Rating: 
Summary: Best Book on the market
Review: I love this book. I can say I am a different person. I am at page 130 and this book taught me so many things. When I'm upset I just start reading this book and I can truly say it calms me. I love it. When I am done I will start over and read it again and again.
Rating: 
Summary: Banal,boring and shallow
Review: A book that will sell well. The author never really addresses the meaning of suffering or the sheer randomness of tragedy. I wondered how suffering Christians who have endured persectuion would percieve a book that assures them that they too can have a successful life by brainwashing themselves into believing life is one big jolly hocky stick with their Savior. A sad reflection on North American Christianity.However,one consulation is that the book will disappear in a few years to be supplanted by the latest fad in evangelical Dr.Phil type tomes..
Rating:
Summary: The Cult Driven Life ¿ deserves ZERO stars ¿ or LESS
Review: The sincerity and wisdom of other 1 star reviewers who point out many of the extremely flawed characteristics of this bad book, needs to be recognized. The Purpose Drive(r) Life has many, many flaws, including:1. Bible versions misquoted
2. Bible verses used, completely out of context from paraphrased versions (which certainly are NOT God's word
3. Not a word, at all about sin, God's gift of freewill, etc.
4. Theologically weak
5. Rick Warren's continual references to his own works
6. How poorly written this book is
7. The folksy tone of Warren's prose - used to water down God's Word and decieve readers
8. The obvious intent to make money, instead of truly spreading the word of God. Interestingly, they also point out many WONDERFUL authors and real authorities on theological matters; including: C. S. Lewis
Philip Yancey
Thomas Merton
Fulton J. Sheen
John Bunyan
Etc. Many of the 5-star reviewers, on the other hand, are more concerned with the fact that other people (who obviously have the gift of discernment) are out to "get them" by merely posting valid ratings. Even more disturbing are the numbers of 5-star reviewers who apparently, like Purpose Driven Life, are more concerned with making money than with really paying attention to God's Word. Notice people who whine about the fact that 1-star postings are listed. Notice how many 5-star reviewers attack those who disagree with them. Is that what God's purpose is? Is that a Christian way of life? Are these people turning the other cheek? We must feel sorry for these very non-Christian people who are so filled with self-righteousness seeking the self-centered Purpose-Driven ® Life promoted by this book, that they have forgotten what being a Christian is. Then there are those who are more concerned with promoting their own books - the "author recommended" review is a particularly blatant attempt to leech off of this money-making book even further. A true man of God doesn't bilk consumers for every last dollar by spawning an entire "gift shop" of stuff on one very poorly written book, like Purpose Driven Life. A Godly person lets that book speak for itself. Did the Bible need a sequel? No, only cult's, like Mormonism, need to continually add such things. That, perhaps, is what the Purpose Driven Movement is really about - developing into a non-Biblical cult to make men rich with money and not with God's real Word.
Rating:
Summary: The Purpose Driven Life
Review: If you are looking for a decidedly narrow and Christian world view of life, this book will fit your needs. The author raises the bar of sanctimonious living to a new level in presenting this book. A must for anyone wishing simple vilification of an extremely close-minded system; anathema to anyone else.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a masterpiece but interesting
Review: Ok, I admit I bought the book simply because its on some best seller lists and because I was intrigued by the subject matter. Interestingly on the inside book flap one reads 'Self help books often suggest that you try to discover the meaning and purpose of your life by looking within yourself, but Rick Warren says that is the *wrong* place to start. You must begin with God, your Creator, and his reasons for creating you. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense'. Excuse me but some of us believe that 'God' resides in 'us' and that it is shutting up, being open and honest that 'God' allows us to see what we should be doing with our lives. So that opening salvo simply is off target I think. Or at least misplaced. Sure there are some worthy areas in the book, but for me the book seems to dismiss or ignore what the Christian texts (this is a Christian book after all) say when it comes to asking God for what we need and want. Like John 16:23. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Or Matthew 7:7, 8 "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks." Look at people who are successful, ethical, moral but non-religious and one thing makes them a success, and that is their altruism. Giving is the number one reason people receive. And it is in giving that I think people come to know what 'God' would have them do in life. Overall the book has some value and if you aren't a Christian but believe in 'God' read the text and ignore the proselytizing aspects.
Rating:
Summary: Life Changing
Review: I have been a Christian for many years and am currently serving in our church's leadership. I am also a Fuller Seminary student. It's unfortunate that you have a small handful of people who have written such poor reviews but as everyone can see, most give 2 thumbs up for this book. For me this book has been life changing. My spiritual walk was a little lopsided but this book helped me to see that and to do something about it. This book is not designed to replace the Bible, but it is a great book to read. It gives eye opening truths in simple language that everyone can understand. Many of the things written I already knew, but I think we all need to be reminded of so many things that we learned in the past but forgot. But in order for it to have some impact, you need to have an open heart and a "Yes Lord" attitude. Is the book perfect? No, it's not, but that does not mean that it is a heretical book. This is by far one of the better books out there. So those of you who complain so much, stop having such a critical and prideful heart, maybe then God may show you something you've missed.
