Purpose Driven Life

I would like to know what other thoughts people have on Rick Warren's book "A Purpose Driven Life". Does anyone feel this book is more of a psychological piece of junk or Gospel truth? From what I've read so far, it glorifies man's ways and programs over Christ and "The Faith"(the finished works of Christ). What are your thoughts?The Evangelist

Oh, it's come up a few times around here :-( Here is a couple of threads:Purpose Driven Life vs. My Utmost?The Purpose Driven CrazeThese are related more towards The Purpose Driven Church:Apostolic Christianity and the Transfer of WealthThe Pied Pipers of Purpose

This book is a piece of trash. If any 'Christian book' is being sold out in secular book stores can't possibly be of God. It is an abomination that the church has allowed. I had a couple of friends of mine go to his whack Saddleback church. They dont even have Bibles!? Anyways, he preaches a soulish gospel and if you haven't noticed, it has not changed the moral climate of our churches or our nation. That in and of itself says it all. Peace. God bless.

Hi Forevidence,I take issue with your reasoning completely. First, the fact that a Christian book (no quotation marks) is being sold in secular book stores does not say anything about its merits and demerits. The secular book store in my neighbourhood sells Bibles as well; by your logic, the Bible cannot possibly be of God?Second, the behaviour of a small number of attendees at Saddleback does not thereby nullify the soundness of a book or a preacher. Of course, you are entitled to your own opinion. But I would rather you interact with the content of the book (which is what a "book review" means), rather than making sweeping generalisations like this.Please respect the fact that there are genuine, devoted Christians who hold different opinions on this book. What really "says it all" is ultimately our attitude and love (or lack of) towards our fellow Christians.

Personally I have not read the book yet, even though I bought it to read it. From what I see in people's lives who read the book, I don't think it is a deep book. I read the papers as given below in The Pied Pipers of Purpose also given in another reply and from that I don't believe the book to be inspired by God, but rather man trying to mix his ideas with that of God - something that can and will never work.I will urge every one to take a look at the websites and papers, as it gives one quite an insight in where this book and new theology comes from and where it is leading. It is that theology that takes the same languge into their mouths as the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ, but have a totally different basis and outcome in the end. It is the smooth cross theology, something that won't ever bring you to God or heaven.Here is just a quote from discernment ministries.Love in ChristJanusDISCERNMENT MINISTRIES, INC. P. O. Box 254High Bridge, NJ 08829 May 1, 2004 From the Editor: There is no doubt we are seeing a world-wide phenomenon. It is overwhelming in the speed of its growth. From the Purpose-Driven website the following is a quote: Right now about 5,000 more churches are doing the 40 Day of Purpose campaign, and now the program has been adopted by corporations (like Coke and Walmart) sports teams (like the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers, NASCAR drivers, and the LPGA) schools, civic clubs, and even prisons. Last week, Paul Harvey told everyone to go buy a copy of PDL on his ABC radio broadcast. He said "This is one of the most insightful books I've ever read and I will read it again...and again...and again." In 2004 we expect over 15,000 more churches to participate. Discernment Ministries has been sending out a newsletter for fifteen years. As we have watched developments unfold in the church we knew that there was indeed a “plan” unfolding. However, none of the researchers had a clear picture of the “plan”. Many articles and newsletters have been written. There is a plethora of information available on the internet. God has used many diverse, and for the most part unobtrusive, servants to glean facets of truth. These dedicated folk have not sought any earthly reward. Their only desire is a burning love and zeal for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be preserved in its purity. Several research conferences were held in which we were all aware that parts of the puzzle of giant proportions were indeed coming together. For the first time this has been laid out in a clear and defined manner in the booklet, which we have enclosed. Because of the urgency of the subject matter, it was decided not to wait until a book was completed, but to make available to you Part 1 of The Pied Pipers of Purpose. This booklet is extremely important and you will want to obtain copies to give out – especially to pastors and church leaders. We are indeed humbled and blessed by the dedicated commitment of God’s people to truth. Our prayer is that the many leaders who have been caught up in the excitement of building mega churches will “stop, look and listen” before they deviate from the true call of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are sending this out to you in place of the May/June newsletter. As the Lord provides, we will also get the booklet out to our mailing lists in Europe, Australia, South Africa and other parts of the world. Printing and postage costs are exorbitant, so every donation helps tremendously. Our request is that you read this booklet prayerfully and check out the research for yourself before making judgments. Be a true Berean! In the Service of the King, Jewel Grewe___________________How one man's gospel tale became a global bestseller For one of the most powerful religious figures in America, Pastor Rick Warren looks very casual. Wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt and loafers, he puts his feet up on his office table and cracks a broad grin. 'If I didn't believe in Jesus, I would be a millionaire with a yacht, sitting in the sun on my own island,' he laughs. 'But instead I am a pastor.'Warren, dubbed 'America's pastor' by the media, has written one of the biggest-selling books of all time, generating tens of millions of dollars. He heads one of America's five largest 'mega-churches' and runs a religious network that spans the globe. If his religion were a business, then Warren would be a Wall Street mogul.His influence is growing all the time. He now plans to deliver a copy of his religious self-help tract, The Purpose-Driven Life, to every US soldier serving in Iraq. 'Copies are already hitting the sand,' Warren said. He is also preparing a trip to Britain next year when he will headline a meeting of the Baptist World Alliance in Birmingham alongside former President Jimmy Carter.Yet Warren is not a household name. He has crept under the media radar while building his religious empire. He has been a guest at the White House, he ministers privately to some of the most important figures in American industry and was instrumental in helping market Mel Gibson's controversial religious blockbuster, The Passion of the Christ .The Purpose-Driven Life has sold a staggering 20 million copies worldwide. It is, Warren says, selling a million a month. 'If you took Bill Clinton's book, Hillary Clinton's book, the latest Harry Potter and the Da Vinci Code and added them together, you still would not get the same as The Purpose-Driven Life ,' he boasted...Warren sits in a spacious office on the 'campus' of his Saddleback Church in the prosperous Lake Forest suburb of Orange County. He is on a mission that stretches far beyond Saddleback, far beyond America even. That mission is world domination. 'We need a billion footsoldiers,' he said 'If you love Jesus, we are on the same team.'...http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1258742,00.html

