"The Purpose Driven Life"

[Crys2God]

Has anyone been studying The Purpose Driven Life? It is such a wonderful book for christians who are seeking God in their life. I highly recommend this book to all christians who wonder why God has put them here on earth. This book teaches you so many things about yourself, the Lord, what you were put here for, and what you have to look forward to. Please if you ever get a chance, read this book it is life changing.

 

[Muzza]

I have heard of it. But up to this point I haven't had the opportunity to read it. I will at first chance.

 

[Filia Mariae]

Sorry, but I can't agree. There is some valuable stuff in there, but for the most part I think this will just be another Prayer of Jabez fad. Plus, it contains some erroneous stuff as well. Go for Imitation of Christ- it's far superior.

 

[thekingster]

Sorry, but I can't agree. There is some valuable stuff in there, but for the most part I think this will just be another Prayer of Jabez fad. Plus, it contains some erroneous stuff as well. Go for Imitation of Christ- it's far superior.

For the most part, I agree. I haven't read Imitation of Christ, but I will look into it. I think The Purpose Driven Life is getting people to reconsider where they need to be focused as a Christian, so I can't dismiss it with a wave of the hand. The jacket purports this book will be the modern My Utmost for His Highest...but I think that' overstating it---just a little.

The Purpose Drive Life is an easy read...

Steven King
The Kingster

 

[Nations4Christ]

I did it as a devotion on my last trip To Africa last year; I do not think you should dismiss it- you can always "glean" from it; Pick and choose and use your "spiritual" filters...

 

[thekingster]

I did it as a devotion on my last trip To Africa last year; I do not think you should dismiss it- you can always "glean" from it; Pick and choose and use your "spiritual" filters...

I agree, a very balanced answer!

Steven King
The Kingster

 

[jenptcfan]

I've heard great things about it. Our church is going to be starting 40 days of purpose in April, and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Spidey76]

Our church did it a year ago and it spawned about 15 'real life' small groups that still meet. What do you think is so bad about it? I feel it opened my eyes and made me a better Christian and a first-time group leader.

 

[spiffycoolbeans]

I'm currently on day thirteen....I think, so far, it is a very good book. I just read about being "God's Best Friend" and how he wants you to be, and how it's not impossible. I think it's great, it gets you thinking about God all day long, which is exactly what you should be doing.

 

[Lyle]

I'm on day 20.... and have been for the past.... 4 months. But beside the points. I think it's good in it's context (of course there will be errors in it). But there's alot that can be learned from the book. I would suggest reading it, not comparing it anywhere near the Cult of Jabez

 

[Filia Mariae]

What do you think is so bad about it?

I just want to clarify that I don't think it's evil or anything....it's just far from the best that's available.

I'm going to cut and paste from another post I made on this forum about the book:

Warren says things such as:"The Bible knows nothing of solitary saints or spiritual hermits isolated from other believers and deprived of fellowship" and also asks "how can you become closer to God or do his will when you separate yourself from the world and don't DO anything?" So he is pretty derogatory to those leading the cloistered life, as well as assuming that spending your time in prayer is doing nothing, which is not a Christian idea.

He says, "...for most of the 2,000-year history of the church, only priests got to personally read the Bible, but now billions of us have access to it." Of course the reason most people couldn't read it was that they were illiterate, not some scheme to keep people Biblically ignorant but you know, details details. Oh yeah, and a Bible cost three years wages...but again, who needs those historical details.

He then dares to judge others by saying: "The people were offering God stale prayers, insincere praise, empty words, and man-made rituals without even thinking of the meaning." That's a major insult and judgement upon people he doesn't even know. Not to mention, he offers no evidence that the rituals he refers to are man-made.

 

[JMRE5150]

Has anyone been studying The Purpose Driven Life? It is such a wonderful book for christians who are seeking God in their life. I highly recommend this book to all christians who wonder why God has put them here on earth. This book teaches you so many things about yourself, the Lord, what you were put here for, and what you have to look forward to. Please if you ever get a chance, read this book it is life changing.

Oh my goodness...I can barely make out anything in that pink font color...wow.

The book has its strong points, but like ALL books, some angles are highly one-sided, so it should be taken with a 'grain of salt', as they say.

 

[thekingster]

I'm on day 20.... and have been for the past.... 4 months. But beside the points. I think it's good in it's context (of course there will be errors in it). But there's alot that can be learned from the book. I would suggest reading it, not comparing it anywhere near the Cult of Jabez

I am not even sure I would say it has "errors" in it, per se...I am more concerned by Warren's selectivity of Scripture to say exactly the right phrase, from exactly the right translation, to make his opinion seem more spiritual. I am not saying that I discovered horrific error in reading the book.

I am always suspect if an author uses 40 translations so he/she can pull isolated phrases, usually out of context to make a point. That type of author is trying to use God's word to add credence to their point...instead of allowing the power of God's word to stand on its own merit.

The book is on my shelf and no doubt has spurned many on to spiritual undertakings, in that sense alone...it is worth the read. The testimonials continue to pour in about churches getting excited over spiritual disciplines---who could (or would) argue with that? Having attended a pastor's conference in Mission Viejo, California, at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church...I understand where he's headed and why he's headed there.

I agree with the sentiment that is expressed in the phrase The Cult of Jabez. Remember, isolated verses of the Bible cannot be quoted out of context to assume that God will bless, or not bless, in precisely the same way he did before. That's what makes tithing such a spirited debate since agrarian Israel had an entirely different appreciation of what it meant to "tithe" than is purported from pulpits every Sunday...but alas, that's a discussion for another time.


Keep reading and keep your eyes upon Jesus!
Steven King
The Kingster®

 

[shinpai_ga_nai]

I'm reading the book with a discussion group. This week we are reading the second purpose. Overall I like the book, but Rick Warren does contradict himself in the book and I don't like completely how he portrays some things.

 

[elm1976]

A very good book. I can see why it is one of the best selling books of last year. Many churches are using it for studies and discussions. One that I recomend to friends.