"A Purpose Driven Life" - Have you done it?

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Hey everyone,

First of all, I’m a Catholic and very active in my church. I have tried to gain as much knowledge as possible about my faith so I can serve others the way that Jesus has asked us to.

Anyway, just wanted to set that first! 😛

I was called by a group of people who I know from a Baptist church to be part of that workshop for Rick Warren’s book for the Purpose Driven Life.

I started reading the first 6 or 7 chapters and there were times that I just wanted to cry, because it showed me that we are only here on this earth as a part of a journey and that we will ultimately, depending on what we did on earth to glorify the name of Jesus, we will go to heaven or not.

However, I was very careful with what I was reading, because I did not want to be deviated from what I’ve learned as a Catholic my entire life. It seems that they can manipulate the Scriptures for them to say what they want them to say instead of what an objective and truthful interpretation may be. And I mean by objective, not as faithless, but more of a uniform interpretation of the Scriptures.

Anyway, even though I learned quite a bit from the workshop, there were a lot of things that I didn’t agree with many of the things that we discussed. In fact, I didn’t go to the last meeting. I felt a little uncomfortable sometimes. But I can’t deny that sometimes breaking down some points of our faith as Christians in that way, can be very helpful.

I just want to hear your opinions on it from Catholics and other Christians as well. The good and the bad. Thanks!
 
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saintintraining:
Hey everyone,

First of all, I’m a Catholic and very active in my church. I have tried to gain as much knowledge as possible about my faith so I can serve others the way that Jesus has asked us to.

Anyway, just wanted to set that first! 😛

I was called by a group of people who I know from a Baptist church to be part of that workshop for Rick Warren’s book for the Purpose Driven Life.

I started reading the first 6 or 7 chapters and there were times that I just wanted to cry, because it showed me that we are only here on this earth as a part of a journey and that we will ultimately, depending on what we did on earth to glorify the name of Jesus, we will go to heaven or not.

However, I was very careful with what I was reading, because I did not want to be deviated from what I’ve learned as a Catholic my entire life. It seems that they can manipulate the Scriptures for them to say what they want them to say instead of what an objective and truthful interpretation may be. And I mean by objective, not as faithless, but more of a uniform interpretation of the Scriptures.

Anyway, even though I learned quite a bit from the workshop, there were a lot of things that I didn’t agree with many of the things that we discussed. In fact, I didn’t go to the last meeting. I felt a little uncomfortable sometimes. But I can’t deny that sometimes breaking down some points of our faith as Christians in that way, can be very helpful.

I just want to hear your opinions on it from Catholics and other Christians as well. The good and the bad. Thanks!
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Saint, you have to realize that Rick Warren is a protestant minister. He was on 60 minutes a week ago talking about the church he pastors - Saddleback.

This book was given to all of our church members (I’m a baptist) and we were all supposed to read it for 40 days. This is a great book with obvious protestant overtones given the fact that a protestant minister wrote it.

I would imagine - then, that most people interested in the book and working with it would be protestants. I’m afraid you will find things that you may not agree with. But it is a rewarding book either way and I hope you at least continue to read it.

God bless…
 
I (Catholic) and my protestant friend did it together. I found the very protestant overtones a distraction I was unable to overcome. She just found it too simplistic.

I think it is an excellent tool for Protestants who are either new, or in the right frame to “review”. My friend and I were not any of these things, and found little value in it. I think if I were still Protestant, I personally would have enjoyed the “review”. When I, as a Catholic, read this book, there is too much “bad theology” for me to truly enjoy it.

But with that review, I *would *recommend it to my separated Brethren who are new to the faith, looking for a jump start, or just wishing to read a postive book.

