The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast – 371. A Podcast Full of Inflammatory Things | Eric Metaxas

Intro

In this episode of “The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast,” Jordan Peterson engages in a thought-provoking conversation with author Eric Metaxas. Metaxas discusses his book, “A Letter to the American Church,” which addresses the silence and lack of action in the American church in the face of tyranny. Drawing parallels between historical events and current issues, Metaxas emphasizes the importance of speaking out against falsehood and the consequences of staying silent. The podcast also delves into topics such as the role of faith, the dangers of censorship, and the battle between good and evil.

Main Takeaways

Addressing Silence in the American Church

• Eric Metaxas discusses his book, “A Letter to the American Church,” arguing that staying silent in the face of tyranny is a betrayal of faith.
• The rise of those who want to control speech throughout history is paralleled to those who are manifesting themselves today.
• The responsibility to act against falsehood is an intrinsic part of the Abrahamic tradition, but is increasingly non-existent in the American church today.
• The letter was written to address the lack of action and silence in the American church in the face of tyranny.
• The consequences of writing the letter included backlash and criticism from some members of the American church.

Parallels and Excuses

• The book discusses parallels between the excuses given by Christians in the 1930s for not speaking out against Hitler and the excuses given by evangelicals today for not speaking out against issues like transgender rights.
• The author hopes to reach specifically those who call themselves Christians and have been complicit in their silence and inaction.
• The author believes that good pastors in Germany were fooled and deceived until it was too late to do anything.

Faith and Writing

• The author’s writing is inspired by God, but they do not erase their personality to speak for God.
• The author has become increasingly sensitive to moments where they feel God is particularly behind their thoughts.
• The urgency of the message in the letter made the author more aware of the need to get it right.

Freedom of Speech and Censorship

• YouTube cancelling conversations is deemed despicable and anti-American by the author.
• The author is offended as a human being and as a Christian by the censorship.
• Freedom of speech is important and everyone should be free to speak the truth.

Faith and Action

• Faith is a form of existential courage and a decision to stake oneself on something.
• Doing the right thing and letting God take care of the consequences is a statement of faith.
• If someone claims to believe in the God of the Bible, then they must behave as though they believe it.

The Battle Between Good and Evil

• Choosing to follow God can lead to unexpected changes in behavior and a sense of adventure.
• Using power to rule over others may lead to temporary success, but ultimately results in being the ultimate loser.
• The silence of the American Church could lead to worse outcomes than what happened in the Holocaust.

Summary

Addressing Silence and Betrayal of Faith

Eric Metaxas discusses his book, “A Letter to the American Church,” which emphasizes the importance of speaking out against tyranny and falsehood. He draws parallels between historical events and the current state of the American church, highlighting the betrayal of faith that occurs when individuals remain silent in the face of injustice.

Parallels and Excuses

Metaxas explores the excuses given by Christians in the 1930s for not speaking out against Hitler and compares them to the excuses given by evangelicals today for not speaking out against issues like transgender rights. He aims to reach those who identify as Christians but have been complicit in their silence and inaction, urging them to learn from history and take a stand.

Faith, Writing, and Inspiration

Metaxas shares his belief that his writing is inspired by God, but he does not erase his personality to speak for God. He discusses the importance of discerning moments of divine inspiration and the responsibility to convey messages with urgency and accuracy.

Freedom of Speech and Censorship

The author expresses his strong opposition to YouTube’s censorship and cancellation of conversations. He emphasizes the significance of freedom of speech and the right for individuals to express their opinions and speak the truth without fear of retribution or suppression.

Faith and Action in the Battle Between Good and Evil

Metaxas highlights the role of faith as a form of courage and a decision to stake oneself on something. He emphasizes the importance of taking action and speaking up for what is right, as silence can lead to dire consequences. The battle between good and evil requires individuals to stand firm in their beliefs and fight against injustice.

Conclusion

In this thought-provoking episode, Eric Metaxas discusses his book and the importance of addressing silence and taking action in the face of tyranny. He highlights the parallels between historical events and current issues, urging individuals to learn from history and speak up for what is right. Metaxas emphasizes the significance of faith, freedom of speech, and the battle between good and evil in shaping the future of society.