The Way International (TWI) has been on cult watchers' radar screens for decades. A Profile of The Way, International See John P. Juedes, Looking at Lamsa, Personal Freedom Outreach Newsletter (Jan.-Mar. I get the impression her experience was exactly as youve shared. (St. Louis: Personal Freedom Outreach, 1987), 50 pp. This book condemned not only the trustees but all Way leadership, including the clergy, headquarters staff, regional leaders, and Corps around the world. Ultimate question, do you think The Way or anyone that endorses the way is worth pursuing as - culpable? I was raised "in the word" as they say, meaning I was a born into the cult. 15 H. A. Ironside, Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1938) addresses the relation of the gospel to the church, the Bride and body of Christ, baptism, and related topics. The Way International introduced sweeping changes at the annual Rock of Ages gathering last year. I was born in Sidney, Ohio in 2001 and lived at the Way Headquarters in New Knoxville. application/pdf At the time Martindale saw the suspension of WOW as the response to an attack by evil devil spirits, but by the summer of 1995 he recast the suspension as a Way victory. This article only sketches the most prominent and publishable charges. These people are capable of anything. Nonetheless, hundreds of Way refugees are resisting the new groups pleas to join up. Second, the doctrine of the splinter groups is nearly a carbon copy of Way doctrine. These classes replace the Power for Abundant Living (PFAL) classes by Way founder, Victor Paul Wierwille, who died of cancer in 1985 after losing an eye to the disease and suffering strokes. I thought of myself as a good person, but Id grown up to believe that you couldnt be both good and a homosexual. Ancient Aliens and the Bible: What the Popular Television Series Says about Extraterrestrials in Scripture, Famous for Jesus: A Review of Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church by Katelyn Beaty (Brazos Press, 2022), Famosos por Jess: Resea de Celebridades por Jess: Cmo los personajes, las plataformas y los beneficios estn perjudicando a la Iglesia por Katelyn Beaty (Brazos Press, 2022). This is very hard. At 29yrs old. The Corp is their leadership training program where you live on campus and attend their unaccredited "college." Splintering of the group since 1985 has greatly reduced its active membership, from a peak of about 35,000 to less than 10,000.1. Un apologista cristiano responde a la actuacin satnica de Sam Smith y Kim Petras en los Grammy, Connect with the Christian Research Institute. Off-shoot of The Way (formerly Christian Educational Services) 6.3k posts. About The Way International has the most comprehensive collection of articles on The Way International found anywhere-- over 110. There were some other elite leadership groups in the faith (like Way Disciple that you mention) but the three I listed are the ones that most people in fellowships are expected to take. We are near 70 years of age now, but the "Way" still affects us. She was born into it and her home was a Twig if my verbiage is correct. Im going to say something rude here: my experience of adults in the Way is that they arent exactly the sharpest tools in the shed. We both are still active in the remnants of one of the many splinter groups and have become the inheritors of a fellowship in limbo. Are other families struggling to watch their loved ones involved? John P. Juedes is the pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Highland, California, and has written extensively on The Way International. Many people follow Wierwille in part because they were impressed by his claim that he took over 3,000 books on theology to the city dump3 and resolved to study the Bible alone without mens teachings.4 Although Wierwille sometimes said he learned from others, he often explicitly claimed originality. Also there are no mental health issues, only devil spirits influencing or possessing your mind. Ancient Aliens and the Bible: What the Popular Television Series Says about Extraterrestrials in Scripture, Famous for Jesus: A Review of Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church by Katelyn Beaty (Brazos Press, 2022), Famosos por Jess: Resea de Celebridades por Jess: Cmo los personajes, las plataformas y los beneficios estn perjudicando a la Iglesia por Katelyn Beaty (Brazos Press, 2022). Your last sentence though. dagger to the heart ..internal turmoil reconciling her faith with just being a person in the world. And as much I would dislike the idea of looking into my own rear view mirror her close friends and myself would deeply appreciate your vulnerability and transparency. Although Guideposts helped popularize Cliffes writings and he claimed to be Anglican, Cliffe held New Thought beliefs, seeing God as impersonal principle. Although Wayers project a curt and indifferent attitude toward the many who have left the group, they have undoubtedly been hurt deeply in recent years. The Way International was founded in 1942 by Victor Paul Wierwille as a radio program, then was renamed the Chimes Hour Youth Caravan in 1947. Most ex-Wayers are confused, not knowing where to turn, whom to trust, or what to