Hi Agent001Sometimes we as fellow christians see it as lovelessness when others confront us. In Paul's letters he really confrunted the church members, even though some of them believed and had different opinions than he did. I dont think we should make anny assumptions regarding the love or lack of it, especially over the internet and that of a brother with whom you might have to spend eternity!!I urge you to rather get hold of the pied papers I think it is and read and see for yourself. If our eyes is first opened we will all stagger at what is happening in this world!!!Love in ChristJanus

I agree with the sentiment that the book "is a piece of trash," but I also disagree with the reasoning that any book that sells well in secular stores cannot be from God, or that unchristian behavior among small parts of a pastor's congregation necessarily destroys his credibility as a Christian author. If a church has good discipline you shouldn't see too much of the latter, and if the book is sufficiently anti-sin you you shouldn't see too much of the former, but if it's a pastor from a fairly large church or one with deficient discipline (which isn't good, but not exactly the mark of the beast, either), and it's a sufficiently well-written book on some theological topic not overly connected to the sinfulness of the reader...

Well, the reason I mentioned that argument about it being in a secular bookstore is not just because it is being sold in a secular store, but rather the fact that it is being sold out in a secular store in which non-believers are being it. Now that can be good if the book can change your life like the bible or'why revival tarries.' But we see it thus far that it has not changed our church or state. The book has no power in it. It simply brings forth that lukewarm, abominable, and watered down gospel. The fact that people's life has changed has nothing to do with it either. Your life can change reading the satanic bible. Even positive change is not good enough. It has to be Holy Spirit filled change we see in the bible, and that eventually will change our nation. All these people recommend it but it has really done nothing. The fruit of the man's ministry is highly questionable, because of the people that are under him. If the people don't see an importance to cleave to their swords(bible), what does that tell you of the pastor? Saddleback is one of the biggest churches on the southern california area, and yet southern cali is still the same. Im just weary of big hipe that doesn't produce big Holy Ghost results. Thus far this book has made millions of dollars off Christians, and the church is still bankrupt of spiritual riches. So that's my opinion.

