This piece by evangelist Rick Warren is based on a 40-day program. According to him, everyone who has not completely dedicated their life to Jesus has no real, objective purpose. The only purpose, says Warren, is what we create for ourselves. This is assumed to be undesirable. To further underscore his point, he asserts that without eternal consequences, there is no reason to behave morally due to a lack of long-term consequences. What he fails to understand is the simple fact that there ARE long-term consequences to everything we do, from social alliances to career advancements and personal improvement.

Logic students will likely recognise this argument as an appeal to consequences (if something is true, it has positive effects, therefore it must be true, and vice versa). It gets worse; he opens his first chapter with a "quote" from Bertrand Russel that was fabricated out of whole cloth. Russel was an atheist, and Warren apparently believes this helps prove his point (which it most certainly doesn't).

Although Warren claims that he has not written a self-help tome, it reeks of hollow and facile platitudes, along the lines of "cast aside past traumas and wrongdoings done to you" and "God loves you. He created everything about you, from your personality to your physical attributes." As the eloquent and robust intellectual Steve Shives from YouTube has sharply pointed out, these phrases will have no comfort to those afflicted from birth with a predisposition towards cancer or full-blown Cystic Fibrosis. Free will is thrown out the window, which leads to Warren inadvertently sandbagging the next premise he attempts to make. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Further evidence that reveals the dishonest claim of not being a self-help book are lines that are essentially plagiarised from The Secret. Ask. Believe. Receive. If everything was that simple, we would be able to eliminate poverty and despotism overnight, but it's not, and we clearly cannot.

Free will doesn't defend against this, especially since an omniscient god, by definition, planned everything, including the pear-shaped conclusion for his beloved creations.

Warren's purposes for human life (which he implies are better than our own self-determined purposes) basically amount to nothing more than worship, prayer and singing to god's glory. It's almost as if he is attempting to make eternal life with his god LESS palatable than eternal torture or separation. Frankly, I think he can do better. I can't imagine impoverished and emaciated children or adults turning to Christianity because the rewards will come after they are dead. If any do fall for his con game, they will likely enter mutual-murder pacts to escape their torments upon this Earth. I honestly don't think this is what the author is intending, but it seems more likely than the book's stated goal.

Anecdotes are liberally sprinkled around in an attempt to allow the reader to empathise with Warren's acquaintances, or more rarely, Warren himself.

This book was on my shelf, but frankly, not on my list. I read it because a friend asked me to join him in his 40-day journey. Took me 109 days, to be exact, which probably says something about my purpose and drivenness. Honestly, I think it says more about my season: the book might have really grabbed me in a different season—say, 15 years ago. Today, I appreciated some of the pithy takeaways, and I admire the author; but the whole project seemed pervaded by a “just-so” set of answers to every question—a simplified, self-help-y gospel that intrinsically flattens out the textured terrain of Christian life. I realize this is probably the exact reason it has had such an impact on so many—and for that I really am grateful—but as I said, it wasn’t on my list.

"It's not about you."

Changed my life.

I took Warren's challenge and found that I was not where I should have been. Paradoxically, I was at that time employed by a Christian ministry highly regarded by many (and vilified by some), but I knew--I knew--that wasn't where I was supposed to be. So, I quit my job and sought a new direction.

Not there yet by a long shot, but thanks to Rick Warren I'm on my way.

I think I'm the only one in the world who hated this book. It annoyed the crap out of me. It lays out a canned formula to live. Turn-off for me.

Got to day two and the entire time I was very uncomfortable with how he quoted Scripture. He would say, “The Bible says,” then in italics would be the verse, but 1) wouldn’t say from what translation it was, 2) wouldn’t say from what part of the Bible it was (no chapter or verse, very strange and suspect to me) and 3) while I’m no Biblical scholar, the verses were NOT familiar to me in the slightest. It’s like he was saying the following is from the Bible and make up stuff to sound somewhat Bible-ish.

This made all my alarm bells go off. Why hide what section of the Bible what he is quoting came from? Why not say what translation it was from? It’s not very transparent and makes me question what is being said.

I’m not comfortable with this and am stopping at day two. No star rating, because I didn’t get very far and I don’t feel that my issue is worthy of a low or high star rating. Just be cautious when reading. If he’s not being honest with the Scripture he is using, what else is misleading the reader?