believe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2dshceGGvY&ab_channel=TheEyewitnesses. Because of the work of splinter groups, in recent years The Way has been marked by heightened paranoia, attention to security, and bitterness. Defectors also accused Way leadership of practicing and approving adultery as a godly practice. Like Wierwille, Bergs teachings became the ultimate authority, and when he committed adultery, he reinterpreted the Bible in order to defend his sinful practice. Can any recent survivors provide their reflections if its not to much: What are the manipulation tactics used? No one is going to beat you. I can't speak much on what the formal organization is doing now but the splinter groups just don't have the financial or organizational power as they did before they split off. In the 90s as home internet was starting to become a thing, and ex-Way followers were posting their experiences on message boards, I remember fellowship leaders told us to limit our time online and to not Google search (or in those days Yahoo?) The appeal was in its casual nature, balanced with an accessible way to become disciplined in Biblical scholarship. The Way International is a nondenominational Christian ministry based in New Knoxville, Ohio.The followers congregate primarily in home fellowships located throughout the United States, two US territories and in over 30 countries. Started in the early 1950s by the late Victor Paul Wierwille (1916-1985), the original organization was called the Way Incorporated. It has shrunk in size and, as often is the case in cults when the original leader dies, splintered into various rival movements. Youre a survivor. Can you imagine? This video covers some of the deaths and suicides of former members. They have been active and effective at exposing problems in The Way through personal influence and meetings of Wayers around the nation. x*"fhR*_l*I&mLRQnG.O@o(UU7Wn?\6t]~mak-tX}zn[z,.o,o.*?Y~,vYj8P]w1$'ZfL1sr&E7pc'R7_\veb_ Answer. Have others committed suicide? And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light; therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their deeds. The Way not only teaches that Jesus Christ is not God, but also has instruction on tithing, the law of believing (whatever one believes will happen to one, whether bad or good), and the accuracy of the Bible (as translated by Way leaders). When I was talking to my mom about climate change she just waved me off with Gods not going to let it get that bad! Oh. I can remember being a teenager and being intellectually curious and asking a lot of questions. For example, Geer describes Wierwille as one who was very hard to live with, often lashing out at those closest to him and hurting them.5 It includes a reproduction of handwritten notes in which the three trustees admit that the accusations against them are true. Lynn retains all the critical Way doctrines of concern to Christians, such as anti-Trinitarianism, ultradispensationalism, soul sleep, and the belief that speaking in tongues is infallible and essential proof that one is saved. Some people started their own non-Way affiliated Bible fellowships. We believe and speculate it was attributed because of the known cult The Way International. It's another thing entirely when the leader of a "Biblical Research and Fellowship Ministry" delivers a fire and brimstone sermon threatening to chain gays to the back bumper of an RV and go for a little drive. 4v$gi To be honest, it sounds nice on paper in many ways. Disgusting. People were eager to engage, but I dont think answers were ever very satisfying. In that same breathe, her sister/siblings believed she was waking up and coming to her own conclusion about her situation and the life she had created with the expectation that she would removing herself as they did during that similar age period of their lives. I would lovingly suggest that your time might be more effectively spent honoring your friend's memory by educating others about the harm that cults cause and working with a counselor to process the grief of losing your friend twice - first to a cult and then to suicide. Splinter group of the Worldwide Church of God (WCoG). Un apologista cristiano responde a la actuacin satnica de Sam Smith y Kim Petras en los Grammy, Connect with the Christian Research Institute. Many former Way members are flocking to break-off organizations some of which are led by well-known and respected ex-leaders. The car parking and the Wi-Fi are always free, so you can stay in touch and come and go as you please. The false apostles disguises are being pulled from their faces, and the virgins who were led astray are returning to the one true Jesus, Spirit, and gospel, and the church of Jesus Christ. Good call. I was isolated from my family physically because they didn't live close, and during private conversations about leadership I was told that my family didn't love me and that they could understand why because I was so horrible, but at least I had them. Although Wierwille has written against spiritism, he welcomed this spiritist with open arms. If the person refuses to read or hear material which exposes such errors, then take the time to obtain the primary sources which demonstrate them and ask his or