Purpose Driven Jesus(?)
January 4, 2004
As is typical (I’m guessing) for the first Sunday after New Years, the sermon today at my church was “Do You Have a Goal?” My pastor talked about living with a purpose, living with goals. He quotes Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life. He asked the question, “Have you ever thought of Jesus in that way? As a man with a goal? As a purpose driven individual? Was Jesus goal-oriented?” He asked the question, and then gave an emphatic answer, “You bet! Jesus was incredibly purpose driven!”
His reasoning? The cross. Everything about Jesus’ message, his life, his healings, etc. was about the cross [sidenote: Fr Patrick likes to remind me that evangelical Protestants are too focused on the cross - yes, obviously, it's important - but what about the resurrection!? THAT is where emphasis should be placed, and is placed within the Orthodox faith. They sing songs about the cross, but they are always followed by a song of hope, about the resurrction]. He would leave areas where ministry was going strong, because he knew he had to continue on — to the cross.
Was Jesus purpose driven? Do I want to follow and worship a Purpose Driven Jesus?
Tags: Evangelicalism, Jesus, Purpose-Driven-Life, Rick-Warren
Posted in 
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
January 4th, 2004 at 7:11 pm
ah yes…the Purpose-Driven Jesus! I didn’t realize that Christ had joined sports stadiums in selling his naming rights to big corporate brands…but, if Jesus wants to be relevant to a modern consumer culture — and what purpose-driven messiah doesn’t want to be relevant? — he better jump on the effective branding bandwagon! Cause really, how can Jesus expect for his kingdom to have impact in this world without an effectively branded market strategy? But, wait…what about those pesky parables…the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, like a mustard seed (the smallest), like yeast in a large amount of dough?
Did Jesus have a purpose? Yes, I guess so. Was there a way in which he was oriented toward that goal? Sure. But to label him as “purpose-driven” strikes me as unseemly and potentially dangerous.
January 4th, 2004 at 8:22 pm
uhmmm… i agree with jimmy. my jesus is wild and dangerous (and also loving), not purpose-driven.
January 4th, 2004 at 8:22 pm
Cleave,I realize that I’m about to possibly derail the discussion by not addressing your questions about the book, but I have to ask: Jesus’ purpose was the cross? Hmm. The Church Fathers tended towards the view that the ultimate end of Christ’s earthly ministry was the resurrection, and that the cross was the means to that end. Do you think that this is a catholic (note the small “c”) vs. Protestant view of salvation history?
January 4th, 2004 at 10:28 pm
Great point Karen! In my haste to be a smart-ass, I may have obscrured a far more compelling question to be raised about this notion that Jesus’ singular purpose was to die on a cross. I would agree this flows out of certain Protestant theories of the atonement and the typical evangelical impulse to make the atonement into the only thing that matters!
January 4th, 2004 at 11:31 pm
adam, what is really scary to me is just how many churches throughout america are doing this book! can’t any one be creative?! in looking for new jobs on the internet it all looks the same! i personally have avoided the book altogether due to it’s extreme popularity and the abundance of copies at my local christian bookstore!
it reminds me of the prayer of jabez, my friend who manages a christian bookstore was leaving for work one day a year or so ago and her husband called her back in…”hey hun, pick us up some of that prayer of jabez toliet paper while you’re at work cause we’re out”
i don’t want a brand name jesus…
and if we just have the cross then death wins…
PS i hate doing the newsletter too! lil
January 5th, 2004 at 1:35 am
i can see where you guys are coming from and i agree, it seems weird to me to say “purpose driven jesus” - BUT - i think we should remember that this term does not come from the book, but rather this pastor who made the statement.
January 5th, 2004 at 2:49 am
cleave - pi√±a here - a question about your thoughts…
1. is it fair to say that because something is popular, it is therefore wrong/dangerous? (specifically popular among the church).
2. how does it make you feel to call Jesus “purposeless”?
3. how the heck are you, man?
January 5th, 2004 at 5:24 am
i havent read the book, but the way i hear and see that it’s a trend all over the world, the more i’m convinced that it has just become a cliche and bussiness-minded hegemoy…
January 5th, 2004 at 5:24 am
Curious things about “the cross”: Catholics (and remember, I’m a former Jesuit) keep the crucified Jesus on the cross and Protestants use the cleaned-up cross, post death, resurrection. Both traditions have their points to make.
Funny how this point got readers’ attention!
January 5th, 2004 at 12:11 pm
Some of the comments here are great, and if I were to hear the idea in a sermon that Jesus was purpose driven, and that his purpose was the cross. I would cry “party foul”. If that is true, then the gospel is about us. If it is about us, then we can package it, market it, sell it. We can’t. When we try to, we neuter the gospel. I would argue, loudly, that Jesus main goal wasn’t to die, but to usher in the kingdom of God in a new way. His first written words at the start of his ministry, was “the kingdom of God is here” I don’t see anything about me in there.
January 5th, 2004 at 1:38 pm
A clarification: Everyone knows I just made up that graphic for “Purpose Driven Jesus” - and it’s not a real new book by Rick Warren, right?