Thus far, I fail to see much interaction with the content of the book itself. I have yet to see a fair assessment of its content. It appears that the only "sin" that the author commits thus far is that of writing a best-seller and being successful (but of course, the fact that he does not pocket the money for his own personal gain seems to be conveniently omitted as usual). The book is not the greatest book on earth (However, I think it has a balanced approach to Christian spirituality--even though it is more introductory than in-depth). I do not think it will rank high among many other spiritual classics. So it is surprising that it has become a best-seller, and we can probably attribute this to media hype. Nevertheless, there's nothing in the book that indicate to me that it is an "abomination of the church". Contrary to such thinking, I happen to think that God (not Satan) has used this book to arouse the spiritual thirst of people who would otherwise be reading Chicken Soup for Pet-Lovers. Now comes my very personal opinion: I think a lot of people, Christians included, simply cannot stand others being successful.

After reading this recent article:A Steady Christian InfluenceWhich gives two opposing views, more or less the optimist and pessimist view of the state of Christianity, make that "Christiandom".The above link is the optimist view point (The pessimist will be posted tomorrow)I have the magazine and have read both already and frankly don't see that either one really gets to the heart of the matter and conviently leaves out too much that should be taken into consideration. Forgetting about for instance rampant divorce on the one side and as it relates to this topic here, well here is snippet:"There are fewer R-rated films produced now than there were 10 years ago. And one of the most successful R-rated films is The Passion of the Christ.The bestselling books in America, and around the world, in recent years have included The Prayer of Jabez, Left Behind, and The Purpose-Driven Life""All this seems to suggest is popularity and since when was the Gospel 'popular'? At best it is a testament to how far we have gone to show the world that we are just like them, able to compete with the best of them in selling our wares. Being 'successful' seems to imply that we can generate much heat and little light. I guess it depends on what we mean by being successful. If all these things were producing true change in hearts and lives, were is the fruit?Have thought about writing a book on Death, (seriously) and if I had the backing on it that these same publishers who are savy enough to market it and somehow was able to keep strict control over it's content (which otherwise I wouldn't bother) and was to include all the hard hitting statements that the Lord spoke about, namely Hell, judgement, denying yourself, taking up your cross, suffering, persecution (past and present, including all the gruesome details, torture, being burned alive, etc.) Do we really think we would have a best seller on our hands?I guess what I am getting at is that while there may be worse out there and there certainly is, the content is not telling the whole story in any of these. That may not have been there purpose. But where are the bestsellers that speak of anything beyond a surface level? Where are the publications that would "cut to the heart"?Where are all the conversions? What is the bottom line of all this 'success'?

crsschk and all,In my personal experience, there were quite a number of spiritually thirsty seekers or new believers who told me that The Purpose-Driven Life is the first serious book on the Christian faith that they have dabbled in. For the generation growing up in this multimedia, information age, finishing one book outside of the Chicken Soup series is already quite a feat. Thus, I find PDL to be a good stepping stone to guide them into other spiritual classics. It is a spiritual milk that leads to more solid food. (And I have found nothing in its content that causes me great concern--nor have I found reviews that adequately point out the problems inherent in its content. Most negative reviews, it seems to me, flow out of concerns about the bigger issue of "popular" Christianity--how it is marketed and hyped up by media). So my approach has always been more pastoral than critical--how do I encourage and guide these people to continue to grow in Christ?All this seems to suggest is popularity and since when was the Gospel 'popular'? ...Have thought about writing a book on Death...Do we really think we would have a best seller on our hands?My take on this: of course, we should not seek to be popular at the expense of compromising the truth (by the way, I haven't seen any concrete evidence that PDL did compromise the truth.) But that does not mean anything popular is bad.It's all in God's hand and His timing is always the best. Billy Graham is a popular evangelist. C. S. Lewis is a popular Christian writer. I would not automatically assume that crsschk's book on death will never become a bestseller. Perhaps, in His time and according to His way, this might be so. With God everything is possible.

