No this is not a new past-time I have developed! But it is something that Jordan Peterson uses to suggest that hierarchies are inherent. Apparently we share with lobsters a similar nervous system, and that lobsters organise themselves hierarchically with those who produce more serotonin climbing the ladder. Of course, animals of all sorts organise themselves hierarchically… and I don’t think Mr. P. would appeal to the world of the honey bee to suggest a pattern that could help us with the Queen bee laying all the eggs in the colony after being fertilised by several males; and after the breeding season, the males are driven out of the colony and die!
Hierarchies exist. And there is a strong appeal to ‘Judeo-Christian’ values to (for example) push for the strong male and all that goes along with that. As I wrote yesterday we can certainly appeal to a ‘Judeo’ value, but a ‘Christian’ adjective added? Can we appeal for hierarchy from a ‘Jesus value’.
But he said to them, “The kings of the gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather, the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves (Lk. 22:25-27).
Hierarchy exists within the animal world; it exists among the gentiles… but… ‘not so with you’.
A Jesus-value. Masculinity needs to be restored; I am sure many of us (males) need healing in that area… but many also need to discover that a hierarchical masculinity is ‘not to be so with you’. The restoration of femininity is high on the agenda, not replacing masculinity with femininity, but in true femininity and masculinity being manifested within society, and within (both) males and females.
Mr. P. and many others are way smarter than me, but I do see a worrying trend taking place. It should not be of great surprise as at times of transition two elements come together. The first is that of ‘crisis’ (crisis of masculinity is perceived, but that is not the true crisis) and a re-establishment of former certainties… and if we can couch them in ‘Judeo-Christian’ language we will gain considerable traction.
Let’s see if we can discover some Jesus-values. The lobster and the bee are not really a good place to find a way forward. With the coming of Jesus, even ‘Judeo values’ belong to this age that is passing. The Jesus-values come from the age he inaugurated that is pulling all things in that direction.
I agree that in Christ we find our identity whether male or female, wealthy or poor etc etc. God wants us to be the best versions of ourselves in him of course which I do agree with Peterson on. I do think that a lot of men have lost their vision though seen in the high suicide rates in young men and that’s why Peterson appeals to them because he offers them instruction as to how to improve their lives etc. The problem is that they then get drawn into an increasingly vitriolic world where taking sides in the ‘culture wars’ becomes necessary too if they want to continue following him because JP has become increasingly right wing and much more angry over the years so some of his more positive influences are now tainted sadly. I think if there is a hierarchy it is an inverted kenotic one where as you say the first are last and the last are first the hierarchies of human power are turned upside down . A place where the weak are strong and the strong are weak wow. It is unappealing to most people but to the poor in spirit it is a relief that God’s kingdom is like that. I for one am extremely grateful that this is the case. Interesting post thank you Martin.