The Way International
by Wayne S. Walker
Its History
Several years ago, when I was working with the church in Medina, Ohio, I was at a shopping center in a nearby town when my attention was caught by a flyer posted on the window of one of the stores. It was printed by "The Way Ministry" of Brunswick, Ohio, and the headline read, "The Way Is Jesus Christ (John 14:6). " A note near the bottom said, "We of The Way are a Biblical Research (Acts 17:11), Teaching (2 Cor. 5:17-21) and Fellowship (Heb. 10:25) Ministry. You, too can be a true follower of The Way... Jesus Christ." (1)
What caught my attention was the use of Scripture. Most religious organizations today make no appeal to the Bible for their beliefs, teachings, or practices whatsoever anymore. The flyer claimed, "As Jesus Christ responded when tempted by the devil, so The Way, today, responds with 'It is written.'" There ensued five concepts, each followed by Scripture citations, four with which, if I understood them correctly, my study of the Bible forced me to disagree.
So far as I could remember, I had no knowledge of this group before I saw the flyer. So I wrote the address included with the advertisement seeking clarification of the points made. I received a telephone call from a gentleman who suggested we set up a meeting. So we met at a convenient restaurant. Although we did discuss some of our differences, my purpose was not to "argue" but merely to seek information. He explained the flyer, talked about his involvement in the movement and gave me some more literature. I responded by giving him some tracts as well.
Seeking still further information, I found several interesting facts. "The Way," which takes its name from Acts 9:2, et. al, originated between 1942 and 1953 when Victor Paul Wierwille, a former United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed) minister, began teaching his Power for Abundant Living class, a thirteen-week course which cost $45 in 1971, $85 in 1975, and $200 in 1981. (2) It should be noted that Jesus and His apostles never charged a single penny for any of their services. Wierwille studied at Mission House College, University of Chicago Divinity School, and Moody Bible Institute, has a master's degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and received an honorary doctorate from Pike's Peak Bible Seminary, a reputed degree mill. (3)
In 1957, Wierwille resigned from his VanWert, Ohio, pulpit to launch an independent ministry. The Power for Abundant Living course spread to other areas, but "The Way" was largely confined to a few adults in Ohio until 1968 when two former drug users from the Jesus movement, Steve Heefner in New York, and Jim Doop in California, joined Wierwille to take "The Way" to both coasts. Soon the movement gained a conservatively estimated 20,000 adherents, distributed among all fifty states and thirty-three foreign countries, say its leaders. (4) By 1980, the followers numbered 40,000.
"The Way" has no official membership. Most participants are young people, although some parents have joined also. The organization is carefully structured, according to Allan Wallerstedt in a book, Victor Paul Wierwille and the Way. The trunk is the international headquarters at New Knoxville, Ohio, near Lima. The limbs are statewide organizations of which there are about twenty. The branches are in city areas. Twigs are home or campus meetings of which there are over fifteen hundred. And leaves are individual members. (5)
Although chapel is conducted each Sunday night at the world headquarters, there are no formal worship services, just home Bible fellowship meetings. Other institutions associated with the movement are The Way Magazine (which increased in circulation from twenty-five hundred to ten thousand in just three and a half years), the American Christian Press publishing house, The Way College in Emporia, Kansas, and a national convention in Ohio called the "Rock of Ages Christian Music Festival," plus a training center in Rome City, Indiana. (6)
The doctrine of the group is based on instruction Wierwille claims the Lord revealed to him directly in 1942. (7) According to Ellen Whiteside in a book, The Way, published by the organization in 1972, Wierwille reported, "I was praying . . . And that's when he spoke to me audibly, just like I'm talking to you now. He said he would teach me the Word as it had not been known since the first century if I would teach it to others." One of his converts is quoted as saying, "I see Dr. Wierwille as the next man of God to rise up after Paul's death." (8)
This doctrine is a blend of many different ideas. It includes typical denominationalism - salvation entirely by grace; Calvinism - once saved, always saved; dispensationalism - the church began with Paul's epistles; Pentecostalism -tongue and healing are stressed; Unitarianism - the trinity doctrine is contrary to Scripture, and materialism - human beings do not have immortal souls. (9) Members believe in God, the Bible, Jesus Christ, salvation, and eternal life, but define these terms differently from the way we would. For this reason, James Bjornstad, executive director of the Institute of Contemporary Christianity in Oakland, New Jersey, said, "Probably the closest counterfeit to orthodox Christianity we have today is The Way International."(10)
According to a publicity folder, "The Way" is "not a church, nor is it a denomination or a religious sect of any sort." Yet the organization's fifty ordained clergy (as of 1975), five of whom are women (cf. I Timothy 2:11-14), are authorized to perform marriages. A strong missionary effort is emphasized. In 1974, one thousand thirty-three "Word over the World" ambassadors were commissioned to herald the news about "The Way" in the United States, and two-thousand seventy-seven more in 1975 in both the United States and foreign countries, plus one-hundred four "minute men" or seasoned troops. The group began to grow appreciably when they began foraging for leaders among Jesus-movement converts. (11)
Shirl Short has written in the Moody Monthly, "The individual who has some religious or biblical background but no strong church ties or convictions is easy prey of The Way. So is the person who is down and out, feels rejected by his family, doesn't have a good self-identity, or lacks love. He is very likely to find appealing the loving, positive approach of The Way. (12) Wierwille also convinces some with his claim of scholarship. He often makes a point of saying, "Now in the Sanskrit, it says . . . ." There are no Sanskrit manuscripts, but he uses that language to prove his unique interpretations. To anyone who has no scholastic background, it sounds plausible.
