Rating: 
Summary: Show Me The Power
Review: To use Rick Warren's favorite version, the CEV, " We have never even heard of the Holy Spirit", Acts 19. It's not in this book either.( Recently discovering that Saddleback Church is Southern Baptist based helped me understand ).
The Purpose Driven Life is missing the primary purpose of what Christ accomplished for us. That's why the author is what I call a "Gospel Christian", one who is stuck in the gospels. Focusing on what Jesus said, not on what God gave us and empowered us with through the resurrection of Christ which is where the gospels end and the true purpose of the whole Bible begins. In order to manifest a daily purpose-filled life , the gift of holy spirit was given to empower the individual and to embody the many as one. The purpose 'SPIRIT FILLED' driven church. I can't imagine my life without it nor can Paul, " I'm glad I speak in tongues more than anyone." Our true purpose is to worship God and via His Spirit is the only true way according to John 4:23,24. Yet when I read this verse from Chapter 13 the author explains "...Jesus wasn't referring to the Holy Spirit", I realized that this book doesn't either.
Yes, loving your neighbor and serving others is great too, like Ghandi, or the Dali Lama, or the Boy Scouts. Yet what would our primary purpose be without other people?
God knows.
Rating: 
Summary: Superficial and Disasterously Written
Review: This book is so ridden with cliches, arbitrary lists, generalizations and straw men, that I could hardly see through its good intentions and doctrinal truth. I have no argument with the theology of the book, but huge issues with the writing, structure, style, marketing and presentation. Statements like "The most shocking thing is that Almighty God wants to be your friend," just make me wince--over and over, the author says the obvious in terms of the outrageous. Another favorite device of the author: making a bold stand against a position no one is taking. "God doesn't want us to be robots," he courageously asserts, as if anyone was making the case that God DOES want us to be robots. This book is a perfect example of what I call "Power Point Christianity," in which difficult, complex, challenging issues of faith are watered down to bumper stickers, Sunday School-level questions, and platitudes like "The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart." That is simply thoughtless writing masquerading as profundity; no more insightful than "A stitch in time saves nine." Finally, the IDEA that anyone could discern God's purpose for their lives in 40 days of simplistic reading and facile questions is hard for me to believe. It's possible--miracles happen--but I am very very skeptical about the long-term efficacy of this program. Ten years from now, let's see how influential this book has been and how much people are directing their lives by it. I think this book will be viewed as just another fad, a momentary craze, and that the dust jacket endorsement of this book calling it the "My Utmost for His Highest" of the 21st century will look laughable. My advice on this book: save your money. I got more, spiritually speaking, out of "A Tale of Two Cities," and I am not joking.
Rating: 
Summary: What are you looking for?
Review: The Purpose Driven Life takes us on a 40 day spiritual journey -- a basic exploration of God's purpose for our lives. Each day offers a lesson loaded with scripture and wrapped up with a brief summary point, a verse to remember and a question to consider. Great premise, but before picking up this book, ask yourself one question -- what am I looking for? If you consider C.S. Lewis and Oswald Chambers to be a "light read", this book was not written for you. The Purpose Driven Life was written for the rest of us who are looking to glean Biblical wisdom and apply it to our lives for God's glory, without spending hours dissecting it. The author hasn't served up pablum here, but he has cut the meat into bite size chunks. Are you looking for a simple presentation or an intellectual challenge? The author has used fifteen different biblical translations to "help you see God's truth in new, fresh ways." This will be refreshing to some, and a source of major frustration to others. Are you looking for eclectic, contemporary translations or do you value uniformity? The Purpose Driven Life is a hamburger with all the toppings. Some will like it just the way it is, some will choose to pick off the toppings they don't like and eat what's left, and others will snub the burger because it isn't a steak. No, it's not a steak, but I'd rather have a burger than go hungry. Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory
Rating:
Summary: Definitely not "a groundbreaking manifesto".
Review: This book is definitely not a "GROUNDBREAKING manifesto on the meaning of life" (as the back cover suggests). Nothing that is written in this book is new. When I heard the title for the first time it immediately reminded me of the Westminster Catechism which addresses the problem of the meaning of life already it its first question: "Q: What is the chief and highest end of man? A: Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever." That was written in 1652.
In his book Mr. Warren points us towards God in our search for the meaning of life. After the first chapter which puts our lives in correct perspective, the following five chapters deal with how we should live our lives. We should worship God, fellowship with other Christians, grow as disciples of Christ, serve others, and evangelize the unbelievers. All this is good. Where the books fails is in the details. It is obvious that Mr. Warren is not a great theologian. He has unquestionable leadership gifts, but his theological insights are either shallow, or intentionally kept shallow in this book (maybe to reach a wider audience?). Let me highlight a few areas where this book falls short (as much as 1000 words allow). (1) While the books shows the purpose for our lives, it kind of fails to stir up a passion for that purpose. (2) Warren uses a zillion Bible translations and paraphrases. In the appendix he explains that he does this because: (a) no translation is perfect and (b) we are too used to old translations (yeah, right as if people really read the Bible that much). After reading this book, I find it hard to believe that these were his only motivations for using so many translations. It seems that often the traditional translations (e.g. NIV) did not fit his argument as well as he would like, so he picked whatever translation would fit better. I find it disappointing that Warren uses the 'Message' paraphrase so much -- a Bible version made suitable for reading on the Oprah show, from which everything that might be offensive to the postmodern mind has been removed. (3) Warren makes a point that our earthly life does not matter much when compared to eternity. However, the way he presents it, it seems as if earthly life mattered really little at all. Nietzsche used to make fun of Christians, saying that they "spend their whole lives waiting for death". It seems almost as if Warren agreed with Nietzsche.
