Got Questions?: What does it mean to have faith in Jesus?
Many people speak about “having faith in Jesus,” but what exactly does this mean?
The Bible uses the phrase “faith in Jesus” synonymously with belief in Jesus as Savior. Romans 3:22–23 says that “righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” When we place our faith in Jesus, we believe in Him, and God grants His righteousness to us.
To have faith in Jesus means to trust Him. Simply. Fully. Without reservation. On one occasion, before Jesus healed two blind men, He asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They answered, “Yes, Lord,” and He healed them “according to [their] faith” (Matthew 9:28–29). The men simply trusted the power and goodness of the Lord, and they received their sight.
When a person has faith in Jesus, it means that he or she believes who Jesus is (God in human form) and trusts what Jesus has done (died and resurrected). This faith in the person and work of Christ is what saves (see Romans 10:9–10; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4). “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (1 John 5:1).
John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The key is belief, in response to God’s love. Anyone who places his or her faith in Jesus has the promise of eternal life.
Without faith in Jesus, we remain in sin and cannot be accepted into God’s presence in His perfect heaven. With faith in Jesus, we are given access to the Father as God’s own children (John 1:12).
To have faith in Jesus is to reject all other ways of salvation. We cannot trust in Jesus and anything else. We trust in Jesus alone. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Salvation is exclusive. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6).
Jordan Peterson … John 11:26: “Believest thou this?”
Jordan Peterson’s relationship with religion, particularly Christianity, is nuanced and often subject to interpretation. Here’s an analysis based on his public statements, writings, and the themes he frequently explores:
Peterson’s Philosophical Approach:
Symbolism Over Doctrine: Peterson often speaks about Christianity in terms of its psychological and symbolic significance rather than its literal or doctrinal aspects. He delves into the stories of the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, as repositories of human psychological truths and archetypes. His lectures and discussions tend to focus on what these narratives can teach us about human behavior, morality, and the structure of reality rather than advocating for adherence to traditional Christian doctrine.
Metaphorical Interpretation: Peterson has famously argued that the Bible can be seen as a profound psychological document. He interprets biblical stories through the lens of Jungian psychology, where myths and religious stories serve as metaphors for the human condition, personal development, and the battle between order and chaos.
Personal Beliefs: Peterson has been ambiguous about his personal faith. While he has stated he believes in God in some capacity, he often speaks in terms that suggest a belief in the utility and truth of religious narratives for living a meaningful life rather than a strict adherence to Christian theology or practice. His discussions on faith often revolve around the necessity of belief for existential stability and moral guidance rather than traditional worship or doctrinal fidelity.
Enamored by His Concepts:
Self-Developed Framework: Peterson’s approach to religion, particularly Christianity, seems to be tailored to fit his broader philosophical framework, which includes elements of existentialism, Jungian psychology, and evolutionary biology. This synthesis suggests he is perhaps more enamored with how these religious concepts can be woven into his personal philosophy than with the traditional doctrines themselves.
Public Perception: Critics might argue that Peterson’s frequent focus on the metaphorical and psychological aspects of Christianity could indicate a preference for his interpretation over traditional Christian teachings. His popularity partly stems from this approach, which resonates with those who are skeptical of or alienated from traditional religious practices but still seek meaning.
Convinced of Traditional Doctrines:
Respect and Reverence: Despite his psychological approach, Peterson shows a deep respect for Christianity’s historical and cultural impact. He has expressed admiration for the moral teachings and the structure Christianity provides to society. However, his engagements with these doctrines are more about their societal benefits and personal utility than about personal conviction in their literal truth.
Ambiguity in Faith: His reluctance to commit explicitly to traditional Christian beliefs might suggest a more complex relationship with faith. Peterson often seems to straddle the line between being a Christian in a cultural or intellectual sense versus a doctrinal one.
Is it really “All in the Family?”
Mikhaila Peterson, Jordan’s daughter, has publicly shared her journey towards embracing Biblical Christianity. She describes her conversion as “very sudden,” detailing how she faced significant life challenges before turning to prayer and experiencing what she perceived as divine intervention. After a Christian acquaintance advised her to seek God, Mikhaila found a sense of peace through reading the Bible and praying, which she says transformed her life in a way she hadn’t experienced before. Her path to faith is marked by personal anecdotes of immediate problem resolution following prayer and a profound dream she interpreted as a divine directive to fully commit to her newfound belief.
There is no widely known or documented public conflict between Mikhaila Peterson and her father, Jordan Peterson, specifically on religious terms. However, their approaches to religion and spirituality do offer some contrasts:
Mikhaila’s Conversion: Mikhaila Peterson has openly discussed her conversion to Christianity, describing it as a sudden and transformative experience. Her journey has been marked by personal testimonies of divine intervention and the peace she found through prayer and reading the Bible. This is relatively straightforward personal faith.
Influence and Impact: Mikhaila has mentioned that her mother’s faith, particularly during a severe health crisis, played a significant role in her own spiritual journey. She has also noted that her father has become more “likely to believe in God” due to family influences but remains somewhat ambiguous about his personal convictions. This suggests that while Jordan might not have embraced Christianity in the same personal, experiential manner as Mikhaila, he respects and is influenced by the faith within his family.
Public Statements: In public discussions, Mikhaila has expressed that her father listens to her experiences with God without trying to “logic it out,” indicating a level of acceptance or at least curiosity from Jordan towards her faith. This shows a supportive, if not parallel, approach to religion within the family rather than conflict.