The group is often accused by critics of mind control of its recruits, who are usually young, white, and with "Christian" backgrounds. It is suggested that members be approached in the same manner they were approached by "The Way" - in love. It is best to begin with the Scriptures and the deity of Christ. If it can be demonstrated that Christ truly is God and the passages shown that reveal it, Wierwille's theology
crumbles. It is also helpful to show that his scholarship is faulty and how the Bible refutes "The Way's" doctrines. These will be studied in the next article.
Section Notes
1. Flyer published by The Way Ministry, 660 East Dr., Brunswick, Ohio.
2. From articles in Christianity Today (3/26/71, 12/20/74, 9/26/75, and 9/19/80).
3. Christianity Today (12/20/74), p. 312.
4. Christianity Today (3/26/71), pp. 618-619.
5. Moody Monthly (7/8/77), pp. 27-31.
6. Ibid.
7. Christianity Today (12/20/74), p. 312.
8. Christianity Today (9/26/75), pp. 1232-1234.
9. Ibid.
10. Moody Monthly, op. cit.
11. Christianity Today (9/26/75), pp. 1232-1234.
12. Moody Monthly, op. cit.
Its Implications
The Way International is a religious group that we would call a cult. It is based upon the personality of its founder, Victor Paul Wierwille (see "Its History" section in this article) and teaches a number of doctrines that are plainly contradictory to the truth of God's word (see "Its Doctrines" section for a more detailed look and refutation of some of these doctrines). However, it is not enough just to know what they believe. We need to take a deeper look into the whys and wherefores.
When we think of a cult we often think of brainwashing. I have seen Moonies and Hare Krishnas who act almost like glassy-eyed robots. I have talked with Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons who could not think outside of their memorized presentation. But my friend of "The Way" was not so. He was a sane, sober-minded individual who appeared to have accepted "The Way's" teaching of his own free will by the process of rational thought. Evidently, he truly believed what he was saying. I sincerely wish that all members of the Lord's body were as well-versed in the faith as this gentleman was in his error.
This group has become quite militant in its evangelistic efforts. I have a full-page ad from the Dover-New Philadelphia, Ohio, Times-Reporter of February 13, 1979, promoting "The Way." How many New Testament churches are willing to pay for a whole newspaper page to advertise the truth? I would guess very few. Like the Jehovah's Witnesses, the basis of their zeal is wrong and its direction is misguided, but we have to admire their enthusiasm and devotion to their cause, whatever the reason. Would that we had just a few faithful Christians with this same kind of commitment in every congregation - then we would turn the world upside down too (Acts 17:6).
What is the appeal of "The Way"? I have a pamphlet published by them called "Heart." It is basically a series of testimonials about changed lives, rich blessings from God, and abundant living for those who follow "The Way." This message is the same positive-mental-attitude, success-oriented, "God will solve all your problems" type of approach used by faith healers, Pentecostals, and charismatics for years. Yet, we have to admit there is something to it since "The Way" has doubled in membership in the past decade or so. Of course, error always attracts more people than the truth. Surely we cannot offer people something that God has not authorized in the Bible. But maybe there is a lesson here for us. Should not we strive to find out what people are seeking in these troubled times - peace, security, assurance - and make a genuinely biblical appeal to these needs?
The main source of growth of "The Way" has been among younger people. At the same time, we are losing our young people at an alarming rate. Many of them just quit coming to services, but some of them are being sucked into false religious organizations. I talked with one preacher whose first contact with "The Way" was through a member whose daughter had joined it. This should make us think. Elders, whose responsibility is to feed the flock (Acts 20:28), and especially parents, whose responsibility is to train their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4), should make sure that young people in the church are well-grounded in the truth to avoid making shipwreck of their faith (I Timothy 1:19).
