We do try to keep things uncontroversial on APJ as much as possible. We don't wake up looking for a new

controversy to chase after. But from time to time, a new controversy wakes up and decides to

chase after us. And I guess that's an occupational hazard when you talk so often about how to find happiness, I suppose.

And so today we're diving into a debate that kicked off around Jordan Peterson, the popular YouTuber and speaker.

He put this message out on X.

I still can't get used to not calling it Twitter.

But this particular X message exploded.

I mean, we're talking about millions of views, 30,000 likes,

just like that. And it resonated broadly with a lot of people. I saw it only because quite a few

of our listeners said, not so fast Jordan Peterson and tagged me on it saying this is something

a Christian hedonist needs to address. And you know what? I think those listeners are right.

So Pastor John, let me read to you what Peterson wrote and have you dissect it for us today.

Quote, life is suffering.

The purpose of life is not to be happy, but to find something that sustains you in spite of suffering.

So life is suffering.

The purpose of life is not to be happy, but to find something that sustained you in spite of suffering.

Just taking that tweet on his own terms, no other context, nothing else.

What's your first reaction?

Jordan Peterson is negative about happiness as the aim of life because he defines happiness

as fleeting, unpredictable, impulsive, superficial, rather than as deep, lasting, soul-satisfying, rooted in God, expanding in love.

And he's probably right that for most people, happiness is experienced as fleeting, superficial,

unpredictable, impulsive, rather than as

...