The Daniel Plan by Rick Warren

Rick Warren has authored another book, along with Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Mark Hyman. He previously wrote the Purpose Driven Church about developing a healthy church, and Purpose Driven Life about developing a healthy Christian. Warren has written a book based on the same purpose-driven philosophy about developing a healthy body. The five main points of The Daniel Plan shows you five essential areas of your life that work together to affect your health (faith, food, fitness, focus, and friends.)

At first I was hesitant about this book. I suspected (correctly) that the book would be centered around a formula of five points. Many parts are rehashed sections from Warren’s previous bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. The basis for living a healthy life is centered primarily on one New Testament text (1 Corinthians 6), as well as the life of the Old Testament example of Daniel (thus the name Daniel Plan). I had hoped that there would be more theological thought put into this book. I found the chapters that centered on the five essential areas (faith, food, fitness, focus, and friends) familiar.

I found the parts of the book not written by Warren to be more informative, helpful, and useful. The medical and therapeutic knowledge was helpful. The final chapters centered on how to detox yourself from an unhealthy lifestyle. The authors suggested forty days (along with exercises and recipes) to change to the new plan.

I would recommend this book to individuals who want to make the necessary changes for a healthier lifestyle. At the same time, I would probably not encourage a church to show discernment before they use this plan. The book clearly was written by different authors and I suspect too many people would have questions about the parts not written by Warren.

I have also reviewed Warren’s books The Purpose Driven Church here, and The Purpose Driven Life here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® (BookLook Bloggers) book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”