Simple Response to The Purpose Driven Life
The following short article was written in response to this request on a Christian message board that I am a member of:
Hello,
I have read quite a (bit) on the PDL, unfortunately I need a simple break down of the "Donts" against it. I get a bit confused with all the material. Our church is looking into doing it here in NZ, a lot of them have and it seems that they have good things to say about it.
I feel it in my spirit that PDL is not right but I want something more than that to go to our minister with. Can someone help? A tract would be helpful, but in the meantime can someone just give me some info that's not heavy and too long, that I can take to my minister, then I can refer him to more of the longer articles people have written.
Here's as simple as I can make it (specifically Purpose Driven Life)
NOTE: Please understand that I fully believe there are many good things about the book! It's just that there are some things that trouble me.
1. Many, many verses out of context. Why? Does the author not know any better? Or is he doing it on purpose?
2. Many translations used. Not bad in itself, but the author picks and chooses until he finds a verse in a particular version that happens to fit what he wants to say. See above. Also, heavily leans on "The Message," a paraphrase by Eugene Peterson. The Message should not be considered a Bible (Peterson claims he never intended it to be used as a Bible) but a commentary only - from a very liberal perspective.
3. Things covered sometimes fit the author's agenda better than they fit the Bible. Ex. Making an unbeliever comfortable and maintaining unity at all costs
4. Hardest to explain, but most important, in my opinion - This book ought to be called "The Law-Driven Life." It's all about "do, do, do" - all for the glory of God, of course. This book encourages service - which is biblical, of course - but it's all in your own strength. It's kind of like - "OK, you're a Christian. Here's what God expects of you; now get to it."
If a Christian is not living as a Christian should, what is the answer? To tell him how he ought to be living, as this book does? That only cures the outward problem. Or is the answer to help the person draw closer to God? To have a Bible study with him - to encourage him to get to know the Lord better through His Word? To pray for him and let him know that you are?
This is very, very hard for lots of people to grasp, especially new or immature believers. There is definitely a place for law in the life of all Christians. It shows us our sin when we fail to live up to it, as we always will! It keeps us from going even more wrong - and it guides us as we seek to live as God wants us to.
I want to live as God wants me to. For example, I really want to be that Proverbs 31 woman. I can read it and take note of how I should be, and then go out and do my best to live that way. And, I will fail, because I'm trying to do it in my own strength. However, as I live each day, trusting God to lead me and teach me - I will gradually (oh, so gradually!!) move toward becoming more and more Christ-like. God will use His Word to change me, shape me and use me to do HIS work. In His time. And, someday, when I look back, I'll realize that I'm more of that Proverbs 31 woman than I used to be - but that it was all God's doing, not mine.
You can never - repeat never - become Christ-like by deciding to be that way. It's a process that only God can do in you, as you stay in His Word and stay connected to Him. When you seek Him with all your heart - every day - He will direct your paths and give you work to do. Work that you will succeed at, because it came when HE wanted it to, when HE had fully prepared you for it.
In my opinion, that's the biggest problem with the PDL - and one that most Christians will not pick up on when they read this book. Why are they reading in the first place? They want to be closer to God - to please Him. This book shows them how - so what could be wrong with that? In the end, it sets them up for failure, as they race ahead of God's timing, GOD'S PURPOSE. In the end, I'm so sad to say, I believe it will lead many a young Christian AWAY from the God they were only trying to please, like a child who feels he can never please his parent.
We ALL need to learn to be spirit-led, not law-driven.
You can read the full thread here: http://www.rr-bb.com/archive/index.php/t-174678.html