About this episode

Jerry Eicher explores the implications of imitating Christ through a discussion of Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro's perspectives.

Host Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives examines a conversation between Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro to explore what it means to "imitate Christ." Guests/topics discussed include Peterson’s practical triad—speak the truth, accept suffering, confront malevolence—and how those ideas resonate with early Anabaptist emphases on bearing the cross and practical holiness.The episode contrasts Peterson’s psychological and biological framing with Anabaptist and mainstream Christian theology, and addresses Ben Shapiro’s critique that insisting all should imitate Jesus is "unchristian" in conventional doctrine. Key themes include the tension between faith and works, the finished work of Christ, and whether Christ’s path is presented as a route we must walk or merely a completed act for believers.Eicher offers a synthesis arguing that Christ opened the path so believers can—and should—walk it: speaking truth, shouldering responsibility, and allowing suffering to form character, while relying on the finished work of Christ and the Spirit to make that transformation possible.

People in this episode

Host: Jerry Eicher

Guests: Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro

Topics covered

• Imitating Christ
• Anabaptist theology
• Faith and works
• Psychological framing
• Practical holiness
• Suffering and character

Keywords

• Christ
• Anabaptist
• Jordan Peterson
• Ben Shapiro
• faith
• works
• suffering
• holiness

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