tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post7253295197602546119..comments2024-03-01T21:01:15.174-06:00Comments on Biblical Christianity: Paul Washer: is it just me?DJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-63914391214050460722014-06-12T22:45:34.167-05:002014-06-12T22:45:34.167-05:00I agree with you. It seems to me that even though ...I agree with you. It seems to me that even though he is someone who loves God nearly every, no every video ive seen with him waiting to be inspired, I feel like ive been battered! God loves me but Paul Washer most definitely does NOT! Rangoon!https://www.blogger.com/profile/01131869085239606843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-56865176021371169972012-08-19T21:17:07.366-05:002012-08-19T21:17:07.366-05:00My husband and I first spent time with Paul 16 yea...My husband and I first spent time with Paul 16 years ago, when we were newlyweds. I had just left my Mennonite turned Toronto Blessing church and my husband had walked away from the United Church of Canada. We had recently embraced reformed teaching and were being discipled by a pastor who was a good friend of Paul Washer. <br /><br />Paul counselled us not to pursue an opportunity we had to go into full time missions. He saved us from disaster (this became clear many months later). We saw him a few more times over the years when he would come to our church to preach. The last time we saw Paul was 12 years ago, when our oldest son was a newborn.<br /><br />I'm sad to see some of the comments on this post. Paul is certainly a passionate speaker. In person he is humble, kind, warm, has a great sense of humour, and is a wonderful story teller (we especially enjoyed the stories from his missions work in Peru).Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08691765466320690473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-43919605861874055882012-08-16T18:22:21.054-05:002012-08-16T18:22:21.054-05:00Amen to all of that Charlene. Particularly about P...Amen to all of that Charlene. Particularly about PW's smile and DJP's book.<br /><br />And let's not forget DJP's comment: "For my part, I'm content that Frank may simply have the full truth of it."<br /><br />Turk is a menace and often has the full truth of it.Pageyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617335308572844235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-22194705042986294952012-08-16T17:28:52.822-05:002012-08-16T17:28:52.822-05:00I'd like to say it's just you, DJP, but I ...I'd like to say it's just you, DJP, but I know better! I think Paul Washer would be the first to say that he is certainly doing something wrong--he's not perfect after all. He does have a zeal and urgency that is very rare. Perhaps sometimes his zeal eats him up. Personally, I appreciate Paul Washer and have learned a lot from him but that could be because I had a similar experience to CL Pierce. Looking back at my falsely converted days, I can't point to anyone who tried to warn me about my involvement with the WOF movement. There is a place for the PWs of the world. I've heard him preach the gospel in English and in Spanish in the open air and he is very gentle and loving so I'm not sure that he's all fire and brimstone. He also did a good series on biblical manhood and womanhood.<br /><br />I guess ultimately, I don't understand regenerate folks who want a preacher to woo them with positive words and things that make them feel good. I don't need PW to tell me God loves me. I'm already certain of that and nothing "harsh" PW says is going to make me feel otherwise. What I *do* need is sharpening and challenging with the Word of God. That hurts sometimes. A lot of times, actually. But it's excellent for growth. When I hear PW on a "rant", I hear a burden for the state of the American church. Because I was one of the lost folks inside the church, I never tire of hearing that "rant". Just my ears. I rejoice that someone cares! Faithful are the wounds of a friend. But no one wants to be wounded these days--especially by a friend. <br /><br />I don't want to feed my flesh, I want to kill it. Not many pastors seem too concerned about how to help the sheep under their care do that. It was in OT times and is now, serious business to call out sin and warn folks of coming judgment. Smiles and jokes are not required. I appreciate that PW is willing to take the heat and do what he does consistently and wherever he's invited to speak. Now, HSAT, I did hear PW say once that he appreciates his critics because a lot of them are right. He said it calmly, quietly, humbly, and I think I saw a smile or two in there.<br /><br />And just so DJP doesn't go down in history as that guy who's always trying to sell his book, please do yourself a favor and purchase The World-Tilting Gospel--NOW. You won't be sorry. Charlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13361921772340278114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-52114085917224676002012-08-16T13:38:30.030-05:002012-08-16T13:38:30.030-05:00I fear this comment may not add much to what's...I fear this comment may not add much to what's been said already but here goes anyway...<br /><br />I think I've been one of those annoying "fans". Maybe not to the extreme, but still annoying. And I regret that.