The Paul Washer experience ( through podcast)

I work every other weekend and on those weekends I load up on podcasts and play various ones throughout the day. I have one from Paul Washer and as I was listening to this latest one I couldn't help but her is tone of speech and he actually has this tone is so many of his messages. It is one of seeming frustration. I liken it to a parent who is frustrated with their kid in a public place and tells them to 'GET OVER HERE' in a stern low voice.

I began to ask myself if I am getting anything out of his messages and what is my reactions when I here this seeming frustration in his voice. Sometimes it feels like a hellfire and brimstone type of thing.

Does anyone have the same feelings in regard to my reaction of some of his messages? I know he means well but so many times it seems as he is trying to verbally make his audience understand things by manipulating his voice to get his point across. I often wonder if youth get scared of him as a result or if a healthy respect grows for me.

John

I have always felt that Paul Washer has a deep love for those he is speaking to. When I have listened to him share I hear a brokenness at times, a burning desire for the things of God to be taken seriously and frustration with men who play at following Christ while leading others astray. Mostly though I feel the Lord using this man to share things with me that are often very convicting and lead me right to the cross and Jesus.

God bless
Maryjane

amrkelly

Very good!! Respect to Paul Washer on understanding this!!

I do not think he is manipulating his voice at all. His tone is real. He is really disturbed over what we are calling Christianity here in America. I do however know what you mean about the tone thing. It is evident in many of his messages. I do believe that there are times when taking such a tone with believers is acceptable. Sometimes though, the audience is simply ignorant to the deeper things of God; with those kind, it is wise to present the truth very carefully and prayerfully. I believe that Paul Washer is a man who walks with the Lord. Pray for him.

Well....if Paul Washer is frustrated and his voice shows it, I suggest he is in good company. Study the book of Jeremiah and then go to Lamentations. I am of the understanding that people who love the LORD, are working to warn others of upcoming judgement find it discouraging when people refuse to listen. The true test occurs is when the messenger remains faithful to his/her calling. Too many messengers will capitulate to peer pressure to soften the message to gain their approval. Happens everywhere all the time. It is rare indeed when the messenger is faithful to his LORD.

God bless.

ginnyrose

If a parent were talking to you all the time in a terse voice would you have a healthy fear of that parent or an unhealthy fear of that parent? This is partly what I am getting at. A preacher who preaches hellfire all the time - does he constantly make a difference? How often to you hear positive comments from people about hellfire preachers vs. negative comments.

Let's not spiritualize this and say Paul is preaching the Word of God because that isn't what I am talking about at all.

If you preach would you preach in frustration?

John

I get your point, John. If a parent becomes a nag children will get used to it and it loses its effectiveness. But Washer's audience changes so not all people are hearing him exclusively. On the other hand, one must speak as the Holy Spirit would lead you to. If it is hell-fire and brimstone, so be it. If it is a gentle, soothing, comforting message the people need to hear then it must be spoken. For the HS led speaker there is no one size fits all method of delivery although it may appear to be so because gifts will differ from one person to another.

When I was at the crises pregnancy center one could say most of my counsel worked at motivation, being gentle, appealing to logic, physical laws and then showing how these all worked to prove the spiritual law of life. But once in a while the HS led me to take the girl to the woodshed! Not often, but it has happened.

My point is that it is a mistake to gripe about delivery. While it may not help you any, it just might someone else. If a person is preaching to a crowd it just may be that one person in that audience will be hearing exactly what he/she needs at the moment. If this is the case the delivery was perfect but most people will not know that.

Washer's gift/calling is that of an evangelist, prophet. This differs radically from that of an expositor or pastor. If you find Washer's sermons no longer meeting your own needs, maybe you need to listen to someone else. Have you ever listened to Ravi Zacharias? He is into apologetics - I have learned a lot from him.

My opinion and if you disagree, that is OK - it is not a life/death issue. :-)

Ginnyrose

I understand your point. My only issue is that his delivery was/is wearing on me and it didn't hit me until Saturday when I got to thinking and asking why does he sound so angry and made and seemingly after paragraph of words. Then I thought I should probably back away from the his podcasts for a while to get my wits about me.

Then the youtube video comes up and he apologizes for his demeanor.

John

Maybe GOD is leading you to step away from listening to the teachings from Paul Washer for now. I agree with what ginnyrose said, perhaps there is another who the LORD will use in your life or maybe HE just wants some more one and one time with you right now. Perhaps pray and ask the LORD why it is you reacted the way you did and what HE might have for you in all of this. :)

God bless
mj