Thanks Sam,Have been pondering on this since my last reply. It's interesting the way a train of thought can go when it is coupled with another line of thinking. Which is what I believe I had done here in marrying it to the mentioned article. The result being a generalization.In my personal experience, there were quite a number of spiritually thirsty seekers or new believers who told me that The Purpose-Driven Life is the first serious book on the Christian faith that they have dabbled in. For the generation growing up in this multimedia, information age, finishing one book outside of the Chicken Soup series is already quite a feat. Thus, I find PDL to be a good stepping stone to guide them into other spiritual classics. It is a spiritual milk that leads to more solid food. (And I have found nothing in its content that causes me great concern--nor have I found reviews that adequately point out the problems inherent in its content. Most negative reviews, it seems to me, flow out of concerns about the bigger issue of "popular" Christianity--how it is marketed and hyped up by media). So my approach has always been more pastoral than critical--how do I encourage and guide these people to continue to grow in Christ?Great points. It is all too easy to forget that there is a starting point for everybody. As a stepping stone I agree and I also don't believe we are talking anything heretical here either.I was actually humbled yesterday ironically. Was doing some work for a elderly couple, very dear people. She asked me yesterday if I was a Catholic and I stated "Well...I used to be, but I am a Christian" After some dialog about my upbringing and a bit of my testimony from prodigal to today and her own experience (long time Catholic) She asked why I had left, wasn't sure if she meant the Faith or being "Catholic", but nodded with understanding about the differences we share. We were talking about our love for books and she picked up a handful of Catholic titles and....."The Purpose Driven Life"Felt the hypocrite a bit by saying "Ah yes, I have read that" In light of my recent comments here....Was sincerely glad to know that she was reading this and not some book by a prosperity teacher.I was and am humbled once again.So my approach has always been more pastoral than critical--how do I encourage and guide these people to continue to grow in Christ?That says a lot if it doesn't say it all from this perspective. But I still think there is warrant for some caution brought out by others that have already been addressed in other threads on this topic. The over commercialization and spin off products and programs. The sense that our churches need spiritual milk when they should be far into sides of beef by now...it's just opinion, what do I know?A side note. Progressing through this pile of backed up books, finally got around to "God's Smuggler" Brother Andrew and as part of my musing on all this in recent days, it was a bit striking, right in front of my eyes on the cover:"10 Million Copies in Print"To clarify a bit on the "Death" book, (hmmm, maybe that's the title right there) would definitely be striving to strike a balance, but it would be an emphasis on the 'bad' news before the 'good news', which isn't really a balance...Of course neither is our sin in comparison to our Saviour.Thanks brother.

For another perspective or deeper look into this phenomenon please read this article by Berit Kjos. http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/2003/1-purpose.htmand the follow the thread to the other articles in the same series. They are long.jouko

crsschk:I like your latest reply; it comes very close to how I see this issue. I appreciate your thoughtful consideration of my line of thinking.Sam

I want to address a few lines you had written. So my approach has always been more pastoral than critical--how do I encourage and guide these people to continue to grow in Christ?As Christian people, we shouldn't be encouraging others to grow in "Psychology". We should be encouraging them to die to self, by the which i.e. can only be done through THE CROSS!!! According to Mr. Psychological Warren himself, we can grow in God and/or be delivered from sin and temptation through the works of the flesh, which is totally contrary to the very teachings of the Apostle Paul and other writers. Maybe you have forgotten that there isn't any good thing in us (Romans 7), and we have not the power to deliver ourselves from the dominion of sin. As Paul wrote in Galatians, It's no more I that live but Christ living in me. According to Warren in PDL, we can obtain deliverance through teachings similar to A.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous)...or in other words - A 12-Step Program - which will actually put our minds on methods. One man of God said one time, "It's the message, NOT the method" that is capable of setting a person free. Which actually brings me to the concern, Have you yourself actually read the book? In my personal experience, there were quite a number of spiritually thirsty seekers or new believers who told me that The Purpose-Driven Life is the first serious book on the Christian faith that they have dabbled in.They "told you" about it...don't see any where you said that you read it. So my approach has always been more pastoral than criticalAnd one more thing -- a pastor or a shepherd is not going to allow that which is going to destroy the flock into the church, unless he himself is blinded and unaware to the unbiblical teaching that is taking place in 62% or even more of God's Holy house today. I hope you do change your heart more than your train of thought to that of a pastoral approach to any stiuation. You just might be accountable one day of those you failed to warn of "wolves in sheeps clothing."

