"the Way:Living in Wonderland"

[ex10]

Someone who claimed to be "in the know," told me that VP was actually kicked out of his denomination and defrocked. The reason was a scandalous affair with a church secretary that resulted in a pregnancy.

This person claims that there were newspaper articles about the scandal, and that they were actually kept in the historical archives of the Way at the Sidney house in the 80's. He/she claims to have seen them. I have no reason to doubt this person.

However, I also have no way of proving or disproving this claim. If someone is interested enough, it could be checked out I guess by going through the Van Wert newspaper archives. Problem is though, I don't have an exact date. It would take alot of time and research to figure this one out. But, if it is true, it should be in the biography, dontcha think? I mean, it has huge ramifications.

Edited February 6, 2006 by ex10

[excathedra]

sunesis tells me i should read this thread. it tires me to see all the pages

i have head the same ex10 from elders

[Belle]

Velly velly intellesting, T-Bone! Thank you for sharing that tidbit of information with us. :)

The more I learn about vee pee, the more angry I am that I was ever involved with that outfit.

I agree that your letter and the articles should be added to our documentation of the sex, lies and videotape we have of vee pee and on TWI in general. If I lived close enough, I'd gladly look the stuff up, but, alas, the microfiche machine is too far from Orlando.

[rhino]

If someone is interested enough, it could be checked out I guess by going through the Van Wert newspaper archives. Problem is though, I don't have an exact date. It would take alot of time and research to figure this one out. But, if it is true, it should be in the biography, dontcha think? I mean, it has huge ramifications.

I'll buy a six pack of Bud Light for anyone that digs this up in the Van Wert library ! Any other rewards?

[dmiller]

Hey there Bill -- I already did check it out.

To gain access to archives, it takes $29.95, and I am not THAT interested.

If anyone else is, HERE is the link to do so. :)

Edited February 7, 2006 by dmiller

[rhino]

Hey there Bill -- I already did check it out. To gain access to archives, it takes $29.95, and I am not THAT interested.

If anyone else is, HERE is the link to do so. :)

Howdy David ... That looked like for the whole US, and I'm guessing only contained archives that had been put on disc. I closed it cuz of some pop up that got by my pop up blocker :)

Somehow I doubt Van Wert has their 1938 papers digitized or searchable. Maybe.

[Linda Z]

I subscribe to Ancestry.com, which has extensive newspaper archives online. I did a search and found many mentions of VPW, from 1930 throuigh 1985--from the Lima paper, Sheboygan paper, a couple Van Wert papers and a few others around the country. I scanned through all the articles last night. The only controversies I found were the backlash about his nailing the theses (or whatever they were called) to the church door in NK and the cult stuff.

I certainly don't dispute the possibility that VP had an affair pre-twi, given his later history. It seems unlikely to me, though, that such a scandal would be written up in the newspaper back then. Think about it. Small-town, local papers weren't the National Enquirer or the Star. They reported a little on national news and a lot on local accidents, who was giving whom a bridal shower, who was preaching the Sunday sermon, who was in town on Christmas break from college, etc.

The reporting of VP's alleged affair in the newspapers sounds to me like one of the twi urban legends.

[rhino]

I subscribe to Ancestry.com, which has extensive newspaper archives online. I did a search and found many mentions of VPW, from 1930 throuigh 1985--from the Lima paper, Sheboygan paper, a couple Van Wert papers and a few others around the country. I scanned through all the articles last night. The only controversies I found were the backlash about his nailing the theses (or whatever they were called) to the church door in NK and the cult stuff.

WOW, that's cool they have all that ... but I wonder how far back the Van Wert records are really searchable. Surely something else happened to a Wierwille in the area ... though you did say controversies. His defrocking would seem a likely item, even without the gossip side. Maybe court records of child support payments? LOL Let's see, I guess Jimmy Baker is too old to be VP's progeny ... OK, here's a good rumor to start ... lcm is really VP's bastid child I change my offer, a case to whoever can hack the archives to put that in Well, he isn't a great fit ... let's see ... not JL, nor Ralph, not Vince, not Chris ... oh heck ... maybe they are all his kids ...

[Linda Z]

Rhino, the oldest article I found on VP was 1930. I don't know if they indexed court notices, though. The entire newspapers are scanned and online, but someone with more patience, more interest, better eyes than mine, and an Ancestry.com account would have to read them in their entirety to see if anything's missing from the searchable index.

