The Dark Triad in Modern Evangelicalism: A Warning from Jordan Peterson and Dr. David Farnell

By Brannon Howse

On April 24, 2025, I had the privilege of hosting Dr. David Farnell, a pastor, theologian, author, and seminary professor, on my program to unpack a provocative statement made by Dr. Jordan Peterson during his appearance on Sean Hannity’s show the previous night. Peterson’s comments, which sparked a firestorm of controversy online, particularly among those who misunderstood his reference to the phrase “Christ is King,” struck a chord with me. As someone who has spent decades warning about the infiltration of false teachers and narcissistic leaders in the church, I believe Peterson’s remarks—whether he fully realizes it or not—shine a spotlight on a dangerous trend in modern evangelicalism: the rise of the “dark triad” personality in religious leadership.

The Dark Triad: A Psychological Framework for Spiritual Abuse

Peterson’s discussion centered on what psychologists call the “dark tetrad” or “dark triad”—a cluster of personality traits including Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and, in some cases, sadism. He described a small segment of the population, roughly 4%, who exhibit these traits and seek out positions of power and influence, including within religious institutions. These individuals, Peterson argued, are “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” using religious language and platforms to manipulate, control, and elevate their own status while feathering their own nests. They adopt the veneer of piety, claiming phrases like “Christ is King” not out of genuine faith but as a tool for manipulation.

Dr. Farnell, who has trained countless pastors over his multi-decade career, echoed Peterson’s concerns. He shared how he confronts his seminary students with a sobering question: “Why are you here? Are you pursuing ministry because you’re narcissistic or have psychotic tendencies?” Farnell’s blunt approach stems from his firsthand observation of how these dark triad traits manifest in church leadership. He cited Ezekiel 34, where God condemns the shepherds of Israel for their self-serving leadership, as a biblical parallel to today’s problem.

Machiavellianism, Farnell explained, involves manipulating others through fear and intimidation rather than leading with love, as Jesus modeled. Narcissism drives leaders to seek unearned social status, craving admiration and control. Psychopathy, perhaps the most chilling trait, is marked by a lack of empathy, leaving leaders indifferent to the suffering of their flock. Some even exhibit sadism, taking pleasure in the pain they inflict, whether through public shaming or abusive church discipline.

The Misunderstanding Over “Christ is King”

The online backlash to Peterson’s comments largely stemmed from his mention of a report examining the use of “Christ is King” as a manipulative strategy by bad actors on the right. Some interpreted this as an attack on those who proclaim Christ’s lordship. But as both Farnell and I clarified, Peterson was not criticizing genuine believers. Instead, he was warning about those who co-opt sacred phrases to cloak their predatory behavior. These are the Pharisees of our day—religious pretenders who, as Peterson noted, “use God’s name in vain” to further their own agendas.

I’ve warned about this for years in my books, Religious Trojan Horse, The Coming Religious Reich, and Marxianity. Jesus Himself cautioned against false teachers, prophets, and apostles who draw disciples after themselves (Acts 20:30). The problem is not the proclamation of Christ’s kingship but the exploitation of that truth by those who lack the heart of a true shepherd.

The Cult-Like Dynamics of Abusive Churches

Farnell and I delved into the cult-like dynamics that emerge when dark triad leaders infiltrate churches. He outlined five warning signs of a cult, which are all too common in certain evangelical circles:

1. The leader is always right. Questioning their authority is forbidden, and dissent is equated with rebellion against God.

2. Criticism is framed as persecution. Leaders deflect accountability by claiming they’re under attack for standing for truth, manipulating their followers into defending them.

3. The leader’s actions are always justified. No matter how harmful their behavior, the cult rationalizes it as necessary or godly.

4. The leader is the sole source of truth. They position themselves as the ultimate arbiter of doctrine, dismissing any who disagree as unsaved or spiritually deficient.

5. Devotion to the leader is mandatory. Followers, especially those in leadership, are expected to never question or challenge the leader’s decisions.

These traits are particularly evident in some megachurches, where charismatic but psychopathic leaders rule through fear and intimidation. Farnell cited studies showing that clergy rank among the top 10 professions prone to psychopathic tendencies, a statistic that should shock us but sadly aligns with what we’ve observed. These leaders often attract followers who, as Farnell noted, seem to “like to be abused and scolded,” perhaps due to their own insecurities or a desire for a strict, dogmatic authority figure.

The Online Amplification of Abuse

Peterson made a critical point about how the internet enables these leaders to evade accountability. Online, they can amass followers who affirm their behavior, no matter how egregious. I’ve experienced this firsthand. When I called out a prominent evangelical leader for participating in an interfaith dialogue with a questionable figure, his followers—hundreds of them—piled on with lies, attacks, and twisted scripture to defend him. Even when I appealed to his church elders for accountability, they dismissed me, claiming Matthew 18 didn’t apply because I wasn’t a member of their congregation. This is the kind of cult-like loyalty Peterson described, where followers enable and amplify abusive behavior without consequence.

The Impact on the Church and Culture

The infiltration of dark triad leaders has devastating consequences. These churches, whether megachurches or small congregations, often become impotent in their cultural impact. Instead of being salt and light, making disciples, and engaging their communities for Christ, they focus inward, splitting churches, destroying families, and emotionally abusing their members. As I argued in Marxianity, these self-deluded churches are contributing to America’s downfall by neutering Christians with legalism, liberalism, or a disconnected faith that fails to engage the real world.

One megachurch pastor even claimed the Founding Fathers sinned by establishing America, a stance that twists Romans 13 and discourages civic engagement. When churches prioritize control over mission, they lose their ability to influence culture for good. As Farnell put it, “They don’t do squat” for their communities, leaving a trail of spiritual wreckage instead.

A Call for True Shepherds

In response to this crisis, Dr. Farnell has founded Redeemer Seminary in Arizona (www.rsaz.org) to train pastors who embody the antithesis of the dark triad. Unlike traditional seminaries that prioritize intellectual prowess over emotional intelligence, Redeemer focuses on cultivating shepherds with a heart for God’s people. Farnell emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence—the ability to empathize, sympathize, and love without abusing or lording over others. His curriculum is designed to produce pastors who model Jesus, not celebrity preachers, and who prioritize the heart over the head.

The demand for such pastors is overwhelming. As Farnell noted, many believers are starving for kind, gentle shepherds, turning to online ministries like mine or Dr. Andy Woods’ because they can’t find a local church that reflects biblical leadership. Small churches are desperate for the kind of pastors Redeemer is training, but the supply can’t keep up with the need.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call

Jordan Peterson’s comments, though controversial, serve as a wake-up call for the church. The dark triad is real, and its presence in evangelical leadership is a cancer that must be addressed. Dr. Farnell’s insights, grounded in decades of experience, confirm what I’ve been warning about for years: the church is under siege by wolves in sheep’s clothing who exploit faith for power, status, and control.

We must return to the biblical model of shepherding—humble, loving, and sacrificial. We must reject the cult-like dynamics of abusive churches and demand accountability from leaders. And we must support efforts like Redeemer Seminary to train a new generation of pastors who will nurture, not manipulate, God’s people.

As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, the church’s role in shaping our nation’s future has never been more critical. Let’s heed Peterson’s warning, embrace Farnell’s vision, and commit to being a church that impacts the culture for Christ, not one that destroys it from within.

Watch Full Interview: https://worldviewtube.com/tv/video/why-jordan-peterson-being-attacked-s…