Paul Washer

[ReformedChapin]

What do you all think about Paul Washer? I in no way doubt the truth he speaks in this video but is he a bit harsh or too direct?

http://www.heartcrymissionary.com/resources/video/175

 

[McWilliams]

'On some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh'. Jude22,23

The reason you notice his being 'harsh or too direct' is due to the ambiguous, watered down, motivational speech, feel good, manage your finanaces and relationships' fare that so many are spouting(not preaching0 in some pulpits!
Paul Washer is doing what he will be held accountable for and that is 'preaching the word'! He is serious about his responsibility and grieves at the state of our world today and urgently pleads for the lost to see their lostness!

'Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God!' 2 Cor 5:20

Paul Washer does good for God!!

 

[SolitarySoul]

I love Paul Washer. I actually don't think his youth conference sermon is the harshest out there. I have a 6-part series he did on the gospel and I honestly found myself very worried at times. But it was a good worry - it really hit home for me the first time I listened to it and taught me what it really means to have reverence for God. His other sermons may not be so loud and expressive but he certainly makes some harsh statements! He's really helped me to realize how totally depraved we are in sin, how helpless we are without Christ. And that's done a lot for me personally in strengthening my relationship with God. God easily just becomes an accessory in people's lives - they just sprinkle some Jesus over everything - when we don't truly understand our sinful condition. I feel that his method is very necessary considering the state of American Christianity today. It has its place, of course, but I think the church needs a wake up call.

 

[TwistTim]

Paul Washer too harsh?

Nay my friend, not harsh enough given how many lies he must speak against to proclaim the Truth.

Seriously, I respect the man for his conveying the truth and using the tone of urgency and sincerity with which he does so.

Even John Piper gets loud in your face from time to time.... and John Piper is one of the ones I listen to every week, but I need that....(Not at his church, on my mp3 player).... I need the in your face shatter your illusions let all your kingdoms fall preaching..... we all do if we are to grow in Christ, put aside the falsehoods and pick up the truth that's been gathering dust...

Soli Deo Gloria

 

[Beoga]

Washer's sermon that made him famous pales in comparison to Sinner's In the Hands of An Angry God preached by Jonathan Edwards.

 

[ReformedChapin]

Let me make my case clear. I am not worried about Washers message, the entire contents seem to be true. My worry is more about the METHOD in which he carries his message. Should be preach the message in love and grace or should we be direct to the heart? Which way will Christians in comtemporary culture will listen to us?

 

[TwistTim]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfZB7GjG0HE

"Why is That Man Always Preaching So Hard?" Paul Washer on why he preaches the way he preaches.....

Starting at 3:59 he starts about why he preaches so Hard.... because he needs to.... watch it...

and what a message this has in it.... wowzer.... way to blow me away again Mr. Washer.

 

[Beoga]

Should be preach the message in love and grace or should we be direct to the heart?

I don't see a distinction between the two. I think there are different tones that have their time in place. But a message that is in love and grace will be direct to the heart.

 

[scotty81]

dude is a legend.


I'm sure non-religious people would find him VERY offensive/blunt, infact he's probably the type that they like to complain about cause he meantions the H word.


for mature and even new christians though he speaks truth. His message is a message of loving rebuke that we shouldn't become complacent in our service to God.

I was convicted in one of his sermons when he was mentioning what we watch on TV and how we couldn't watch hours of tv shows glorifying sin (sex/violence etc.) then come into God's house and expect to worship him.

A christian shouldn't be afraid of a gentle rebuke to his conscience from the Holy Spirit if something he is doing in his life is not right. I believe these type of messages speak the truth of the gospel, Paul is one of a few who would rather speak the truth and stand on a few toes to save someone, than give a feel good message where everyone goes home no different and probably still unsaved.

No one is going to get convicted from a prosperity sermon.

 

[heymikey80]

Error operates on both sides. You can be wrong for all the right reasons with all the right facts. If a message is simply a recounting of facts in the most confrontational way possible, then it is not calibrated to be redemptive -- and it's not right.

