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==Criticisms of ''The Purpose Driven Life''== ==Criticisms of ''The Purpose Driven Life''==

In spite of its widespread use and endorsement, including Reverend ] calling it a classic devotional, some in the Christian community have been critical of the book for various reasons. ] and ] criticized the book as "pop gospel." Others have expressed concern that Warren's methods do not adequately account for individuality, providing a one-size-fits all approach to spirituality. Many Christians have expressed concerns with ''The Purpose Driven Life'' and the teachings of ] for their ']-esque' business models, their ] worldview, ] and ] influences such as walking the ], ], ], ], ] Praise Dancing, and other practices considered by many Christians to be un-] and/or even of the ], entering the ]. However many of these influences have been used by the church, most specifically, ], for centuries. In spite of its widespread use and endorsement, including Reverend ] calling it a classic devotional, some in the Christian community have been critical of the book for various reasons. ] and ] criticized the book as "pop gospel." Others have expressed concern that Warren's methods do not adequately account for individuality, providing a one-size-fits all approach to spirituality. Many Christians have expressed concerns with ''The Purpose Driven Life'' and the teachings of ] for their ']-esque' business models, their ] worldview, ] and ] influences such as walking the ], ], ], ], ] Praise Dancing, and other practices considered by many Christians to be un-] and/or even of the ], entering the ]. However many of these influences have been used by the church, most specifically, ], for centuries.


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Secular criticism can also be found. For example, a series of essays explain that the business models of the mega-churches. Given that the overall growth of evangelicalism in the US is flat, so what is all the talk about God doing a magnificent work or revival in America, especially as boasted by many of the Rick Warren clones? The reason, according to ''Business Week'', is similar to when a Home Depot or Wal-Mart moves into a small town. All your needs can be met in one place so the mom and pop shops close up. The same kind of market-driven philosophy is taking place in the church. Secular criticism can also be found. For example, a series of essays explain that the business models of the mega-churches. Given that the overall growth of evangelicalism in the US is flat, so what is all the talk about God doing a magnificent work or revival in America, especially as boasted by many of the Rick Warren clones? The reason, according to ''Business Week'', is similar to when a Home Depot or Wal-Mart moves into a small town. All your needs can be met in one place so the mom and pop shops close up. The same kind of market-driven philosophy is taking place in the church.

The following articles, essays and audios deal with serious concerns raised regarding ] book in particularly, and Rick Warren's Purpose Driven movement and teachings in general.

