Purpose Driven Life critique (cont.)

The above themes are well done. But then the author begins to construct ways and means by which the child of God can reach the goal of becoming a "world-class Christian.” But this also introduces the weak point in the book. It is here that he points the reader to different methods and spiritual disciplines by which to obtain the goal.

POINTS OF DISAGREEMENT

Entering into the Christian life is the first major section of the book. This section seems to be dedicated to bringing people to faith in Christ. This, of course, is of supreme importance. The force of the gospel was missing, however, because the author used The Message, a so-called translation by Navpress (1993). This is not a translation but an interpretation. The best that can be said of it is that it is often not even close to the meaning of the Bible. Of all the times when the author needs the power of God unto salvation (Romans l: 16), he uses an inferior and very confusing authority as his source.

The rest of the book is divided into five major sections which the author says are the five purposes God has for the child of God. These sections are:

• You Were Planned For God's Pleasure
• You Were Formed For God's Family
• You Were Created To Become Like Jesus
• You Were Shaped For Serving God
• You Were Made For A Mission

The first question that comes to mind is why does the author choose these purposes? It is true that they make for good preaching and teaching, but only one of these purposes is God's ultimate purpose for His children: that we become conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). It is this work of God that prepares the believer for God's pleasure, family, service, and mission, and they should be an outflow of that life. Like so much preaching today we are occupied with what the believer ought to do and so little with what God wants him to be—conformed to the image of His Son.

Had Warren's book concentrated on that one point, this book could have been of great value. The curious thing is that early on in the book the author makes a wonderful statement that is the basis of the real Christian life. He states, “When you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation, then you know you are surrendered to God” (p.80). But then, by virtue of his instructions on how to attain the purposes of God for our lives, he engages in forcing his agenda, trying to control lives, and to manipulate people. And so it is the picture of a self-help book. Thus we are told to establish the habit, repeat a brief sentence or simple phrase. We are told to set goals, to attain, and develop the practice.

The author instructs the reader that he must choose, must care, must desire, must intentionally seek, make the effort, must try, and make a list. He instructs us to let go of some old routines and develop some new habits and exchange the way you think. Even though he adds, the Holy Spirit will help you; he makes it clear he knows just how the Spirit will work in your life to accomplish these purposes. Yet, I don't believe he means to do that.

"The force of the gospel was missing, however, because the author used The Message, a so-called translation by Navpress (91993). This is not a translation but an interpretation. The best that can be said of it is that it is often not even close to the meaning of the Bible."

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