Infamous Drug Lord 'El Chapo' Reading Rick Warren's 'The Purpose Driven Life' while in Prison

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Mar 28, 2016

Infamous Drug Lord 'El Chapo' Reading Rick Warren's 'The Purpose Driven Life' while in Prison

Infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has been recaptured for the third time after his previous two prison breaks, and is spending his time reading some surprising books while incarcerated.

Time.com reports that El Chapo is being kept under much stricter conditions than previously. El Chapo was previously given Viagra and allowed to visit with his significant other every nine days. He also was allowed access to a television.

This time--the third time he has been arrested and jailed--El Chapo is not being given any special comforts. He is, however, allowed access to books, and his reading choices may sound surprising.

Since his recapture in January, he has reportedly finished Miguel de Cervantes’ Spanish-language classic Don Quixote, which is perhaps not so very surprising. He has also, however, begun reading a Spanish translation of Rick Warren’s self-help classic The Purpose Driven Life.

Writing for Time.com, Denver Nicks notes that Warren’s book contains five pieces of advice which may actually apply quite well to El Chapo’s life.

The first piece of advice is that “We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it.” This certainly seems applicable to a man who is in prison with ample time to ponder his past life.

The second piece of advice from Warren’s book is that “Forgiveness must be immediate, whether or not a person asks for it. Trust must be rebuilt over time. Trust requires a track record.” Though few likely trust El Chapo, especially after two previous prison breaks, God never gives up on anyone.

The third piece of advice is that “The most difficult area to surrender for many people is their money.” As a drug lord, El Chapo knew what it was like to gain riches quickly--and then to lose them quickly. He will have plenty of time to ponder the true value of money while incarcerated again.

To read the other two pieces of advice from Warren’s book, click here.

Publication date: March 28, 2016



Infamous Drug Lord 'El Chapo' Reading Rick Warren's 'The Purpose Driven Life' while in Prison