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tdasilva26's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
"You didn't create yourself, so there is no way you can tell yourself what you were created for! . . . You were made by God and for God - and until you understand that, life will never make sense." P. 22
This book was an amazing way to take a step back from my own narrow thinking of my life and dive into God's truth. There are so many things that I didn't realize were present in my life and way of thinking until I read this book and discussed it with friends and as a church community! I am so glad my church took the time to spend 42 days working on our purpose and it was so worth it!
Definitely a rewarding read that I can keep going back to and continue to gain from. As Rick Warren made very clear in the beginning, it is great to read with an accountability partner or partners and not only be held accountable but also learn from each other's perspectives!
This book was an amazing way to take a step back from my own narrow thinking of my life and dive into God's truth. There are so many things that I didn't realize were present in my life and way of thinking until I read this book and discussed it with friends and as a church community! I am so glad my church took the time to spend 42 days working on our purpose and it was so worth it!
Definitely a rewarding read that I can keep going back to and continue to gain from. As Rick Warren made very clear in the beginning, it is great to read with an accountability partner or partners and not only be held accountable but also learn from each other's perspectives!
kirstenjonorarenfroe's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so wonderful. I recommend this book for all Christians no matter how long you have been one. This book has taught me a lot and reminded me of things I have forgotten. Although this book isn't perfect I still agreed with a lot of the authors points. If you can I suggest you pick this book up.
kendallhoward's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
devontrevarrowflaherty's review against another edition
4.0
I am going to have to begin this review with two stories.
First story: I never intended to read this book. As a protestant, evangelical Christian, I come across it all the time, but, like I said, I never intended to read it. Why? It’s pretty simple, if not a bit strange. First, the title. Anyone else think it sounds like a bad, self-help, motivational book? Second, I have a very hard time connecting with Rick Warren. Again, as a protestant, evangelical Christian, I come across Rick Warren all the time, and not least of all because I am involved with Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step program started by his church in California, whose curriculum is heavily influenced by him. Let me be clear: I have nothing against him. We just don’t think the same. Half the time he asks a question and I don’t know what he’s asking, or he uses some teaching technique that just doesn’t work for me. We’re on different pages, mentally.
I was only somewhat surprised, then, when I went online to purchase the book and (no joke) couldn’t figure out which version was which and what exactly I wanted to purchase. It seems he has updated the old version, and in so doing, didn’t just change the cover, but also made the old subtitle more prominent than the old title. That, and there are numerous books related to The Purpose Driven Life; like journals and curriculum for small groups. Utterly confused, I ended up buying the ONLY edition that stated clearly in the synopsis that it was, indeed, the updated version on The Purpose Driven Life.
It arrived in the mail and, much to my chagrin, was the large print edition. Sigh.
Second story: If I am going to be reviewing Christian (and other religious books), it is going to be apparent that I am a Christian, or at least you should be disclaimed of it. This is what that means to me.
I grew up in the church (namely The Salvation Army), and my great aunt was a minister. We were oftentimes in the church building, and I was active in the choir, the Sunbeams (think Christian Brownies) and Girl Guards (think Christian Girl Scouts), as well as Junior Soldiers. I prayed what is known as the sinner’s prayer at age four, and asked Jesus to forgive my sins and come be my Lord. I have had years of doubt and of struggle and pain over the past thirty years, but God has remained my God and I still believe wholeheartedly that Jesus is His son and the Bible is His revelation (and everything else in the Nicene Creed). God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are a part of my daily life, my relationships, and my family life. My passions include meeting others in their needs and struggles and telling them about the freeing love and forgiveness of the Creator of the Universe.
Enough stories. Review.
If you did not know, only just over ten years into its being, The Purpose Drive Life is the best-selling hard-back book in all history. It has spawned a business, a curriculum, and a number of co- materials. I’m not exactly sure who is reading it, but I’m going to venture that a large portion of them are evangelical Christians.
So now that we know that this book is not a poor, self-help book, what is it? It is nonfiction. It is religious. The main question of the book is, of course, “What On Earth Am I Here For?” And the book answers that question to the tune of five purposes that mold into one. Of course, it does this from the standpoint of protestant Christianity, and using Biblical scripture. It covers a lot of ground very quickly, but somehow cuts to the quick in many of the areas it addresses. In a way, then, it’s a primer for the Christian life, working with the Bible as a modern day manual or guidebook that addresses the most basic of operational questions.
Having grown up as both an academic and a Christian, I didn’t expect this book to hold a whole lot of “aha” moments for me. I also expected that it would be written… well… woodily. Happily, neither of these assumptions proved to be true. It is a book that you could come back to time and time again and glean things from. Even if not a Christian, there are certainly wise things to be read here, but taking only those things would completely miss the point of the book. Because, in the end, this book is not for the faint of heart. If one were to accept his premises (and what basic premises they are), it would require a radical makeover (for almost all of us).
So I would recommend this book for Christians of all stripes and maturity, for people looking for the meaning of life, and for people wondering if they believe in God/Jesus. If you like it/believe it, it could change your life.
And as a note, it is written to be read in sections for forty days. This would be a good way to do it (or in a group, as suggested) but I was reading faster since I was reading it for review.
REVIEW FROM MY BLOG, THE STARVING ARTIST.