I've been following this thread for a bit and thought I'd finally weigh in with my two cents. We've been using Purpose Driven Life in our ministry here to reach the Hakka Chinese ... and with great effect. It not only leads the non-Christian down the right road towards the cross, but challenges the believers in not being led astray from the "simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." It is a simple book - and that is its strength. I cringe to see people seeking after deeper knowledge when what they usually need is a fuller experience of the simple truths they already know. Someone once said, "Maturity is mastering the basics." I couldn't agree more. That's why I would never apologize for admitting that this book has taken me back - in a good way - to the basics. And why I would not apologize for encouraging our young churches here to read and apply the principles in this book to their lives. Agent001 has mentioned a couple of times that this is a great place to review what's actually said in the book (as opposed to making critical generalizations.) I agree. That's why I'd like to write the first sentence from every chapter (for the first ten chapters) and the subtitles from these chapters (if laid out.) This might at least give those who haven't read the book a chance to see some of the basic principles being espoused by Rick Warren.Chapter One:“It’s not about you.”Chapter Two: “You are not an accident.”Chapter Three:“Everyone’s life is driven by something.”1.\tMany people are driven by guilt.2.\tMany people are driven by resentment and anger.3.\tMany people are driven by fear.4.\tMany people are driven by materialism.5.\tMany people are driven by the need for approval.6.\tKnowing your purpose gives meaning to life.7.\tKnowing your purpose simplifies life.8.\tKnowing your purpose motivates your life.9.\tKnowing your purpose prepares you for eternity.Chapter Four:“This life is not all there is.”Chapter Five:“The way you see your life shapes your life.”1.\tLife on earth is a test.2.\tLife on earth is a Trust.Chapter Six:“Life on earth is a temporary assignment.”Chapter Seven:“It’s all for Him.”1.\tWe bring God glory by worshiping Him.2.\tWe bring God glory by loving other believers.3.\tWe bring God glory by becoming like Christ.4.\tWe bring God glory by serving others with our gifts.5.\tWe bring God glory by telling others about Him.Chapter Eight:“You were planned for God’s pleasure.”1.\tBringing pleasure to God is called “worship.”2.\tWorship is more than music.3.\tWorship is not for your benefit.Chapter Nine:“The smile of God is the goal of your life.”1.\tGod smiles when we love Him supremely.2.\tGod smiles when we trust Him completely.3.\tGod smiles when we obey Him wholeheartedly.4.\tGod smiles when we praise and thank Him continually.5.\tGod smiles when we use our abilities.Chapter Ten:“The heart of worship is surrender.”1.\tCan I trust God?2.\tAdmitting our limitations.3.\tWhat it means to surrender.4.\tThe blessing of surrender.5.\tThe best way to live.I’d copy more, but just don’t have the time. (Sorry) As I’ve been skimming over these chapters (and others in the book) I can’t help but be a bit puzzled by accusations that PDL is just another example of easy believism. Over and over Rick Warren calls us to the cross. (ie - It’s not about you, it’s about Jesus. You must surrender every area of your life completely and joyfully to Him.) Are we reading different books?Please – if you have a problem with the book, at least do us (and Rick Warren) the courtesy of quoting the offending portion instead of giving us your own interpretation of what’s offensive. Then we can dialogue over what’s really written instead of a vague concept.