<br /><br />But I still love Paul Washer. Apart from listening (in the past) to (probably far too) many of his sermons, I've also heard him preach in person 3 or 4 times and I've (very briefly) met and spoken with him once.<br /><br />Having watched him on those occasions I can only say that he doesn't court silly fans like me and I can, for what it's worth, second all that Frank has said. (Or third it, more like. Sorry, I probably should've just been as brief about it as Squirrel was.)<br />:)Pageyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617335308572844235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-86622819920599654682012-08-16T12:57:08.384-05:002012-08-16T12:57:08.384-05:00He once admitted in one of his sermons that a past...He once admitted in one of his sermons that a pastor had once correctly called him out for preaching from pride.Mizz Harpyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18220764076008867988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-63052725935100837212012-08-16T12:54:18.248-05:002012-08-16T12:54:18.248-05:00I've listened to many of Paul Washer's ser...I've listened to many of Paul Washer's sermons and am working through his workbook The One True God. I agree that Brother Paul can sometimes come across "as everybody's doing it wrong" but I think his speaking is in proportion to the urgency of the message. I'm reminded of a quote in John Bunyan's autobiography Grace Abounding to the Chiefest of Sinners where Bunyan says, "I preached as I tremblingly did feel." I think this is how Washer preaches. Being a peripatetic preacher there is no need for him to prepare a fresh sermon for every church he visits. Unfortunately similar sermon clips are posted making it look like he only talks on one topic. Mizz Harpyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18220764076008867988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-59902042264004258622012-08-16T11:36:13.777-05:002012-08-16T11:36:13.777-05:00Never heard of Washer. Listened to clip linked and...Never heard of Washer. Listened to clip linked and felt he said if you are not willing to set aside all your personal plans and life and give up 3 weeks to be sure someone comes to salvation then you are indeed *not* being the right kind of evangelist/minister/teacher/Christian. <br />God may incline us to change our plans for HIS purpose but the broad brush painting as the norm is disconcerting. Washer judges by what he can see when God judges by the heart. I Sam 16zamarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04259070162718083012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-10242626905190835082012-08-16T11:27:36.251-05:002012-08-16T11:27:36.251-05:00Dan, I agree wholeheartedly. There are two standar...Dan, I agree wholeheartedly. There are two standards when it comes to that stuff unfortunately. I, for one, see no problem with letting people know you have a book, blog, etc. to offer. I have to agree that the problem comes in when the complainer isn't consistent. Blessings.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03233692229059442432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-62026097785793510202012-08-16T10:57:49.537-05:002012-08-16T10:57:49.537-05:00Lane, I wonder whether that person sees John Piper...Lane, I wonder whether that person sees John Piper as "that guy who is constantly peddling his books, conferences, online videos, and everything else he does."<br /><br />The irony there is that Piper (unlike we lesser lights) has an instant international production machine that instantly rings the bell about everything he does. He doesn't need to promote anything. Why does he do it so constantly and incessantly (look at his Twitter feed right now)? And why doesn't anyone care?<br /><br />I assume it's because he really is passionate about what he does and thinks it will do people good; and it's because we agree and wish him well.<br /><br />Respectively.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-26736314658588712652012-08-16T10:56:32.471-05:002012-08-16T10:56:32.471-05:00Thank you Frank.Thank you Frank.Sean Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10862407150241190877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-41900149952460992972012-08-16T09:50:20.362-05:002012-08-16T09:50:20.362-05:00Paul Washer is often "in-your-face" in h...Paul Washer is often "in-your-face" in his preaching. For those who are looking for exegetical preaching, try the sermons at the end of this link: They are on the Song of Solomon and God's love for His people. You will find a different PW than you are used to hearing in the clips that are usually posted. <br /><br />http://www.riseupandgetserious.blogspot.com/2007/08/love-of-god-for-his-bride.htmlUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02958631884792826844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-18467370737412354902012-08-16T09:44:41.083-05:002012-08-16T09:44:41.083-05:00I've not met Mr. Washer, but my understanding ...I've not met Mr. Washer, but my understanding is that (at least in the sermons that I have heard) he is not preaching through texts exegetically to a group of believers - he is traveling, addressing various groups of mixed