her opinion of them. Available from: Capitol Saints/John A. Lynn, 5918 Chesterbrook Road, McLean, VA 22101. Three editorials which answer misconceptions common among followers and ex-followers of The Way such as distrust of Christians outside The Way and the forming of Way splinter groups. Youre not going to have to perform penance. What practices are different from the 80s? 8 Whiteside, 197-200. John Lynn claims that Wierwille and at least four other trustees had sex with literally hundreds of women, many of whom Lynn and other ex-leaders have counseled personally.9 They also claim the Trustees fired long-time researcher John Schonheit for writing a brief paper summarizing the Bibles teaching against adultery. The Way International is a shell of what it was during the lifetime of Victor Paul Wierwille. Like the new classes and the Disciples, this is a sign that The Way is striving to further restrict access to its activities, purge anyone who questions current Way leadership, increase control, and consolidate. Yeah Um would you look at the time? What practices are still common? The most prominent of these groups are John Lynns Christian Educational Services (CES) and Chris Geers The Way of Great Britain. Brainwashing is in part convincing you that the world is evil and filled with devil spirits that are everywhere and you must be vigilant, and part CONSTANT information about the bible. In opposition, John Schoenheit produced a paper that confronted this error and biblically explained that adultery is a sin. Based at . Oh, so when I say curveballs I mean it in the figurative sense. I am glad I am not the only one who dealt with growing up in TWI. Wierwilles writings on the topics of interpreting the Bible, soul sleep, the distinction of impersonal holy spirit from the Holy Spirit, ultradispensationalism, gospel harmony, and the mystery are all drawn from Bullinger. CES includes many past Way celebrities and clergy such as John and Pat Lynn, Ralph Dubofsky, Robert Belt, Sue Pierce, Tom Reahard, and John Schonheit. CES holds two national meetings per year in Chicago (drawing about 150 people per meeting), publishes Dialogue magazine bi-monthly, circulates periodic newsletters, and distributes tapes. uuid:d7ca4186-7029-344b-a237-3b86f585aa59 TWI now is less than a tenth of what it was in the early 1980s, but TWI was far less than a tenth of what its . Cules son las creencias bsicas del budismo? (New Knoxville, OH: American Christian Press, 1972), 209, 174, for Wierwilles claim that his book is the most original coverage of the subject, and p. 178 for his claim that God audibly promised to teach him directly and personally. When he first presented it verbally to gatherings of Way leadership (at which, John Lynn reports, he carried a large-caliber pistol for self-protection), it caused tremendous turbulence, and its content was kept out of general circulation. In my research since leaving in 2013 I have found a number of people who reported that their loved ones died in the way dating back to the 70s. The foundational class is 36 hours I believe and I can't tell you how many times I took it. I had been a professional lead singer and performer since I was 16, and although I . Wait, it's "The Word of God" and then some other follower will utter "The Word of God is the Will of God" like some sheep bleating "four legs good". I was berated, told I did this to myself because I didn't have my head in the word enough and allowed devil spirits in. Long story long. This is just awful, horrible and egregious in every way possible. By word, character, and example, show them that there is more-than-abundant life outside The Way International.Dr. Sometimes area twigs would get together for a branch meeting, and less frequently a limb meeting. This is hard to accept for those who knew V.P. haga clic aqu para obtener ms informacin. Way followers say the first commandment is the most important: no false Idols before God. Ultimately we would also like to provide and seek justice on her behalf. A place for discussion about cults and other new age religious movements. The leader was arrested recently as he had convinced the fellowship members to give him their eldest daughters which he physically and sexually abused for 9+ years until one girl escaped. After all, it is their friends who have left and made accusations of severe error against The Way leadership. The Way To Happiness International. They believed that God heals and if you believe enough he can heal anything. We are spiritual beings in a material world, my mom would sometimes say. But small IRA splinter groups have continued to launch sporadic attacks on security forces. The manipulation tactics come from many angles. Its not interested in interrogating deep questions of being and it doesnt hold up well to fact based challenges. In addition, anyone who is well-acquainted with Wierwilles writings and reads Kenyons and Bullingers books is struck by the close parallels, even though one cannot always trace exact word-for-word plagiarism. The complexity and overarching theme of shame as well as guilt is much bigger than I ever imagined. Until then I was personally fighting acceptance because I wasnt able to understand and someone else had not articulated