The Purpose Driven Life is a devotional book written by Christian author Rick
Warren and published by Zondervan. The book has been on the New York Times Best
Seller list for advice books for one of the longest periods in history, while
also topping the Wall Street Journal best seller charts as well as Publishers
Weekly charts with over 30 million copies sold by 2007.
The book offers readers a 40-day personal spiritual journey, and presents
what Warren says are God's five purposes for human life on Earth and describes
itself as "a blueprint for Christian living in the 21st Century ... using
about 350 references to the Bible, maybe this amounts to over 1200 Biblical
verses and quotes to challenge the conventional definitions of Christian
Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Christian Ministry and Evangelism."
Sales The Purpose Driven Life sold 30 million
copies. Content
The book is intended to be read as a daily inspiration, with each of the 40
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 40 chapters are divided into six 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 Impact
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. Billy Graham described the book as one that would "guide you to
greatness—through living the Great Commandment and the Great Commission of
Jesus." Criticism
Warren has been criticized for applying eisegesis, which includes quoting
various translations of the Bible and selectively choosing whichever
paraphrase or translation supports his theses. He has also been criticised for
giving Scripture references in the end notes which leaves readers unaware of
the context of the Scripture he cites. Ashley Smith
In March 2005 Brian Nichols, who was wanted for the shooting of four people
in Atlanta, held Ashley Smith hostage in her apartment for seven hours. Smith
reported to news outlets that during this time she read chapter 32 of The
Purpose Driven Life to Nichols, which she credited as influencing his decision
to release her from captivity. Smith later admitted that she had also given
Nichols crystal methamphetamine to pacify him. Sales of The Purpose Driven
Life rose greatly, with the book becoming Amazon's second best selling
book after news of Smith's captivity and release was announced.
Smith later released a book through HarperCollins Publishers about her life
and encounter with Nichols entitled Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story of the
Atlanta Hostage Hero. In the book Smith discussed her drug addiction, writing
that the hostage ordeal made her aware that she was an addict.
A film version of her ordeal, Captive, is set to be released in September 2015.
David Oyelowo portrays Brian Nichols and Kate Mara portrays Ashley Smith.
See also Biblical literalism
Cafeteria Christianity Christian literature
Purpose Driven Saddleback Church
References = Notes=
^ "Rick Warren: Purpose-Driven Strife". Abcnews.go.com. 2007-06-22. Retrieved
2014-05-16. ^ Warren, Rick, The Purpose Driven Life,
2002, p17 ^ Warren, Rick, The Purpose Driven Life,
2002, p25 ^ Warren, Rick, The Purpose Driven Life,
2002, Table of Contents ^ Survey Reveals The Books and Authors
That Have Most Influenced Pastors, May 2005, The Barna Group
^ Price, Robert M. The Reason-Driven Life pp. 307-312
^ Harris, Jason. InFocus. "The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren
^ "Ex-hostage: 'I wanted to gain his trust'". CNN. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
^ "Shooting suspect’s hostage: I gave him meth". MSNBC. Retrieved 1 December
2012. ^ "Purpose Driven Life sales pick up
pace in Upstate". Herald-Journal. Mar 17, 2005. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
^ "Rick Warren: The Purpose-Driven Pastor". NPR. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
^ "Ashley Smith's 'Unlikely Angel'". CBS News. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
= Bibliography= Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life.
Michigan: Zondervan.