sheep and goats, calling them to sincere faith and repentance and lives of holiness - over and over. His purpose isn't to lead us through Ephesians, it's to get people to the foot of the cross, wherever he goes. <br /><br />And, the reason he makes *me* uncomfortable is because he has more genuine fear and concern for the unsaved, and more understanding of what a life lived in holiness would look like, in his little finger than I have in my whole body. If this is the area of comparison he wants us to think about, then I think he has done a good, needed service. Colloquisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08530006843488477150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-19561945122552123622012-08-16T09:43:06.724-05:002012-08-16T09:43:06.724-05:00I think we need to be careful if we even come clos...I think we need to be careful if we even come close to committing the logical fallacy of induction when coming to our conclusions. (Example: I go to a pond. I see three white ducks. I conclude that all or most of the ducks in the world are white.) I don't think Dan committed this in the post, though. It's just something we should keep in mind when we have conversations like this. <br /><br />I think what happens here is what happens with some famous people: They become known for a certain thing because that is mostly what is shown to the public. But they only get known for these things because the other things they do just don't get enough play. I've listened to a lot of Washer's sermons, and he does have plenty where he is attacking things like the sinner's prayer, apathy in the church, etc. But there are also videos that don't get a lot play where he is explaining basic doctrine like this one:(Link: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1010081146240) The reason we hear the same message over and over is because his primary role is an evangelist. It isn't a blogger, a Youtuber, or a Tweeter. When he goes to these different places to share his "attacking messages", I don't think he comes to it with the mind of "Well, this has already been said at the conference a few months ago so this crowd can just Youtube it." I think he goes into each situation knowing that there will be a new audience each time with people who may never hear that again. If my memory serves me correctly, he's said as much.<br /><br />Going back to the first point, I do think we need to be extremely careful if we come even remotely close to induction. Here's one final thought: There are some people who I've spoken to before when TeamPyro has come up in conversation. We talk about the contributors, and Dan's name will come up some times. There have been people who say, "Oh, you mean that guy who is always trying to sell us his book?" Now, I've read a good bit of what Dan has written over the years, and I know that the statement, "All Dan does is try to sell us his book," is completely false. Dan has written some wonderful pieces. However, there have been posts and Tweets where he has tried to sell his book. If I were only exposed to those few posts and Tweets, would I be justified in sharing the conclusion as some I've heard? No. It would be totally unfair to Dan because 1) that's not all Dan has said, and 2) it's my fault for not seeking out more before sharing that conclusion with others.<br /><br />It's just some things to think about. I have to agree that Paul can come off as angry at times. I agree that many of his posted videos have him in a rant at some point. But I also know that when you buy an album, there are usually 11 other songs than the two hits that get played so often on the radio.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03233692229059442432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-80342293149642528372012-08-16T09:30:21.260-05:002012-08-16T09:30:21.260-05:00He's a mixed bag. Like me. The things that I d...He's a mixed bag. Like me. The things that I disagree with most about Bro. Washer aren't usually in his preaching. His ministry used to be located not far from us in Muscle Shoals before they relocated. I don't want to start a flame war on your blog, honestly, but what disturbed me the most were 1) his fans and 2) the way some of the fans embraced the Family Integrated Church model after him.<br /><br />At that I will bow out, but my email is readily available if anyone wants to flame me for that, just spare Dan's combox. ;)Brad Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00197301845256854051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-42184207275213348652012-08-16T09:10:55.301-05:002012-08-16T09:10:55.301-05:00My personal experience with Paul Washer mirrors Fr...My personal experience with Paul Washer mirrors Frank's almost exactly. <br /><br /><i>Squirrel</i>The Squirrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14082708506676251152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-16333829216837858122012-08-16T06:43:49.341-05:002012-08-16T06:43:49.341-05:00Thanks for this Dan. I know several terrific peop...Thanks for this Dan. I know several terrific people who love Washer as well, but I just don't "get it". Natehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08487508760113766057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-81844914379425906172012-08-16T01:57:40.799-05:002012-08-16T01:57:40.799-05:00Thank