===External links to critiques===
* Lighthouse Trails Research Project
* By Paul Proctor
* By Merv Tucker
* Part 1 By Richard Bennett
* Part 2 By Richard Bennett
*
*
* ('''CRITICAL ISSUES''' commentary)
* (Banner of Truth)
* by Scott C. Mooney
* or "WHAT ON EARTH AM I DOING READING THIS BOOK?"
* by Gary E. Gilley, Pastor-Teacher Southern View Chapel - Springfield, IL ''No one has exemplified the market-driven approach better than Rick Warren, pastor of the huge Saddleback Church in southern California and author of The Purpose-Driven Church and The Purpose-Driven Life. While Warren is open and up-front about his philosophy, strategy and methods, nevertheless things are not always as they appear. For example, “purpose-driven” sounds better than “market-driven” but it is basically the same thing. In his book The Purpose-Driven Life, his opening statement is, “It is not about you,” then turns around and writes a whole book about “you.” He belittles pop-psychology then repeatedly promotes it by simply calling it something else. He publicly cuts ties with Robert Schuller, then regurgitates some of the most odious things that Schuller has been teaching for thirty years. He claims commitment to the Scriptures then undermines them at almost every turn. He will tell his followers that he is not tampering with the message but only reengineering the methods, when in fact he has so altered the message as to make it all but unrecognizable.''
* by Bob DeWaay - " ''Warren’s man-centered theology comes with more evangelical ideas than does Schuller’s. Warren includes many more Biblical truths than Schuller ever did. In my opinion this makes Warren more deceptive than Schuller. Schuller ignored the Bible and depended on psychological concepts. Warren uses perverted Bible translations that change God-centered passages to man-centered passages. By carefully selecting the right mistranslation for each of his teaching points he has made the man-centered theology touted by Schuller seem Biblical.'' "
* by Stephen Weir '''Reasons For This Paper''': ''As manager of a conservative evangelical Christian literature service I am being asked with increasing frequency by concerned customers for information about Rick Warren’s best-seller of over 20 million copies, “The Purpose-Driven Life” (Zondervan, 2002). There are also believers personally known to me asking for similar information. Many good papers have already been written, to which this is intended to be a useful supplement. Because so many believers and churches are being affected, and because PDL contains so much harmful, dangerous false teaching, I have sought the Lord’s help to set out clearly and systematically, in a single paper, the basic objections and dangers I have found in this book.''
* '''The Purpose-Driven® Life''': An Evaluation & by Southern View Chapel "''Once we believe we have the right to change the meaning of God's Word to suit our agenda, there is no limit as to how far the misrepresentation of God's truth can go. This is exactly how virtually every cult and heresy is started.''"
* - Review of ''The Purpose Driven® Life'' referencing the ''NewsNight with Aaron Brown'' discussion of Rick Warren and '''Purpose Driven®''' related controversy. Site includes • A STATEMENT FROM GRACE TO YOU: John MacArthur on CNN's NewsNight with Aaron Brown, book reviews, reader comments and links to other websites.
* The Purpose Driven Life - Readers' Reviews
* By Nathan Busenitz
* by Stuart L Brogden
* by Michael Stohlmeyer
* (By Nathan Busenitz)
*
* Reviewed by Paul Alexander
*
* by Challies.com September 21, 2004 - Make sure you read the commentary at the end of the explanation
* by James Sundquist False Teachings, False Teachers, and Contradictions in Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life Book and Program
* By Todd Friel
* by Todd Wilken
* by Todd Wilken
* with Radio Host Todd WilkenDiscussion: The Purpose Driven Life Guests: Professor Larry Rast, Pastor Wil Weedon, and Pastor Tom Baker Date: October 29, 2003
* by John V. Fesko
* By Noel A. Espinosa
* Reasons Not to Join the Purpose Driven® Life Movement by Marshall C. St. John
* - Especially to the Ecumenical Third Wave New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and "Positive Thinking" Movement compiled by Sandy Simpson
* by Sandy Simpson, 11/2/05
* by Brian Jonson " ''The video on exponential growth, presented by Warren, is one of the most shocking teachings I have ever seen emerge from a Southern Baptist. Our denomination is considered conservative and thoroughly Bible-based. When a minister in the SBC presents philosophies or doctrines that are contrary to scripture, he must be rebuked. This is true of the pastor of the smallest congregation as well as the largest. The fact that Saddleback Church is the largest in our movement makes this action so much more urgent.'' "
* July 2005 - Volume 11, Issue 7
* A Compendium of quotes
* pdf (Online Book) An Analysis of The Purpose Driven Life and Related Issues
In 2005, Zondervan senior marketing editor Greg Stielstra published <i>Pyromarketing</i>, which in part described how <i>The Purpose Driven Life</i> was marketed. This led to a dispute with Rick Warren, who felt that it was inappropriate to associate the success of his book with marketing, rather than with spiritual explanations. Articles on Rick Warren's use of "Pyromarketing" to sell his Purpose Driven® products: by Tim Challies; July 25, 2005; September 15, 2005; and .
* Notice the difference between being "driven" and being "led"

===Audio resources===
* by Rev. Bob DeWaay Pastor of Twin City Fellowship in Minneapolis, Minnesota

:''Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven" philosophy was examined from several angles.''

:''A local church often takes on the Purpose Driven mold after a pastor expresses his "vision" (not God's vision) for the church, gains the support of leaders in the church, and finally announces it to the congregation, with the expectation that all will embrace the "vision". Those who do not agree with the changes, are characterized as opposing God's vision, and asked to leave.''

:''In a way each church becomes a franchise, (like McDonalds), where standardized methods, preaching, etc. are introduced, and only those who agree can stay. But, like McDonalds, the menu is pared down to a few attractive messages, while hard biblical truths are ignored.''
* KFUO Host: Todd Wilken "Rick Warren's '40 Days of Community'" Chris Rosebrough Extreme Theology.com
* KFUO Host: Rev Todd Wilken guest Rev. Greg Alms Redeemer Lutheran Church Catawba, NC
* KFUO Host: Rev Todd Wilken guest Rev. Greg Alms Redeemer Lutheran Church Catawba, NC



{{seealso | Critiques of The Purpose Driven Life | Megachurch}} {{seealso | Critiques of The Purpose Driven Life | Megachurch}}

Revision as of 07:39, 1 February 2006

Purpose Driven Life Book Cover

The Purpose Driven Life (2002) is a Christian advice book written by by Rick Warren and published by Zondervan. The book has been on the New York Times Bestseller list for advice books for 149 weeks (as of November 2005). The book offers readers a 40-day personal spiritual journey, and presents what Warren says are the five Biblical purposes of life on Earth. As of November 2005, The Purpose Driven Life has been translated into 56 languages and was the bestselling book in the world for 2003, 2004, and 2005. It has won numerous literary awards.

