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I wouldn't call the content "compelling." That was their word. I would say it is an interesting read. An easy read.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Has some good content but a little preachy and redundant with the biblical propaganda. I was searching for some words of wisdom to help me when I was questioning myself through societies demands but just ended up more frustrated and confused. I recommend Thoreau's Walden or the readings of Ralph Waldo Emerson or other transcendalist authors of their time for anyone who is looking for true words of wisdom. Anything written in the 21st century is almost guaranteed to have a hidden agenda or alterior motives from special interests groups. Learn to read between the lines.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is an interesting tool for Christians to examine their faith and mission, particularly in a Church group setting. It asks people to examine themselves, as individuals, and to check up on where they are at as a congregation of Christ's ambassadors. I think the first part of the book is uncomfortable for many readers because while it mentions what a wondrous creation of God we all are, it also stresses that "it's not about us", it's about our living and working to bring glory to our Creator. It's all about Him. Many modern Christians are tied up with "prosperity preachers" who tell you that if you're right with God, you can expect great things to happen for you: money, success, and even, fame. Mr. Warren cautions the reader not to get too comfortable with the world around us and our success in it because our place, or lack of it, in eternity demands that people live by the will and rules of God, not man. It's a good wake-up call. I didn't like the use of so many sources of Scripture that were not familiar to me, but I read somewhere that he said he did that so people wouldn't see the same old text and just gloss over it because it was so familiar. While I don't think the book is perfect, it gives a needed perspective to faith in a society that is ever increasingly materialistic and status driven. I'd buy it again to gain that perspective.Read full review
"The Purpose-Driven Life focuses on helping readers answer the question, "What on earth am I here for?" Warren sets out to help readers become the people that God wants them to be. He elaborates on five truths to answer this question of why we are here. According to Warren, we exist for the purposes of worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship and discipleship. He states that in fulfilling these roles on earth, we find and fulfill our purposes. This is a comprehensive book about how to live the Christian life successfully. It discusses most of the major themes of The Bible. Warren cites over 1,000 scriptures in the book. He rarely makes a point without quoting from the Bible. The messages of the chapters are relevant for new and mature Christians. The book is formatted in 40 chapters. Warren suggests readers study a chapter a day for 40 days, so that the reader can take time to reflect and meditate on each chapter's lesson. Each chapter ends with a main point to consider, a scripture to remember and a question to answer. I found these questions to be thought-provoking and meaningful. This book is an excellent tool for study groups to read and discuss. It emphasizes the importance of Christian character development and of becoming an active member of a community of believers. Warren provides reasons and practical ways for the reader to serve others inside and outside the church. For a church wanting to develop individuals excited and prepared to do ministry, promoting studies of The Purpose-Driven Life would help to meet this objective. Warren concludes the book by addressing each person's mission within the church and world. He also includes an appendix with further questions to initiate discussion among readers. In citing 1000 scriptures throughout the book, Warren uses 15 different Bible translations interchangeably. He explains that all translations have limitations and that he uses various translations to present scriptures in a fresh way. The references for the scriptures he quotes are in endnotes, so I was continually turning to the back of the book to discover the version and verse of a scripture. To a minor extent, I think this undermines the integrity and flow of the book. I always try to keep in mind when reading a book like this that the author's opinions are not infallible like the Bible. I say this because there are a few times while reading this book when I disagreed with an opinion of Warren's which was stated as a fact. Readers should keep in mind that opinions of Christian authors are debatable and not gospel. I don't think these two criticisms detract much from the value of this book. Warren writes that "The purpose of your life fits into a much larger, cosmic purpose that God has designed for eternity. That's what this book is about." In The Purpose Driven Life, Warren has written indefatigably about this purpose, and I think reading it will help you identify and fulfill your purpose." I found the best deal from Overstock.com here: http://www.buzzillions.com/prd-330112-the-purpose-driven-life-reviews/?in_merch=1&prRpp=100Read full review
I READ THE BOOK AND WENT THROUGH THE 40 DAYS AS IT SAYS WITH A CHURCH GROUP. I ENJOYED THE BOOK AND I FELT A GREAT DEAL OF SATISFACTION WITH THE WAY THAT THE AUTHOR EXPLAINED A LOT OF THE PARABLES AND THE SCRIPTURES. HE IS A VERY TALENTED AND INSPIRATIONAL WRITER IN MY OPINION. I BELIEVE THAT HE WAS EITHER TAUGHT BY OR WAS INSPIRED BY THE LIKES OF ROBERT SCHULLAR AND NORMAN VINCENT PEALE. HE HAS A TALENT FOR BRINGING THE WORD TO THE PEOPLE AND PUTTING IT IN A LANGUAGE THAT ALL CAN UNDERSTAND. AS A MATTER OF FACT, WITH THIS BOOK READ, IT MADE ME INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT ELSE WAS BEING WRITTEN USING THE BIBLE AS A BACKGROUND. I ENJOYED THE BOOK AND HAVE EVEN SUGGESTED IT TO OTHER FOLKS. MY HUSBAND AND HIS FAMILY ALONG WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY READ IT, AND WE ARE ALL OF THE SAME AGREEMENT THAT IT WAS SUPERBLY WRITTEN BY A MAN WITH A GENUINE LOVE FOR GOD.Read full review
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