The Purpose Driven Life
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The Purpose Driven Life is a Bible study book written by Christian pastor Rick Warren and published by Zondervan in 2002. The book offers readers a 40-day personal spiritual journey and presents what Warren says are God's five purposes for human life on Earth.
Background
Warren was encouraged by Billy Graham in his 20s after he wrote his first book: Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods. This greatly inspired Warren when he had "little confidence" in his writing ability:
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The 2002 book The Purpose Driven Life is a sequel to his 1995 book The Purpose Driven Church.
Summary
The book is intended to be read as a daily inspiration, with each of the 40 short chapters read on consecutive days.<ref>George Thomas Kurian, James D. Smith III, The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature, Volume 2, Scarecrow Press, US, 2010, p. 630</ref><ref>Alex Murashko, 10th Anniversary Edition of 'The Purpose Driven Life' Redesigned for Millennials, christianpost.com, US, June 14, 2012</ref> Each chapter contains a personal application section at the end with a "point to ponder," a verse to remember, and a question to consider over the course of that day. Rick Warren described his book as an "anti-self-help book." The first sentence of the book reads, "It's not about you,"<ref>Warren, Rick, The Purpose Driven Life, 2002, p. 17</ref> and the remainder of the chapter goes on to explain how the quest for personal fulfillment, satisfaction, and meaning can only be found in understanding and doing what God placed you on Earth to do.<ref>Warren, Rick, The Purpose Driven Life, 2002, p. 25</ref> The book's 40 chapters are divided into six major sections, with the following titles:<ref>Warren, Rick, The Purpose Driven Life, 2002, Table of Contents</ref>
- What on Earth Am I Here For?
- Purpose #1: You Were Planned for God's Pleasure (Christian Worship)
- Purpose #2: You Were Formed for God's Family (Christian Fellowship)
- Purpose #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ (Discipleship)
- Purpose #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God (Christian Ministry)
- Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission (Christian Mission)
In later versions of the book, two additional chapters were added about the two biggest reasons why Christians do not live purpose driven lives: envy and "people pleasing."
Reception
Sales
The book topped the Wall Street Journal best seller charts as well as Publishers Weekly charts. The Purpose Driven Life was also on the New York Times Bestseller List for over 90 weeks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It had sold over 18 million copies by 2008,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and 32 million copies within its first decade, by 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to both the author and publisher Simon & Schuster, 50 million copies had been sold in more than 85 languages by 2020.<ref>Accessed on April 18, 2020 https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Rick-Warren/39904606</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Impact
A May 2005 survey of American pastors and ministers conducted by George Barna asked Christian leaders to identify what books were the most influential on their lives and ministries. The Purpose Driven Life was the most frequent response. The Purpose Driven Church, written prior to The Purpose Driven Life, was the second most frequent response.<ref> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Billy Graham described the book as one that would "guide you to greatness—through living the Great Commandment and the Great Commission of Jesus."Template:Citation needed
In 2005, after reading the book, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, invited Warren to develop the P.E.A.C.E. Plan in the country.<ref>Cynthia Mcfadden, Ted Gerstein, Rick Warren's 'Long-Term Relationship' with Rwanda, abcnews.go.com, USA, July 31, 2008</ref>
Criticism
Biblical scholar Robert M. Price criticized Warren for applying eisegesis, which includes quoting various translations of the Bible and selectively choosing whichever paraphrase or translation supports his theses.<ref>Price, Robert M. The Reason-Driven Life pp. 307–312</ref> Jason Harris criticized the book for providing the scripture citations only in end notes, making it harder for readers to know the context of the passages it cites.<ref>Harris, Jason. InFocus. "The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren</ref>
In popular culture
In 2005 the book received notice due to the recapture of Brian Nichols, who had killed three people while escaping from the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia. Nichols has broken into the home of Ashley Smith, who pacified him by giving him methamphetamine and reading him portions of The Purpose Driven Life over a period of seven hours.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Smith credits the book as influencing his decision to release her from captivity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Sales of The Purpose Driven Life increased following the news of Smith's captivity and release and the story formed the basis of the 2015 film Captive.<ref>Joe McGovern, 'Captive': EW review, ew.com, US, September 22, 2015</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":0" />
In 2009, singer Carrie Underwood was inspired by the book to write the song "Temporary Home".<ref>Jessica Phillips, Carrie Underwood's Boyfriend Inspires Song on Play On, countrystandardtime.com, USA, November 4, 2009</ref> Filipino singer Jamie Rivera was also inspired by the book to release a studio album called The Purpose Driven Life.<ref>[1] Purpose driven Jamie Rivera, philstar.com, September 10, 2004</ref> The album became a hit in the Philippines, receiving gold and platinum awards.
NFL legend Ray Lewis gave the book to 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps when he went to rehab.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Phelps was deeply touched by the book. He read it while in rehab, even to other patients, earning him the nickname "Preacher Mike".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In NBC's comedy The Office, Angela is asked what three books she would take with her to a desert island; she chooses the Bible and A Purpose Driven Life.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>