Leer sobre religión y espiritualidad no es algo común para mí, sin embargo, dentro de mis desafíos de lectura autoimpuestos para este año está el echar mano a aquellos libros que andan dando vuelta en mi casa, para luego de leerlos decidir si me los quedaré o los donaré/venderé/regalaré.
Este libro fue muy útil en momentos de seria crisis espiritual/religiosa. Con la situación actual del cristianismo resulta difícil mantener una relación cercana con Dios y su mensaje. Si bien este libro no busca cambiar eso, me ayudó tremendamente a reencontrarme con Dios y comprender, desde un punto de vista espiritual, algunos propósitos de vida.
No seguí la premisa de seguir los 40 días de lectura, sino que lo leí de corrido. Así y todo se me hicieron más útiles los capítulos 1 al 28, de ahí en adelante se notaba mucho el sentido evangélico del mensaje del autor.
Mantendré este libro en mi biblioteca para releerlo en distintos momentos de mi vida.

According to this book, the path way to happiness lies with accepting the bible, understanding it, believing in Jesus (who is God come down to earth in order to suffer for some sins we all have), and going to Church.

It's very hard to separate the author's mysticism (he believes in demons and the devil, Noah is real, it was Adam and Eve that heard a talking snake) and his not explained but merely stated theology from his self help advice. I don't think there was an original thought in the whole book. It reminded me of the religious tracts I would find in the stalls of the public bathrooms last century. Reason is a bad thing, faith, submission, give your self over to a higher power and other such pablum are sprinkled through out the text.

This book is the perfect microcosm of what went as wisdom in the early part of the 21st century. I despise AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) 9 steps (or whatever the number is), but there is value in anyone talking with someone else who shares the experiences that you are going through. This book was like the AAs 9 steps (because I bet he had 7 or 8 of the steps in the book) but without the sharing except for the advice by the author to give the suggestion to have a "purpose driven life" you must go to Church. Churches are dying off in this country (and are less and less in Northern Europe) for a reason. If the best advice someone can give for purpose in life is only external (go to Church, read the bible, submit to God, and talk to imaginary people in your brain), then such a book as this should never have been written and most certainly never read by me.

3.5 stars

So, I thought it was high time I read this. The Purpose Driven Life is an evangelical staple. It's one of the best selling Christian books of the 21st century, yet at the same time has been heavily criticised by conservative Protestants (among whom I would count myself). I wanted to see what the fuss was about.

Honestly, I thought this book was fine. Good, even. There are minor critiques I could make here and there, but overall, if someone exploring Christianity or some new Christian convert was reading this and seriously wrestling with its contents, I'd be really excited about that.

My small group from church went through this together, but really, I'll take any excuse to read something by Rick Warren. While he may not be as theologically intellectual as Brennan Manning or as outside-the-box in thinking as say, C.S. Lewis, he's relatable and has a heart for people and God. His ministry has impacted millions of people for the Lord.

This is a great book for everyone to read at least once. And the S.H.A.P.E. test is amazing! Everyone should take the S.H.A.P.E test in addition to The Five Love Languages test (different book and author, but while we're on the subject of tests...).

I'd rate this book a PG.

I am reading the hard cover copy but I couldn't find it on GoodReads.

I am starting this book today. I am also going to do what it suggests - only read one chapter a day for 40 days. So that means, I will finish this book in a little over a month.

The whole point of the book is to supposedly show you *why* you are on this Earth.

I've been doing a lot of soul-searching lately & I am hoping to gain some knowledge from reading this book.

"Self-help books often suggest that you try to discover the meaning & 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, & His reasons for creating you. You were made *by* God & *for* God, & until you understand that, life will never make sense." (Quoted from the book)

So far I *really* enjoy this book! It is very inspiring & a real "wake up" call to me.
I am a Christian but I haven't exactly been living like one for years. I sort of "back slid" & just lived day to day like everyone else.
I really hope to make some permanent spiritual changes from reading this book!

I read this for a book group my friend was leading. I totally hated it. Totally. Hated. It.

A. I don't like any book that purports to speak on behalf of God and/or dictate what God thinks. Unless God is sitting there in the room with us and saying, "Yup, I totally agree with Rick on that point", Rick Warren has no right to speak on God's behalf.

B. It reeks of feel-good, pop-psychology-driven Christianity. "God loves you no matter how wickedly terrible you are and how many puppies you drowned and how many houses you burned down and . . . ."

C. The book focuses on making you not feel so bad about yourself instead of focusing on God. You could have edited the message in the book to be based upon any religion or even no religion at all.

