Your views on the Purpose Driven Campaigns.

[Kabowd]

Yet another witch hunt....

[Leonard]

tsth: Tell us more. What sort of unsettling changes are you seeing?

Anybody's church have a really good experience with the 'purpose driven' stuff? Let us hear that too.....

[tsth]

dear leonard,

Please read the other 40 days thread for more details. click the link i provided.

Thanks.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Guest shiloh357]

P.S. Where does it say that the apostles where in there twenties.  I am not say it is no true I just would like to know where this information came from.  Thank you in advance.

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Here is a discussion we had earlier last November on the issue.

How Old Were the Apostles?

[Guest PistosHuios]

Anybody's church have a really good experience with the 'purpose driven' stuff? Let us hear that too.....

The Churches that I've seen go through the Purpose Drive Life series have benefited in different ways. My current church used this to kick off the retirement of a pastor of over 38 yrs. It was remarkable. I think what I saw as the best part was the ability this church had, in Christ, to come together and be a body of Christ.

The Small group aspect, was by far in my opinion the most effective part. This could be emphasized by anyone anywhere, but all that Rick Warren has put together and the simplicity of putting it together with leadership books, and the weekly video makes it great.

i will agree that the book itself has it's errors, which caused me to set it down real early on. But I am one to dig my heals into Spurgoen and MacArthur Jr. more theological than practical. My mind and heart desires depth, that The Purpose Driven Book was intended to give. It is very basic stuff, but great for being reminded.

The other church, my home church (as a child) used the book and I know many of people who benefitted. mostly heard down through my family, but if nothing else my father led a small group. My father doesn't lead much, and he should, he has the education, and the knowledge, but doesn't feel he is qualified. I think the unthreatening way that the small group leadership is encourage helps realize potential leaders, in a simple environment.

All these are benefits, it's not all Good, i will agree, but it is by no means all bad. God is being Glorified through this.

[cares4critters]

i'm just curious about something...I haven't read the whole book yet...but here is my two cents.

Even though Mr. Warren uses different translations...shouldn't that encourage us to use our own Bible and read it ourselves?

I see this book as a guide (and a fad, like Prayer of Jabez) and something to help me in my walk. Not something I'm suppose to take every word as truth, but as something that encourages me to strengthen my walk and my relationship with God. Nothing more, nothing less. Isn't that a good thing?

IMHO

Jen

[Leonard]

tsth:  Tell us more.  What sort of unsettling changes are you seeing?

Anybody's church have a really good experience with the 'purpose driven' stuff?  Let us hear that too.....

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Tsth: I've got a glitch in my system and can't follow links for some reason. Could you post the URL? Thanks.

[Keith]

Work in progress: could be there is something wrong with it.I am reading a book called decieved on purpose and I am southern baptist and this book has really opened my eyes because I felt something was not right with these purpose driven campaigns especially with the message bible paraphrase used because its one of the faultiest Bibles on the market.

God bless you.

Brother SWMiller.

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How do you know there isn't something wrong with the book you're reading? "Deceived On Purpose"? The way your post is worded, it's because you are reading it and you believe it. That is not a good enough endorsement for me. Are you certain there are no errors in it?

Of course "The Purpose Driven Life" is not perfect. It was written by a man. No man has perfect knowledge. We are all fallible. The term "witch hunt" has been used and I agree. Some people will see an error in something and call the author/speaker a "false prophet." As someone else stated in this thread, I'm sure Rick Warren's heart is in the right place and he is trying to edify and build-up the church through this book.

Others have said that they know people/churches who have read the book and nothing has changed in their lives. Whose fault is that? Rick Warrens? It's the fault of the people who went back to their everyday lives. How can that possibly mean the book is wrong? People have to desire and put forth the effort to make changes in their life. If they read the book and decide not to make the changes, that's different.

Some said it was "just a fad." It is a fad to those who make it a fad. To those whose lives have been changed by the book - and I know of many - it's not a fad. It's the person who makes it a fad or not. I know people who have become more loving towards others and closer to God.

I am currently going through the book now. I'm on Day 19. It has been incredibly encouraging to me. Yes, it's a bit back to basics, but who doesn't need that lesson every now and then. We become complacent in our thinking and actions from time to time and this book is a good reminder of what is really important. I haven't read a post yet that shows what is doctrinely wrong with the book. (I'm human, I could have missed it.) I'm very open to reading what some may consider faulty about it. I have no desire to be deceived, but, as I said, I've found the book to be helpful.

I don't use the Bible translations that Rick Warren uses, but as another poster (Duck girl is how I know her... sorry!!) said, that should encourage us to take out our own Bibles and use those in the reading of this (or any) book. I find it hard to believe that there isn't something in the book that people can't glean from it.

