Can someone please explain to me how this is the 2nd best selling book of all time?

[David]

I found the book too simplistic. I felt the author was speaking to me as if I was a child. There were many inaccurate statements and misused quotes (e.g. Einstein quote in the first chapter).

All in all, I think it's a decent book for many people, but I just can't get how it could end up being the 2nd best selling book next to the Holy Bible. That just astounds me.

[Lara]

If it makes you feel any better, it's not in the top twenty according to most sources. But, yes. I agree that it's a decent book, but it doesn't seem to warrant the hype. I think perhaps it sells a lot of copies because church groups tend to buy it in bulk.

[Phil]

This book has the power to transform Christian families, if only for as long as it takes to revert back to the sinful old ways. :/ My family and I fasted from television for 40 days (though my wife still watched videos on Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube. LOL But it is a very motivational book for Christians!

[Christopher]

I second Phil's comment that "The book has the power to transform Christian families, if only for as long as it takes to revert back to the sinful old ways. I takes descipline to build habits that fosters character, and this book certainly accomplishes that in a simple way that can be understood by readers. I have taken the same approach with my book "Roots - a metapor and acronym for the Christian life." I would love to learn what you think of that book.

[Linda]

Alot of money was spent by the publisher getting it out there! Anytime Christian publishers can get Christians to buy into a book/program/series/idea, lots and lots of money can be made! By the way I am a retired Christian Ed. Director after 30+ yrs. I know whereof I speak! Today's churches are so desperate to lead people to faith, we will try anything. Oh, except deeply studying the Scripture and really leadiing in spiritual discipline, that's too hard.

[Renae]

I like the book. The message is a powerful one. I read it some time ago. I think it did have a hand in the transformation of my thinking. How big an impact I am not sure. I am person who tries to live life by purpose. Higher consciousness is a goal of mine. I can see why a lot of people would invest in this book. I can't argue whether it deserves second place.

Book only has the power to transform you if you are open to being transformed or changed. It is never anyone's place to judge. True transformation takes time and much more than 40 days. You have to be heart pressed to transform. True transformation is a inner change.The manifestation of outward characteristics are a byproduct not the other way around. You can't just change habits and expect transformation. You have to change your thinking and thereby your habitual practices will re-adjust.

This book does have a really positive message and it is one of the better inspirational books I have read. During the height of its popularity this book sold in mass. A lot of churches bought this book in bulk for their congregants.

[Carline]

This is a wonderful book where one can focus on their purpose as who they were created to be. One comes to the realization that they were created for purpose. This realization is life changing. Once you realize your purpose you don't want to go back to your old ways.

[William]

The book puts in plain language what Christianity is all about, without religious mumbo-jumbo. I think a lot of folks are looking for that, hence the book's popularity.

[Michael]

I have no idea, I thought it was okay but overrated to the core.

[Bruna]

William wrote: "The book puts in plain language what Christianity is all about, without religious mumbo-jumbo. I think a lot of folks are looking for that, hence the book's popularity."

I agree!
It wasn't the book for my personal taste since I thought it was too simplistic. At the same time, though, that might be what attracts people to it in the first place, the chance to read a book about Christianity that doesn't require any previous knowledge. In that perspective I considerer it to be a good book, one that is accessible by anyone that wants to read it.

[Kelly]

I keep used copies of this book with bibles in my car... I think it is an excellent book for new believers, the simplicity is perfect for someone who is just beginning to explore their faith as it is not overwhelming or complicated.

[Ruby]

Kelly wrote: "I keep used copies of this book with bibles in my car... I think it is an excellent book for new believers, the simplicity is perfect for someone who is just beginning to explore their faith as it..."

Exactly. I am a new believer and did not grow up going to church. It's all pretty new to me. Reading books like this one has helped me to open the Bible and study it.

[Lisa]

This book had a tremendous amount of publicity and thousands of churches had church wide and small group lessons from its use. It was also encouraged in my church to buy books and pass them along to people who needed to hear the word of God, the purpose for the church and how you become part of the church family.

All in all, I thought it was a great book. But once read it should be passed on to another person who could benefit. You probably wouldn't read it more than once.

[Carline]

I have it and read through it. Its written like a devotion to do in 40 days. Its a wonderful book to go back to, because, once we know your life's purpose, then you're going to need to know what your purpose is now in order to take your first step.

