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Blue, I just finished reading post #88, and I want to include Tommy Dale in this, too.

I have read both of Rick Warren's books, and I have read the criticisms of it, both here and on other threads, and in other material.

To refute all the critical comments would just take too long. Suffice it to say, while I'm sure these men are good Christian leaders and love the Lord as much as anyone, frankly, they do not make compelling arguments. Having said that, I am certainly not an apologist for Rick Warren, nor do I think his book can't stand a little criticism.

Gary Gilley makes a huge point of not knowing who the book is aimed at. What difference does it make? More people are being influenced by it than by any number of efforts to reach people. Will everybody turn their lives over to Christ? Probably not. But if just a few have their lives reached by the Love of Christ, and think about the Purpose of their life...how bad is that!!??

There are simply too many assumptions that Gilley makes about the book that are incorrect, including the assumption that the purpose of the book is to "feel good". Nonsense, the purpose of the book is for the reader to find God's Purpose for their life.

Gilley makes a big deal about the fact that Warren quotes the Bible out of context. Well, I wonder if he has ever read Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest" which is posted daily on Free Republic. Since he is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, I'm sure he has. If you want to talk about taking the Bible out of context, Chambers wrote the text book on it (Hoo boy, am I going to get creamed for this). In fact, "My Utmost for His Highest" could well be the theme of "The Purpose Driven Life".

Submitted with all due respect.

No probelm; I've read the "Purpose Driven Life", and studied it with a small group at church. He wanders off the track in a number of places, but no more so than many other books of the same type. It's neither "great" nor "doorway to hell", and no doubt represents Warren's best effort.

As you say, if it helps several people along the way, fine. I've got Oswald Chambers on my shelf too, and read it many years ago. Like most "devotional" books, it has its good points and its howlers.

Lately, I just read Scripture, systematically (at least once a year through) and topically (as specific issues come up) with good technical references at hand to facilitate memory of cross-references and keep a journal of questions, observations, and "parking lot" list of action items.

It's very hard to find study materials that beat that approach. I haven't seen worthy substitutes for several years (other than some sermon series from currently preaching pastors, who seem to be digging in much as I describe above - - - they are my "small group").