Dr. Craig and Jordan Peterson discuss arguments for the existence of God, Peterson's preference for the argument from conscience, the objective nature of God's existence, the power of prayer, self-improvement and redemption, Peterson's potential journey towards Christianity, and the importance of support on his path.
Jordan Peterson prefers the argument by conscience over the design argument for God's existence.
Dr. Craig emphasizes the importance of the witness of the Holy Spirit and the inner voice of God's spirit as a properly basic belief.
Deep dives
The Design Argument and the Cosmological Argument
In this podcast episode, Dr. William Lane Craig discusses Jordan Peterson's comments on the design argument and the cosmological argument. The design argument suggests that the complexity and orderliness of the universe indicate the existence of a creator. Peterson, however, is not a big fan of this argument and prefers the argument by conscience. The cosmological argument posits that the universe had a beginning and that its existence requires a transcendent creator. Peterson agrees that the absolute origin of the universe requires a miracle, but he finds the argument by conscience, which aligns oneself with the structure of reality, to be more powerful.
The Argument from Conscience
Peterson argues for the importance of the argument from conscience. He believes that an inner voice, identified as the still small voice of God's spirit, aligns individuals with the reality and can guide them personally. This aligns with Peterson's own psychological perspective. Dr. Craig agrees that the witness of the Holy Spirit and the inner voice of God's spirit can be a properly basic belief, grounded in personal experience. He encourages listeners to engage in a spiritual quest to be attentive to that voice within and seek a personal relationship with God.
Self-Reflecting Prayer and the Importance of Forgiveness
Peterson suggests a self-reflecting prayer that involves humbly asking oneself about the destructive behaviors that contribute to personal and relational misery. Dr. Craig finds Peterson's advice for self-improvement through prayer intriguing, but notes that forgiveness is missing in this approach. He emphasizes that Christianity offers redemption and the forgiveness of sins, which is a significant difference from atheism. Dr. Craig encourages a compassionate and supportive approach toward Peterson, recognizing his journey towards Christianity and the positive impact of his respect for the Christian faith and scriptures.