New Book to Provide Balanced Insights on Rick Warren and the Criticisms Surrounding The Purpose Driven Life



May 4, 2005 -- Richard Abanes' new book, Rick Warren and the Purpose That Drives Him: An Insider Looks at the Phenomenal Bestseller (July 2005, ISBN 0-7369-1738-1) offers a fair and balanced look at the various criticisms that have been made against Warren's Purpose Driven concepts, examining closely what he really believes about God, faith, evangelism, and "doing church."

Harvest House Publishers recognized the validity of publishing such a work after learning that Warren's book, despite its popularity, is now drawing increasingly vocal criticism from some influential Christian leaders who are concerned with what they perceive to be Warren's attempt to: "water-down" the message of the gospel, ignore important doctrines of traditional Christianity, and rely too heavily on "seeker-sensitive" models for church growth. Are such criticisms fair

Noted author and researcher Richard Abanes-a former staff member at Warren's Saddleback church and a well-respected authority on cults and new religions-is in a unique position to answer this question. "I've heard Rick preach for ten years and I've seen first-hand how his church is run," Abanes states. "Criticism is a good thing and can be beneficial-if it is accurate. So I just want to help everyone get their facts straight."

In Rick Warren and the Purpose That Drives Him, Abanes offers a concise history of Warren's work and an inside view of the man behind the Purpose Driven message. He then provides a balanced treatment of the most common criticisms and concerns leveled against Warren's book and ministry, enabling readers to discover the facts that clarify the misconceptions. Also included is an exclusive interview with Rick Warren, who sat down with Abanes to talk about the phenomenon of The Purpose Driven Life and to answer the questions that so many are asking.

Bob Hawkins, Jr., president of Harvest House, states "We are proud to be publishing this well-crafted insider perspective on the most talked about book of our time. Abanes' solid research will offer readers the accurate information they need in order to know the truth about Warren's unique approach and the teachings of his book."

Rick Warren and the Purpose That Drives Him is intended for everyone who is interested in learning the remarkable story behind The Purpose Driven Life and its popular author, as well as for readers who have questions about the theology of the Purpose Driven message.

Richard Abanes is a nationally recognized authority on contemporary religious movements, as well as bestselling author of The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code and numerous other books. Abanes has been honored for his work on intolerance by receiving the Myers Center Award for the study of Human Rights in North America.

Harvest House Publishers is an evangelical Christian publishing company dedicated to offering responsible and biblically sound books on topics related to faith and the spiritual life.





New Book to Provide Balanced Insights on Rick Warren and the Criticisms Surrounding The Purpose Driven Life