DISCUSSION OF RICK WARREN’S THE PURPOSE DRIVEN® LIFE

The purpose of this portion of Crossties Counseling Ministries, Inc.’s website is to provide a place and means for discussion of issues, thoughts and questions that arise in reading Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven® Life[1] Immediately following this preface you will find a review of Rick Warren’s book prepared by Larry D. Harvey. Mr. Harvey’s comments are intended to serve as a beginning point or aid for discussion and evaluation of this obviously popular book. In order to facilitate continued discussion, Mr. Harvey will post his comments over time, with a new “Day” posted each week.

To assist in clear and meaningful discussion, the following definitions are offered for your consideration:

Justification: “Paul everywhere describes the article of justification as a judicial process wherein the conscience of the sinner, accused before the tribunal of God by the Divine Law, convicted, and subject to the sentence of eternal damnation, flees to the throne of grace and is restored, absolved, and freed from the sentence of condemnation and received to eternal life for the sake of the obedience and intercession of the Son of God, our Mediator, which is laid hold of and made one’s own through faith.”[2] Accordingly, the Scriptures use “justification” in a forensic or legal sense.

Faith: “Faith is the unique means and instrument through which we lay hold on the righteousness of Christ, receive it, and apply it to ourselves….”[3]

Justifying Faith/Saving Faith: “[1] Faith is to assent to the entire Word of God as it has been set forth for us, [2] and particularly to the free promise of reconciliation given for the sake of Christ the Mediator. [3] And it is trust in the mercy of God promised for the sake of Christ the Mediator. [4] For trust is an action or movement of the will which necessary responds to assent. [5] Faith is also the power of laying hold on the promises and applying them to oneself. [6] It quiets the heart…”[4]

Grace: “…the free goodness of God, His favor, His benevolence, and His mercy, by which not according to our works and worthiness but out of sheer mercy, for the sake of Christ, God receives into grace sinners who are repentant and flee in faith to the Mediator, and He accepts them into eternal life with their sins forgiven and the righteousness of Christ imputed to them.”[5]

In addition, you may also find it helpful to refer to the Bible Class outline entitled “Our Church and Others” within this website. That outline is a comparison of the Scriptures with the teachings of the various major Christian religious bodies.

We hope the discussion will edify, encourage and build you up in Saving Faith in our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. “Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11, NASB)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOGGING ON TO THE DISCUSSION

Please click here to visit our forum. The forum threads are separated by day pertaining to this book. We encourage your thoughts, feedback, comments or questions pertaining to this article, Warren's books or related subject matters within theology.

[2] Chemnitz, Martin, Loci Theologici, Volume II, translated by J.A.O. Preus, St. Louis, MO., Concordia Publishing House, 1989, page 480.

[3] Ibid., page 490.

[4] Melanchthon, Philip, Loci Communes 1543, translated by J.A.O. Preus, St. Louis, MO. Concordia Publishing House, 1992, page 91.

[5] Chemnitz, page 523.