you. I have a lot of friends who really lov...Thank you. I have a lot of friends who really love PW. I respect him, but it seems to me that every sermon ends up the same sermon. No matter what the topic is. No matter where it starts, it ends up the same place. It's a very negative place. I understand that we need a kick in the pants at times, but I don't like how every single one of his sermons ends up feeling like an accusation. I found this one sermon that I was sure would be different. It was about how much God loves us. Not your usual topic for him, that is for sure. It started off really interesting and very different, but it quickly turned into the same negative spanking that all of his sermons end up being. I don't find him helpful personally, and I don't learn much from him. How can I? He says the same thing every time. I think the main thing he is good for is shaking up the person who is living double-minded or fooling himself into believing he is a Christian. Glad I am not alone in this.Christopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01036096797417975807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-33047961394878938302012-08-15T23:29:06.935-05:002012-08-15T23:29:06.935-05:00May I hazard a comparison which may or may not be ...May I hazard a comparison which may or may not be germaine? The way you feel when you listen to PW... is how folks like me feel every time a preacher rants about the lack of nursery workers, room-at-the-inn keepers, disaster relief workers, or whatever. The ONLY people feeling nettled are the overworked. Slackers are immune to lambasting lectures, having been tuning them out for years. <br /><br />PW nettles you, but I suspect you aren't the intended target of his criticism.Cathy M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08107932375538192094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-87694280682132319222012-08-15T22:49:03.706-05:002012-08-15T22:49:03.706-05:00I've heard that example in a lot of his sermon...I've heard that example in a lot of his sermons; he does preach a lot of the same stuff in most of the conferences I've seen in recordings. Granted, I'm no "follower" of Paul Washer, but I've learned a lot from his sermons. I'm pretty sure Frank Turk's evaluation is completely accurate.<br /><br />But whatever else you want to say about his preaching, he has a vision of Christ that more in the church need. I think a sermon like "The Cost of Not Following Christ" speaks a lot more of what he actually teaches than that little snippet. Link here:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8jY6wJ0gwQ&list=PL823F96A79B87CBF0&index=16&feature=plpp_videoJeremiah Greenwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08299973303636654588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-18937810188017356152012-08-15T21:50:55.852-05:002012-08-15T21:50:55.852-05:00CL Pierce,
I totally empathize with your post. I...CL Pierce,<br /><br />I totally empathize with your post. I have 2 brothers who were baptized in their youth, and now they are far way from the Lord.<br /><br />Are they deep backsliders (still Heaven-bound) or are they apostate? I don't know. Your post resonates. Thanks!Truth Unites... and Divideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891402278361538353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-50892876853466333572012-08-15T21:43:02.275-05:002012-08-15T21:43:02.275-05:00I used to listen to his sermons on itunes all the ...I used to listen to his sermons on itunes all the time. I must have listened to at least 25-30 of them and I can say he is not the meanie that he sounds like in some clips. There is one sermon series on relationships where he cracked a joke or two and sounds more relaxed and quite the humble man. :)<br />Just my 2 cents.Rita Tomassettihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13169548510952267187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-32361009946042886652012-08-15T21:06:17.737-05:002012-08-15T21:06:17.737-05:00Also: Hi. "CL" Pierce. Your story sounde...Also: Hi. "CL" Pierce. Your story sounded familiar; just didn't notice the name.Robert Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03174579068882302654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-42266773274740706192012-08-15T20:54:29.279-05:002012-08-15T20:54:29.279-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ed Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05878045658191730881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9313009.post-67546274278444661612012-08-15T20:44:16.671-05:002012-08-15T20:44:16.671-05:00I wished he did more exegesis. From the little I&#...I wished he did more exegesis. From the little I've heard of him preaching the OT it sounds like he has a penchant for spiritualizing. He could smile more (though I think he has been lately).<br /><br />That said, thank God for Paul Washer doing what he does. I always picture him preaching mostly to the Southern Baptists, who need a big healthy dose of Lordship Salvation. If he were speaking more to Christianity writ large, he would come off as overly harsh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com