When you look around at the commotion still being stirred up in the marketplace by the purpose driven life, you begin to wonder - is it really helpful, or is it just another attempt by powerful marketing experts to sway the masses into believing that they are receiving help, all while offering them no substance at all.
On one side you hear people saying that reading the purpose driven life for them was lifechanging, it brought practical insights, it clarified life for them; it was a beautifully written prose that helped them moved from going around in circles in their lives, to actually figuring out the 'why's of the life's purpose...
On the opposite side of the equation you hear people saying that the book was a total waste of time; it misused and misquoted scriptures; it brings that same ole rehearsed self help concepts that leave you with more questions than answers; it presents nothing more than watered down religion which do nothing to bring you any closer to Jesus Christ.
So, who do you believe?
I've read the book for myself and have come to these conclusions...
If you are what Rick Warren considers the unchurched, meaning that you probably didn't grow up with a grandmother or other relative who took you to church every Sunday...in short, you weren't always exposed to religion; then you may find something actually relevant in this book that gives you a different perspective on God and what He wants from your life.
This book is by no stretch of the imagination the #1 greatest thing that gives you a path towards God, only Jesus Christ can do that, but it may offer some usuable suggestions that you may identify with and understand.
If you are someone who has had a strong faith background, this book may actually irritate you more than help you simply because you will always read it from the stand-point of comparing it step-by-step with what you have come to know as truth from God's Word...and it will seem contradictory at times.
It will challenge you to look again at various scriptures used to explain certain concepts and you probably will find a disconnect between what Warren esplains and what you believe the Bible actually speak of in that context.
All in all...hate it or love it, The Purpose Driven Life conveys Rick Warren's ideas and thoughts about God, life and purpose---and you will either find them agreeable, or totally absurd.