In summary, while their paths to understanding and engaging with Christianity differ significantly, there’s no clear evidence of conflict over religious terms between Mikhaila and Jordan Peterson. Instead, their relationship appears to be one where Mikhaila’s personal faith experience influences her father’s ongoing exploration of religious concepts from a more philosophical and psychological standpoint.
Has Jordan made any Claims to Personal Faith in Christ?
Public Statements on Faith: Jordan Peterson has indeed spoken extensively about Christianity, the Bible, and the concept of God, but he has not made a clear, public declaration of repentance of sin or explicitly stated that he has trusted Christ as his Lord and Savior in the traditional Christian sense. His discussions often focus on the psychological, symbolic, and moral implications of Christian narratives rather than personal conversion or a confession of faith in the evangelical sense.
Ambiguity in Personal Belief: Peterson has maintained an ambiguous stance regarding his personal faith. He has talked about his struggles with belief, often framing his thoughts in terms of “acting as if God exists” because of the beneficial effects on life and society rather than a definitive personal faith statement. His comments on Christianity sometimes suggest a reverence for its cultural and existential impact without committing to its doctrinal specifics.
Public Appearances and Writings: In his books, lectures, interviews, and social media posts, Peterson explores religious themes, particularly from the Bible, to discuss human psychology and morality. However, he tends to stay away from personal confessions of faith. For instance, in his discussions, he has been known to say things like, “I try to act as if God exists,” which indicates a philosophical or pragmatic approach to faith rather than a traditional declaration of conversion.
Recent Insights: There are posts on X suggesting moments where Peterson has been close to or has reflected on faith in a more personal way, but these do not equate to a public declaration of repentance or a clear statement of having accepted Christ as described in traditional Christian doctrine.
Family Influence: His daughter Mikhaila and wife Tammy have both converted to Christianity, with Mikhaila describing a very personal and transformative faith experience. While this has had an impact on Peterson, leading him to engage more deeply with Christian themes, it has not publicly translated into a personal declaration of faith in the manner you’re asking about.
Conclusion:
Yes, we can safely say that, as of the latest available information, Jordan Peterson has not made a public declaration of his repentance of sin nor explicitly stated that he has trusted Christ as his Lord and Savior in a manner consistent with traditional Christian evangelism. His engagement with Christianity remains more philosophical, psychological, and cultural rather than a personal testament of conversion.
Jordan Peterson appears more enamored with his interpretation of religious philosophical concepts, particularly how they intersect with psychology and personal development than strictly convinced of traditional Christian doctrines. His approach is to use these narratives as tools for understanding and navigating life’s challenges, rather than as imperatives to follow in a strictly religious sense. However, this does not mean he dismisses traditional Christianity; rather, he reimagines it in a way that aligns with his broader philosophical inquiries, making it accessible and relevant to a modern, often secular audience.
An object lesson from the New Testament:
Paul’s appeal to King Agrippa, as recorded in Acts 26, was both a defense of his faith and an attempt to persuade Agrippa to believe in Christ. Here are the key points of Paul’s appeal:
Personal Testimony: Paul began by sharing his background, upbringing, and life as a Pharisee, emphasizing his zealous persecution of Christians before his conversion. This personal narrative served to establish his credibility and the dramatic change in his life due to his encounter with Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:4-11: Paul recounts his life before and after his conversion, highlighting his transformation.
Divine Encounter: He detailed his experience on the road to Damascus, where he encountered the risen Jesus, leading to his conversion. This was to show that his belief was not based on human teaching but on a direct divine revelation.
Acts 26:12-18: Paul describes the vision of Christ and the commission he received to preach to the Gentiles.
The Message of Christianity: Paul explained the core of the Christian faith – the death and resurrection of Jesus, which he proclaimed as the fulfillment of the prophets and Moses. He emphasized repentance, faith, and the light that comes through Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles.
Acts 26:22-23: Paul states that he has been preaching that the Messiah would suffer, die, and rise again, bringing light to both Jews and Gentiles.
Direct Appeal to Agrippa: Knowing Agrippa’s familiarity with Jewish customs and the events surrounding Jesus, Paul directly engages him, asking if Agrippa believes the prophets. This was a strategic move to align Agrippa’s knowledge with the Christian message.
Acts 26:27: Paul asks, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
Urgency for Salvation: Paul’s appeal was not just about defending his actions but was a call for Agrippa to consider his own spiritual state. His response to Agrippa’s comment, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,” was an expression of his desire that not only Agrippa but all who heard him would become Christians.
Acts 26:29: Paul replies, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become such as I am, except for these chains.”
In essence, Paul’s appeal to Agrippa was a combination of a personal testimony to the truth of Christianity, a theological explanation of the Christian faith, and an earnest plea for Agrippa’s conversion, leveraging their shared cultural and religious background to make the case for Christianity.
Biblical references for review:
2 Corinthians 13:5:
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
1 Thessalonians 5:21:
But test everything; hold fast what is good.
Hebrews 3:12-13:
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
James 1:22-25:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
1 John 2:3-6:
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
An appeal to Dr. Peterson: Your journey through the vast landscapes of human psychology and morality has often intersected with the ancient paths of Christianity. Like King Agrippa, you’ve been brought close to its truths, feeling the persuasive power of its narratives and teachings. Yet, do not let your exploration end as Agrippa’s did, with a mere “almost.” The pursuit of truth, as you’ve taught us, is relentless and requires not just understanding but also a commitment to live by it. May your quest not remain in the realm of “almost” but move towards a full embrace, where wisdom and faith converge into action, transforming not just thought but life itself.