In the interest of full disclosure, I only read this book because it was being mentioned in the beginning of "Life Driven Purpose: How Atheists Find Meaning" by Dan Barker. Mr. Barker's book seemed to be a rebuttal to Rick Warren's book, so I figured I should read "Purpose-Driven Life" before proceeding.

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, it offers some decent advice or ideas for life, such as being good stewards, helping people, etc. But the reason these things are being done or the manner range from silly to disturbing. The slavish devotion to god at the exclusion of all else is probably the most insidious message or "purpose" this book offers. The notion would be silly if people didn't actually believe it. The book doesn't seem to notice the contradictions inherent in Christianity, ignoring the outright horrific parts of the Bible to focus on the "warm and fuzzy Jesus" that is presented to modern Christians, but claiming that the Bible is true and a model for all good Christians. I almost got whiplash from reading a chapter about how we should rejoice in being slaves to Christ, which was immediately followed by the claim: "God wants to be your friend."

Ummm... no. Someone who wants you as his slave is not your friend.

The book is also not very good at defining words or giving examples. Apparently we shouldn't expect a big, unmistakably divine message when communication with god, but then there are no examples given of how you might know that god is talking to you or sending you a message rather than your digestive tract. Later, there's a chapter about figuring out your special S.H.A.P.E. that god gave you to do his work. The "S" stands for "spiritual gifts"... but then the "A" stands for "abilities," which are the talents you are born with. But... what is the difference between a spiritual gift and an ability? What IS a spiritual gift? The term is never explained. Rick Warren also enjoys mentioning other books that he's written that readers might find helpful or expands upon what he talks about in this book, but the reading list in the appendix is limited to different translations of the Bible; no other Christian or theological writers are mentioned.

All in all, "The Purpose Driven Life" is an uninspired book that regurgitates Christian rhetoric and some basic human decency without really adding anything original to the discussion.

(Also, personal pet peeve: what is the obsession with italics? Almost every modern Christian pamphlet, literature, and book that I've read is chock full or bold, italic, and/or underlined words ad nauseum. I mean... really?)