Another conclusion I would draw is that there must be people out there who are looking for something spiritual, even younger ones. We sometimes try to explain our lack of growth by saying, "Nobody is interested in the Bible anymore." But if "The Way" can go from 20,000 to 40,000 in a short period of time, we will have to give up that excuse. We should be honest and admit that possibly part of the reason for our waning is actually a lack of really dedicated effort in sharing the gospel with those who are lost. Remember that "The Way" claims to follow the Scriptures, even though they are promoting error. Evidently, someone is ready to listen!
The aforementioned newspaper ad for "The Way" began, "The Way is a fellowship of the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ for the manifestation of the more abundant life. A follower of The Way is filled with and manifests power from on high, holy spirit, and freely avails himself of fellowship meetings for spiritual nurture and growth. The Way fellowship is cemented together by the Spirit of God with each individual believer being transformed by the renewing of his mind according to the word of God." It is obvious that they desire to appear as a loving, united body of believers. People like that. Of course, folks should be attracted to Christ not to the church. But what do they see when they look at the Lord's church? Certainly, a division must come when matters of truth and right are at stake (Matthew 10:34-37; I Corinthians 11:19). But so many congregations that are as "sound as the dollar" on certain issues are filled with bickering, fighting, and arguing over every little this, that, and the other that comes along. No wonder many are turned off.
The ad continues with a pitch for their Power for Abundant Living Course. This is followed by a statement of beliefs which includes eleven items. Although many of these misuse scriptural teaching, the point I want us to see is their attempt to base their beliefs on the Bible, however, misapplied. Those of my brethren who feel the simple teaching of the word has lost its ability to draw men to God (John 6:44-45), both "liberals" who go the food-fun-frolic route and "conservatives" who lament, "No one will listen," can learn something from this. A group can grow simply by pointing people to the Bible and inviting them to study with it. And we don't even charge for it!
My conversation with my friend of "The Way" and my subsequent study have changed my thinking a little on the old charge that "we are answering questions no one is asking." Surely we must never give up the Bible basics we have been preaching for years on salvation, worship, the church, etc. But we should not limit our teaching to that. We must also look out around us and see what people are thinking and feeling in our society, and make a truly biblical application. We have the truth. Let's give people a chance to hear it before the cults come along and carry them off.
I would like to close this section by quoting from a letter written by an Ohio University student to the Times-Reporter shortly after the ad appeared: "The Way is considered by an overwhelming majority of Christian leaders and theologians to be a cult. The Way misuses the word of God and denies the divinity of Christ and the lordship of the Holy Spirit. `Jesus Christ is not God,' at least that is what Victor Paul Wierwille, founder and leader of The Way International, believes and teaches. The Way teaches that Christ was a man, who lived a perfect life and died for our sins. However, contrary to scripture The Way says that Jesus was not the Son of God, even though Christ over and over stated his divinity . . .
"By twisting history, Wierwille also tries to show the doctrine of the Trinity of the Holy Spirit, being equal with and a part of God the Father, is false . . . . Victor Paul Wierwille's purpose in life is not to produce disciples of Christ, but to produce followers of Victor Paul Wierwille. Do not be misled and become one of those followers." Apparently, there are also people around who can tell the difference between the work of a cult and something better and are concerned enough to say something about it. We need to be searching for these as well.
Its Doctrine
The Way International is a religious ministry founded by Victor Paul Wierwille and headquartered in New Knoxville, Ohio (see "It's History" in this article ). It has become quite militant in its evangelistic campaigns and may have the influence of the Mormons or the Moonies in the future. We need to be aware of it and its teachings in order to be equipped to deal effectively with it. Here are some of its basic doctrines, which are proclaimed quite publicly on a flyer I was given by a member of the group.
The Name
"Before the disciples of Jesus Christ were ever called `Christians' (Acts 11:26), they were called `the way' (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4)." No one can deny that early Christianity was referred to as "that way." However, none of these passages indicates that this term was intended as some kind of formal name for Christ's disciples. The Lord promised His people a new name (Isaiah 62:2). This promise was fulfilled in Acts 11:26 by the name Christian. It is the only name by which we can glorify God (Acts 4:12, 1 Pet. 4:16).
Some people seem to get all excited about "the name of the church." Of course, it is wrong to call ourselves by some unbiblical term (I Corinthians 1:12). But it is also wrong to take a scriptural designation, like "The Way," or "The Church of God" (I Corinthians 1:1), or even "The Church of Christ" (cf. Rom. 16:16), and make that into an official and exclusive title. Our only aim should be to persuade people to become Christians (Acts 26:28) and to unite with the church Jesus built and revealed to us in the New Testament (Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:47; Ephesians 1:22-23).