While I agree that "our earthly life does not matter much when COMPARED to eternity", I think it is clear from the Bible that our normal life on earth has great value and matters a lot, even when it is just a normal family life. Now, knowing that the blessed and glorious life that Gods gives us to live here on earth is nothing COMPARED (this is the key word) to life in heaven, how much more glorious our heavenly life will be. C.S. Lewis was a master in conveying such nuances. Warren does not know how to do this and thus he misses to stir up real passion for heaven and thankfulness for our earthly lives. (4) I find it bad that his book does not pay much attention to family life (and if it does, then it dismisses its importance). All the 5 purposes of life as defined by Warren can be lived within our own families. Church is not the only place where we can worship, fellowship, serve, etc. We can and we should do all these things with our families. (5) It is sad how simplistic Warren's "instructions" are in Day Seven, on how to accept Christ. He tells the reader to "believe God has chosen you to have a relationship with Jesus, who died on the cross". No explanation at all why Christ had to die on the cross! No mention of repentance!
If lack of space really did not allow for a more complete presentation of the Gospel, then this "invitation to Christ" should have been omitted from the book. Better not put it at all, than phrase it in such simplistic terms. (6) Warren writes as if the Fall of man never happened. Everything between us and God is love, love, love. Doesn't Rom. 9:13 say "Jacob I loved, but Esau I have hated". Doesn't Rom: 9:22 mention "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction". Avoiding these difficult passages leads to simplistic Christianity. (On page 294, Warren writes: "God has never made a person he didn't love" -- Hmm, what about Esau and Pharaoh?) (7) Throughout the book it is obvious that Warren does not put much value on doctrine. I find it sad. It is through doctrine that we understand God and his purposes better. Without it our vision of God is small. We need a glorious and magnificent vision of God to be the driving force for our lives. (8) Warren tells us that God cares the most about saving the lost. The Bible teaches us that God cares the most about His glory, that is WHY he chooses to save the lost. To some it might seem like a fine or irrelevant nuance. I believe that it is a crucial difference. I do not recommend this book. There are many other better books worthy of your time. Pick for example something by John Piper. Or C.S. Lewis, if you are new to Christianity. From my Christian experience I can see how this book can trap some readers into thinking that doing more and more for God will really revitalize their faith. I have been there, looking for things that I could DO to be "closer to God". Not until I found out that the LIFE of faith is in knowing Christ Crucified, did I become FREE, free to do "the good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).
Rating: 
Summary: The best Biblical book Ive read
Review: I have changed spiritually more by reading this book than in the 30 years that I have been a christian. I urgently recommend that if you have been a christian for many years but you consider that you have not changed as God wants you to change, you must read this book.
Rating:
Summary: one star is way too generous
Review: ahhh....yes....a watered down,baby food literary masterpiece. This book is gauranteed to keep any five year old riveted. This book will take you on a repetitave and vague journey to becoming the lukewarm, feelgood, en vogue christian you have always aspired to be. If this sounds good to you, then buy the book, go with the herd and let your mind soak in what this hype driven, sub-mediocre book has to offer. After all, everyone is reading it; and who can help but join in the mass-congealed ambiguity?!?!?! If you're looking for something that doesn't insult your intelligence or maybe something with a spine, something objective, something usefull, then I recommend "the imitation of Christ", "my utmost for His highest", and just about anything C.S. Lewis wrote. -mediocrity is contagious-
Rating:
Summary: NOT commericalized Christianity
Review: I'm a Christian and take seriously the command to "test the spirits to see if they are of God." I was VERY skeptical about this book at first because of other "Christian books" that seemed "commericalized" to the nth degree. BUT after watching the video with my church and actually READING the book, I realized that this is down to earth, to the point and very much blessed by Jesus Christ! Rick Warren isn't stuck up or fake. He really DOES care! I don't believe they make much profit if any off of these books and cds. Pastor Warren really makes you think about life differently - God's way. He uses scripture after scripture to back up what he says and doesn't take them out of context. VERY understandable and readable. For everyone! God bless you Pastor Warren and THANK YOU for allowing God to use you in this wonderful endeavor! Leslie Harris :)
Rating:
Summary: Finally!!!
Review: Rick Warren has captured the heart of Christianity in this book! If you want another book of Greek Theological terms and judgemental doctrine, DO NOT buy this book! If you are looking for the essence of Christianity, and the answer to the question, "Why In the World Am I Here?", purchase this book now! While it is cetainly not a substitute for the Bible, Warren's book captures the simplicity of our relationship with our Creator, and comunicates God's plan and purposes for His creation - You were created to be loved by God, not judged by Him as some would have you believe.
Rating:
Summary: Commercialized Christianity
Review: This book is vapid and shallow. That it has risen to the top of ANY best-seller list is not, unfortunately, surprising, considering the recent rise of "easy holiness" books. This book is wonderful for those who want to feel as though they are doing something proactive instead of reactive in order to learn more about their faith or their purpose, but it is a false security. As some wise person once said, "There's no there there." For those who truly wish to discover their purpose in life, ask God first. You will get an infallible answer. After that perhaps C.S.Lewis. Or Ravi Zacharias. Or Thomas Merton. But please, thinkers, avoid this book and anything else it has spawned.
Rating:
Summary: american christianity at its worst
Review: this book only reinforces and perpetuates western christianity's obsession with self-centered theology. this book should exhort people to ask, "what is God's purpose" rather than "what is God's purpose for me?" this sort of feel-good, watered down christianity will never raise radical servants set apart for Christ. if i'm wrong (and a part of me hopes i am), then i expect there to be an amazing revival SOON, with people committing to share the gospel to all the nations. if you're really interested in finding God's purose (and how you fit into that plan), i encourage everyone to enroll in a perspectives course near you via http://www.perspectives.org i apologize if i've caused anyone to stumble. soli dei gloria.
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