I wouldn't call the content "compelling." That was their word. I would say it is an interesting read. An easy read.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Has some good content but a little preachy and redundant with the biblical propaganda. I was searching for some words of wisdom to help me when I was questioning myself through societies demands but just ended up more frustrated and confused. I recommend Thoreau's Walden or the readings of Ralph Waldo Emerson or other transcendalist authors of their time for anyone who is looking for true words of wisdom. Anything written in the 21st century is almost guaranteed to have a hidden agenda or alterior motives from special interests groups. Learn to read between the lines.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is an interesting tool for Christians to examine their faith and mission, particularly in a Church group setting. It asks people to examine themselves, as individuals, and to check up on where they are at as a congregation of Christ's ambassadors. I think the first part of the book is uncomfortable for many readers because while it mentions what a wondrous creation of God we all are, it also stresses that "it's not about us", it's about our living and working to bring glory to our Creator. It's all about Him. Many modern Christians are tied up with "prosperity preachers" who tell you that if you're right with God, you can expect great things to happen for you: money, success, and even, fame. Mr. Warren cautions the reader not to get too comfortable with the world around us and our success in it because our place, or lack of it, in eternity demands that people live by the will and rules of God, not man. It's a good wake-up call. I didn't like the use of so many sources of Scripture that were not familiar to me, but I read somewhere that he said he did that so people wouldn't see the same old text and just gloss over it because it was so familiar. While I don't think the book is perfect, it gives a needed perspective to faith in a society that is ever increasingly materialistic and status driven. I'd buy it again to gain that perspective.Read full review
"The Purpose-Driven Life focuses on helping readers answer the question, "What on earth am I here for?" Warren sets out to help readers become the people that God wants them to be. He elaborates on five truths to answer this question of why we are here. According to Warren, we exist for the purposes of worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship and discipleship. He states that in fulfilling these roles on earth, we find and fulfill our purposes. This is a comprehensive book about how to live the Christian life successfully. It discusses most of the major themes of The Bible. Warren cites over 1,000 scriptures in the book. He rarely makes a point without quoting from the Bible. The messages of the chapters are relevant for new and mature Christians. The book is formatted in 40 chapters. Warren suggests readers study a chapter a day for 40 days, so that the reader can take time to reflect and meditate on each chapter's lesson. Each chapter ends with a main point to consider, a scripture to remember and a question to answer. I found these questions to be thought-provoking and meaningful. This book is an excellent tool for study groups to read and discuss. It emphasizes the importance of Christian character development and of becoming an active member of a community of believers. Warren provides reasons and practical ways for the reader to serve others inside and outside the church. For a church wanting to develop individuals excited and prepared to do ministry, promoting studies of The Purpose-Driven Life would help to meet this objective. Warren concludes the book by addressing each person's mission within the church and world. He also includes an appendix with further questions to initiate discussion among readers. In citing 1000 scriptures throughout the book, Warren uses 15 different Bible translations interchangeably. He explains that all translations have limitations and that he uses various translations to present scriptures in a fresh way. The references for the scriptures he quotes are in endnotes, so I was continually turning to the back of the book to discover the version and verse of a scripture. To a minor extent, I think this undermines the integrity and flow of the book. I always try to keep in mind when reading a book like this that the author's opinions are not infallible like the Bible. I say this because there are a few times while reading this book when I disagreed with an opinion of Warren's which was stated as a fact. Readers should keep in mind that opinions of Christian authors are debatable and not gospel. I don't think these two criticisms detract much from the value of this book. Warren writes that "The purpose of your life fits into a much larger, cosmic purpose that God has designed for eternity. That's what this book is about." In The Purpose Driven Life, Warren has written indefatigably about this purpose, and I think reading it will help you identify and fulfill your purpose." I found the best deal from Overstock.com here: http://www.buzzillions.com/prd-330112-the-purpose-driven-life-reviews/?in_merch=1&prRpp=100Read full review
