The Purpose Driven Life: Encyclopedia II - The Purpose Driven Life - Criticisms of The Purpose Driven Life

The Purpose Driven Life - Criticisms of The Purpose Driven Life

In spite of its widespread use and endorsement, including Reverend Billy Graham calling it a classic devotional, some in the Christian community have been critical of the book for various reasons. Jimmy Swaggart and John MacArthur criticized the book as "pop gospel." Others have expressed concern that Warren's methods do not adequately account for individuality, providing a one-size-fits all approach to spirituality. Many Christians have expressed concerns with The Purpose Driven Life and the teachings of Rick Warren for their 'Walmart-esque' business models, their humanistic worldview, Eastern philosophy and Mystical influences such as walking the Labyrinth, Breath Prayers, Mantras, Chants, Hula Praise Dancing, Contemplative Repetitive Prayers and other practices considered by many Christians to be un-Christian and/or even of the occult, entering the church. However many of these influences have been used by the church, most specifically, Eastern Orthodox, for centuries.

Another common complaint is that Warren fails to present the evangelical Christian gospel accurately--failing to accurately represent the nature of sin, repentance and hell, for example. Critics also frequently complain that The Purpose Driven Life contains many examples of inaccurate exegesis, and that it makes frequent use of inaccurate Bible translations or paraphrases.

Secular criticism can also be found. For example, a series of Business Week essays explain that the business models of the mega-churches. Given that the overall growth of evangelicalism in the US is flat, so what is all the talk about God doing a magnificent work or revival in America, especially as boasted by many of the Rick Warren clones? The reason, according to Business Week, is similar to when a Home Depot or Wal-Mart moves into a small town. All your needs can be met in one place so the mom and pop shops close up. The same kind of market-driven philosophy is taking place in the church.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Criticisms of The Purpose Driven Life", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki