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The concept is fairly simple: God has five main purposes for our lives, according to the author, and we ought to find out what they are so we can live as better Christians. It's supposed to be read one chapter per day, for forty days. That immediately put me off! I don't appreciate being told how to read a book. So I actually read between one and three chapters per day, during the last three weeks.
I really don’t like the hype surrounding this book, or the self-promotion within it, or the rigid way we are supposed to read it. Nor do I find it helpful that there is a huge variation in Bible translations used. Some of the quotations from Scripture are WAY out of context. Nor do I like the structured nature of the book, the way churches are supposed to drop everything else to study it, or the insistence that God only has five purposes for people (what about stewardship of resources, for instance?)
On the other hand… the author does make some good points, even if they’re fairly basic. He reminds us that worship is an attitude of life rather than just singing on Sundays. He explains the need for direction. He talks about the importance of finding our ministries within the church based on our personalities. And he focuses on the importance of mission.
If I could take the good points and cut out the padding and irrelevancies, the book would probably be about a third the length. Then I would recommend it to anyone who is newish as a Christian, or who has been going to church for years but feels a lack of purpose. These folk might benefit from the entire book too - but could equally find it overwhelmingly prescriptive.
However, I don’t see it as much use for non-believers, nor for those who are already deeply committed as Christians. And some of the book is really only relevant in the United States.
2 comments:
Purpose-Driven for $$$
Christianity for fun-and-profit
Name-it and claim-it
One serious problem with the, God wants you rich, theology is the fact that the NT does not seem to characterize any of the main people as such.
Jesus was apparently homeless and eating the food of poverty, at least for a while. The parable of the Rich Fool, in James where he says for the rich to weep and howl, the God and mammon demand and others.
Another serious problem is the "personality cult" that church leaders are promoting. Just like this book, Warren is a multi-millionare, developing his own following and like the Scripture says, do not say you are of Paul, or Peter...
In Christ..for the long haul
(circa 1981)
Sue,
Yes, my sentiments exactly on this book! It has some good things, but is waaaay to much like a formula--5 purposes, 40 days, this-is-the-way-it-is. Our small group went thru the videos and I almost found it condescending the way Rick talked to people. Like it was geared toward baby christians or people who aren't very smart.
I am really frustrated with the way books/material like this use--or misuse--the Bible. Out of context scriptures are rampant AND, yes picking the English translation that best fits your "purpose" is NOT honoring the scriptures. Warren also uses OT texts (like on tithing) to make a law about giving.
I wouldn't go so far as what anonymous said, but definately a book to take with a grain of salt and pick out the good from the hype and misuse of scripture.
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