Rick Warren's study on the The Purpose Driven Life

[Aseity]

Is this bad news or good news for the church and society?

Question

My church is getting ready to start Rick Warren's study on the The Purpose Driven Life. It is a 40-day event with many other churches across the nation. Do you have any information on this book that might prove helpful? I will be one of many that will be leading the study.

Answer

It is a "take-off" and sequel to his book, "The Purpose Driven Church," which is not the right direction for any church--an unbiblical approach.

Here are some cautions about The Purpose Driven Life, that you will have to deal with. I wouldn't think God would bless this 40-day event, and I wouldn't want to be a teacher leading the studies. Below you will find a number of reviews of the book:

Observations about The Purpose Driven Life by Tim Todd:
http://www.biblebb.com/files/tonyqa/tc03-148.htm

[markporter]

Hmmm, JP has a review of the book as well at http://www.tektonics.org/warrenr01.html . I think my church has been going through it in pastorates this term.

Without having read it myself, I think that it has to be taken along with the rest of the books in that type of genre, in that you're not really supposed to be looking for a theological treatise, or entirely accurate use of scripture. The purpose of the book is to inspire people towards a goal, and so long as you take that into account when reading it, I think that it may be worthwhile for some.

[themuzicman]

I don't mind the message, but the level of out of context proof texting and citing of paraphrases as scriptural basis for doctrine is alarming.

I don't know whether the short term bump away from selfishness and toward service to God will be worth the absolutely awful hermeneutical precident in the conservative church.

Michael

[Amazing Rando]

I read the book myself- it's nice for putting our focus in the right place, but Muz is right- it's reeeeallly sloppy when it comes to actually using the Bible in the way it was intended to be used. Also, as Holding's review notes, it's pretty much "milk" for the newer believer rather than "solid food" for the more mature.

[themuzicman]

(Which, unfortunately, is where most of the American church is today... )

[markporter]

but Muz is right- it's reeeeallly sloppy when it comes to actually using the Bible in the way it was intended to be used.

aren't all books of that style like that though?

[themuzicman]

I dunno. This one is pretty bad. I took the 8 scripture references in the first chapter, and seven were clearly and obviously out of context. Not even close.

Warren even makes the mistake of saying that the verse "It is not good for man to be alone" is a good foundation for churches to form small group ministries. Unfortunately, God solved that particular problem, and the solutiuon wasn't forming a small group.

The book is rife with these kinds of blatant errors.

Combine that with his inability to choose a translation from which to cite, and his extensive use of the Message and the New Living Translation (which aren't translations but interpretations) as scripture, and you have a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, he didn't wander from the reservation, but the precident set is definately dubious.

Michael

[markporter]

Warren even makes the mistake of saying that the verse "It is not good for man to be alone" is a good foundation for churches to form small group ministries. Unfortunately, God solved that particular problem, and the solutiuon wasn't forming a small group.

The book is rife with these kinds of blatant errors.

Oh, I see what you mean....

[NSMinistries]

The doing life together series of Bible studies put together by the saddlebach church based from the "Purpose Driven" resource seems to put a little more focus on Bible study and application. It even has sections that seem to correct what the Purpose Driven Life leaves out or distorts.

[Corroff]

I've been reading it along with my church-----it has some good points and some vauge points . But overall it's not that bad, just not very meaty theologically . You can use it to start a real discussion if you ignore what it says and engage it with real scripture in context. Oh well, my opinion.

Thanks,
Corroff

[mossrose]

I had a huge problem with the book when I came to the part where he quoted someone else as saying, "Jesus is standing at the door of your heart with a bomb" (or words to that effect). There were smaller issues that I had up to that point, but that sort of did me in.

I also did not like the fact that he used so many different versions of Scripture, but didn't print a large number of the actual verses in the book, but only listed them in the back so you could look them up yourself. I think a lot of people wouldn't bother looking them up. I also wondered if he picked whatever version of Scripture best suited his needs for the point he was trying to make at any given time.

When I was done with the book, I learned that my purpose is:

1. To glorify God.

2. To life a life in obedience to Him, and to follow the example of Christ.

3. To tell others the good news about Jesus Christ.

I already knew all those things. And if a newer Christian was reading the book, I don't know if that person would get that information out of the book that easily.

I don't want to offend anyone, but I think that this is the "next Christian fad that has come down the Christian bookstore pipe", and is alright in itself, but should not replace Scripture as a method of study. You must realize that the better you know the actual Scriptures, you will immediately see the problems involved in ANY work. And I am very staunchly pro-Scripture before any other book.

I suggest you read it, but keep a little bit of scepticism with you while doing so. And make sure that any questions you have are dealt with by someone you trust to be discerning in these matters.

[bar Jonah]

Amen, sister Mossrose! :rithumb:

[mossrose]

Just tellin' it like I see it, RI......

[joelkaki]

I personally don't like the book. Not much at all. Our lives really are not supposed to be "Purpose-Driven." They are to be "Christ-Centered" which gives us true purpose. But having purpose is not the point.
I would recommend Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper instead. It is great. It is deep, unlike PDL. It uses real translations, unlike PDL. It makes Christ the focus, unlike PDL. It lists the references where they are quoted, unlike PDL (in general). It is one of the best books out, in my opinion. "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Joel

[DanDanDan]

Hello to all. My first post. :) I really appreciate this discussion because my church too is in the second week of The Purpose Driven Life. A red flag went up in my head when I realized just how big this campaign is. I wondered if this was just another "band wagon" that we'd be joining. Although I think the book has many positives, I am disturbed at the careless use of Scripture. I don't want to be a stumbling block for my local Church body so I am keeping my thought to myself for now. Most people are very excited about the book's content and message. Nuff said for now. I appreciate the comments and the links. All very helpful.

In Christ,

Dan