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Summary: Too much Christian content
Review: This interesting self-help book is unfortunately marred by an over-reliance on Christian teachings. Christians claim that the founder of their religion was the incarnation of God, and insist that anyone who dares to say otherwise will suffer eternal punishment in hell. This tends to undermine anything beneficial in what they can teach us. If the purpose of life is to discover and accept that their religious guru was God - that's not much of a purpose, is it?
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Summary: Don't do it
Review: If you are searching for meaning for your life, read the Bible instead
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Summary: Dumbed down Christianity
Review: The Purpose Driven Life has helped numerous people no doubt. For that, the book should be commended, especially when Warren has drawn so many to the faith where others have failed. However, I find that the book is written in such a way as even a seventh or sixth grade student can read the book. It is hard to enjoy the content of a book when the langauge is so simple that it underestimates both the mystery and the poetic culture from whence the Bible, and many other Christian classics, emerge. Simply put, the langauge was quite insulting to the intelligence. This came out especially in Warren's use of the Scripture. Whenever Warren qoutes the Bible, he simply writes, "The Bible says." There is no attempt to weave Scripture within the content in such a way as to make the narrative flow. Over and again (and too often for this reader), "The Bible Says" echoes a child who is trying to prove a point to friend. My suggestion to Warren is to mix it up: "According to such and such;" or "The Bible contends/agrees/states;" or just simply put in the scripture with some commentary. You don't need to write "the Bible says" everytime you qoute scripture,especially when it's quoted so often! The use of scripture brings me to another critique. Warren uses so much scripture that all of scripture seems to be equal in application and interpretation to the next. He fails to examine each scripture in its own context and on its own merit. Prooftexting is, to this reader, the worst way to use the Bible as an authoritative text for today- it is like raping a woman for the use of one's own agenda or simply by not allowing the woman to have a voice of her own. The lack of diversity in the use of scripture undermines the diversity of Scripture in the biblical culture and genres of old. As a whole, this book is great to read with your son, daughter, or children Sunday school class. When it comes to adult literature, the book is both insulting and uninspiring, even for new believers. Rick Warren- please learn how to write in such a way as to enlighten the reader's heart and soul while engaging the intellect upon which all civilization stands. Oh, yeah- increase your vocabulary bank, too! For others who thought that Warren uses dumbed-down language for the propogation of a dumbed-down Christianity, I suggest the powerful and profound writing of such authors as C.S. Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Harry Emerson Fosdick- real men (and there are women, as well) who write about the reality of Christianity in the midst of suffering, persecution, and the need for radical discipleship in the midst of a hurting world.
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Summary: Great Book for anyone seeking direction
Review: I recently received two books from a friend who knew I was go through some difficult times. The Purpose Driven Life was one of the books.
"Magnificent" is the word that best sums up how I feel about the book. Ths book will change your life. It will make your life better, and give you more direction. It shows you how to see the big picture. The other book I received was Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices by John Allen. For me, this book was a God-send. It perfectly complemented Rick's book, and had a very special meaning for me.
I highly recommend both books.
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Summary: give meaning to your life
Review: Paula,
As A reviewer wrote 'simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and, most importantly, prepare you for eternity' I also say the same thing. This book has made me rethink my life and how I will live it. I desperately needed this book. Also recommended: Nightmares Echo, Running with Scissors, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings-all helped to change my life
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Summary: Excellent Book
Review: This is one of the best books I have read recently. It is clearly written for anyone to under. The lessons and guidelines are easy enough for any one to follow. It also goes right to the heart of each issue and gives good examples on how to improve your walk with Christ. I have bought 3. One for myself and 2 as gifts. I will be buying more for gifts also.
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Summary: Serve God in an amazing way.
Review: This book will change your life and help you look at it in a way you never did before. I know I was always a self centered person, but this book explains that living for God and not yourself will make your life so much worth while. The book outlines specific ways to serve God. It explains how to approach certain things like worship and even missions. I now feel like I really know how to worship God in a way that is pleasing to him and not just me. I recommend this book to anyone who is even slightly interested in Christianity or even to those people who want to make their walk with God closer and stronger. Also, I did this book in a small group of about 7-8 of my close friends. This is very important if you really want to be held accountable and get a lot out of reading this book.
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Summary: AWESOME
Review: This book is awesome. Want to find out what YOUR purpose is in life - GET THIS BOOK! A very enjoyable, uplifting, inspiring, and at many levels - a convicting read. Don't read this book if you do not want to be a changed person upon completion. Perfect for new believers, seekers and seasoned Christ followers.
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Summary: Much more than just another book
Review: I was astonished to hear from a friend that there were critical reviews of this book on amazon.com! I hesititate to even call it a book - it's a 40-day journey that made a huge change in my life. I read it daily, looking up the quoted verses in my bible (I use the NIV translation personally) to see the context and familiar translation. I'd use a Hebrew/Greek bible if you possibly can. I am not a huge reader, but I am buying this for almost everyone I know. I started reading it at the recommendation of a friend. I spend about 30 minutes each morning praying and reading the Bible to focus my day. I took her recommendation and started reading it because I wanted to go past just reading the Bible again (I'd been through it twice straight). I still am most affected by day 33, when I learned to serve others and allow my day to be interrupted to do so, and day 38, when I learned to replace worry with God. This improved my personal relationships, and almost completely removed the then overwhelming worry from my life. Most importantly, this book is a tool that helped me focus much much more of my time and life on God. The result is really indescribable. A (non-Christian) friend I've known for over 10 years saw I was reading it, bought it, started reading it, and told me the other day "this book makes me want to be a Christian". I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you don't buy it, I might just buy it for you...
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book - Full of the Holy Spirit
Review: The Purpose-Driven Life is an excellent book, allowing the reader to see the power of the Holy Spirit and how with God's blessing, everything is possible. As an Christian author myself, I have a critical eye for accurate writing and accurate Biblical citation. Although not every quoted scriptural reference is cited, the desirous Bible student can use a concordance and look it up, if need be. I am so excited that Rick's 40 Days of Purpose Campaigns are lighting (Holy) fire in so many congregations! The focus on surrender is particularly close to my heart, for without our total Free-Will surrender to God-Will, very little is possible! May the Lord bless all of you who read this book (the companion journal also makes a wonderful Christmas present to believers and unbelievers alike), and delight in the Divine gifts, healing, and loving relationships that Connection with Christ can bring.God uses the unusual and unique for advertising and marketing of His glory and love for us - including signs and wonders that have always been proof of His Holy Spirit being active in His children's lives. I believe Rick Warren is being successfully facilitated for a unique plan. Much harvest is sure to come!
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