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| Book Cover for Tenth Anniversary Special Edition The Purpose Driven Life (His book is now "redesigned") |
Trees. They sure are beautiful! Not only that, there are so many kinds! Their fruit, their shade, their stature, their structure, the way they grace the land with their uniqueness and give life, as well as harbor the lives of creatures seeking shelter is all quite amazing. There's a lot of trees mentioned in the scriptures too, so it's no wonder Rick Warren choose something as meaningful as a tree for the cover of his newly released book pictured above, the NEW "Purpose Driven Life" book.
Rick has been quoted in several articles talking about his new book and the reason for it. He says, "Our world has changed dramatically over the last decade, but God's word is always relevant. I believe now, more than ever, people need the hope, joy, and peace that comes from living our their God-given purpose." True to form, Rick delivers the information he does about things only half-right. You see, God's word IS always relevant, and people do need hope... joy.... peace.... but what on Earth is that part about finding their God-given purpose being the thing that will give them that hope and joy and peace? This half truth, half bible reality thing he deals out on a regular basis, makes it quite appropriate that he uses only half a tree on the cover of his new book.
Is it really half a tree? Yes. Note how "forty" is a special number, indicative of Rick's 40 Day "campaign" idea (which, by the way, he learned "from the Communists." <---click here to see that post.) The picture he choose for his book from the many submissions from graphic artists everywhere, displays only half of a tree with lots of leaves. There's no fruit, just leaves; and count them. It is purposely pictured as a "tree with forty leaves." The thing is, it is not a tree, but really only half of a tree.
Somehow Matthew 21:19 comes to mind.... Have you read that lately?
But back to that book and the tree... no, the half of a tree. Zondervan's marketing executive behind the book's republication told the Christian Post that there appears to be divine intervention in the selection that was made for it's cover. He has a point. The cover is quite telling. As someone once said, "A picture is worth a thousand words?" Rick's half-truths are right there on the cover!
Make no mistake, God's word does not come back void. There are some scripture references and even perhaps some encouraging words in this book, but the truth is that there are some important and key elements of the Christian faith that are, like half of the tree on the cover, missing from this book, often omitted or dismissed by Rick's programs, projects and peace plans. Just the same, God's word is powerful, sharper than a two edged sword. It will do the work that he desires, the bible tells us so, but do we have eyes to see and ears to hear what He says?
Church enthusiasts and the leaders interested in building large church followings have been... for ten year now, embracing Rick's false vision of hope in finding this thing called "purpose." It is a find sounding replacement for repenting, and being found.... believing in Jesus Christ. Now rewritten and republished, the book is being promoted shamelessly once again. In usual Pupose Driven fanfare, Zondervan announces that over the last ten years, " the Purpose Driven Life has transformed countless lives, selling more that 32 million copies worldwide." (They probably hope people who bought the first will by this one too at $26.00 a book.
Rick has been quoted in several articles talking about his new book and the reason for it. He says, "Our world has changed dramatically over the last decade, but God's word is always relevant. I believe now, more than ever, people need the hope, joy, and peace that comes from living our their God-given purpose." True to form, Rick delivers the information he does about things only half-right. You see, God's word IS always relevant, and people do need hope... joy.... peace.... but what on Earth is that part about finding their God-given purpose being the thing that will give them that hope and joy and peace? This half truth, half bible reality thing he deals out on a regular basis, makes it quite appropriate that he uses only half a tree on the cover of his new book.
Is it really half a tree? Yes. Note how "forty" is a special number, indicative of Rick's 40 Day "campaign" idea (which, by the way, he learned "from the Communists." <---click here to see that post.) The picture he choose for his book from the many submissions from graphic artists everywhere, displays only half of a tree with lots of leaves. There's no fruit, just leaves; and count them. It is purposely pictured as a "tree with forty leaves." The thing is, it is not a tree, but really only half of a tree.
Somehow Matthew 21:19 comes to mind.... Have you read that lately?
