Paul Washer

Last updated

Paul David Washer
Paul washer profile.jpg
Born1961 (age 6263)
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s) Missionary, Evangelist, Preacher
SpouseRosario "Charo" Washer
Children4 [1] [2] [3]

Paul David Washer (born 1961) is an American Christian Evangelist and author whose theology is rooted in Calvinism. [4] He is known for delivering passionate sermons about faith and the authority of the Christian Bible.

Contents

Biography

Washer reports converting to Christianity while studying at the University of Texas at Austin to become an oil and gas lawyer. [5] [6] He moved to Peru and served there as a missionary for 10 years. [7] In 1988, while in Peru, [8] Washer founded the HeartCry Missionary Society to support indigenous missionaries witnessing to people of their own cultures. [9] [10] As of 2023, the organization supported 326 missionary families in 62 countries. [11]

Washer later returned to the United States, where he continues as the missions director of HeartCry, which has been based in Roanoke, Virginia since 2022. [12] [13] [14]

Washer is sometimes identified as part of the New Calvinism movement due to some similar viewpoints, [15] [16] however, he has expressed concerns with this movement as well. [17] [18] [16] [19]

In 2002, Washer preached a "shocking youth message" in which he suggested that most of his "Christian" audience will end up in hell because of the false gospel they are deceiving themselves with. As of 2023, the YouTube video of the talk has received more than 4 million views. [20] [21] Washer appeared in the 2018 documentary American Gospel: Christ Alone , in which he referred to the exclusivity of the Christian faith and its uniqueness by saying, "In other religions, you get to heaven by being good, by earning it..." [22]

In 2017, Washer suffered a non-fatal heart attack [20] and in late 2023 he received heart bypass surgery. [23]

Books

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reformed Christianity</span> Protestant denominational family

Reformed Christianity, also called Calvinism, is a major branch of Protestantism that began during the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation, a schism in the Roman Catholic Church. Today, it is largely represented by the Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, Reformed Anglican, Congregationalist, and Reformed Baptist denominational families.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grace in Christianity</span> Concept in Christianity

In Western Christian theology, grace is created by God who gives it as help to one because God desires one to have it, not necessarily because of anything one has done to earn it. It is understood by Western Christians to be a spontaneous gift from God to people – "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved" – that takes the form of divine favor, love, clemency, and a share in the divine life of God. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, grace is the uncreated Energies of God. Among Eastern Christians generally, grace is considered to be the partaking of the Divine Nature described in 2 Peter 1:4 and grace is the working of God himself, not a created substance of any kind that can be treated like a commodity.

The five solae of the Protestant Reformation are a foundational set of Christian theological principles held by theologians and clergy to be central to the doctrines of justification and salvation as taught by the Calvinism and Lutheranism branches of Protestantism, as well as in some branches of Pentecostalism. Each sola represents a key belief in these Protestant traditions that is distinct from the theological doctrine of the Catholic Church, although they were not assembled as a theological unit until the 20th century. The Reformers are known to have only clearly stated two of the five solae. Even today there are differences as to what constitutes the solae, how many there are, and how to interpret them to reflect the Reformers' beliefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salvation in Christianity</span> Saving of people from sin in Christianity

In Christianity, salvation is the saving of human beings from sin and its consequences—which include death and separation from God—by Christ's death and resurrection, and the justification entailed by this salvation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Covenant theology</span> Protestant biblical interpretive framework

Covenant theology is a conceptual overview and interpretive framework for understanding the overall structure of the Bible. It uses the theological concept of a covenant as an organizing principle for Christian theology. The standard form of covenant theology views the history of God's dealings with mankind, from Creation to Fall to Redemption to Consummation, under the framework of three overarching theological covenants: those of redemption, of works, and of grace.

Hyper-Calvinism is a branch of Protestant theology that places strong emphasis on supralapsarianism, or salvation from eternity, where the atonement of Christ was and is difficult for the non-elect to understand, where man has little to do with his salvation, there being nothing man can do to resist being saved, wherein evangelism was given lower emphasis as compared to traditional Calvinism, and where assurance of salvation was felt within a person, identified by introspection.

