Major Religious Movement
The Way INTERNATIONAL PART 1
In this article we will be discussing a brief history and overview of what The Way International believes and teaches their followers. Due to the extensiveness of The Way International this will be a multi-part article. In future articles we will be examining closer aspects of their teachings and beliefs.
The Way International was started by Victor Paul Wierwille's (1916 – 1985), a charismatic leader who stressed having "the abundant life.” The Way International (TWI) begun in 1942 as a radio ministry on a station in Lima, Ohio. In 1947 it was incorporated and in 1955 the name changed to "The Way." By 1968 TWI began to experience notable growth and within a little over a decade there were possibly 150,000 plus followers and a staff of 400.[1] The growth of TWI was not only seen shearing the United States but also in Europe, South America, and Australia. Throughout the years since its extinguishment The Way International has continued to grow through its teachings about having an "abundant life.” In 1985 after its founder's death TWI seem to enter into what is more commonly known within the group "The Fog Years." However, after a 1998 reorganization effort to help stimulate new growth many of this group's followers have broken off into splinter cell organizations making growth of the organization harder to track.
The way was successful for number of reasons and could be again after "The Fog Years". First is there offer of almost Utopian rewards. The Way "guarantees" personal power, success, health and happiness. Do these Utopian promises some familiar? They are almost Joel Osteenish sounding promising you can have your best life now. You see almost morphing between the teachings on the "abundant life" by the TWI and the Prosperity Gospel movement. A second reason for its success is based on the principle that life can be made easier for those who "choose" to let The Way think for them. In many ways, The Way is a modern behavioral modification cult.[2] thirdly the success of The Way is broached much upon its leaders sincerely, conviction and great enthusiasm. Finally the foremost reason for the success of The Way due in part because of people's lack of biblical knowledge on biblical doctrines, apologetics and their ability to discern truth from false teachings.
In this method The Way International has influenced well over 200,000 people, doing harm to many and often drawing recruits from Christian churches. We here at Empowered by Christ feel that a more in-depth multi part analysis is warranted of The Way International.
The Way International considers itself to be the only true Church of God with divine teachings and revelations from God directed through its founder. Here are is a quick overview of some of the heretical teachings that TWI is flaunting.
When it comes to the use of the Bible and teaching from it the TWI believes that the word of God as interpreted by Victor Paul Wierwille is the only true version of the Bible. They teach that all other versions are false and demonic apart from their own. According to Wierwille own words he stated; " During my early years of biblical research, I sometimes did not know enough to be accurate in my teachings." [3] By his own admission the founder of TWI did not have enough knowledge to be accurate in his own teachings so therefore how can this organization hold to Wierwille's teachings and interpretations of the Bible? The simple answer to this is they can't.
In future articles about The Way International we will be discussing such topics as; hermeneutics and changing of biblical texts, the misuse of Greek and Hebrew languages, how they add to Scripture, they're all right Pelagianism, their view of morality, their view on physical and mental healing, the use of a occultist practices, and much more.
[1] J. L. Williams, Victor Paul Wierwille and the way international, PP. 22 – 23.
[2] I bid
[3] Victor Paul Wierwille, The Way Magazine, May – June 1977, P. 22.
The Way International was started by Victor Paul Wierwille's (1916 – 1985), a charismatic leader who stressed having "the abundant life.” The Way International (TWI) begun in 1942 as a radio ministry on a station in Lima, Ohio. In 1947 it was incorporated and in 1955 the name changed to "The Way." By 1968 TWI began to experience notable growth and within a little over a decade there were possibly 150,000 plus followers and a staff of 400.[1] The growth of TWI was not only seen shearing the United States but also in Europe, South America, and Australia. Throughout the years since its extinguishment The Way International has continued to grow through its teachings about having an "abundant life.” In 1985 after its founder's death TWI seem to enter into what is more commonly known within the group "The Fog Years." However, after a 1998 reorganization effort to help stimulate new growth many of this group's followers have broken off into splinter cell organizations making growth of the organization harder to track.
The way was successful for number of reasons and could be again after "The Fog Years". First is there offer of almost Utopian rewards. The Way "guarantees" personal power, success, health and happiness. Do these Utopian promises some familiar? They are almost Joel Osteenish sounding promising you can have your best life now. You see almost morphing between the teachings on the "abundant life" by the TWI and the Prosperity Gospel movement. A second reason for its success is based on the principle that life can be made easier for those who "choose" to let The Way think for them. In many ways, The Way is a modern behavioral modification cult.[2] thirdly the success of The Way is broached much upon its leaders sincerely, conviction and great enthusiasm. Finally the foremost reason for the success of The Way due in part because of people's lack of biblical knowledge on biblical doctrines, apologetics and their ability to discern truth from false teachings.
In this method The Way International has influenced well over 200,000 people, doing harm to many and often drawing recruits from Christian churches. We here at Empowered by Christ feel that a more in-depth multi part analysis is warranted of The Way International.
The Way International considers itself to be the only true Church of God with divine teachings and revelations from God directed through its founder. Here are is a quick overview of some of the heretical teachings that TWI is flaunting.
- TWI teaches that God is one divine person denying the Trinity.
- They teach that Jesus was the created son of God not God the son, therefore making Jesus a fallible sinful man. Clearly going against biblical scripture found in Matthew 16:16,17; John 8:58; and John 10:30.
- The TWI also teaches that the Holy Spirit is a synonym for God; Holy Spirit: synonym for spiritual power.
- One achieves salvation within TWI by a combination of works and confessional practices. They teach that the human spirit is nonexistent until the new birth, salvation is achieved.
- As far as the afterlife is concerned the TWI teaches that when you die you enter a state of "Soul sleep" or unconsciousness until the resurrection. The TWI also holds to the on biblical teaching of the annihilationism for the wicked they do not believe in an actual hell. Annihilation is the teaching that once a person dies and has not earned their right to heaven they are therefore annihilated from existence.
When it comes to the use of the Bible and teaching from it the TWI believes that the word of God as interpreted by Victor Paul Wierwille is the only true version of the Bible. They teach that all other versions are false and demonic apart from their own. According to Wierwille own words he stated; " During my early years of biblical research, I sometimes did not know enough to be accurate in my teachings." [3] By his own admission the founder of TWI did not have enough knowledge to be accurate in his own teachings so therefore how can this organization hold to Wierwille's teachings and interpretations of the Bible? The simple answer to this is they can't.
In future articles about The Way International we will be discussing such topics as; hermeneutics and changing of biblical texts, the misuse of Greek and Hebrew languages, how they add to Scripture, they're all right Pelagianism, their view of morality, their view on physical and mental healing, the use of a occultist practices, and much more.
[1] J. L. Williams, Victor Paul Wierwille and the way international, PP. 22 – 23.
[2] I bid
[3] Victor Paul Wierwille, The Way Magazine, May – June 1977, P. 22.
