Purpose Driven Life

[kayre]

Summary: How do we please God? By loving him above all else; by trusting him completely; by obeying wholeheartedly; by praising and thanking God continually; by using our abilities.

My thoughts: The first three scriptures are all broad paraphrases. Is “God smiles” a fair interpretation of “God’s face shining” in Numbers 6:25, Psalm 119:135? Paraphrase of Hosea 6:6 twists the meaning, and he leans heavily on it. Psalm 100:2 does not say “obey”! Psalm 37:23 is practically unrecognizable.

Noah story presented as literal truth. I believe it’s a myth-- a meaningful one, but please don’t ask me to believe it really happened exactly that way! Warren makes a big deal about Noah apparently obeying completely and without question.. but what about Moses? Joshua? Abraham? It IS okay to question God. Even Jesus questioned.

This chapter contained some of the worst misuses of Scripture so far-- but also some decent theology towards the end. Warren really does quite a good job of explaining that God loves us as we are, wants us to live full and fulfilling lives. Unfortunately, it’s hard to make that match with the “instant and unquestioning obedience” stuff earlier.