That doesn't say Washer's completely off-kilter, either. His confrontations are often directed at just the people who need to hear it: they confront Christians, who should know better than to make Jesus into a vending machine or a soft best friend.

For people who simply operate from the "Jesus is my friend" side of Christianity, Paul Washer is a reasonable antidote. For people who don't, who really haven't even encountered the depth of compassion of Jesus in the first place, this is simply a confirmation that they never want to meet the God of the Christians.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I personally don't care for that style at all. It may work on some, but it isn't at all productive for me. I'm totally turned off by preachers who yell. I don't like preaching at all for that matter; what I like is teaching.

No comment on his content, I'm not familiar enough with it to have an informed opinion. Maybe if I'd watched the whole thing I'd know enough, but I just couldn't. Even a few minutes of it was torture -- and that's purely based on style, not content. I really, really hate being yelled at, by anybody, for any reason.

I'm not saying he shouldn't do it. Obviously there are people who respond well to it, and some of them have posted already. But I'm not one who responds well to it. It's good that there are many different styles to reach different people.

 

[DominusIesus]

I've never heard of him.

 

[McWilliams]

I personally don't care for that style at all. It may work on some, but it isn't at all productive for me. I'm totally turned off by preachers who yell. I don't like preaching at all for that matter; what I like is teaching.

God holds pastors accountable for preaching the whole counsel of God!
Scripture tells us that it is by the foolishness of preaching that men come to knowledge of the gospel. Pastors are for 'preaching' according to scripture!
The preferences of men count for little. Important to our salvation and sanctification is 'what does God expect of us and desire to see in our lives'!!

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

God holds pastors accountable for preaching the whole counsel of God!
Scripture tells us that it is by the foolishness of preaching that men come to knowledge of the gospel. Pastors are for 'preaching' according to scripture!
The preferences of men count for little. Important to our salvation and sanctification is 'what does God expect of us and desire to see in our lives'!!

:o

You seem to be taking away the absurd implication that by preferring a a "teaching" style over a "preaching" style, I'm criticizing Washer's content. I'm not, I barely even know what it is. I'm just saying I don't care for his mode of delivery.

 

[mlqurgw]

Gospel preaching is nothing more nor anything less than simply and clearly delivering a message. The messenger is nothing. It doesn't matter whether he reads it in a monotone or screams it from the top of his lungs, his message is the important thing. We preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord. If He is not our message then we have not done what we were called to do. It isn't my message it is God's message. True Gospel preaching doen't come from the head but from the heart. It must first be delivered to my heart from God's heart by the Spirit. If it hasn't then all men hear is another man. That does men no good. As a preacher I cannnot make men hear or teach them how to hear. I can only deliver the message. We are told to not only take heed what we hear but how we hear.
When I stand before eternity bound sinners to deliver the message I am always totally dependant on the Spirit of God to speak or we have all wasted our time. All my study and preperation is of no use if He hasn't first burned the message into my heart. I never want folks to hear me preach. I do desire that they hear Christ speak to their hearts. My constant prayer is that God would get me out of the way of His message.
Here are 2 things I have pasted in the front of my Bible and which i always look at before I preach:
A few words given by a Mr. Brewer to a very young Toplady after he had listened to him preach;
Preach Christ crucified.
Aviod needless controversy in the pulpit.
When you ascend the pulpit leave learning behind.
Do not effect too much oratory ( showmanship).

A list of 10 instructional comments given to a young preacher by a seasoned and gifted pastor, Henry Mahan:
1 Deliver a message.
2 Deliver God's message.
3Tell only what I know by experience.
4 Deliver the message in the power of God's Spirit.
5 Make the object of my message Christ.
6 Make my motive to be the glory of God.
7 Deliver my message in the language of the people.
8 If the message doesn't grip my heart it won't grip theirs.
9 Preach in love.
10 Expect men to believe.

 

[McWilliams]

Touche! O.K. I actually agree with you both in some ways! I personally prefer not to be yelled at either but I do want to hear the word and not feel good motivational talks. Some emphasis is necessary at time to impact the seriousness of the message but can be done without yelling.

I continue to learn so be patient with me also!

