On Comment against Paul Washer

Lately there's a online radio (Sinners & Saints) on youtube which I have yet to listened, debunking Paul Washer as "Not reformed". Others joined in support, calling Washer legalistic oriented, having disordered view of Ordo Salutis, etc.

Knowing Paul Washer from many of his sermons, I think the accusations are unjustified. Taking his words out of context, as some have suggested.

(The above clip shows that he's against works towards salvation, @ 36sec.)

As for Repentance after Salvation, it is obvious that salvation is the completion of Ordo Salutis. Paul's view on Predestination is everywhere on youtube. Which also caused attack on his Ordo Salutis by some Arminians. So, when it comes to election, it is obvious where Washer stands.

Why the confusion then? I believe it has to do with Paul Washer calling out fake Christians, and criticizing the reformed Christians in America for being just bookwarms and not preach the Gospel. This, caused the "satisfied-with-knowledge-alone" Christians to retaliate, after all, preaching and suffering public attack are really a "work" thing that is not required in one's salvation.

And there's this "How do you know" movement that many love to use. "How do you know I don't love to spread the Gospel?"..."How do you know I don't preach to my family/friends?", "How do you know my fellowship/church doesn't love reading the Bible?" etc.. Even the Pharisees dared not test Jesus with this method.

Bottom line, I have no interest in their rambling when I heard Transformers Theme & Stryper's "To Hell with the Devil" heavy metal rock music in the background. The latter one at the end of episode 18.

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2 Responses to On Comment against Paul Washer

  1. timlyg says:

    Alex's comment on Paul Washer:
    Paul Washer 律法主義傾向

    這段視頻前半段可能對大部分人來說沒什麼意思,都在證明Paul Washer是個Baptist而不是Reformed。司布真也是Baptist,而他並沒有Paul Washer那種錯誤的律法觀、悔改觀。

    然而,這段視頻後半段很重要,揭露了Paul Washer嚴厲的講道背後一種律法主義傾向。"Not Reformed"不是重點,歸正神學所反對的律法主義傾向才是重點。

    (1) Paul Washer 論基督「歸算」給我們的義時,不區分「主動的義」與「被動的義」。這在新約神學當中是很重要的區分:擁有基督「被動的義」,只能使我們不被定罪,但擁有「主動的義」,才真正被稱義並得神兒女的名份。

    (2) 更重要的,根據改革宗對聖經的理解,「悔改」是「得救」的結果,而不是前提(因此《萬古磐石》這首詩歌說『一生流淚永不止,依舊不能贖罪過』)。加爾文說,「藉著信與基督聯合」會帶來雙重恩典:「稱義」與「成聖」。加爾文給「成聖」的定義是「治死老我」並「藉著悔改而更新」(renewal through repentance)。如此,「悔改」不是在基督裡稱義得救的前提,而是「因信與基督聯合」的結果。然而,這次序在Paul Washer的教導中完全顛倒了。

  2. timlyg says:

    What they call Paul Washer's legalism is actually his charge against antinomianism within Christendom.

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