"This attitude of intellectual engagement is perhaps best embodied by Canadian psychologist Jordan B. Peterson, who has renewed interest in the Christian faith by bridging the divide between Christianity and science. His lecture series on the psychological significance of the stories in Genesis was delivered to the kind of packed house that is just a memory in many church buildings, drawing the attention of church leaders around the world.

Peterson, one of only a few professors at the University of Toronto rated as “life-changing,” has extensively studied the psychology of religion and presents the Biblical stories within the context of evolutionary biology, neuroscience, literary analysis and human psychology. It’s been a recipe for success: each lecture’s associated YouTube recording has an average of 1.4 million views, a head count larger than the entire membership of some national churches.

The comments on Peterson’s YouTube videos tell a compelling story. “I used to hate religion. Now I hate and fear what is replacing it,” says one user. “Do I believe in God? No. Am I going to watch this series? You bet I will,” says another.

Despite the rapid decline that Christianity has been experiencing in the western world, Peterson has unleashed tremendous interest in the Christian faith. Over a million people are suddenly interested in a brand-new perspective on Biblical stories. Thousands of them are not explicitly Christian, and some are even following the Christian ethos as a result of exposure to his work.

By demonstrating that these stories have intrinsic value from a scientific perspective, Peterson has given Christians new ways to understand, appreciate and communicate their faith. He has also ushered in a curious Christian revival in the west. Most importantly, he has introduced nuance and respect into a dialogue that has been fraught with impatience and misunderstanding.

Christian religious leaders haven’t come to a consensus on Peterson. Some wonder whether he is the saviour of Christianity, others denounce him as a heretic who is trying to be God. His followers—and what they could bring to the faith—have attracted little interest, at least for now.

This is unfortunate, because the emergence of agnostic Christians is of significance both to the Christian church and to broader society. Agnostic Christians straddle the divide between believer and non-believer: the Gospel is meaningful to them for unique reasons, and they can explain the Good News in different terms.

In particular, agnostic Christians are positioned to move interfaith dialogue forward by translating some of Christianity’s teachings into terms that non-Christians can understand. What does it mean to be justified by faith? How can God’s plan for humankind simultaneously contain death penalties for homosexuality and the forgiveness of sin? These are things that church leaders have struggled to answer convincingly, moored as they are within their own paradigm. Figures like Peterson, who come from a different background altogether, can shine a new light on these difficult theological questions.

In the coming years, new language will probably be developed for matters of Christian faith. Debates on difficult topics may find new direction. Communication and mutual understanding can only improve."