Rating:
Summary: If you did not know -now you can know- without a doubt!!!
Review: Why am I here and what am I for. For as many people as there are on the earth is as many diffrent anwers you will get with an overwhelming number of I don't knows. You can know for yourself and are encouraged to tell it to others. The answer is more obvious than you think. (Worship,fellowship,discipleship,ministry,and mission) These may only be words know but let pastor warren explain in this book using the scriptures (from whatever version of the bible) and allow the Lord to speak to your heart the reason he made you and how to go about pleasing him by fulfilling your/ our pupose together. I want to take this oppurtunity to thank Pastor Warren and those who contributed to writing this book for a job well done- myself and the rest of the body of Christ applaud you for helping us
get back on the write track. Why any follower of Christ would object to this book is a problem
and a concern for us all. They will remain in my prayers and I hope yours also.
Rating: 
Summary: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly...
Review:
Overview: I read this book as part of a "40 days of purpose" groups. We read one chapter per day and met once per week to watch a Rick Warren video and discuss the reading. The Good: From the videos it's clear that Rick Warren is a warm, friendly, self-deprecating guy whose heart is in the right place. He's trying to help clarify for people what the Christian life should look like and despite the success of this book and program it's clear from the videos that he's not in it for the money. As for the content itself, it's not bad. Essentially, Warren extracts from the Bible 5 "purposes" for our lives and then supports these purposes with Bible verses, anecdotes, etc. Warren's way of organizing the material will help some people to see their Christian life from a new perspective. The Bad: He strongly emphasized that our "performance" here on Earth is a test and how we do here will determine our lot for eternity. Despite being a Christian I don't believe that. I believe that our physical life here on Earth is just a tiny part of a much larger spiritual journey and that spiritual growth and advancement continues after our physical death. The book seemed to suggest that we all should be doing "more". I personally believe that a lot of what God wants for us to do in life is accomplished simply in our everyday task of getting up and going to work and raising a family. I don't believe that "guilt" should be the motivation behind doing more church stuff, and in fact I believe that we are all too busy as it is and that this pathological business in our society actually serves to keep us from the quiet, contemplative life that God intended. The emphasis of the material is too much on how we can "do" more to help the church, - as if doing more things will bring about the inward transformation of the Holy Spirit. I personally believe that this inward transformation occurs when we "unbusy" our lives, and that outward good works will result from that inward transformation and not vice versa. The Ugly: As so many others have done, Warren invokes Einstein's famous quote "God does not play dice" - egregiously out of context - to make a religious point. For the record, Einstein used the word "God" metaphorically in that quote - he could just as easily have said "the universe" because he wasn't professing a belief in God he was simply critizing quantum physics (because it asserted that there is a random element in the behavior of sub-atomic particles as opposed to classical physics which asserts that if we had perfect knowledge we could predict the behavior of sub-atomic particles)! Arrggh! Sorry - personal pet peeve. Bottom Line: If you need a spiritual "pick-me-up" or to get a better sense of purpose in your Christian life this book might do the trick. If you're a bit more analytical and don't like "Powerpoint" Christianity you probably won't like this. Personally I enjoyed the associated discussions and videos but felt that the material itself didn't break any new ground for me. Recommendations: "The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning - A wonderful discussion of the magnatude of God's love - for Christians who have problems or addictions, or feel like spiritual failures, or have been beat up by life. "A New Kind of Christian" by Brian McLaren - A great story about a pastor who loses his faith and finds it again while coming to a new understanding of how Christian thought is evolving with time. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho - a spiritual "fable", rich in symbolic meaning for all spiritual seekers. "Putting on the Mind of Christ" by Jim Marion - for Christians particularly impervious to heresy and willing to read a more involved, serious, and thought-provoking treatment of the symbolic, mystical message of Christ. You'll be tempted to scream and throw the book away several times while reading it, but if you stick with it and mull over the ideas presented it will radically change the way you view your own spiritual journey.
Rating:
Summary: Bad stuff, I would not recommend my friends to read it.
Review: 1, `ebhedh in Hebrew (OT orignal language) always mean "slave" or "servant" and can NEVER be translated to "friend". But the author intentionally uses wrong translation of Bible to establish his theory on "friendship" with God. The author intentionally misleads readers to follow his wrong theological stand. 2, It took Moses 40 years to find his purpose of life, but the author guarantees you find your purpose of life in 40 days? Many people buy/like the book because they are already enslaved by the fast-food culture. 3. Christians, especially young believers, are encouraged to read good books, for example "Celebration of Discipline" by R.J. Foster, "The Fight" by John White, "Sacrifice" by Howard Guiness, "Spiritual Leadership" by Sanders, and etc.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful book, with good advices but a sour tone
Review: This is a truly wonderful book, filled with many good God-led advices. However, the tone is one of a constant criticism towards people, and what they DID NOT do, instead if helping and encouraging then. I have read quite a few books on the subject, and this is one that after reading half of it I got very upset and depressed about the overall tone.
In any case, it is worth looking at, and learning from it.
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