God Bless,
Maria
 
I issued a cautionary note on this book to fellow Catholics who were doing it. Other than it’s being shallow and feely-goody, I warned them specifically about:
  1. Inefficacy of baptism ("…baptism doesn’t make you a member of God’s family, it only shows that you are…)
  2. Scripture should be the first and last word in your life (like, “hmmm. i’m on my seventh child, should I resort to artificial contraception? What does the Bible say, hmmm…nothing, so it’s off to the drugstore tomorrow…”)
I find these two alone (there may be others) subtle but serious dangers to any Catholic, especially those who are still starting out in their faith.

There are harder, but deeper books with timeless value from the saints.
 
Thanks everyone,

I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut. That’s what I thought, that it’s a positive book for someone who’s starting in their faith or for protestants whom the book is mainly written for.

I do agree with all of you and that some may find it helpful or not depending at what level they are in their faith. I probably needed a deeper book than that and I have found that in the saints’ books.

Thanks again,
:blessyou:
 
I started this book with a couple protestant friends. I agree alot of protestant over tones but I expected it being that is was written by a protestant. It actually got kind of boring. It seemed like they were same questions over and over again worded a little differently. I never did finish it. I find Catholic spritual books more helpful.
 
My sister recently gave me the book and I’m working my way through it now. I’m putting a little question mark beside the places where the theology is faulty. So far I have several and I’m only on day 7.

Catholics need to be careful reading this book so as not to be mislead into believing that the bible teaches something that it doesn’t. I’m especially concerned about those who haven’t been well catechised and are handed this book by a well-meaning friend.

In Christ,
Nancy 🙂
 
I read it. The theology was faulty.

I’d recommend St. Frances de Sales “Introduction to the Devout Life” instead.
 
We did this last fall in our church (United Methodist) It seems rather saccharin and underdeveloped for my tastes. I found it a bit shallow and I was too unwilling to “check my brain at the door” for it.

But that being said, I’m sure there are many who could do this and find use for it.

I worry about any new “thing” that seems to be taking the world by storm, sort of like the whole Prayer of Jabez thing a few years ago. But then again, I’m a skeptic;)
 
I’d recommend St. Frances de Sales “Introduction to the Devout Life” instead. __________________
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Now THAT is a good inspirational book!
 
Actually, I worked at Seaworld back in the late 80s, and I was living a Porpoise Driven Life, does that count?
 
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Apologia100:
Actually, I worked at Seaworld back in the late 80s, and I was living a Porpoise Driven Life, does that count?
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Oh…That’s bad…
 
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Apologia100:
Actually, I worked at Seaworld back in the late 80s, and I was living a Porpoise Driven Life, does that count?
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Well, chum, did it have the church’s seal of approval? Because it sounds, well, …

Sorry. Can’t go through with it.

Did you have anything to do with Sea World’s production of “The Humpback of Notre Dame”?
 
Penny Plain:
Well, chum, did it have the church’s seal of approval? Because it sounds, well, …

Sorry. Can’t go through with it.

Did you have anything to do with Sea World’s production of “The Humpback of Notre Dame”?
Click to expand...
Penny, accoring to the Forums, new rules you aren’t allowed to call anyone a troll, even yourself. Please change your signature line. Go ahead, I’ll wait…
 
Penny Plain:
Well, chum, did it have the church’s seal of approval? Because it sounds, well, …

Sorry. Can’t go through with it.

Did you have anything to do with Sea World’s production of “The Humpback of Notre Dame”?
Click to expand...
Yes, and I had a whale of a time. Are you fishing for something in particular?
 
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Apologia100:
Yes, and I had a whale of a time. Are you fishing for something in particular?
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Yes – a way to work Salmon Rushdie into this discussion.
 
Although I had to interrupt this pun fest …

There is a Catholic book called Life Work: Finding Your Purpose in Life. by Rick Sarkasian

I haven’t read it yet but I heard about it on Catholic radio (CA maybe). It is about responding to God’s plan, discerning your vocation and making choices.

For someone who is looking for the same kind of inspiration as PDL but without the Protestant Theology this might be a good alternative. There is a video too that features Patrick Madrid and Alan Keys.

now the punning may resume…
 
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