The Purpose-Driven Life
by Rick Warren
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Book Summary Information
Author: Rick WarrenNarrator: Rick Warren
Edition: Audio Cassette
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: Audiobook, Unabridged
Published: 2002-11-01
ISBN: 0310209072
Publisher: Zondervan
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Book Reviews of The Purpose-Driven Life
Book Review: Warren's misuse of the Bible
Summary: 1 Stars
Most alarming is Warren's misuse of the Bible. Warren explains how he "was unable to explain the fascinating context of most of the verses used"; however, the way he quotes the Bible is merely proof-texting. Proof-texting is not only dangerous because verses are frequently used contrary to their context, but also because the Bible is used to back up pre-conceived arguments instead of used to inform them. Readers are expected simply to trust that the writer's interpretation is the correct one. Often, while reading The Purpose Driven Life, I would look up a quoted verse in its biblical context and doing so would cast considerable doubt on Warren's use of the verse to support his point. One especially obvious example comes from 1 Corinthians 14:16 (CEV): "Suppose some strangers are in your worship service, when you are praising God with your spirit. If they don't understand you, how will they know to say, `Amen'?" Warren concludes, therefore, "being sensitive to unbelievers who visit your worship gathering is a biblical command." However, I disagree with this conclusion because if one takes a look at the context, especially chapters 11-14, one will find that Paul is writing about spiritual gifts and how they edify the body of Christ. Unbelievers do not make up the body of Christ, nor does one say "Amen" to what one does not believe. The "strangers" in this verse are not unbelievers: they are visiting Christians from another city or congregation. This verse is in no way a justification for seeker-sensitive services, as Warren claims. Furthermore, using worship to evangelize to unbelievers was unthinkable for the first-century church. Obviously, Warren need not quote whole chapters of Scripture at a time - but in his zeal to impress readers by quoting nearly 1000 Scripture verses without studying their context, many people who have unwittingly taken him at his word may have been confused. It would have been better if Warren had quoted less Scripture, but quoted it accurately.
Summary of The Purpose-Driven Life
A Groundbreaking Manifesto on the Meaning of Life The Purpose Driven Life will help you understand why you are alive and God's amazing plan for you---both here and now, and for eternity. Rick Warren will guide you through a personal 40-day spiritual journey that will transform your answer to life's most important question: What on earth am I here for? Knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and, most importantly, prepare you for eternity. This recording on six cassettes offers a blueprint for Christian living in the 21st century---a lifestyle based on God's eternal purposes, not cultural values. Using over 1,200 scriptural quotes and references, it challenges the conventional definitions of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. In the tradition of Oswald Chambers, Rick Warren offers distilled wisdom on the essence of what life is all about. Full of hope and challenge, The Purpose Driven Life will be a classic treasured by generations to come.The spiritual premise in The Purpose-Driven Life is that there are no accidents---God planned everything and everyone. Therefore, every human has a divine purpose, according to God's master plan. Like a twist on John F. Kennedy's famous inaugural address, this book could be summed up like this: "So my fellow Christians, ask not what God can do for your life plan, ask what your life can do for God's plan." Those who are looking for advice on finding one's calling through career choice, creative expression, or any form of self-discovery should go elsewhere. This is not about self-exploration; it is about purposeful devotion to a Christian God. The book is set up to be a 40-day immersion plan, recognizing that the Bible favors the number 40 as a "spiritually significant time," according to author Rick Warren, the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, touted as one of the nation largest congregations. Warren's hope is that readers will "interact" with the 40 chapters, reading them one day at a time, with extensive underlining and writing in the margins. As an inspirational manifesto for creating a more worshipful, church-driven life, this book delivers. Every page is laden with references to scripture or dogma. But it does not do much to address the challenges of modern Christian living, with its competing material, professional, and financial distractions. Nonetheless, this is probably an excellent resource for devout Christians who crave a jumpstart back to worshipfulness. --Gail Hudson
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