Purpose Driven Life...another Gospel?....Who has read this book and what did you think about it?

Question

How about those against that book? I like what Paul tells the Galatians after he heard they were being lured into the words of Judaism..."I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ to a diffeent gospel"...Galatians 1:6

to Rachel K---WOW I couldn't stop laughing when I read your response. How true those words are. Praise God for Biblically minded people like you that can discern the truth from garbage.

Answer 1

I started to listen to the tapes, but found some things that were disturbing.

The author kept saying within each day that "the Bible says that" but would never give the chapter and verse to look up the verses, and these quotations were not things I had ever heard before. So I have to wonder where he is getting his scriptural information.

Secondly, he mentioned in about day 12 that in order to be constantly praying that you need to keep some chanting the same thing over and over again. I don't see that as being scriptural and it reminds me of Eastern religions, not something Christian. Can you see Jesus chanting a saying over and over?

So, because of these reasons (and others) I have not finished listening to the book on tape.

I would caution anyone who chooses to listen to the books, to carefully pray about what you hear and ask God to reveal to you whether this doctrine is of God or not.

Answer 2

There are some good points in the book- especially the statement that this life is not about me at all, it is about living for God. However, as someone else just answered there are some erroneous statements made, that can be very damaging. When a Christian writes a book they have to be very careful that they are following scripture exactly are they can mislead people. I believe Warren does that from time to time in this book. We may miss evangelizing someone and miss out on the blessing of seeing them come to know Christ, but God has other people that can help lead them to Christ. We will be held accountable, for not sharing, but if that person is going to be saved, He will use others to help them.

Answer 3

The Purpose Driven Life is absolutely ridiculous. The man comes up with his concepts and then picks verses out of context in whichever translation suits whatever he's trying to say. He's not a good writer and he isn't saying anything that hasn't been said before. We read that book for a "Bible Study" that mainly consisted of me mocking the book and everyone else trying to stay focused.

EDIT: I love jonjon's answer! It's true, half of his little inspirational sayings can be found in gaudy colored posters on Middle School walls.

Answer 4

I started reading the book and put it down shortly after I picked it up. Why not read the bible? I found the bible to be much more worthwhile. The Purpose Driven Life is sort of a pale shadow of the source. Therefore, I choose to stick to the source.

Answer 5

It is most definitely NOT a new gospel, nor does it try to portray a "good works" philosophy. What it says is simply that God put you here for a reason...first of all to receive salvation, but once you have received that, we have a purpose to fulfill, and that is to do work for the kingdom of God...that may be serving your family, it may be serving the homeless, it may be serving as a missionary--but whatever it is, you do it out of grattitude and love for the sacrifice of the Savior.

Answer 6

He's an ecumenical New Ager preaching a false Gospel.

Answer 7

Redundant ditchwater. I could go in the kitchen at my office, transcribe all the coffee mugs, and end up with a practically identical volume of drivel.

Answer 8

I thought it was an awesome book. Our whole church did it as a bible study together. I got a lot out of it.

Answer 9

It isn't a "new gospel" it is a book that was written to explain things.

Answer 10

Bad stuff.