Who's Driving The Purpose Driven Church?

Whos Driving the Purpose Driven Church?

Product Description

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren has become a Number 1 bestseller, and has been distrubuted to over180,000 pastors worldwide. Rick Warrens theology has infiltrated almost every Christian denomination. His teachings have come lake a flood into a city, in which no house is left untouched. Because of this, it is imperative that we test the spirits of his teachings to see if they are of God. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart form the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils...If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up int he words of faith and of good doctrine, where-unto thou hast attained. 1 Timothy 4:1,6
Rate Points :3.5
Binding :Paperback
Label :Bible Belt Publishing
Manufacturer :Bible Belt Publishing
ProductGroup :Book
Studio :Bible Belt Publishing
Publisher :Bible Belt Publishing
EAN :9780974476452
Price :$14.95USD
Lowest Price :$14.65USD
Customer ReviewsInformative not exactly stellar reading though
Rating Point :3 Helpful Point :11
My church went through the 40 day course a couple of years ago, briefing Warrens book it appeared that there was not much to be concerned with. This book brings some of those concerns to light. I read some of the reviews here and it is apparent that people cannot be objective. You either love the book because you dont like Rick Warrens purpose or you hate the book because you love his purpose. Rich Warrens effect on the church is very disturbing, but I am not going to be in the camp of claiming he is the Anti-Christ or false profit either. The greater issue is that we have a Christian community as a whole, that is very undiscerning and seems to think that financial success is Godly success. As Christians we need to seek out the truth. We need to understand how scripture is given to us, we cant make ill-informed statements like the KJV is the "authorized" version. In the same breathe we need to understand that the Message paraphrase is not a Bible version and to quote it, like Warren does many times is foolish.
Back to the book, I liked some of the points that Sundquist points out, some of them are fairly obvious but I felt it was poorly written. I look forward to getting a copy of Bob Dewaays book as he seems to be more of a Berean than some of the other Warren alertists are.

Unlock the gate...
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :8
Reading this superb book by James Sundquist will unlock the gate to understanding the purpose driven church movement ongoing by Rick Warren. It is exquisitely written, thorough, clear and concise. He walks you through the purpose driven life chapter by chapter and relates very well how it is biblically inaccurate and obscures the gospel. If you dont understand what is wrong with your church or our churches in general this book is for you. If you do understand what the purpose driven church movement is all about, this book will enhance your understanding. I cannot recommend James Sundquist book, Whos Driving the Purpose Driven Church? to you highly enough.

Based on Incorrect Facts
Rating Point :1 Helpful Point :19
This is the first time Ive given a book the minimum rating.

I bought this book in the hope that it would help me consider whether the Purpose-Driven Life/Church is more secular philosophy influencing church beliefs than the church bringing Gods revelation to the world. However, it quickly became apparent that the basis of this book is fundamentally flawed, as the author gets many basic facts wrong.

The problems can best be illustrated by looking at Appendix A, where the author contrasts Psychology with the Bible. Ill describe the errors as they apply to Jungian psychology, as this is one of the main targets for the author in the book and is something of which I have some knowledge.

Example Errors
--------------

(1) Fear of the Lord
Point 1 of the appendix says psychology "counsels no fear of the Lord at anytime.." with the Bible teaching that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Yet Carl Jung wrote: "It is quite right, therefore, that the fear of God should be considered the beginning of all wisdom... Both are justified, the fear of God as well as the love of God" (Completed Works Volume 11, p419).

(2) Jung and atheism
Point 2 of the appendix says "Most founding fathers were atheists or humanists... including.. Jung" In fact, Carl Jung famously asserted his absolute knowledge of Gods existence in a BBC documentary made shortly before he died. The atheist Richard Dawkins described Jung as believing in a "100% probability of God" (The God Delusion, p50).

(3) Body, Mind, Soul, Personality... and Spirit
Point 3 of the Appendix declares that psychology does not acknowledge the spirit in man. Yet Carl Jungs writings are packed with discussion of the spirit. Just in case you think that by spirit he really meant mind, Jung wrote: "Spirit, like God... cannot be proved to exist in the external world and cannot be understood rationally" (CW 8, p 329). This clearly distinguishes spirit from mind/body/personality, all of which can be studied scientifically/rationally.

(4) Eternal Hope
Point 4 of the appendix contrasts psychology, as offering no hope for eternity, with the Bible that teaches us about our eternal destiny. But Jungs view was that "eternity..is the prerogative of the One God". (CW11, p493).

(5) The Holy Spirit
Point 5 of the appendix declares "Psychology doesnt even believe in the Holy Spirit". In contrast, Jung wrote: "the Paraclete ie: Holy Spirit is of the greatest significance" (CW11, p433), and "Since the Holy Ghost is the Third Person of the Trinity and God is present entire in each of the three Persons at any time, the indwelling of the Holy Ghost means nothing less than an approximation of the believer to the status of Gods son." (CW11, p413).

The author goes on to make 35 points of comparison between Psychology and Scripture, and in regards Jungian Psychology I take issue with most of them. Please dont misunderstand me: Im not saying that Jungs views should be taken uncritically by any means, he says many things that are highly controversial. But this book is based on straw man arguments.

The spirit in which it is written
---------------------------------
I felt very uncomfortable with the tone taken in the book towards Rick Warren. His name is used several times on most pages, when making points of criticism, giving it the feel of a sustained, personal attack. He is often placed in double-binds (eg: he is criticised for saying that Willow Creek back his programmes, because it is not the Lords backing!).

Rick Warren is also labelled early on in the book as a heretic, which is a very serious charge. But he is then criticised for statements such as "meditation is focused thinking" and "your personal testimony is more effective than a sermon" and "faithfulness has always been a rare quality".

Are these really matters of fundamental heresy to which 1 Timothy 4 might be relevant? They seem to me to be merely disputable matters that fall into the province of Romans 14.

Conclusion
----------
The Purpose-Driven approach has pervaded the church so much that I think there is a need for a book like this to question and challenge what is happening. Unfortunately, whilst this book may contain fine-sounding argument, it does not contain sound argument, because of the many elementary factual mistakes.

Whats Driving This Author? Jealousy!
Rating Point :1 Helpful Point :6
This book is an over-the-top attack on Rick Warren. It seems Warrens success, both in terms of earthly recognition and spiritual fruit, is too much for Sundquist. The arguments are overblown and not based on reason. It seems he was out to do a smear attack on Warren from the start, and his agenda drives the "facts" he uncovers.

I am not Warrens #1 fan, but let me say this: If I ever have 1% of the effectiveness that Rick Warren has had for the kingdom of God, I will be thrilled. Let me also say that Rick Warren "reverse tithes"--that is, he GIVES 90% of his income, and LIVES on 10%. And, once his "Purpose Driven Life" book became such a bestseller, Warren actually gave all the salary hed earned in 20-plus years back to his church. Thats an example I cant argue with. Leave Rick Warren alone and get your own purpose, Mr. Sundquist!

Who is Sundquist?
Rating Point :1 Helpful Point :5
I am not really sure who James Sundquist is. I have read his writings on Warren, and find them to be off base in several key areas. Some of his statements are plainly false. I had occasion to question Sundquist via email on his false statements, but only received a veiled threat to drag my name through the mud.

This book is a great example of Evangelical Christianitys bad side. An entire book based on exposing another ministrys faults is sad.

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