I READ THE BOOK AND WENT THROUGH THE 40 DAYS AS IT SAYS WITH A CHURCH GROUP. I ENJOYED THE BOOK AND I FELT A GREAT DEAL OF SATISFACTION WITH THE WAY THAT THE AUTHOR EXPLAINED A LOT OF THE PARABLES AND THE SCRIPTURES. HE IS A VERY TALENTED AND INSPIRATIONAL WRITER IN MY OPINION. I BELIEVE THAT HE WAS EITHER TAUGHT BY OR WAS INSPIRED BY THE LIKES OF ROBERT SCHULLAR AND NORMAN VINCENT PEALE. HE HAS A TALENT FOR BRINGING THE WORD TO THE PEOPLE AND PUTTING IT IN A LANGUAGE THAT ALL CAN UNDERSTAND. AS A MATTER OF FACT, WITH THIS BOOK READ, IT MADE ME INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT ELSE WAS BEING WRITTEN USING THE BIBLE AS A BACKGROUND. I ENJOYED THE BOOK AND HAVE EVEN SUGGESTED IT TO OTHER FOLKS. MY HUSBAND AND HIS FAMILY ALONG WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY READ IT, AND WE ARE ALL OF THE SAME AGREEMENT THAT IT WAS SUPERBLY WRITTEN BY A MAN WITH A GENUINE LOVE FOR GOD.Read full review
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. 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. I first picked up this book when I saw it in my local Borders because I was intrigued. Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life helped me to find purpose in my life and focus my energy. This is a great book to read and just reflect. My only complaint is that it does not do much to address the challenges of modern Christian living, with its competing material, professional, and financial distractions. Nonetheless, this is an excellent resource for devout Christians who crave a jumpstart back to worshipfulness This is a book of hope and challenge that you will read and re-read, and it will be a classic treasured by generations to come!Read full review
Last year my Church got together as a congregation and went over the forty days of purpose. It really brought us together as a Church. At that time my Husband and I just could not make the groups all the time because of work schedules. We felt like we were missing out on Gods'message for us. So for Valentines Day I bought him this book. I simply enjoyed doing the Purpose Driven Life with my Husband. It gave us a chance every day to just sit down and spend some time together. It really opened my eyes on subjects in my life I had struggled with. I found the daily scripture study guides very useful in further meditation on the Purpose reading each day. I feel it has really enriched our lives and has helped us bring "The Good News" to people. Also the guides in the back for follow up teachings, on both a personal and as a Church fellowship or other group gathering very helpful. This was a very well thought out and written book, very easy to follow. I have and will continue to recomend this book to others.Read full review
Great book! This is geared toward Christian living. Explains in very easy terms why we are here and the meaning of our life! If you are "lost" or "feel alone", this book is inspirational. Everyday situtations are used as examples and the author explains God's plan to us. The book has 40 chapters for 40 days and includes "exercises" to do after each chapter. I understand there is a journal and workbook one can buy also, but I have not seen those. You will enjoy this book and you will look at life different after reading it!
While I agree with the basic theology of "The Purpose Driven Life", keep in mind that Rev. Warren uses almost a dozen different Bible translations in presenting scripture verses in his book. I do not agree with this type of methodology in presenting his message to the reader. It seems to me like he is scouring different translations to find the one "perfect" translation of a scripture verse that agrees with what he wants to say. While Rev. Warren presents nothing unsound in his theology by doing this, my feeling is that it's still a very dangerous thing to get into the habit of doing. Almost anyone can present almost any point of view by simply searching for a particular verse (or phrase from a verse) that meets the criteria they want. This is really a danger of taking the Bible literally AND not having a sound teacher to present it to his readers (or congregation or audience). My advice for Rev. Warren and others like him, and to someone who decides to buy and read "The Purpose Driven Life", is that the book will gain much more credibility if the author/minister takes one AND JUST ONE translation of the Bible to use for proof texts AND STICKS WITH THAT ONE TRANSLATION, and not use a dozen translations to pick-and-choose whichever verse they feel makes their point of view sound the best.Read full review
I understand that this book has taken America by storm, but I would give a strong word of caution to any who are considering reading it. There is some useful stuff in there, but Scripture is tossed around rather loosely, and ends up being taken out of context on numerous occasions. I would strongly encourage anyone who is, has, or is planning to read this book to do a search for "purpose driven life critism". You will undoubtedly find links such as http://www.biblebb.com/files/purpose.htm and http://www.biblebb.com/files/pdl.htm which aren't unfair, but honest. They report honestly and give good, solid examples of why the book isn't on their top must-read lists. I truly believe Rick Warren's heart is in the right place, but being a Christian isn't about being happy with your life; it's about being satisfied in God. Too many evangelists try to sell Christianity on "do this and you'll be better, happier, etc." That is NOT what the bible teaches; rather, it teaches that you can be content in every situation when you have the strength of faith to know that He will protect your eternal soul, regardless of what happens to you on this earth. Ask any Christian martyr if being happy is what following God is about! Think twice before you buy, and PLEASE read with both eyes open: there's lots of smoke out there! Seek, rather, a "Spirit-lead life" and you will find TRUE happiness--in God!Read full review
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