Friday, December 19, 2008

The Purpose-Driven Life of Rick Warren reviewed by Ronald J. Rychlak and Kyle Duncan

The Purpose-Driven Life of Rick Warren reviewed by Ronald J. Rychlak and Kyle Duncan

Wrong Turn
The Purpose-Given Life Gives Bad Directions


By Ronald J. Rychlak and Kyle Duncan

The Purpose-Driven Life has sold over 7 million copies and was named Christian "Book of the Year" in 2003. "Purpose-Driven" is now a registered trademark, and "Purpose-Driven" programs have been offered everywhere from schools and prisons to corporate headquarters, including Coca Cola, Sparrow Records, NASCAR, the LPGA, and the Oakland Raiders.

The book’s promise for those who follow its forty-day journey is that "you will know God’s purpose for your life." The book is being promoted and studied in some Catholic parishes, especially as a Lenten exercise, so it is worth examining whether it can deliver on its exaggerated promise.

The book’s author, Rick Warren, was labeled as "America’s most influential pastor" by Christianity Today. He is the pastor of Saddleback Church, which is situated on a 120-acre campus in southern California that was designed by theme park experts. Every weekend nearly 20,000 people attend services at one of nine "venues," including a 3,000-seat main sanctuary, a religious coffee bar, and a "beach hut" for high school students. Sculpted into the landscape are settings for forty Bible reenactments, including a stream that can part like the Red Sea.
(Rick Warren was chosen by Barack Obama for the invocation prayer at his inaguration  on 20th January 2009)  

LifeLine: faith and Spirituality: The Purpose-Driven Life of Rick Warren reviewed by Ronald J. Rychlak and Kyle Duncan Sphere: Related Content

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