First story: I never intended to read this book. As a protestant, evangelical Christian, I come across it all the time, but, like I said, I never intended to read it. Why? It’s pretty simple, if not a bit strange. First, the title. Anyone else think it sounds like a bad, self-help, motivational book? Second, I have a very hard time connecting with Rick Warren. Again, as a protestant, evangelical Christian, I come across Rick Warren all the time, and not least of all because I am involved with Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step program started by his church in California, whose curriculum is heavily influenced by him. Let me be clear: I have nothing against him. We just don’t think the same. Half the time he asks a question and I don’t know what he’s asking, or he uses some teaching technique that just doesn’t work for me. We’re on different pages, mentally.
I was only somewhat surprised, then, when I went online to purchase the book and (no joke) couldn’t figure out which version was which and what exactly I wanted to purchase. It seems he has updated the old version, and in so doing, didn’t just change the cover, but also made the old subtitle more prominent than the old title. That, and there are numerous books related to The Purpose Driven Life; like journals and curriculum for small groups. Utterly confused, I ended up buying the ONLY edition that stated clearly in the synopsis that it was, indeed, the updated version on The Purpose Driven Life.
It arrived in the mail and, much to my chagrin, was the large print edition. Sigh.
Second story: If I am going to be reviewing Christian (and other religious books), it is going to be apparent that I am a Christian, or at least you should be disclaimed of it. This is what that means to me.
I grew up in the church (namely The Salvation Army), and my great aunt was a minister. We were oftentimes in the church building, and I was active in the choir, the Sunbeams (think Christian Brownies) and Girl Guards (think Christian Girl Scouts), as well as Junior Soldiers. I prayed what is known as the sinner’s prayer at age four, and asked Jesus to forgive my sins and come be my Lord. I have had years of doubt and of struggle and pain over the past thirty years, but God has remained my God and I still believe wholeheartedly that Jesus is His son and the Bible is His revelation (and everything else in the Nicene Creed). God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are a part of my daily life, my relationships, and my family life. My passions include meeting others in their needs and struggles and telling them about the freeing love and forgiveness of the Creator of the Universe.
Enough stories. Review.
If you did not know, only just over ten years into its being, The Purpose Drive Life is the best-selling hard-back book in all history. It has spawned a business, a curriculum, and a number of co- materials. I’m not exactly sure who is reading it, but I’m going to venture that a large portion of them are evangelical Christians.
So now that we know that this book is not a poor, self-help book, what is it? It is nonfiction. It is religious. The main question of the book is, of course, “What On Earth Am I Here For?” And the book answers that question to the tune of five purposes that mold into one. Of course, it does this from the standpoint of protestant Christianity, and using Biblical scripture. It covers a lot of ground very quickly, but somehow cuts to the quick in many of the areas it addresses. In a way, then, it’s a primer for the Christian life, working with the Bible as a modern day manual or guidebook that addresses the most basic of operational questions.
Having grown up as both an academic and a Christian, I didn’t expect this book to hold a whole lot of “aha” moments for me. I also expected that it would be written… well… woodily. Happily, neither of these assumptions proved to be true. It is a book that you could come back to time and time again and glean things from. Even if not a Christian, there are certainly wise things to be read here, but taking only those things would completely miss the point of the book. Because, in the end, this book is not for the faint of heart. If one were to accept his premises (and what basic premises they are), it would require a radical makeover (for almost all of us).
So I would recommend this book for Christians of all stripes and maturity, for people looking for the meaning of life, and for people wondering if they believe in God/Jesus. If you like it/believe it, it could change your life.
And as a note, it is written to be read in sections for forty days. This would be a good way to do it (or in a group, as suggested) but I was reading faster since I was reading it for review.
REVIEW FROM MY BLOG, THE STARVING ARTIST.
syaower's review against another edition
4.0
I liked doing this every day because it helped me focus on God and consider what the purpose of my life is/what's really important in the end. I found myself tabbing and underlining quite a lot of this book.
Only 4 stars instead of 5 because I'm a bit nitpicky. One reason is because I don't really like how Warren picks and choses what version of the bible he uses for each quote to suit his needs in each chapter. I feel a couple versions is fine for clarity but there are 10+ versions used to my estimation. I had to go back into my bible to cross reference and see the verses in context quite often.
My second reason is Day 38 where Warren challenges the reader to go on a short term mission within the next year. I've been on multiple short term missions and do believe in the merits of them but I do not believe everyone is called to go on one nor that everyone necessarily should. It was just a chapter that didn't feel quite right to me.
Otherwise, there were a lot of useful reminders and tips in this book.
Only 4 stars instead of 5 because I'm a bit nitpicky. One reason is because I don't really like how Warren picks and choses what version of the bible he uses for each quote to suit his needs in each chapter. I feel a couple versions is fine for clarity but there are 10+ versions used to my estimation. I had to go back into my bible to cross reference and see the verses in context quite often.
My second reason is Day 38 where Warren challenges the reader to go on a short term mission within the next year. I've been on multiple short term missions and do believe in the merits of them but I do not believe everyone is called to go on one nor that everyone necessarily should. It was just a chapter that didn't feel quite right to me.
Otherwise, there were a lot of useful reminders and tips in this book.