As far as the Message Bible is concerned; I wonder if those so adamantly against it have bothered to read the Preface or the Introduction? It clearly states that the author is not trying to replace the Bible or any of the other excellent study translations of it. His goal was to make a "readable" Bible for people who have trouble understanding other versions. He feels it's important to get people reading the Word and understand that it's a conversation between us and God. He encourages using other translations as well. I have a copy of the Message Bible and I use it as a reference to see how something may be phrased differently. I study from my "main" Bible and use other translations, including the Message Bible, as reference aids. If the Message Bible is the version some people use and it gets them starting to read the Word, I'm all for it. I agree that it should not be a seasoned Christian's main Bible. But as a reference tool, it's good.

Edited January 11, 2005 by Keith

[Guest His_Servant]

Work in progress: could be there is something wrong with it.I am reading a book called decieved on purpose and I am southern baptist and this book has really opened my eyes because I felt something was not right with these purpose driven campaigns especially with the message bible paraphrase used because its one of the faultiest Bibles on the market.

God bless you.

Brother SWMiller.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How do you know there isn't something wrong with the book you're reading? "Deceived On Purpose"? The way your post is worded, it's because you are reading it and you believe it. That is not a good enough endorsement for me. Are you certain there are no errors in it?

Of course "The Purpose Driven Life" is not perfect. It was written by a man. No man has perfect knowledge. We are all fallible. The term "witch hunt" has been used and I agree. Some people will see an error in something and call the author/speaker a "false prophet." As someone else stated in this thread, I'm sure Rick Warren's heart is in the right place and he is trying to edify and build-up the church through this book.

Others have said that they know people/churches who have read the book and nothing has changed in their lives. Whose fault is that? Rick Warrens? It's the fault of the people who went back to their everyday lives. How can that possibly mean the book is wrong? People have to desire and put forth the effort to make changes in their life. If they read the book and decide not to make the changes, that's different.

Some said it was "just a fad." It is a fad to those who make it a fad. To those whose lives have been changed by the book - and I know of many - it's not a fad. It's the person who makes it a fad or not. I know people who have become more loving towards others and closer to God.

I am currently going through the book now. I'm on Day 19. It has been incredibly encouraging to me. Yes, it's a bit back to basics, but who doesn't need that lesson every now and then. We become complacent in our thinking and actions from time to time and this book is a good reminder of what is really important. I haven't read a post yet that shows what is doctrinely wrong with the book. (I'm human, I could have missed it.) I'm very open to reading what some may consider faulty about it. I have no desire to be deceived, but, as I said, I've found the book to be helpful.

I don't use the Bible translations that Rick Warren uses, but as another poster (Duck girl is how I know her... sorry!!) said, that should encourage us to take out our own Bibles and use those in the reading of this (or any) book. I find it hard to believe that there isn't something in the book that people can't glean from it.

As far as the Message Bible is concerned; I wonder if those so adamantly against it have bothered to read the Preface or the Introduction? It clearly states that the author is not trying to replace the Bible or any of the other excellent study translations of it. His goal was to make a "readable" Bible for people who have trouble understanding other versions. He feels it's important to get people reading the Word and understand that it's a conversation between us and God. He encourages using other translations as well. I have a copy of the Message Bible and I use it as a reference to see how something may be phrased differently. I study from my "main" Bible and use other translations, including the Message Bible, as reference aids. If the Message Bible is the version some people use and it gets them starting to read the Word, I'm all for it. I agree that it should not be a seasoned Christian's main Bible. But as a reference tool, it's good.

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AMEN, Keith! I agree with you 100%.

I have read the entire book, and absolutely loved it. I even plan to read it again, as it turned out to be such an encouragement to me. Regardless of what others say about it, or how I might be torn apart for saying this, the Lord helped me a great deal through that book...and I am thankful. Like many, I don't trust some of the scripture from other translations that Warren included in the book, BUT I have my own bible here at home, and can look them up if I feel the need. Most of them, I already knew anyway, so there was no need. Besides the concern over the scriptures, I felt most of what was in the book is just stuff we should all know as christians. Thats just my opinion, however. No one could convince me that it is evil or dangerous. I read it, and I'm quite alright.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

[Keith]

Greatly harmful

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is what I've read in many people's posts, but nobody has said how. Nobody gives any examples. It's not enough to say, "very harmful."

I've read a few of the articles that people have given links to, but it's hard for me to take any of them seriously because I don't know the authors of them and there are just too many people "witch-hunting" or trying to be more "authoritative" than other people. (In regards to these articles, that is. Not saying people on these boards.) This has been my experience anyway.