In a way this was almost a negative because many times I was left wanting more information. I highly recommend this book! As always, the first thing I read were the negative reviews. After reading Price's work, it is obvious that neither although one freely admits this actually read the book.
Price is a Biblical scholar, not a theologian. He is very open about being a nontheist, refers to himself as a humanist, and sings in his church choir. Unlike most people, when it comes to the Bible, this guy really knows his stuff!
The Reason Driven Life: What Am I Here on Earth For?
Therefore, Price does not feel the need to 'throw the baby out with the bathwater'. Price loves the Bible, loves going to church, and laughs at those of us who feel like we have to pick a side. However, this is not what the book is about; it is a critique of the tenets of modern, Christian fundamentalism.
First, the idea that the purpose of everyone's life is to worship the god of the Bible! Next, he breaks down the 'us v. To paraphrase Price, everyone wouldn't fit under the same roof anyway. After that, he continues on to the myth of the inerrant Bible. This is where Price makes, in my opinion, his most astute observation: Therefore, there's no way to avoid interpretation.
Finally, throughout the book, he discusses the downright wishful thinking that is at the heart of fundamentalism and how it stifles the personal growth and maturity that lead one to wisdom - spiritual or otherwise. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. A great resource for a humanist, atheist, secularist or "None" with an interest in the Christian Bible and philosophy.
Price is a treasure. And, in a time when it can be easy to dismiss religion and religious people as ridiculous and always wrong, even evil, Price makes an eloquent case for the opposite, illustrating with humor and gentle logic that there realy isn't the clear "Us vs Them" division many see from both sides. Can't we all just get along while vigorously disagreeing? This is a scholarly dispassionate explanation of the fallacies of how the Bible is used to justify unreasonable beliefs on many different levels. In the end it encourages people to take responsibility for their own lives and stop depending on others to make decisions and declare for them the meaning of life.
This book has opened my eyes to how far I have allowed myself to be persuaded out of a life of intellectual honesty. One person found this helpful. First off, I will say, that I read a lot of books.. I mean a whole lot books of different scholarly levels. This is one of the best, if not the best book I have ever read. Price will humbly deny this, but I believe him to be a theological genius. Anyone with ears to hear needs to listen to what this man has to say. Read this book, I promise you, you will not be sorry you did. Price is the MAN! I've never read Pastor Warren's book, but I can't imagine it uses the level of logical argumentation that Dr.
Price uses in this book. After all, religious faith is not based on fact. If it was, everyone would believe the same thing. See all 45 reviews.
The Reason Driven Life: What Am I Here on Earth For? by Robert M. Price
Most recent customer reviews. Published 1 year ago. Published on February 6, Published on December 20, Published on August 18, This book has transformed millions of lives. Are you ready for a change? What on earth am I here for? The Question of Existence: Why am I alive? Does my life matter? As founding pastor of Saddleback Church with his wife, Kay, Dr.
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Rick Warren leads a 30,member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As an author, his book The Purpose Driven Life has been called the bestselling non-fiction hardback in publishing history by Publishers Weekly , having sold more than 33 million copies.
Dec 16, Reggia added it Shelves: Jan 22, Mike DiFilippo rated it really liked it. A bright and thoughtful exploration of the realities of life by a biblical scholar who uses the wisdom of the bible as it was written.
He contrasts his assessments with those of Rick Warren and as a former evangelical Price tells of a moving personal story. Feb 24, KevinS rated it it was ok. This book is a rebuttal to a popular religious book from a while back called 'The Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren. Apparently Rick's book was so filled with glurge and religiosity and plain illogic that Robert couldn't stand it, so in this book he picks that book apart one chapter at a time and offers more rational alternatives 40 chapters.
Mostly this book offers closer readings of the bible to refute most of the fundamentalist protestant teachings in the first book. So I found the viewpoint here refreshing, with some thought-provoking arguments against some of the religious teachings I grew up with. I did not find it necessary to read Rick Warren's book first. But because this book is argumentative, each chapter I found myself judging whether I agree with Rick, whether I agree with Robert, or whether the argument is too petty or esoteric for me to care about.
Jun 10, Colin rated it liked it Shelves: Having never read Warren's book, I was at somewhat of a disadvantage, but I think Price makes his counter-case reasonably well: One's life decisions should be dictated by reason. Rick Warren's fundamentalist Christian "purpose" is not a valid guide to life, as it doesn't stand up to even cursory inspection, let alone scrutiny - everything I have read or heard of Warren's philosophy bears this out.
Now, I am not speaking against Christianity as az valid way of life - only Warren's vision of what it means which, as far as I can tell, is nothing like Jesus' vision of what it means. Jan 23, David rated it really liked it. Bob Price is always fun and thought provoking, particularly when rebutting the mistaken ideas by moderns with something to sell you on the spiritual insights of ancient people in Palestine.
In this case the vacuous nature of the 19th century invention of fundamentalist thinking is clearly revealed. In a series of short chapters the spiritual insights of the ancients is understood and respected, while Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life is properly questioned and found wanting when compared to the Bob Price is always fun and thought provoking, particularly when rebutting the mistaken ideas by moderns with something to sell you on the spiritual insights of ancient people in Palestine. In a series of short chapters the spiritual insights of the ancients is understood and respected, while Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life is properly questioned and found wanting when compared to the history of the faith it claims to reflect.
Oct 20, Christopher Stryker rated it liked it. All and all, it was a gratifying read. Several times I found my mind wondering a little, but then the author would make a point that really rang true to me: The title was a little misleading however, as I was prepared to enjoy what I believed would be a sort of manifesto on a reason-centered life, but instead found myself engaged in a chapter-b All and all, it was a gratifying read. The title was a little misleading however, as I was prepared to enjoy what I believed would be a sort of manifesto on a reason-centered life, but instead found myself engaged in a chapter-by-chapter critique of Rick Warren's book.
Sep 10, Lynn rated it it was ok. I haven't read Rick Warren's book, but I'm sure this one is probably better, and I didn't even enjoy it all that much; possibly because it is geared to those who are looking for a way to break away from their religious indoctrinations. I never had to deal with that problem. Jun 03, Charles rated it really liked it. This book was really enjoyable, and honestly pretty inspirational too. While I expected it to be a well thought out rebuttal of Rick Warrens The Purpose Driven Life specifically and fundamentalist Christian pop-theology in general, which it was, I was pleasantly surprised by all the positive philosophy and food for thought that Price offers as alternates.
May 09, Eric rated it liked it. This is a well-reasoned and thought provoking response to Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life" and a counter to religious fundamentalism and evangelicalism. I knocked a star off the grade due to the length of the book which was simply in order to respond to each of Warren's 40 points.
The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Softcover)
Jul 27, Eric rated it it was ok Shelves: Several others have reviewed this already so I'll make it short. His arguments are reasonable and convincing.
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I think he definitely makes his case. The first half of the book is great - well written and fun to read. The second half of the book is tedious and less relevant. Dec 16, Jeffrey McKinley rated it it was amazing. Feb 23, Danyell rated it really liked it Shelves: Someone gace me The Reason Driven Life as a gift once, whilst I was sheepin' it up, it gave me heart burn even then, this book was Milanta for the soul.
Go buy it now!
Scott Schupbach rated it really liked it Apr 13,