Jordan Peterson's Book, "12 Rules for Life" Rule 3 "Make friends with people who want the best for you." A Biblical Critique.

The Bible Project

Send us a text

This Episode was first made available on Patreon. For similar material and an early release ad-free version of the regular podcast follow me at at;
patreon.com/JeremyMcCandless
Podcast Episode Notes:

Podcast Title: Rules for Life: A Christian Critique of Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life

Episode Title: "Examining Rule 3: Make Friends with People Who Want the Best for You"

Introduction: Welcome to the third episode of our series, "Rules for Life: A Christian Critique of Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life." In this episode, we consider Rule 3: "Make friends with people who want the best for you." We’ll explore how Peterson’s advice aligns with biblical teachings on relationships and community, and how Christians can apply these principles while balancing the call to outreach and love for others.

Episode Overview: Jordan Peterson’s third rule emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who genuinely care about our well-being and want to see us succeed. His advice echoes biblical wisdom on the importance of choosing our companions wisely. However, the Christian perspective adds further dimensions, such as the call to be salt and light in the world, engaging compassionately with those who may not yet embody positive influences.

In this episode, we will:

• Discuss the Biblical Foundations for Choosing Companions: How Scripture advises us to seek out wise and righteous friends who can positively impact our spiritual and moral journey.
• Explore the Role of Christian Fellowship: The importance of mutual encouragement and support within the body of Christ and how this reflects Peterson’s rule.
• Examine the Balance Between Positive Influence and Outreach: How Christians can be a light to others, including those who may not yet share our values, while guarding against negative influences.

Key Biblical References:

1. Choosing Wise Companions:
   • Proverbs 13:20: "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm."
   • 1 Corinthians 15:33: "Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’"
2. The Importance of Christian Fellowship:
   • Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
   • Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
3. Being Salt and Light:
   • Matthew 5:13-16: "You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
   • Galatians 6:1: "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."
4. Guarding Against Negative Influences:
   • 2 Corinthians 6:14: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
   • 1 Peter 3:15: "But in your

Support the show

Jeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | Patreon
Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.
https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com