Rating: 
Summary: Good resource for anyone
Review: Through very simple writing, concepts broken down into a day-by-day format, and liberal use of Bible paraphrases, Rick Warren has translated God's purposes into every day living. This is a book I would recommend to anyone, even non-Christians, as a wonderful "self-help" book containing the answers to common questions such as "Why am I here?" "What should I do with my life?" and "How can I be a better person?"
The book, although containing a lot to think about (I definitely recommend only reading one chapter a day) is straightforward and to the point, not dwelling on "feel good" stories, denominational differences, or current psycho-jargon. Mr. Warren points out early on that 'this is not about you' and 'nobody's perfect-so don't try to be' but reassures the reader that 'God loves you' and 'life can be better'. If you're looking for "Chicken Soup" bedtime reading, this is not the book for you. This book points out our weaknesses (reminding us that it's normal) and then says what to do about them.
Throughout the chapters, other resources are listed that can help you look further into the topics that you are most interested in on your own time. Also, the appendix notes what Scriptures were quoted and what Bible translation has been used, in case you're interested in looking up the rest of the passage for context.I highly recommend this book and plan on sending copies to many of my friends as a New Year's Resolution suggestion!
Rating: 
Summary: Turning the House of God into a Den of Thieves.
Review: I try to keep abreast of things going on in the world. Sometimes things come along that are total fads: here one day, then gone and forgotten the next. It's sad to say, but as a Christian I have to admit that there are also fads in the contemporary American part of the Church. THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE is one of these. I had never heard of THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE until a couple of local churches started doing the 40-Days of Purpose campaign. About the same time, a friend of mine mentioned this book as the next "big fad in the Church", and asked me if I got a chance, to read it. He believed I would agree with him and I do. As a whole, there isn't really anything wrong with the book. Suspicious as his intentions might be, I'll give Rick Warren the credit and believe he primarily wrote this book to help Christians in their walk with Jesus. I believe that this book could be useful to a new Christian or someone who is possibly thinking about converting to Christianity. I also don't wish to discredit all those who have been helped in their life because of this book. The book is written in a very simply style that a third or fourth-grader shouldn't have a problem reading it. Warren supports much of what he says with Scripture and the book is filled with Biblical references. However, the book is filled with severals flaws. 1. Warren says he purposely uses many different translations and paraphrases of the Bible to illustrate how relevant Scripture is to our day to day lives. However, Warren tends to rely on paraphrases more than actual translations of the Bible. This is a dangerous thing. Yes, the Bible was written in such a way that the "common man" could understand it's meaning. That's why paraphrases are so dangerous; they can change the entire meaning of a scriptural passage. 2. There is hardly any reference to the Holy Spirit. I am not a member of a charismatic church, but in many dominations across the country discussion of the Holy Spirit is totally ignored. Like it or not, the Holy Spirit is the seal that differentiates Christians from non-Christians. It is an essential part of the Trinity and to deny it, by ignoring it is very dangerous, almost blasphemous. 3. Thought Warren uses a lot of Biblical references, there are several times that he says "The Bible says" without actually quoting any passages from the Bible. I found this to be puzzling in a book that contains so much sciptural support. 4. Warren tends to overgenralize things. He uses words such as "all", "every", "everyone", etc. quite often. This was one of the more disturbing elements of the book to me. When I first started reading the book, I had considered purchasing it and giving it to my mother for a gift. However, about halfway through the text, I began to seriously disagree with some of what Warren was writing. The impression that the text leaves one with is that if you don't do things the way the book tells you to, then you're not a good Christian and there is probably something wrong with you. Many of the books suggestions aren't Biblical, just suggestions that Warren feels may help people out. But the impressions those suggestions leaves is not necessarily a positive one. Therefore, I am not giving this book to my mother. 5. The other major problem I had with the book is that it is largely a piece of advertising. Throughout the chapters, Warren discusses a point and says something like, "if you want more help with that topic, see my other book" or "see the resources of mine listed at the back" which you can purchase. Just about every other chapter contained at least one plug for one of Warren's resources which can be purchased. I have nothing against writers plugging there wares. I have nothing against Christian writers writing for money. I do have a problem with people using a tool that is supposed to be for evangelism but also use it as a way to advertise so that they can sell more products and make more money. Though this may not be the original intent of the other, his shameless self-promotion throughout the book, made it clear that Rick Warren was also out to make a buck and didn't care how he made it. As I mentioned earlier, the book as a whole isn't all that bad. However, it does have some major flaws. Nevertheless, I won't rate this book lower than a three because I know that despite the flaws, there is a lot of material in the book that can be helpful to a lot of people.