My first question to the people who are bagging PDL and Rick Warren is "Have you actually read the book?" It's easy to form an opinion on something that you nothing about, due to ignorance. It's even easier to form an opinion on something that has been approached with a biased perspective, based on other peoples opinions and propoganda (yes, I've read "that related document" too).As Christian people, we shouldn't be encouraging others to grow in "Psychology". We should be encouraging them to die to self, by the which i.e. can only be done through THE CROSS!!! Firstly, while this statement, in essence is true, the only way to truly serve God is to die the Gal 2:20 death, and the only way to the cross is via futile attempts at fullfilling the Law in your own strength. In some way "psychology" can be a tool used to come to this realisation. One must accept that we are tripart in nature (body, soul, spirit), which means that we must look after our body via exersize, our spirit through devotional discipline, and soul (psyche) via applied disciplined thought life. If we "die to self" we still need to combat the "strongholds" in our thought life, using the "weapons of our warfare" that are "mighty" for pulling them down. True psychology, is applying the Psalms to our "emotions", and Proverbs to our "will", and Ecclessiasties to our "reason".Sorry, I know major tangent. My own experience with PDL, began 5 years ago, when our church adopted Purpose Driven Church as part of our strategy. Essetially, the concept of 5 spiritual purposes, comes for Acts 2:42-47, which describes the early NT church's begining. Warren's goal, was for a return to his view of what the NT church was, in the it wasn't based around a program, but a process that saw people "added daily" and discipled, as opposed to just becoming "pew warmers". One thing the Warren seeks to do, in his books, is to admit that, however much we try to deny it, people look at "features and benefits", with everything they do. We shows the "features and benefits" of the gospel, as well as outlining our obligations. Essentially, how the message and heart of the gospel interacts with our life in a practicle sense.Our church embarked on the "40 Days of Purpose" this year (incidently, the Lord had me avoid reading the book, in favour of listening to Ravenhill and Tozer;-)...however, the sermons that I listened to, lined up with the sermons being preached from Warren's material). Warren mentioned, in his introduction, that one of the most significant moments in his life, was father on his deathbed becoming anxious, and all of a sudden, sat up screaming "Gotta win one more for Jesus". This is the basis behind PDL.On a whole, I don't really have an issue with the teaching contained in the book. However, some of the meathods can be a bit destructive, although very subtly. A friend and I were discussing the use of Powerpoint presnetations during preaching. On one hand, we are a visual generation, and diagrams and photos, can be effective tools for communicating a point. One trend seems to be emerging that can be seen throughout PDL. The use of multiple Bible translations during preaching. I'm not trying to say, that there's only one true translation, or we should all go KJV, but there is something about reading from the same translation, that helps with retention. It is hard enough to memorise something, without changing the wording 3 or 4 times during a series of teaching.Although this seems like a smmal thing, don't forget that it's the "little foxes the spoils the vine". In an age of ever increasing darkness, one of the greatest necessities is for us to memorise His Word.As Leonard Ravenhill puts it, "We thinking that it'll be Revival or concetration camps, but Ithink it'll be revival AND concentration camps."Lord, prepare us for persecution, whether it comes or not.

Some quotes from "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Sounds pretty solid to me.“This act of personal surrender (to God) is called many things: consecration, making Jesus your Lord, taking up your cross, dying to self, yielding to the Spirit. What matters is that you do it, not what you call it. God wants your life – all of it. Ninety-five percent is not enough.”“Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience. You say, ‘yes, Lord’ to whatever He asks of you. To say ‘no, Lord’ is to speak a contradiction. You can’t call Jesus your Lord when you refuse to obey Him.” “God doesn’t owe you an explanation or reason for everything he asks you to do. Understanding can wait, but obedience can’t. Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussions. In fact, you will never understand some commands until you obey them first. Obedience unlocks understanding.”“Genuine surrender says, ‘Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another’s, please don’t take it away.’ This level of maturity does not come easy. In Jesus’ case, He agonized so much over God’s plan that He sweat drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. In our case, it is intense warfare against our self-centered nature.”“The most difficult area to surrender for many people is their money. Many have thought, ‘I want to live for God but I also want to earn money to live comfortably and retire someday.’ Retirement is not the goal of a surrendered life, because it competes with God for the primary attention of our lives.” “Sometimes it takes years, but eventually you discover that the greatest hindrance to God’s blessing in your life is not others, it is yourself – your self-will, stubborn pride, and personal ambition. You cannot fulfill God’s purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans.”

Hi all,theevangelist: The answer is yes, I have read PDL and I enjoyed it. I do not find any traces of secular psychology within the book, nor do I find the claims that this book is "destructive" to be substantial, thus far.CJaKfOrEsT: I worry more about today's Christians (especially those in North America) not engaging in serious Bible study at all than the trend of using multiple translations. But yes, I do think it is beneficial for a single congregation to stick to one translation for public use, although the use of other translations for specific verses to make a point during preaching is quite acceptable to me.HakkaMin: Excellent point concerning living out simple but profound truths rather than seeking "deeper" and "higher" knowledge:It is a simple book - and that is its strength. I cringe to see people seeking after deeper knowledge when what they usually need is a fuller experience of the simple truths they already know. Someone once said, "Maturity is mastering the basics." Excellent!