D. I felt like I was reading Rick's opinion as opposed to something biblical. I too can probably find an appropriate bible verse to illustrate many things I think and believe, particularly if I use a plethora of translations.

E. I'd rather people who consider themselves to be Christians actually sit down and read the Bible. So few Christians have read the Bible for themselves and only know the contents via what others have told them.

“What on Earth Am I Here For?”

“10 years ago, Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, which became the bestselling hardback non-fiction book in history, and is the second most-translated book in the world, after the Bible. PDL has inspired and changed tens of millions of lives … more than any modern book.

NOW, Rick has updated and expanded the book with new chapters on the greatest barriers to living your purpose, plus 42 video introductions to each chapter theme, and 42 additional audio messages that go deeper into each chapter.

He has also created a new small group curriculum and new sermon series for pastors, and new follow-up events to conserve the evangelistic and discipleship results you will experience.

In the original 40 Days of Purpose campaign, churches averaged 28% growth in attendance, and over 100% growth in small group Bible study! People WANT to know their purpose in life!

The Purpose Driven Life will enable a new generation in your church to discover God’s purposes for their lives and empower your church with a fresh new wind of hope, joy, and vitality!” (From the Zondervan Publishing Company Website)

About the Author:
As founding pastor of Saddleback Church, Dr. Rick Warren leads a 30,000 member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As a theologian, he has lectured at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, University of Judaism, and dozens of universities and seminaries. As a global strategist he advises world leaders and has spoken to the United Nations, US Congress, Davos Economic Forum, TED, Aspen Institute, and numerous parliaments. Rick has also founded the global P.E.A.C.E. plan, which Plants churches of reconciliation, Equips leaders, Assists the poor, Cares for the sick, and Educates the next generation in 196 countries.

My Thoughts About the Book: Everyone needs a purpose in life – a reason to get out of bed each morning and live. Rick Warren quotes the famous atheist, Bertrand Russell, at the beginning of his book as stating, “Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” And then he writes what to many in our self-absorbed, me-first, narcissistic culture today would be the most dreadful words a man could speak or write, “”IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU! The purpose of life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.” They are true words for a world of people starving for non-relative absolute truth. But then, if it is not about us, who or what is ‘It,” this thing called life, about?

In the revised and improved edition of his book The Purpose Driven Life, (although as life impacting and successful as his first book was for so many people it is hard to believe it could be improved upon); pastor and author Warren answers that question for us as his reader in bold and certain terms. And he does through a “40 day spiritual journey,” although it is more than that to be sure.

In the first section of his author Warren answers the question, “What on earth am I here for?” He then reveals 5 different purposes as to why we are here: (1). “You Were Planned For God’s Pleasure,” (2). “You Were Formed For God’s Family,” (3). “You Were Created To Become Like Christ,” (4). “You Were shaped For Serving God” and finally (5). “You Were Made For A Mission.”

Under each of the 5 sections of the book, the answer to the question in the section is broken down into short chapters full of Biblical insight and truth. Author Warren refers to Biblical passages, shares relevant quotes, reveals practically gained insights from the life experiences of either himself or his family as well as from others, and “A Point To Ponder,” :A Verse To Remember,” “A Question to Consider” and “A Message to Hear.” A short powerful video that reinforces what is written in the book is also available concerning the topic or spiritual discipline of the day.

During the 42 day spiritual journey contained in the book author Warren writes about such vitally important spiritual matters as The Reason For Everything, Worship, The Church (The Family of God); Christlikeness, Temptation, Serving God, Mission, The Envy Trap and the People-Pleaser Trap and much more. He concludes his book with discussion questions and other helpful resources to consider.

The beauty of Rick Warren’s new book is the shortness of the chapters and videos so he does not bore us to tears with unnecessary information or non-relevant facts. No, quite the contrary occurs. He has written each chapter and produced each video with the intent of arresting our attention and keeping our interest – and he succeeds as far as I am concerned. We want to read each short and interesting chapter of the day, watch the video and ponder the point, work on remembering the verse, consider the question and listen to the message with more than just our ears but with our hearts so that we can ultimately find our true purpose in life and live the abundant and totally satisfying life Christ offers us while here on earth. And in the doing so there is no greater joy and peace in life – to know who you are, whose you are and why you are here. I hope you read the book and enjoy it as much as I have.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book at no cost from the BookSneeze Blogger Program/Zondervan Publishing Company for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."