The Dead
"The dead are dead until Christ returns (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)." We would agree that the dead are dead, but what is meant by "dead"? Wierwille teaches that human beings do not have immortal spirits or souls. They remain completely dead upon physical death until the final resurrection. But the Bible says man does have a soul which cannot be killed (Matthew 10:28). The body dies (James 2:26), but nowhere does Scripture teach that the spirit dies - it returns to the control of God (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 teaches that when Christ comes, He will bring the souls of the dead to reunite them with their new spiritual bodies (I Corinthians 15:51-53, Philippians 3:21, I John 3:2). First, the dead in Christ shall rise. Then they shall be joined by the living in Christ, who shall be changed, to meet the Lord in the air and both shall remain forever with the Lord where He is (John 14:1-3). The wicked dead will also be raised at the same time (John 5:28-29). Judgment will follow (Matthew 25:31-33).
Jesus Christ
"Jesus Christ is the Son of God, not God the Son. God is not a trinity (Matthew 3:17, 16:16; John 20:31; Acts 9:20; I Corinthians 11:3)." To underscore this point, Wierwille has written a book entitled Jesus Is Not God. Of course, we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, which is all the first four passages listed say. However, this does not preclude our believing Jesus is also God the Son. My father's name is Walker. I am, thus, the son of Walker. He is Walker the father and I am Walker the son. So the terms can be used interchangeably. The Father is God (Ephesians 4:6). The Son is God (Hebrews 1:8). And the Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). There is one God eternally manifest in three persons. The word"trinity" is not found in Scripture, but if this is what it is used to mean, then I accept it.
The term "son of" does not always denote "offspring" but sometimes means "of the nature and character of" (cf. Mark 3:17; Acts 4:36). Jesus is the Son of God because He partakes of the very nature and character of God (John 1:1; Philippians 2:5; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3). The only passage that might give anyone some trouble is I Corinthians 11:3. This can be explained as either a reference to the difference of function between the Father and the Son in the scheme of redemption (John 5:30) or the fact that when Christ was on earth in the flesh as a man He was subject to the Father (Galatians 4:4).
Salvation
"Being saved, born again, eternal life is of God's grace through Jesus Christ (John 3:16, Romans 10:9, 10), and not of works (Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8, 9) . . .not even water baptism." This is typical denominational doctrine. Surely, salvation is by God's grace - but not by grace alone! There is something man must do - believe and confess (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10). Furthermore, being born again is inexorably linked to water in John 3:5. And the passages that make salvation conditioned on baptism are many -Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27; I Peter 3:21, etc.
It is admitted that we are not saved by works - works of the old law (Galatians 2:16) or works of human merit (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet, there is not a single passage of Scripture that affirms or even implies that baptism is such a work. In addition, we are justified by works, not by faith only; faith without works is dead (James 2:24-26). Faith itself is a work which we must do (John 6:28-29) - not a work of man which earns salvation, but a work of God which meets the conditions upon which God, through His grace, bestows salvation. So are also repentance, confession, and baptism (note Acts 8:35-40, 10:44-48). These are not "works of righteousness which we have done" (Titus 3:5), but which God has commanded and we must obey (Romans 6:17-18, Hebrews 5:8-9).
Miracles
"God made available supernatural power through Christ (Ephesians 1:17-21; John 10:10; 14:12; Acts 1:8; Mark 16:17-18)." It is true that God gave supernatural power to men - in the first century. Acts 1:8 was a promise specifically made only to the apostles (cf. Acts 1:1-5, 22). Mark 16:17-18 does not say that all believers would perform the signs, but that wherever the apostles went revealing the word and preaching the gospel to make believers (Mark 16:15-16, 19-20) the signs would follow. The purpose of the signs was to confirm the word as it was being revealed (Ephesians 3:3-5; Hebrews 2:1-4). Since the word has been fully revealed and confirmed, the signs have ceased (I Corinthians 13:8-10).
However, my friend in "The Way" said that the nine gifts of the Spirit of I Corinthians 12, especially tongues and healing, are for us today because of what Jesus said in John 14:12. But the "greater works" there do not refer to miracles because no one could do greater miracles than Jesus did (John 3:1-2) unless he were also the Son of God. Rather it is a reference to the apostles' work in preaching salvation to mankind through Christ's death (Luke 24:47), which Jesus could not do because He had not yet died. Nor do Ephesians 1:17-21 and John 10:10 speak of the supernatural power of miracles but the spiritual power of the gospel of Jesus Christ unto salvation (Romans 1:16).
The last doctrine on the flyer, that "God does not cause sickness and death (Acts 10:38; Hebrews 2:14; 3 John 2)" is one with which we totally concur, although as pointed out above, He does not remove such by miracles today. However, it is quite evident that the others reviewed are not in harmony with the truth of God's word. Some, like the second and third, could have come from possible contacts by Wierwille with the Jehovah's Witnesses, although there is no proof of this. The fourth is obviously taken from traditional sectarianism. And the fifth is derived from the charismatic movement. Because these ideas are in error, we should take the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17) and seek out those who are caught up in them with the goal of "correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will" (II Timothy 2:25-26).