Christian perfection is the name given to the process or the event of achieving spiritual maturity or perfection; it is a theological concept that exists within many denominations of Christianity. The ultimate goal of this process is union with God characterized by pure love of God and other people as well as personal holiness or sanctification. Other terms used for this or similar concepts include entire sanctification, perfect love, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, baptism by fire, the second blessing, and the second work of grace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assurance (theology)</span> Protestant Christian doctrine

As a general term in theological use, assurance refers to a believer's confidence in God, God's response to prayer, and the hope of eternal salvation. In Protestant Christian doctrine, the term "assurance", also known as the Witness of the Spirit, affirms that the inner witness of the Holy Spirit allows the Christian disciple to know that they are justified. Based on the writings of St. Augustine of Hippo, assurance was historically an important doctrine in Lutheranism and Calvinism, and remains a distinguishing doctrine of Methodism and Quakerism, although there are differences among these Christian traditions. Hymns that celebrate the witness of the Holy Spirit, such as "Blessed Assurance" are sung in Christian liturgies to celebrate the belief in assurance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert Mohler</span> American evangelical theologian (born 1959)

Richard Albert Mohler Jr. is an American evangelical theologian, the ninth president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and host of the podcast The Briefing, where he daily analyzes the news and recent events from an evangelical perspective.

Eternal security, also known as "once saved, always saved", is the belief providing Christian believers with absolute assurance throughout their lives of their inevitable salvation. The term has been also used as a synonym for doctrines that offer theoretical security to the predetermined elect without guaranteeing absolute assurance to all believers. It typically aligns with forms of theological determinism, whether fully or partially. Eternal security is a characteristic doctrine of the Southern Baptist traditionalism. It is held in Calvinist circles and by the Plymouth Brethren. It is also held in the Free Grace movement and in the "Hyper-Grace" movement.

The lordship salvation controversy is a theological dispute regarding a soteriological question within Christianity on the relationship between faith and works. This debate has been notably present among some non-denominational and Evangelical churches in North America at least since the 1980s.

In Protestant Christianity, the relationship between Law and Gospel—God's Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ—is a major topic in Lutheran and Reformed theology. In these religious traditions, the distinction between the doctrines of Law, which demands obedience to God's ethical will, and Gospel, which promises the forgiveness of sins in light of the person and work of Jesus Christ, is critical. Ministers use it as a hermeneutical principle of biblical interpretation and as a guiding principle in homiletics and pastoral care. It involves the supersession of the Old Covenant by the New Covenant and Christian theology.

Neo-Calvinism, a form of Dutch Calvinism, is a theological movement initiated by the theologian and former Dutch prime minister Abraham Kuyper. James Bratt has identified a number of different types of Dutch Calvinism: The Seceders, split into the Reformed Church "West" and the Confessionalists; the neo-Calvinists; and the Positives and the Antithetical Calvinists. The Seceders were largely infralapsarian and the neo-Calvinists usually supralapsarian.

The conditional preservation of the saints, or conditional perseverance of the saints, or commonly conditional security, is the Arminian Christian belief that believers are kept safe by God in their saving relationship with him upon the condition of a persevering faith in Christ. Arminians find the Scriptures describing both the initial act of faith in Christ, "whereby the relationship is effected", and the persevering faith in him "whereby the relationship is sustained." The relationship of "the believer to Christ is never a static relationship existing as the irrevocable consequence of a past decision, act, or experience." Rather, it is a living union "proceeding upon a living faith in a living Savior." This living union is captured in the simple command by Christ, "Remain in me, and I in you".

Free grace theology is a Christian soteriological view which holds that the only condition of salvation is faith, excluding good works and perseverance, holding to eternal security. Free Grace advocates believe that good works are not the condition to merit, to maintain, or to prove salvation, but rather are part of discipleship and the basis for receiving eternal rewards. This soteriological view distinguishes between salvation and discipleship – the call to believe in Christ as Savior and to receive the gift of eternal life, and the call to follow Christ and become an obedient disciple, respectively. Free grace theologians emphasize the absolute freeness of salvation and the possibility of full assurance that is not grounded upon personal performance. Norman Geisler has divided this view into a moderate form and a more radical form. The moderate form being associated with Charles Ryrie, and the more strong form with Zane Hodges.