Since September 2002, over 30,000 congregations, corporations, and sports teams across the United States have participated in a "40 Days of Purpose" emphasis. A May 2005 survey of American pastors and ministers conducted by George Barna asked Christian leaders to identify what books were the most influential on their lives and ministries. The Purpose Driven Life was the most frequent response. The Purpose Driven Church, Warren's previous book, was the second most frequent response. The book has sold over 24 million copies (as of November, 2005).

After hostage Ashley Smith read Chapter 32 to her captor Brian Nichols (who shot four people in Atlanta on March 11, 2005), the book hit number one on several religion and advice best-seller lists - including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Publishers Weekly. However, this wholesome advertisement for the book was undermined in September of that year, when Smith admitted in her memoirs that she had also pacified her captor with crystal methamphetamine.


Content

The book is intended to be read as a daily inspiration, with each of the forty short chapters read on consecutive days. Each chapter contains a personal application section at the end with a "point to ponder," a verse to remember, and a question to consider over the course of that day. Rick Warren described his book as an "anti-self-help book." The first sentence of the book reads, "It's not about you," and the remainder of the chapter goes on to explain how the quest for personal fulfillment, satisfaction, and meaning can only be found in understanding and doing what God placed you on Earth to do. The book's forty chapters are divided into six (6) major sections, with the following titles:

  • What on Earth Am I Here For?
  • Purpose #1: You Were Planned for God's Pleasure
  • Purpose #2: You Were Formed for God's Family
  • Purpose #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ
  • Purpose #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God
  • Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission


Criticisms of The Purpose Driven Life

In spite of its widespread use and endorsement, including Reverend Billy Graham calling it a classic devotional, some in the Christian community have been critical of the book for various reasons. Jimmy Swaggart and John MacArthur criticized the book as "pop gospel." Others have expressed concern that Warren's methods do not adequately account for individuality, providing a one-size-fits all approach to spirituality. Many Christians have expressed concerns with The Purpose Driven Life and the teachings of Rick Warren for their 'Walmart-esque' business models, their humanistic worldview, Eastern philosophy and Mystical influences such as walking the Labyrinth, Breath Prayers, Mantras, Chants, Hula Praise Dancing, Contemplative Repetitive Prayers and other practices considered by many Christians to be un-Christian and/or even of the occult, entering the church. However many of these influences have been used by the church, most specifically, Eastern Orthodox, for centuries.

Another common complaint is that Warren fails to present the evangelical Christian gospel accurately--failing to accurately represent the nature of sin, repentance and hell, for example. Critics also frequently complain that The Purpose Driven Life contains many examples of inaccurate exegesis, and that it makes frequent use of inaccurate Bible translations or paraphrases.

Secular criticism can also be found. For example, a series of Business Week essays explain that the business models of the mega-churches. Given that the overall growth of evangelicalism in the US is flat, so what is all the talk about God doing a magnificent work or revival in America, especially as boasted by many of the Rick Warren clones? The reason, according to Business Week, is similar to when a Home Depot or Wal-Mart moves into a small town. All your needs can be met in one place so the mom and pop shops close up. The same kind of market-driven philosophy is taking place in the church.

The following articles, essays and audios deal with serious concerns raised regarding The Purpose Driven Life book in particularly, and Rick Warren's Purpose Driven movement and teachings in general.

External links to critiques

In 2005, Zondervan senior marketing editor Greg Stielstra published Pyromarketing, which in part described how The Purpose Driven Life was marketed. This led to a dispute with Rick Warren, who felt that it was inappropriate to associate the success of his book with marketing, rather than with spiritual explanations. Articles on Rick Warren's use of "Pyromarketing" to sell his Purpose Driven® products: Pyromarketing and The Purpose Driven Life by Tim Challies; Purposeful Interference July 25, 2005; Purposeful Interference - An Update September 15, 2005; and God of Small Things.

  • Driven or Led? Notice the difference between being "driven" and being "led"

Audio resources

Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven" philosophy was examined from several angles.
A local church often takes on the Purpose Driven mold after a pastor expresses his "vision" (not God's vision) for the church, gains the support of leaders in the church, and finally announces it to the congregation, with the expectation that all will embrace the "vision". Those who do not agree with the changes, are characterized as opposing God's vision, and asked to leave.
In a way each church becomes a franchise, (like McDonalds), where standardized methods, preaching, etc. are introduced, and only those who agree can stay. But, like McDonalds, the menu is pared down to a few attractive messages, while hard biblical truths are ignored.


See also: Megachurch

Other Books by Rick Warren

  • The Purpose Driven Church (ISBN 0310201063)
  • Answers To Life's Difficult Questions (ISBN 0966089529)
  • The Power To Change Your Life (ISBN 0966089510)
  • What on Earth Am I Here For? Booklet (ISBN 0310264839)
  • Personal Bible Study Methods (ISBN 0966089502)

External links

Categories: