Customer Reviews

Rick Warren and the Purpose That Drives Him: An Insider Looks at the Phenomenal Bestseller

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I was fascinated reading Abanes' book on Warren and his ministry and comparing it to Bob DeWaay's new book, "Redefining Christianity, Understanding the Purpose Driven Movement." What was most compelling is that the factual claims made by both Richard Abanes and Bob DeWaay are the same! Abanes claims that Warren has designed a church for unbelievers where they will feel at home. DeWaay is claiming the same thing. In these two books we finally have a contrast that gets to the core of the Rick Warren controversy.

Abanes claims that the message of the gospel has not been altered and that Purpose Driven is a reformation of methods only. DeWaay, with extensive scholarly research supported by footnotes, claims that Rick Warren has redefined every major aspect of the message of Christianity and that he is leading a repudiation instead of a reformation. The contrast is compelling because the polemic and hyperbole have finally been set aside and the basic facts are identical.

We can finally see the issues themselves and consider them without mudlinging or "guilt by association" arguments.

I highly recommend that those with real questions buy both books, understand the arguments, and make up their own minds as to whether Purpose Driven is something to embrace or oppose.

As my recent interview with Richard Abanes has made clear, there is a lot of controversy surrounding Rick Warren and the Purpose-Driven Life ministries. Richard Abanes takes aim at the critics in his new book Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Him.

He begins with an introduction to some of the positive impact PDL has had, including helping a woman effectively handle being held hostage in her own home. Then Richard Abanes transcribes his interview with Rick Warren. Warren was asked about that start of his ministry, his P.E.A.C.E. plan, postmodernism, and orthodoxy. While maintaining the personal aspect of their friendship throughout the interview, Richard managed to ask Warren some of the tough questions that have been asked by critics.

The rest of the book is broken up into six chapters. The first two chapters offer the biographical background of Rick Warren and the beginnings of his ministry. I have not read George Mair's "unauthorized" biography of Warren, and though Richard doesn't state so, I suspect these chapters are meant to correct the false information in Mair's book. Chapter Three positively presents Rick Warren's views on theology and church ministry, based largely on the huge database of Warren's sermons made available to Richard for his research.

Chapters four through six deal more directly with the specific criticisms against Warren. Richard goes point by point through arguments using sound reasoning and Warren's own material to dissolve the problems.

For the most part, Richard's research on what he deals with is thorough and well done. With the exception of at least one critic (Greg Koukl), I think he handled the critics fairly. In most cases, I think he effectively answered the criticisms that he attempts to deal with. That being said; there are some criticisms that Richard didn't deal with- specifically in the areas of Scripture and of the 40 Days of Purpose church program. The book leaves the impression that there are no outstanding criticisms left to deal with, when in fact there are and they've been completely ignored.

Being a member at Saddleback, Richard Abanes provides a very personal and stimulating look into the life and ministry of Rick Warren. It is a quick, yet substantive read. Through studying this issue and reading Richard's book, I feel as though I've met Warren and had some (but certainly not all) of my concerns about PDL dealt with. My hope is that those who've hurled accusations against Rick Warren (often in an un-Christ-like manner) will read and take seriously the work that Richard's done. I hope as well that Warren will correct some of the mistakes he's made in his use of Scripture and presentation of the Gospel.

Richard Abanes's insider look at the creator of the bestselling book The Purpose-Driven Life takes on critics and skeptics to prove the legitimacy of its derivation from the Bible. Abanes addresses everything from accusations of Warren teaching New Age beliefs to misrepresenting the gospel. Step by step, the reader receives behind-the-scenes clarification on Rick Warren and his book.

Richard Abanes, through an in-depth interview and story of Rick Warren's humble pastoral beginnings, shows the path of a growing church and the man who followed God to bring it there. The information in these sections is very thorough and provides the reader with a good sense of who Warren is as a person.

A look at Abanes' past work proves he is well equipped to the task of evaluating Rick Warren. He is recognized as an authority on cults and religions throughout the United States, and his experience is transparent through his writing. His words harbor refreshing proof instead of opinion and leave the reader with no questions unanswered on the subject. This aspect of the book is very effective in proving the author's point of how Rick Warren is a legitimate preacher of the Word of God.

The second half of this book functions as a frequently asked question and answer list where Abanes goes through every angle of criticism in order to refute it. The majority of the accusations against Rick Warren are negated with actual quotes from his books, as well as his sermons. In this part of the book, Abanes repeats himself in different ways seemingly to drive the point home, despite that it was already done in the paragraph beforehand. This becomes too repetitive for the reader who is not looking for that much detail or assurance, but very useful for someone who would nitpick every word.

I enjoyed Rick Warren and the Purpose That Drives Him and would recommend it for the numerous interesting facts about Warren and what he went through to start the church. I was dumbstruck after reading how his body is conditioned to react negatively with adrenaline, which makes preaching in front of large groups of people extremely difficult for him. The latter part of the book is tedious because of its reiteration of reasonings already established. I would easily recommend this book for anyone who has doubts of Rick Warren's views and methods to teach the Bible and its message. -- Jeremiah I. Larkin, Christian Book Previews.com

When I first heard about the criticisms of the Purpose Driven Life and thought I needed to examine them, I discovered a very hostile environment within the Christian community. I responded with anger, which was not necessarily productive. However, after being directed to Abanes book, I am now more at peace about it all. I realize that we are all struggling to find the truth. While some tear down others to find it, others become "doers" of the Word. I'm glad I figured out that Rick Warren and Saddleback are "Doers" of the Word.

Excellent job condensing the concerns and answering them.

I felt uncomfortable at times reading The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, but after a few reads, I can concur with most of both. Thanks for the personal look inside Rick Warren's ministry. I hope it will encourage many "grace killers" to reach out and minister to our culture.

For the past couple of years, The Purpose Driven Life has been making its mark on the bestseller lists and in the lives of those who have read it. Churches across the world are engaging in forty day long campaigns using it as a guideline, and at least one miracle can be linked to it. This has brought a plethora of critics of both the book and the author. Reading this slim volume will give you insight to put to rest any qualms that might arise in your heart from hearing all the cons to the Purpose Driven Life. Mr. Warren's life and the purpose at its center are examined and revealed to be soundly grounded in Christian doctrine. If you have any doubts about Mr. Warren or his writing, then read this book, and you will be able to read the other books with complete freedom.

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.