter 1, verse 14, says the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. The Old Testament isn't just lessons, it's a roadmap to Jesus.

Speaker 1: 6:04

Now let's talk about Peterson's view of God, which might stir both awe and unease. He calls God the still small voice of conscience guiding us to purpose, as in his take on Abraham in the book of Genesis, chapter 12. There's truth here. God speaks softly for the book of 1 Kings, chapter 19, verse 12, and gives us a calling, as the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11, says For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. But as God feels like a human ideal, not the holy Creator who demands worship, per the book of Exodus, chapter 20, verse 2. I am the Lord, your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. For believers, this is a gap. The God of Scripture is real, delivering Israel and raising Jesus, as the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 4, affirms.

Speaker 1: 6:48

Peterson's ambiguity is God a being or a myth leaves a spiritual gap. Yet his passion for Scripture is contagious. He dives into stories like Noah's flood in the book of Genesis, chapter 7, or the Tower of Babel in the book of Genesis, chapter 11, with reverence, making them feel alive. It challenges us. Do we read God's word with the same hunger? The book's writing can be tough, complex and filled with heavy terms like logos that may feel daunting at times. If you're curious, try the audiobook. His lively narration brings the text to life with energy and conviction. Let's go deeper into the spiritual side of we who wrestle with God.

Speaker 1: 7:21

Peterson frames faith as a struggle, drawing from Jacob's wrestling with God in the book of Genesis, chapter 32, verses 24 to 30. He sees prayer as wrestling with the divine, actively engaging with life's big questions. This resonates with the book of Romans, chapter 12, verse 2. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Wrestling with God, whether through prayer or grappling with scripture, can shape us, drawing us closer to his truth.

Speaker 1: 7:47

But Peterson's lens is often individualistic, focusing on personal heroism. Take his view of Abraham's call in the book of Genesis, chapter 12. He sees it as a solitary journey toward responsibility, which is partly true. God calls us to step out in faith, as the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 8, notes. By faith, abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went. Yet the Bible story is communal, rooted in God's covenant with his people. The book of Exodus, chapter 19, verse 5, says If you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.

Speaker 1: 8:21

Peterson's focus on the individual misses this collective redemption fulfilled in Christ. As the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verses 1 to 4, connects Israel's journey to Jesus, his take on Moses in the book of Exodus is similar. He highlights Moses' leadership as a model of confronting chaos which inspires. The book of Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 24 to 26, praises Moses' faith. By faith, moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter.

Speaker 1: 8:47

But Peterson doesn't fully engage the redemptive arc. God's deliverance of Israel points to Christ's salvation. For the book of Galatians, chapter 3, verse 13, christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Peterson's pastoral appeal shines here, especially for those feeling lost in a chaotic world. He speaks to a generation hungry for meaning, urging them to wrestle with God's truth. This echoes the book of Hosea, chapter 12, verse 4, where Jacob wept and begged for God's favor, but his view of redemption is limited, focusing on self-improvement over grace.

Speaker 1: 9:18

The book of Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 8 to 9, is clear. For it is by grace. You have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves. It is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For Christians, this grace is the heart of the gospel, transforming our wrestling into worship. His chapter on Jonah is a highlight. Peterson sees Jonah's rebellion and restoration as a call to face our purpose, even when it's tough.

Speaker 1: 9:41

The book of Jonah, chapter 2, verse 9, says Salvation comes from the Lord, a truth Peterson touches but doesn't fully embrace For believers. Jonah's story points to Christ, as the book of Matthew, chapter 12, verse 40, notes. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. This spiritual wrestling is valuable. It pushes us to engage Scripture deeply, but Peterson's framework risks missing the Bible's unified story. The book of Luke, chapter 24, verse 27, says Every story from Genesis to Jonah finds its climax in Christ. Now let's reflect on the book's broader impact.

Speaker 1: 10:22

In today's world, where biblical literacy is fading, peterson's passion for Scripture is a wake-up call, sparking curiosity in a secular age. He makes stories like Abraham's sacrifice or Jonah's journey feel urgent, addressing modern challenges like materialism and despair. This aligns with the book of John, chapter 6, verse 35, where Jesus says Peterson's work invites seekers to explore scripture, creating an opportunity for the church to share the gospel. His cultural critiques, though, need caution. He sometimes links biblical symbols, like the serpent in Genesis, to modern ideologies which can feel forced.

Speaker 1: 10:58

The book of 1 John, chapter 4, verse 1, urges us Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. As believers, we must read with discernment, grounding ourselves in God's word, not cultural battles. The book of 2 Timothy, chapter 3, verse 16 to 17, reminds us All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Practically, the book's length and density can be daunting. Focus on the Abraham and Jonah chapters for the most accessible insights and try the audiobook. Peterson's narration adds passion.

Speaker 1: 11:34

Read with a Bible open, letting the book of 2 Corinthians, 4, verse 6, guide you. For God who said let light shine out of darkness, made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. So is this book for you. If you love big ideas, it'll stretch your view of scripture, even if you don't agree with every point. If you're exploring faith, it's a great spark. But lean on the Bible for clarity.

Speaker 1: 11:58

For the book of Colossians, chapter 1, verse 13 to 14. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the son he loves. For leaders, it's a reminder of how much people crave, meaning a hunger the gospel fulfills. Ultimately, we who wrestle with God challenges us to approach scripture with fresh eyes and a seeking heart. It's not perfect, but it's a conversation starter. The book of Acts, chapter 17, verse 11, praises the Baryons for examining the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Let's do the same, wrestling with God's word and letting it lead us to Christ. Alright, friends, before we wrap up, let me share my take on we who Wrestle With God and whether I'd recommend it for Christians.

Speaker 1: 12:37

As a believer, I found this book both inspiring and frustrating. Its passion for scripture is a gift. It dives into stories like Abraham's faith, jonah's rebellion and Moses' leadership with a hunger that challenges us to read the Bible with fresh eyes. The way it makes ancient texts feel alive for today's struggles like finding purpose or facing chaos is powerful. It's a reminder that God's word speaks to every generation, as the book of Hebrews, chapter 4, verse 12, says. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Speaker 1: 13:11

But here's the rub. The book's view of God as a symbol or ideal rather than the living creator, left me wanting more. As Christians, we know God is real. He delivered Israel, raised Jesus and walks with us through the Holy Spirit. The book of John, chapter 17, verse 3, declares Now this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. The book's focus on individual effort over grace misses the gospel's heart where Christ's sacrifice saves us, per the book of Romans, chapter 3, verse 23 to 24. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Speaker 1: 13:47

So do I recommend it? Yes, but with a big caveat. If you're a Christian who loves wrestling with ideas and can read with discernment, this book will spark deep reflection and push you back to Scripture. Pair it with your Bible and a solid study group to unpack its insights against God's truth. The book of 2 Timothy, chapter 2, verse 15, urges do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. But if you're new to faith or seeking clear theology, I'd suggest starting with scripture itself or a more gospel-centered resource. This book is a conversation starter, not a roadmap to faith.

Speaker 1: 14:22

Before we close out today, I just want to say something to anyone who might be listening and feeling stuck, like you're standing at a crossroads. Maybe your past feels heavy, maybe your future feels uncertain. Maybe you're just tired and ready for something real If you've never made the decision to follow Jesus, or if you've been away for a while and you're feeling that pull to come back. You don't need anything fancy, you just need an open heart. Right where you are, you can simply say Jesus, I believe you are the son of God, I believe you died for my sins and rose again so I could have new life. I'm ready to turn from the old and follow you. Come into my life, lead me. I give you my heart today, amen. If you prayed that, welcome home, seriously welcome. Your story is just getting started and I'm so excited for what God's going to do through you.

Speaker 1: 15:06

If you're looking for some next steps or just need a little encouragement as you walk this new journey, we've got free resources waiting for you at wwwthecrossroadscollectiveorg and if you ever want to reach out, share your story or ask questions, you can always email me at jm at thecrossroadscollectiveorg. You can always email me at jm at thecrosserscollectiveorg. I would truly love to hear from you. Thanks again for spending time with me today. This has been the Compass Chronicles. Until next time, keep your compass set on Christ and never forget how deeply you are loved. God bless, thank you.