But back to that book and the tree... no, the half of a tree. Zondervan's marketing executive behind the book's republication told the Christian Post that there appears to be divine intervention in the selection that was made for it's cover. He has a point. The cover is quite telling. As someone once said, "A picture is worth a thousand words?" Rick's half-truths are right there on the cover!
Make no mistake, God's word does not come back void. There are some scripture references and even perhaps some encouraging words in this book, but the truth is that there are some important and key elements of the Christian faith that are, like half of the tree on the cover, missing from this book, often omitted or dismissed by Rick's programs, projects and peace plans. Just the same, God's word is powerful, sharper than a two edged sword. It will do the work that he desires, the bible tells us so, but do we have eyes to see and ears to hear what He says?
Church enthusiasts and the leaders interested in building large church followings have been... for ten year now, embracing Rick's false vision of hope in finding this thing called "purpose." It is a find sounding replacement for repenting, and being found.... believing in Jesus Christ. Now rewritten and republished, the book is being promoted shamelessly once again. In usual Pupose Driven fanfare, Zondervan announces that over the last ten years, " the Purpose Driven Life has transformed countless lives, selling more that 32 million copies worldwide." (They probably hope people who bought the first will by this one too at $26.00 a book.
PurposeDriven.com blows their own horn of plenty too. They tell us about Rick's new book is the "best selling nonfiction hardtack book in history. The announce, "10 years ago, Pastor Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life that changed the way millions of people understand their meaning and significance. This book has since become the best selling nonfiction hardback book in history. Is that true? (See: wikipedia)
Rick Warren himself, promotes his book saying things like, "Three things..have changed my life…2 ½ years ago One was the overwhelming success of the book. It has been the best selling book in the world now for 3 years…in 50 languages Publisher’s weekly said it’s the best selling hardback book in American history… "
Rick Warren himself, promotes his book saying things like, "Three things..have changed my life…2 ½ years ago One was the overwhelming success of the book. It has been the best selling book in the world now for 3 years…in 50 languages Publisher’s weekly said it’s the best selling hardback book in American history… "
Rick Warren. KBMI (Moody Bible) OPEN LINE PROGRAM Interview, October 7, 2005
Do you suppose he thinks his book, his thoughts, his widsom about the church is greater than what we learn in the bible?
"We need more than the Bible to grow we need other believers."
Chapter 17, Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
We need more than the Bible to grow?
"No matter how wonderful a translation, it has limitations."
Chapter 27 Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
The Bible always has limitations?
"No matter how wonderful a translation it is.... " ???
Does this mean it is flawed no matter what?
"No matter how wonderful a translation it is.... " ???
Does this mean it is flawed no matter what?
"The last thing many believers need today is to go to another Bible Study."
Chapter 29, Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Of course, a Bible Study is the LAST thing
they nee.... because when people hear the whole gospel
or study the words of the Bible,
Rick cannot pull the wool over their eyes
with his fancy double speak.
He will happily give them a six week purpose-driven anything to study though.
So, while Rick seems to embrace the bible, the scriptures... and the importance of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, he only half embraces it. The bible is not enough to Rick. No Translation is adequate. The last thing a believer needs to do is go to another Bible Study..... but hey... you can bet he believes that same person needs to purchase his book, read it and join a life group study about Rick's book or his Peace Plan.
In the Scriptures, wisdom is like a tree..... not half a tree. Wisdom is wholesome, vibrant, life-giving, and fruitful.
Wisdom?
- She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:and happy is every one that retaineth her.
-
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;and he that winneth souls is wise.
-
Hope deferred maketh the heart sickbut when the desire cometh,it is a tree of life.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life:but perverseness thereinis a breach in the spirit.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what theSpirit saith unto the churches; To him thatovercometh will I give to eat of the tree of life,which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
There is a Purpose Driven tree that is only half a tree, but God's Tree of Life, is complete.
Revelation 22:1-2
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life,
clear as crystal, proceeding out
of the throne of God
and of the Lamb.
In the midst of the street of it,
and on either side of the river,
was there the tree of life,
which bare twelve manner of fruits,
and yielded her fruit every month:
and the leaves of the tree
were for the healing
of the nations.
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