Repentance is a stage in Christian salvation where the believer acknowledges and turns away from sin. As a distinct stage in the ordo salutis its position is disputed, with some theological traditions arguing it occurs prior to faith and the Reformed theological tradition arguing it occurs after faith. In Catholic theology, Lutheran theology, Orthodox theology and Anglican theology, repentance plays a key role in Confession and Absolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Christianity</span> Overview of and topical guide to Christianity

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Christianity:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Beeke</span> American theologian and academic

Joel Robert Beeke is an American Reformed theologian who is a pastor in the Heritage Reformed Congregations and the chancellor of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Under the oversight of the Heritage Reformed Congregations, Beeke helped found Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in 1995, where he served as president until he assumed the chancellorship in 2023. He teaches there as the professor of homiletics, systematic theology, and practical theology. Beeke has also taught as adjunct faculty at Reformed Theological Seminary and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary ; he was an adjunct professor of theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1993 to 1998; he lectured in homiletics at Westminster Seminary California in Escondido, California from 1995 to 2001; and he has lectured at dozens of seminaries around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marrow Brethren</span> Group inside Presbyterianism

The Marrow Brethren, also called Marrowmen, were a group inside Presbyterianism. The name is derived from the book "Marrow of Modern Divinity", which caused a controversy in the Scottish Church, called the Marrow Controversy. The leading figures of the Marrow Brethren included Thomas Boston, Robert Riccaltoun, James Hog, John Williamson, James Bathgate, and Ebenezer Erskine along with the author of the Marrow, Edward Fisher. The General Assembly condemned the Marrow for being antinomian.

References

  1. Ancestry.com. U.S. Public Records Index, 1950–1993, Volume 2 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Voter Registration Lists, Public Record Filings, Historical Residential Records, and Other Household Database Listings
  2. "Rosario 'Charo' Washer Interview!". April 15, 2014.
  3. "Charo Washer's Testimony - Charo Washer". May 21, 2009.
  4. Frye, John (September 6, 2010). "Who is Paul Washer?". Jesus Creed. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  5. Clark, Heather (March 21, 2017). "Preacher, HeartCry Missionary Founder Paul Washer Suffers Heart Attack". Christian News Network. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  6. Washer, Paul (October 31, 2009). "Paul Washer's Story". I'll Be Honest. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  7. "Paul Washer". HeartCry Missionary Society. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  8. "Paul Washer". Grace Community Church. February 1, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  9. "HeartCry at a Glance". HeartCry Missionary Society. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  10. "History of HeartCry". HeartCry Missionary Society. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  11. https://heartcrymissionary.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022-Mission-Report-.pdf
  12. "Oversight and Accountability". HeartCry Missionary Society. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  13. "Heartcry Missionary Society Incorporated in Roanoke, Virginia". EIN Tax Id. 2022.
  14. "Waldvogel". www.waldvogelcommercial.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  15. Dohse, Paul M. Sr. (August 13, 2013). "Paul Washer Speaks at a Catholic Monastery: Why is This Surprising? And Other Magic Bus Musings". Paul's Passing Thoughts. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  16. 1 2 Challies, Tim (July 30, 2013). "An Interview With Paul Washer (Part 2)". Challies.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  17. Stephen (July 30, 2013). "Paul Washer's 7 Warnings to "New Calvinists"". The Tension. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  18. Washer, Paul (2017). "Ecclesiology: The Church, Her Ministers, and Sola Scriptura". In Buice, Josh (ed.). New Calvinism: New Reformation Or Theological Fad?. Christian Focus Publications. pp. 45–70. ISBN   978-1-5271-0090-9.
  19. Washer, Paul (2009). "Dangers Facing the Young and Reformed" (Video). HeartCry Missionary Society. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2018 via YouTube.
  20. 1 2 Blair, Leonardo (March 21, 2017). "Paul Washer, HeartCry Missionary Society Founder, Suffers Heart Attack". Christian Post . Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  21. "Paul Washer - Shocking Message (full length)". YouTube . Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  22. Pidcock, Rick (August 14, 2020). "Six ways 'American Gospel' is small-minded and abusive". Baptist News Global . Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  23. "https://twitter.com/paulwasher/status/1726266091033502074?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved November 20, 2023.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)

Further reading