Pi√±a, hey man - it’s been awhile. Let me answer your questions in reverse order:
3. I am well. I still remember tossing the bee around at the cabins. Thanks for chiming in.
2. I don’t know that it has to be such an either/or thing. Purpose driven — or purposeless. I do not consider myself a purpose driven individual (sorry Mr. Warren). However, I don’t think of myself as a wandering, purposeless, floundering person either…
1. Because something is popular doesn’t “necessarily” make it wrong/dangerous. My first thought, I’m with you Lilly, is “Prayer of Jabez.” Hmm. I don’t know - doesn’t it seem that Christian is a subversive movement? Christianity flourished as a movement that was persecuted and had to be underground — does having books be #1 New York Times Bestsellers, sold in Wal*Mart and Costco, necessarily mean that the author has struck a unique chord with millions of people hungry for God…? Or is he just writing what people want to hear? [NOTE: I have not read Puprpose Driven Life/Church/Youth Ministry, anything]
January 6th, 2004 at 12:28 am
It’s great to read everyone’s thoughts on this topic. Thought I’d contribute as well. Speaking of churches all over the country reading this book…well, mine did. We finished just before Thanksgiving. Yes, I joined in. At first I thought it was going to be just another inspirational, “conviction”-laden book of spiritual rules and such. I kept reading. I’m not sure I was wrong, but I tried to get past my “since it’s so popular it must not be worth it” attitude. I found some of the author’s thoughts intriguing, even challenging, but I can’t say that it changed my life. With that said, I’m more interested in the discussion about being driven by a purpose. As a word geek, my first thought is to wonder what “purpose” really means anyway.
Merriam-Webster says:
1= An object or end to be attained”
2= A subject under discussion or an action in course of execution”
(OK, I can already tell that I could list a long string of words and definitions here; I don’t know about all of you but I’d still be fascinated—I’ll spare you the details and go with what I’ve got for now).
These two definitions seem almost contradictory to me. The former would put the emphasis on a goal or prize. Was Jesus focused on a prize? As the fullness of God, was He in need of a prize? Or was He more concerned with the “action in course of execution”? (A rather ironic word choice there.) Would he rather discuss the details than point His followers toward the finish line? The latter definition seems to lean toward open-endedness, whereas the former is more exclusive. Yet they both describe the same word. A paradox; a mystery; a cohesive contradiction. This is the best part. There is never a last word, a final answer. This is the infuriating part. I wish we could just outline five spiritual purposes for every life, even for Jesus‚Äô life. But I can‚Äôt pretend to know what His purposes were, or are. As someone who relies heavily upon reason, I‚Äôm thankful that I can‚Äôt reason this one out. I can only try to discuss it a little more. So God is still bigger than me. Whew.
January 6th, 2004 at 5:39 pm
Like Mykel, I too believe that Jesus was most definitely purpose-driven, as it were.
Was he radical and dangerous? Of course, but he did not live incidentally or accidentally. Jesus lived quite on purpose. The cross? The resurrection? The kingdom? I’m not sure we can point to one as “THE” purpose for Christ’s coming, but should each as facets of his purpose.
Another thought — I think the “anti-Warren” proclivity of many emerging church leaders seems to have increased (esp. on the web). This is troublesome to me, and may be evidence of a hypocricy-of-sorts, especially among those who jump at the chance to “glean” truth from eclectic sources (e.g. the Koran, social-scientists, futurists, etc.) but are not willing to “glean” truth from the writings of Rick Warren. I think our response should be to encourage “reflective consideration” rather than a “wholesale rejection” of such things.
January 6th, 2004 at 6:22 pm
Could you say that:
Jesus’ purpose WAS to … “endure the cross …and sit down at the right hand of the throne of God”? — As in Hebrews 12:2
Jesus purpose IS to … “reign, til he hath put all enemies under his feet” — as in 1 Corinthians 15:25
Jesus purpose WILL BE to … “judge the world in righteousness” — as in Acts 17:31
January 6th, 2004 at 11:45 pm
I don’t believe that Jesus’ whole purpose was to die on the cross. Where I see his purpose is to show us how to have a more direct, more fulfuilling relationship with God and with each other.
I didn’t care much for Warren’s book. It felt wrong to me, but that’s just my feeling about it.
January 11th, 2004 at 8:37 pm
It’s possible to read a book to understand how another person thinks, feel, and strive for answers that clarify there own life. May be wanting to share that experience with another. I read Purpose Driven Life. The author and his local body of believers has found a workable foundation to involve the whole Body of Christ. Christ was a mover and a shaker. A rebel in His own time. He made a difference. He by his very Words and actions changed the course of History of spiritual thinking along with a few other s in history. He didn’t seem driven (except when driving the money changers from the temple court yard). His purpose was to be about the Father’s business. We want to be about the Father’s business. The Word says that we would do greater things then Christ. So the author of purpose driven life is making a difference. His purpose as I saw the big picture…encouraging us to use the skills we each where given to make a difference in the World. Warren’s book has a lot of information. Heavy reading. Heavy to digest. Encourages us to use all the resources of our personality, character, brains, etc to absorb and process the information to fit each individual. Purpose Driven Jesus ….glad such a book isn’t in print until the church decides to take Him out of the BOX.
March 24th, 2004 at 2:37 pm
The Purpose Driven Life and The Passion of The Christ are two of the ultimate Universal Ecumenical Evangelistic Campaigns to retrieve the Lost Sheep of The Roman Catholic faith, “Protestant Evangelicals” and “unbelievers”, to unite under the prophesied ecumenical global religion that will ultimately unite with all faiths. Purpose driven is part of the Church Growth Movement for the Bible Iliterate and who are easily led by the dialectic process. Assimilation in process! Be forewarned beloved, test the semantics of words, doctrines, and movements. Or you too, will be assimilated.
August 29th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Driven with a purpose:
“…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (I Timothy 1:15)