The Way International
The Way International is a non-Trinitarian Christian organization founded by Victor Paul Wierwille (1916–1985) whose teaching includes various other traditions in addition to its own elements.
distribution
According to its own statement, "The Way" is widespread in 61 countries, the number of members is estimated at around 10,000 to 20,000.
Teaching
"The Way" rejects the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and instead teaches a dynamic monarchism similar to that of the Jehovah's Witnesses or the Arians .
Jesus Christ is referred to as the Son of God, he was a perfect man without sin, but his deity is rejected.
The deity and personality of the Holy Spirit are rejected. The Bible distinguishes between “holy spirit” (an impersonal power that believers receive from God) and “holy spirit” (another word for God), which cannot be understood in Greek.
Speaking in tongues is considered a confirmation of salvation . According to Wierwille, every Christian can learn to speak in tongues according to his own method.
Wierwille teaches a "law of faith": whatever the individual believes (positive and negative) will come true.
“The Way” regards the books of the Bible written after Pentecost , especially the Pauline letters, as addressed to Christians and therefore binding for Christians. The other books of the Bible, besides the Old Testament also the Gospels, are regarded as God's word, but are not addressed to Christians and are considered useful, but not in the same way as the New Testament writings, which are addressed to the church (to Christians). are directed. The exegesis essentially corresponds to the fundamentalist exegesis . Wierwille teaches that in some biblical passages in the course of church history there have been errors in the transmission of the text, errors in the translation, but in some cases also deliberate forgery by the translator or editor or the commissioning organizations.
Worship and practice
Water baptism is refused.
The group is very missionary-oriented and offers courses and seminars as live lessons or on CD.
organization
After the death of Victor Paul Wierwille, L. Craig Martindale took over the management. The group gives little information about their organization and structures.
The headquarters are referred to as "roots", the country groups as trunks, regional organizations as branches, local groups as branches and individual members as leaves.
The group encourages members, like other groups and free churches, to give tithe of income for the work of the organization. Both tithing and other donations to the group or to those in need are voluntary and should be given thoughtfully and joyfully, depending on how everyone is able to do it.
history
The founder, Victor Paul Wierwille (1916–1985) was a pastor in the conservative "Evangelical and Reformed Church", which in 1963 merged with other churches to form the "United Church of Christ". According to his testimony, in 1942 he heard God speak to him and tell him that he would lead him and that Wierwille would interpret the Bible more accurately than anyone since the apostles' days. In the same year he started radio broadcasts.
In 1948, Wierwille bought a doctorate from a title mill in Colorado. In 1953 he began to hold courses "Power for Abundant Living". A few years later he resigned from his church, where he had been heavily criticized for his unorthodox teachings. In the years that followed, his teaching on the Trinity and the nature of Christ became increasingly dissimilar to that of the established churches.
The group received some influx from the Jesus Movement of the 1960s. In the 1970s she started with annual rock festivals, the "Rock of Ages Festivals", where she also won members.
In 1982 Wierwille officially withdrew from the line and put L. Craig Martindale in his place.
Ecumenism
Because of its teaching on the Trinity and the Bible, the group cannot conform to the creed of the Ecumenical Council of Churches .
Controversy
Some former members and sect experts accuse the organization of extremely authoritarian structures and in some cases even brainwashing.
Wierville is said to have plagiarized at least eight books by three authors.
Web links
Footnotes
- ^ "Encyclopedia of American Religions" (Seventh edition) by J. Gordon Melton. (2003) p. 608