[Mary]

There is probably some stuff I don't agree with Pastor Warren about, but for the most part I felt he was pretty accurate on some issues.

[Gillian]

This book was great, you could also check out my ebook In His Presence and write a review and you can down load it here https://www.amazon.com/author/gillian...

[Ginger]

This is a nice devotional, but I was surprised at all of the hoopla, as well. I'd like to see more people this excited about God's Word! Now THERE is a good book! :-)

[Christia]

This book was totally overrated, but the author and/or publisher was a marketing genius in that a large portion of the churches in America purchased this book for a bible study program, according to a model promoted by the author. It's not that anymore really finished the books. It's that the mega churches purchased thousands of them as part of the curriculum.

I actually went to church at the time and signed up to lead one of the bible studies based on this book but it ended up turning into a weekly metaphysics and atheism book study. That's actually when I converted from Christianity.

[William]

I'm sure the marketing, plus Warren's popularity, were big factors, but I also thought he did a good job of putting out the basics of what Christianity is in plain English.

(Bear in mind that as I write this comment I have just read Matthew chapter 23 where Jesus blasts religious hypocrisy.) People are looking for religion where they find forgiveness of sin and the breaking of the chains that bind them.

[William]

Happy wrote: "I reckon this book is good for someone who is starting out in their walk of faith. It was a good read, rather listened as i enjoyed the audio when i started my journey of faith. I even used his blo..."

Yes, simple is best! I'm so glad God used it to lead you to faith.

[Reader007]

2nd best because of popularity, not because of content or writing style. Isn't that anything in life. Popular trumps values. I do like and respect the writer of the book, but the book is 2nd on the best selling list because of popularity (and marketing.)

[Rick]

In both of these examples Warren’s use of Scripture is not even close enough to be confusing, let alone accepted without question. This is not a minor issue. Once we believe we have the right to change the meaning of God’s Word to suit our agenda, there is no limit as to how far the misrepresentation of God’s truth can go. This is exactly how virtually every cult and heresy is started. It should disturb us even more to discover that so few Christians care.

Revelation 22:18-19 - For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Deuteronomy 4:2 - Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Revelation 22:19 - And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.

The KJV; read it to be wise; believe it to be safe; practice it to be right.

[Reader007]

very good marketing is the reason the book is popular. Same with the Prayer of Jabez book.

[R.J.]

Bestseller lists are dynamic. Books don't stay at the top. They hit it for a week or two, then go back down. They also aren't honest; publishers buy enough of their own books to put it on the bestseller's list for a week or two--long enough to make the claim and generate buy-in from retailers. Then the publisher keeps their copies--tens of thousands of them--in a warehouse until the wave of popularity begins to dwindle. At that point, they release these already-bought books into the discount-store marketplace and recover some of their expenses. It must work well, because it has become quite the trend. Just check the local discount stores--dollar stores or Ross or Big Lots, for example, and you will find shelf space reserved for all the books using this tactic.

That being said, the two things I remember the most from this book is:
1) Warren picked and chose his translations every time he quoted scripture. There were some pages where he'd quote from two or three different translations. It kind of cheapened the message (even when the quote was from..."The Message").

2) When my church jumped on this bandwagon, it was a few weeks before hunting season. We had about two good study group sessions, and suddenly everybody vacated the church to follow the "other purpose". The all got back just in time for the whole thing to wrap up.

BTW, I've heard the same "2nd-best" claim from this book:

Except this one's claim sounds a lot more legit. It was released many years ago and, because of loopholes in copyright laws, was copied and translated into many languages and distributed all over the world. There is only an estimate as to how much it has impacted readers around the globe (my review will reveal what I think of that impact). As for Warren, I think the impact can best be measured by the cynicism of his reviews.

[April]

I read it when I was in college because of church hype. I did find a lot of useful information that helped me. But I was a college student and got a lot out it. However, I clearly remember even then not understanding why it was such a big deal. I too thought it was too simplistic to warrant the hype. It provided simple yet much needed guidance. I thought it was good overall. At the time I was on a journey to understand my own purpose so the unnecessary hype didn't bother me. At the end of the day who cares about the hype. Did it help someone know their purpose? Incorporate better discipline and habits? Did you learn something? Anything? If yes, then that book was for you. If not, move on to something else. Some people need simple, not deep. To be honest I think the "purpose and potential" oriented books written by Myles Monroe are much better. I was imprinted by Dr. Monroe's books. Monroe was a pastor/teacher from the Bahamas.

