Dear Catholic Exchange:
Do you know if the book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren teaches anything against Catholic doctrine? Many of my non-Catholic friends have read it and highly recommend it to me. Just recently I have even seen it advertised in Catholic gift/book catalogs. My parish priest said that he hasn't heard anything against it in regards to Catholic teaching but hasn't read it for himself yet. I've read the condensed version found at Wal-Mart and found it very intriguing and want to read the book but am always hesitant to read popular books by non-Catholic authors. I'd appreciate any advice you can give me.
Pax et Bonum,
Cindy Engler
Dear Ms. Engler,
Peace in Christ! You asked about the book The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren, and its suitability for Catholic readers. The following is an excerpt of our Faith Fact on that very question.
In addressing this very popular book, Catholics United for the Faith (CUF) does not presume to provide an exhaustive review of the book’s strengths and weaknesses, but rather a representative one. This book has much to offer and resonates in many ways with the Catholic faith. Yet, while CUF recognizes that a well-formed, spiritually mature Catholic could benefit from the book, we cannot recommend it in general because of various deficiencies. These shortcomings generally stem from the book’s basic Protestant perspective. For example, in attempting to lead Christians to a more purpose-driven life, the author does not account for central components to the life of Christ, namely, frequenting the sacraments He established, especially the Sacrifice of the Mass, the central act of Christian worship; acknowledging and following the God-given, supreme authority of the Catholic Church; and learning and assenting to the full deposit of the faith of the Church’s teaching.
Consequently, while Mr. Warren draws on Catholic sources such as contemplative Brother Lawrence, who wrote the classic book Practicing the Presence God, he adapts him to his Protestant perspective. Mr. Warren acknowledges that Brother Lawrence has a good idea, but he does not recognize that his overall Catholic approach to Christianity is correct.
In summary, while Mr. Warren’s book has various profitable elements, we cannot provide a general recommendation because of its shortcomings. However, we recognize that the book could be beneficial to a well-formed, discriminating Catholic reader, or someone benefiting from the guidance of a good Catholic spiritual director. In general, though, for those looking for good resources on spiritual direction, we would recommend faithful Catholic ones.
As an alternative to Mr. Warren’s book, we recommend LifeWork: Finding Your Purpose in Life (Rick Sarkisian, Ignatius Press).
United in the Faith,
Kathleen Rohan
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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