Rating: 
Summary: Troubled From Day One
Review: I was so excited to begin this book with my church family. Unfortunately I found myself troubled from day one. The purposes in this book are scriptural, but the author quotes "the Bible says" countless times with so called paraphrase translations that are inaccurate at best. If you do read this book have a reliable translation and check the quotes yourself. (NASB, NIV, NKJV or KJV) The Bible does say, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handing the work of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK!!!
Review: This book enlightening! It makes you look at your life differently. It makes you figure out the answer as to why we're here in the first place.
It's divided into 40 days. Rick Warren reccomends that you don't read it all at once.
It gives you a main point, memory verse and application at the end of each day.
You have to buy it and read it! Personal revival is sure to follow!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent for Spiritual People
Review: This is an excellent work for spiritual people in search of their higher purpose...
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of money and time.
Review: Readers should consider the author prior to reading this book. Rick Warren is the pastor of one of the largest churches in the United States. Pastor Warren has one focus in every sermon and every event at his church... how much money can you give us? He is far more concerned about having church members turn over their paychecks to the church (and I'm not kidding about that) to build a multi-million dollar church administration building than he is about living a purpose driven life. As a former member I can say that the tax avoiding (he doesn't pay taxes even though he is supposed to) Pastor Warren does not live the life he writes about in his book. He lives in an expensive house, drives very expensive cars and uses each sermon to beg for more money. Don't waste your time on anything he produces.
Rating:
Summary: Going through it now...
Review: (Actually, I wish we could do half-stars because I'd go for a three-and-a-half here.) I'm a little over halfway through the book, doing the church-wide study thing. If you're a long-time believer or you are looking for something that ties in with some personal favorite doctrine of yours, this book is probably not for you. If you like diving deeply into whatever theological topic you like to study, this isn't for you. That doesn't make it a bad book. It just means it might not be for you... but it can be great for others. This book is quite good for helping a new believer get grounded in the faith, and it is good for an interdenominational study group because it focuses on the basics and not "pet doctrines". It's also good for believers who know the basics but really haven't strung them together yet in a way that makes sense. It's a solid book for basic Christian living. For this reason, it is a decent book for Bible study (although the huge movement around the Purpose-Driven books is a bit much). There are some flaws. IMO, the biggest ones are the use of too many translations and the heavy use of verses from The Message. I'm a multiple-translation fan, sure... but consistency is a good thing, and TM is a one-man paraphrase rather than a true Bible translation. Sticking to one or two solid, well-known translations would have been much easier for new believers and for average readers alike. Even those of us who collect translations aren't crazy about using every single one for a chapter. In short, it's a good book for new believers, people who don't like to read much, busy people who don't have time to read a lot but can handle brief chapters, people who aren't hung up on denominational differences, and a few others. It's a good starting point, and should not be judged as if it should be something more.
Rating:
Summary: atrocious book
Review: the introduction of the book was well organized. but the author kept on repeating the same ideas in each chapter. the book could be reduced to a 100-booklet at most. Then in his chapter of fellowship, he criticized the hermits by saying this is not the way u could feel GOD in ur life. By that, he proved again that he is against the catholic and orthodox churches. what about the thousands of hermits still living today in Greece (in the holy mountain) and everywhere else? he didn't consider those hermits who quit the sinful life to live for GOD. The life is so sinful that we r committed to satan in a way or another on a daily/regular basis. So we have to respect those hermits who sacrificed their lives for GOD and christ. It is so sad that a guy (warren) who believes himself he is living for GOD to talk like this about the SAINTS. GOD bless
Rating:
Summary: life changes
Review: my church is doing this book for 40 day's and we are on chapter 16 so therefore i can't give you a review in it's entirety, however up to chapter 16 i find this a book of preparation getting us ready for the "eternal life ". it is one of the best explained, written books that i have ever read. upon completion i then will give a complete review .
Rating:
Summary: Waste of Money
Review: I bought this on a recommendation of a friend, and really wish I hadn't. I thought it was sloppy writing, and not relevant to my life.
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