[R.J.]

Church hype is pretty much the key phrase, there. What Christianity has become (which is, I believe, just as off-track as it was when Martin Luther started questioning indulgences) is largely because of the mass majority of pastors thinking it is their duty to "grow their church" in size and financial prosperity. Rick Warren promised that this program would do just that.

For starters, he bedazzled small-church pastors by the tens-of-thousands by flashing his oversized California church and saying "you can have this, too, if you buy in to my program." I remember my own pastor at the time going to California to visit the Saddleback church and gawk at how "successful" it all was. What he saw, however, was just a big building, a bigger budget, and a lot of people who just show up at church for the...well...the show.

I know that this looks tempting to the struggling pastor who has to take time off from writing his sermon to fix a leaky roof, who drives an old car with a fickle transmission, and who has to scrape for the finances to keep the baptistery heated. Who wouldn't dream of a nice, massive new church building paid for by the droves of followers promised by Warren and his ilk?

But the problem is: church was not meant to be BIG. It was meant to be personal. Yes, this book suggests formation of small study groups, but you don't HAVE to buy this book to do that. All you have to do is hang out together and talk. In fact, organized study groups are often the death-blow to spiritual relationships. Spirituality doesn't work like that. Spirituality happens all of a sudden after you and your buddies have been fishing for a few hours. It happens in the kitchen when a few of the girls come over to help you can chicken or bake cookies. It happens when a bunch of neighbors get together to rake the leaves of the lady down the street who has been struggling with illness all year long.

Unfortunately, Christianity no longer believes in the "where two or more are gathered" clause unless one of the two is a pastor who has organized the meeting.

[Lori]

Robert wrote: "Church hype is pretty much the key phrase, there. What Christianity has become (which is, I believe, just as off-track as it was when Martin Luther started questioning indulgences) is largely becau..."

Phil wrote: "This book has the power to transform Christian families, if only for as long as it takes to revert back to the sinful old ways. :/ My family and I fasted from television for 40 days (though my wife..."

Hi Phil, First time replying to a post. I like your view as others I have read currently July 2017. I have not read roots. Sorry cannot given opinion on that particular book.

[[deleted user]]

I only read it part way through years ago, and tossed it out in disgust. It is a total violation of the book of Galatians. Especially Galatians chapter 3. Trying to perfect yourself through your own efforts.
While the extravagant claims of numbers sold are ridiculous, it is not surprising that any book insisting that you have to do the work and keep on working with no end in sight is a good seller. Every false religion in the world agrees: do this, so that, do the other. Notice all his books have 'driven' in the title.
Only Christianity teaches: Christ does it all on the cross and through His resurrection. Just accept the free gift of God that you don't deserve, can't earn, and can't add to.

[[deleted user]]

AGuyWhoTypes wrote: "Christia wrote: "This book was totally overrated, but the author and/or publisher was a marketing genius in that a large portion of the churches in America purchased this book for a bible study pro..."

I am Michael. I got your comment sent to me. I think if you want to send it to Christina, you have to hit the reply button at the end of her comment, not mine.

[Renee]

I thought it was a great book. I have read it twice and have been in two group studies. Rick Warren is really down to earth. This book has inspired me and given me direction.

[[deleted user]]

Even among Christian (direct or very influenced) books it is not the highest seller by a long shot. Counting only books and not dozens of movies. In millions:
Pilgrim’s Progress 250m
Lord of the Rings 150m
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, from the Narnia Chronicles 85m, with the whole 7 volumes putting it over 200m
Ben Hur 50m
Marten Luther put out hundreds of tracts, pamphlets, books to become the first multi million seller author in his own lifetime, though most were independently printed and translated. making hundreds of printers and translators rich but not Marten very much.
Purpose Driven Life 30m

[René]

David wrote: "I found the book too simplistic. I felt the author was speaking to me as if I was a child. There were many inaccurate statements and misused quotes (e.g. Einstein quote in the first chapter).

All ..."
Yes, I agree with you David. And, I also agree with Lara who gave a good reason for the ranking of this book ~ Churches that buy in bulk. Especially the mega churches.

[Aaron]

Based on the reviews, I decided to use this book in my congregation. The results were terrific! There was such a move of the Spirit of God in the lives of those who read the book and anticipated in the weekly discussions. I could not believe that a book I thought to be so simple could be so powerful in reaching so many people. It made a believer out of me!