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Gospel preaching is nothing more nor anything less than simply and clearly delivering a message.

Good, I'm all for that.

The messenger is nothing. It doesn't matter whether he reads it in a monotone or screams it from the top of his lungs, his message is the important thing.

It matters enormously, because it's a big factor in who will listen. Some people are reached well by preachers who yell. Others are not. That includes some who are receptive to God's message, but who just don't like to be yelled at. And yes, that also includes some of us who are already saved.

We preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord. If He is not our message then we have not done what we were called to do. It isn't my message it is God's message. True Gospel preaching doen't come from the head but from the heart. It must first be delivered to my heart from God's heart by the Spirit. If it hasn't then all men hear is another man. That does men no good. As a preacher I cannnot make men hear or teach them how to hear. I can only deliver the message. We are told to not only take heed what we hear but how we hear.

When I stand before eternity bound sinners to deliver the message I am always totally dependant on the Spirit of God to speak or we have all wasted our time. All my study and preperation is of no use if He hasn't first burned the message into my heart. I never want folks to hear me preach. I do desire that they hear Christ speak to their hearts. My constant prayer is that God would get me out of the way of His message.

That's my problem with Washer's style. For some audiences, and that includes me, I think he does stand in the way of God's message. I hear him preaching, just what you say ought not to happen. And I hear him preaching so loud that I can't hear what he says.

Here are 2 things I have pasted in the front of my Bible and which i always look at before I preach:

A few words given by a Mr. Brewer to a very young Toplady after he had listened to him preach;
Preach Christ crucified.
Aviod needless controversy in the pulpit.
When you ascend the pulpit leave learning behind.
Do not effect too much oratory ( showmanship).

A list of 10 instructional comments given to a young preacher by a seasoned and gifted pastor, Henry Mahan:
1 Deliver a message.
2 Deliver God's message.
3Tell only what I know by experience.
4 Deliver the message in the power of God's Spirit.
5 Make the object of my message Christ.
6 Make my motive to be the glory of God.
7 Deliver my message in the language of the people.
8 If the message doesn't grip my heart it won't grip theirs.
9 Preach in love.
10 Expect men to believe.

Excellent advice! When my turn comes (as I think it may) I'll try to follow it.

Again, I don't say Washer shouldn't keep doing what he does so well. He obviously reaches a lot of people that way. I just don't happen to be one of them. It's all good, there's plenty of others I'll listen to.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Touche! O.K. I actually agree with you both in some ways! I personally prefer not to be yelled at either but I do want to hear the word and not feel good motivational talks. Some emphasis is necessary at time to impact the seriousness of the message but can be done without yelling.

I continue to learn so be patient with me also!

It's all good.

We're all learning here, and we will be until we see face to face, instead of through a glass darkly. (I Corinthians 13:12)

 

[mlqurgw]

It matters enormously, because it's a big factor in who will listen. Some people are reached well by preachers who yell. Others are not. That includes some who are receptive to God's message, but who just don't like to be yelled at.

It only matters if you are looking at the messenger. It is true that the messenger can get in the way of the message. But only when those to whom he is preaching aren't listening to the message. When we allow a preacher's style to stop our ears we may miss, and usually do, hearing from Him who is the message. It really isn't him, the preacher, who is getting in the way but us. If we come expecting to hear from God we will listen for Him. If we come expecting to hear from a man we will listen to him.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

It only matters if you are looking at the messenger. It is true that the messenger can get in the way of the message. But only when those to whom he is preaching aren't listening to the message. When we allow a preacher's style to stop our ears we may miss, and usually do, hearing from Him who is the message. It really isn't him, the preacher, who is getting in the way but us. If we come expecting to hear from God we will listen for Him. If we come expecting to hear from a man we will listen to him.

I guess that's true. Washer may well have an excellent message that I could profit from, and I could be missing out because I don't watch it anyway. But OTOH there are plenty of other wonderful messengers from God competing for my time, some on TV, some on DVD, some in books. I can't watch, listen to or read them all. I have to be selective, and whether the mode of delivery is agreeable is one of my criteria.