Lecture: Biblical Series IX: The Call to Abraham

In this lecture, I tell the story of Abraham, who heeds the call of God to leave what was familiar behind and to journey into unknown lands. The man portrayed in the Bible as the father of nations moves forward into the world. He encounters the worst of nature (famine), society (the tyranny of Egypt) and the envy of the powerful, who desire his wife. There is nothing easy about Abraham's life. Instead, he is portrayed both as a real man, with serious problems, and a hero, who overcomes tremendous obstacles to establish himself in the world.

His covenant with God is an Ark. His decision to aim at the highest good he can conceptualize places an aura of magic around the events of his life, despite their harshness. He's a model for life in the world as it is, not as we wish it would be.

Producer Credit and thanks to the following $200/month Patreon supporters. Without such support, this series would not have happened: Adam Clarke, Alexander Meckhai’el Beraeros, Andy Baker, Arden C. Armstrong, Badr Amari, BC, Ben Baker, Benjamin Cracknell, Brandon Yates, Chad Grills, Chris Martakis, Christopher Ballew, Craig Morrison, Daljeet Singh, Damian Fink, Dan Gaylinn, Daren Connel, David Johnson, David Tien, Donald Mitchell, Eleftheria Libertatem, Enrico Lejaru, George Diaz, GeorgeB, Holly Lindquist, Ian Trick, James Bradley, James N. Daniel, III, Jan Schanek, Jason R. Ferenc, Jesse Michalak, Joe Cairns, Joel Kurth, John Woolley, Johnny Vinje, Julie Byrne, Keith Jones, Kevin Fallon, Kevin Patrick McSurdy, Kevin Van Eekeren, Kristina Ripka, Louise Parberry, Matt Karamazov, Matt Sattler, Mayor Berkowitz , Michael Thiele, Nathan Claus, Nick Swenson , Patricia Newman, Robb Kelley, Robin Otto, Ryan Kane, Sabish Balan, Salman Alsabah, Scott Carter, Sean C., Sean Magin, Sebastian Thaci, Shiqi Hu, Soheil Daftarian, Srdan Pavlovic, Starting Ideas, Too Analytical, Trey McLemore, William Wilkinson, Yazz Troche, Zachary Vader

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[theral]

I wouldn't have believed it if someone told me years ago that a psychological analysis of the bible would be something I actively look forward to. And yet, here I am.

[oriharary]

It's been 8 months since I stopped smoking Cannabis, and it was this specific lecture and the question of what you should sacrifice- that which is most valuable to you corrently that's stopping you- that made me finally decide to quit for good, throw away everything I owned that was related and burned all the flowers I had. It felt as if the cannabis was in control and not me, like a tyrant.
Thank you Dr Peterson for opening my eyes and encourage me to tell the truth, for without you this would not have happened, and I would have been in a bad place right now. Best decision I ever made and all through the wisdom and faith you preach. my life has gotten so much better since.
I live in Israel and came back to this series of lectures to find some peace and courage in the tought times we go through now, war is not easy but with the faith I got from this I feel like I found God and can go grow out of it into a better man.
I am eternaly grateful for your wisdom
I hope anyone who reads this will find God and walk with him, and spread his love everywhere
And may we all live in peace
Amen

[alexlight]

"It's one of your highest moral obligations to treat yourself as if you're a creature of value."

[ralanbek]

This is the series that lead me to Orthodxy. I sit in a dark time in while stationed in Europe. My unit in Italy is the QRF for the middle east and north Africa. I don't want to go to war. I don't want to kill anyone. Lord Jesus Christ, lead us out of these time. Lead us to Peace, and Love for our fellow man. May we enter the two-thousandth and twenty-fourth year of our Lord with peace and love. With understanding for our fellow man, and love for our neighbors.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.

[hugonordenswan]

This is the type of video you know you’re going to go back and rewatch several times. Lots of densely packed wisdom.

[LSERBY]

Choking up like that... is when speaking truth and expressing love become the same thing. God bless you professor Peterson.

[ronniemartillo]

This lecture and this man is part of the reason I left my state for a better one during the pandemic. I saved money, made a plan with obtainable goals, and packed everything in my car and left everything behind in good terms (family, friends, girlfriend, things I thought I couldn’t live without). My family and friends recommended harshly against it saying, “mijo, don’t go there, there’s no jobs or money there and your family isn’t there to support you”. I left and did everything I told them I was going to do, within the year they all sold there houses and moved with me and thanked me. My dad told me, “mijo if it wasn’t for you we would’ve never known, I was wrong, and I’m proud of that.”

[TrueToTheArts]

I came home from a funeral and 15-year-old boy who accidentally killed him self. I felt myself empty and overwhelmed. Having found the end of my metaphorical rope and this lecture saved my life. Not in the sense that I would hurt myself but rather it showed me how to stop hurting. God bless you please disregard the critics and continue your good work.

[jsuuave]

My father Michael, my brothers John and Benjamin, and myself Joshua. And to think society fooled me into believing God wasn't real. I lived in hell for it, when I found Jordan he put things in such a way that allowed me to save my father from the belly of the whale. I despised my father in my addiction, now I am 26 and have 9 months sober I hold him in the highest regard. I think that helped free me from my slavery. You have helped me so much I am tearing up right now. Thank you so much.

[rootscreatefruits]

Listening to Jordan is more satisfying than a warm nourishing meal on a cold winter’s night. I could listen to him for the rest of my life and it still wouldn’t be enough. He makes me hungry for knowledge and understanding like no one else I know. What a blessing to us he is!

[LostWanderer]

someone PLEASE archive because these lectures are invaluable and they may not be permanent

[aboxofcheese]

Thank you, professor Peterson. I've been on an existential nihilistic depression for the last couple of years and your lectures have helped to imbue meaning into my life. Thank you so much.

[IAmMyOwnApprentice]

Challenged my agoraphobia, while listening to JBP talk about God telling Abram to "go to places you don't know."
Looks pretty tame, just some guy walking around with headphones. But inside, a powerful moment.

[Exodus.Pi]

As pastor for 25 years I would guess God is doing a work in and through him. YOU are the light of the world.

[AngelovaVideography]

Haha he is unbelievable.... he just drops hundreds of pieces of deep and on point wisdom and then goes back to his computer like nothing just happened... i love this man :D

[off-meta-michael]

So this idea that God is stepping back and the characters in the Bible are stepping forward and becoming more detailed is really interesting. He said, "I'm not sure what means." I think it has to do with the fulfillment of each of those characters in Christ. Christ is the new Adam, Moses, Noah, David, etc. And just as God seems to step out of the picture he actually steps right into the human condition. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

[ADGO]

wow he's on fire in this lecture. Just a great man.

[jmancody]

Shout out to all the dragon slayers, room cleaners, fater savers, and sorter outers

[akamobin]

I don’t know what to say other than “Thank You for being the good force in the world” in my lifetime.

You released something for free(!) years ago and 5 years later, Especially at the current era of my life, Your existence helped me to once again find the roots of my lost alliance with divinity that I’ve been searching to find it again for the last two years of my life.

The story of Abraham… the constant bless and bliss. The answer I’ve been looking for! If you’re walking with god, that’s the price you have to pay! The cycle of being blessed and almost immediately facing a new crisis to solve… it’s not over cause it’s not supposed to be over as long as you want to be the true son of god…

[joelwest]

I'm not even Christian and I'm really enjoying these.