Each short chapter concludes with “A Point to Ponder” a “Verse to Remember” and a “Question to Consider”. These are designed to stimulate further reflection on the daily readings. Three appendices conclude the book: (1) “Discussion Questions” for use in groups, (2) “Resources” for the Purpose Driven Life, and (3) “Why So Many Translations?”.
Strengths
1. Many people have experienced a measure of spiritual renewal as a result of reading the book. This is due, in great part, not only to the content of the book, but to a reading approach that calls for the spiritual discipline of spending time daily with God.
2. When the book is read and discussed in community – as a part of the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign and/or Small Groups – readers experience a sense of belonging in an otherwise socially fragmented world. This is a good corrective to the radical individualism that pervades Western culture.
3. The first chapter, indeed, the premise of the book, is “It All Starts With God” (p. 17). The first sentence of this first chapter reads simply: “It’s not about you.” This, too, is a much needed corrective for a self-centered society.
4. Warren urges his readers to embrace the call of God on their lives as the purpose for their existence – a welcome invitation to the multitudes who are seeking a sense of meaning for life.
5. The book is founded on the Bible, literally saturated with biblical passages. Warren writes: “This book contains nearly a thousand quotations from Scripture” (p. 325). The above quote is found in Appendix 3, titled “Why So Many Translations?” Which leads me into a brief discussion of the weaknesses of the book.
Weaknesses
1. Warren explains why he quotes from fifteen English translations and paraphrases in the book:
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- I have intentionally varied the Bible translations used for two important reasons. First, no matter how wonderful a translation is, it has limitations. . . . Second, and even more important, is the fact that we often miss the full impact of familiar Bible verses, not because of poor translating, but simply because they have become so familiar. (p. 325).
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While the above statements are true, it is disappointing to see that many passages are taken out of context and translations are selected in order to make points that are either peripheral to or simply unintended by the biblical writers. His application is almost always on target. However, he misuses Scripture on occasion to get there. This is simply poor scholarship.
2. In spite of Warren’s claim that “it is not about you”, the book still plays, to some extent, to a “me-focused” culture. Warren writes: “Having this perspective (knowing God’s purpose for your life) will reduce your stress, simplify your decisions, increase your satisfaction, and, most important, prepare you for eternity” (p. 9). It is clear that the individual is in focus here.
3. Mission in the book is limited to only proclamation evangelism. Issues that were important to our Lord such as justice and mercy are absent. A holistic gospel is proclaimed by both word and deed (Lk. 4:18; 24:19, Col. 3:17; 2 Th. 2:17).
4. Warren occasionally overstates his case. For example, the claim that “Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days” (p. 9) is simply not accurate. Although God used this time frame on occasion (not all of Warren’s cases hold), examples abound in Scripture of God using both greater and shorter periods of time to prepare people for what he had in mind. Another statement: “Real spiritual growth is
never an isolated, individualistic pursuit” (p. 11), is also an overstatement. Although this may be the case the majority of the time,
exceptions exist.
Summing Up
Does Warren deliver on his claim that after reading the book, “you will know God’s purpose for your life” (p. 7)? The answer is a little “yes” and a little “no”. Open-minded readers will certainly be challenged to respond to God’s love by investing more of themselves in a worshipful lifestyle, biblical community, discipleship, service and sharing their faith. These things are fundamental to the Christian walk.
But, consider the following statements: “God left no detail [of your life] to chance. He planned it all for
his purpose. . . . Nothing in your life is arbitrary. It’s all for a purpose.” (p. 23). Statements like these, and others like them, seem to assure enlightenment about the specifics of God’s designs on one’s life that are simply not delivered as a result of reading the book. That said, if one embraces the purposes that Warren lays out, they will find themselves in a position to walk by faith on a
life-long journey of living out one’s specific purpose.
Those in Churches of Christ will agree with most, but not all, of Warren’s theological positions. And those looking for deep, meaty spiritual food will have to look elsewhere. Still, I can recommend this book to the discerning reader as a vehicle for refreshing oneself with some (not all) of the basics of Christian living; for developing the spiritual discipline of daily time with God; and for use in a small group community.
Mark Hopkins has taught as Adjunct Instructor of Religion at Pepperdine University. He is currently Administrative Director of the MA in Global Leadership and Adjunct Instructor of Church in Contemporary Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary where he is a PhD candidate. He is a member of the Costa Mesa Church of Christ.