a realistic and plausible answer. My home life was very turbulent because of TWI. Their arguments included: women who traveled with Jesus and Paul supplied them with sex because it satisfied their legitimate needs; men have needs for sex with a variety of women and God provides for this; all things are lawful when done in faith (Rom. Myself and others are looking to cope and find closure or understanding from a recent loss/death due to suicide. endstream endobj 3 0 obj <> endobj 2 0 obj <> endobj 61 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 21 0 obj <> endobj 25 0 obj <> endobj 29 0 obj <> endobj 30 0 obj <>stream She was loved by many because she was easy going, fit in with many and different groups - a legitimate interest in others, etc. Accusations have disturbed many people and strained or broken numerous friendships. He added, We have flushed homosexuals and homo fantasizers and sympathizers out of our Way Corps and Staff.2 The Corps coordinator, a Rev. This thread is like a walk down memory lane - Sunday Service tapes, the Rock of Ages, Athletes of the Spirit, all the lingo others have quoted, and Martindale's violent tirades against homosexuality in the mid 90s bring me right back. As a result, Martindale told everyone to eliminate this and other spirit-driven malignancies from Way circles. The group's misogyny was deeply ingrained while also being subtle at times. That made it harder for me to get a centered view on my life. Could you elaborate on the manipulation? I am sorry for your loss. The Cults podcast on Stitcher has a 2-part special on The Way and River Road Fellowship, which was one of the splinter groups. The immediate cause was metastatic melanoma of the liver, which means that the cancer spread from the eye to the liver. After I had a fight in elementary school, TWI advised him to beat me into submission. Most still feel hurt from being betrayed by The Way, are suspicious of any new organizations, and hesitate to connect themselves with any Christian church. In response, he defends such Way teachings as that on interpretation of tongues.14 Ralph Dubofsky told the May 1988 CES meeting that the reason they like so much of E.W. His complaint, however, implies that he realized there were significant errors in PFAL. as I got older I was terrified of doing something that would have me cast out because my whole life THESE were the people I knew and had history with, and it made me deeply sad to imagine suddenly being cut off from that. Cliffes book Lessons in Successful Living addresses similar topics. I've even attended a wedding at HQ. Way-Showers. Este artculo es una exclusiva en lnea de Christian Research Journal. See the CultFAQ page Types of Cults for information about cults of Christianity or see CARM's The Way International page for more about the group. Subforums. At one point I got sick with an infectious disease that typically kills you within 48 hours. So obviously if you're feeling depressed or suicidal you CANNOT tell ANYONE or you will likely be told you're possessed and have to have it cast out of you, at which point you have to pretend to be healed or else it means you're a bad believer and it's your fault you harbor spirits. Several thousand followers have severed ties with The Way International as a result of the allegations and evidence they have seen, including the entire state (Limb) of South Carolina in April 1988 and about 80 percent of the Washington, D.C., Limb. For example, Vince Finnegan formed a new splinter group primarily from the block of Wayers he led in New . I remember he looked at her with sympathy but didnt say anything. Wierwilles stance that the whole Bible was authored in Aramaic, that parts of Scripture have been lost, that many Bible passages in popular translations were deviously inserted by pagans, and his Nestorian-like view of Jesus Christ (which drives a wedge between the human Jesus and the divine Christ) all trace to mystic George Lamsa. It is common for ex-Wayers to take several years to fully separate from The Way and reorient their lives. To address your questions about suicides directly - yes there have been suicides in the past as well as other deaths. I did look your friend up on facebook and we have friends in common from the cult (I should probably just start a new FB to rid myself of them), which would lead me to believe it's a splinter group since the two don't typically mix. Since then, The Way has sought to purge (that is, totally shun) all who do not tithe or who question Martindale on any issue. One response still in print is Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth by H.A. Beep. The Way is considered a cult by many former members, by most mainstream churches, and by certain secular groups. Im not saying that people in the Way avoid doctors entirely, but theres definitely a sense of what counts and doesnt or that people are putting waaay too much trust in men and not in God. And I am glad you are with us. One of the many difficult things about digesting this for us is that her personality and character did not reflect this at all. TWI splinter group leader John Lynn wrote a letter in 2008 defending and praising "the old" Way International, proof that the old Way Arrogance lives on as well.