It's very possible that the Van Wert library has the newspapers on microfilm, or maybe even the Lima library. Here in Cleveland we've got papers on film that date at least back to the mid-19th century, and probably earlier (I just never had occasion to search earlier ones).

[ex10]

Well, Linzy, if it's an urban legend, I heard it from the horse's mouth.

Whatever. Maybe it's a false lead, but worth checking if anybody is totally serious about VP and his biography.

And I admit, I'm not.

[rhino]

thx Linda, I'm surprised they have all that searchable, nifty ... I was thinking court records from the court house. Not sure how that stuff worked in the 30's, maybe it was just hush hush instead of court ordered payments.

[Linda Z]

Ex10, I should clarify. It wouldn't surprise me if there was an article about VP getting defrocked. It would surprise me if an article back then would go into the sordid details of why he was defrocked.

[rhino]

Well, Linzy, if it's an urban legend, I heard it from the horse's mouth.

Is VP the horse? Or momma? or the kid? Those are my only guesses ... Enquiring minds want to know :)

edited ... now I'm confused ... you heard about the defrocking from the horse, or the horse told you about the kid? In any case, it's cool you knew a talking horse .. that could be a great TV show LOL

Edited February 7, 2006 by rhino

[Linda Z]

No prob, Rhino. Ancestry.com also has some court records, but they seem very sparse compared to the other records.

I did find a copy of a lawsuit filed against my gggg-grandfather in Maine for not paying for a horse or a wagon or something. And I got about 200 pages of court depositions and such from the Nat'l Archives re: a dispute over my gg-grandfather's Civil War pension. Seems he married a second woman after ditching my gg-grandmother--without getitng a divorce. Oops. Who says history isn't interesting??

Edited February 7, 2006 by Linda Z

[ex10]

And linzy, I should clarify. Said article was not about VP getting defrocked. It was about him being accused of an affair that resulted in a pregnancy.

[WordWolf]

Edition 5.6 of my timeline.

I added the Moody reference,

and a detail about the vpw/bgl class.

====

This timeline is mostly from publications OF TWI.

=========

Let's see.

victor paul wierwille was born to a large family of German descent.

(Born December 31, 1916.)

According to locals, Ernst, his father, was an alcoholic with negligible

education, with a bad temper who acted as a bully.This was true in his dealings

with locals AND with his own family.Each child had their own chores.

Little Victor chose to neglect his chores, and would vanish for hours into the woods nearby.

(It has been noted that this running off may have been as much to avoid

an abusive father as it was to avoid doing any work. Or it may be unrelated.)

He claimed that when he was young, he once told a minister that he wanted to be

a man of God like him. Other than this statement, Little Victor showed

no actual involvement in the church, no actual effort or work in the things of the church.

So, this seems to suggest an interest-not in being a man of God- but in being

the man the whole community turned out to see, to have their respect.

As a teenager, young Vic continued to lack any qualities of a man of God. In fact, he went out of

his way to earn a reputation going in the opposite direction. He was a bully, a showoff and a braggart.

(He seems to have been taught this at home.)He did all sorts of things for attention. He was quick

to start a fight or mouth off at others. He had a quick wit. One of his common ways of showing off

was to tear up and down the streets of New Knoxville on his motorcycle, trying to get attention.

His demonstrated talents seemed to be limited to his quick wit and his ability to play a guitar,

which he showed competency in.

Old Man Wierwille was preparing to pass on thefamily farm to young Vic, as was the family

tradition. Young Vic balked at this. He'd had plans to go to college. At first, he considered

a few fields-business and so on- but by this time, he had decided upon the seminary.

(This was before the time he referred to as "believing the Bible as the Word of God".)

Old Man Wierwille was skeptical of this, and said that young Vic, having shown lack

of hard work on simple manual labour on the farm, would never make a good preacher.

Young Vic convinced him he would do better with books than with sweating out in the field.

Young Vic went to school for the ministry.

His community thought it was some kind of joke- everyone knew he lacked the proper character.

(He never overcame that impression with them.)

Victor had the option to study "Bible Languages" or other subjects requiring hard study. He instead

chose to study Homiletics, the "softest" option he could have learned. (He never overcame his

deficiency in study in Bible languages, church history, etc.-not even to the level of an informed

layman as of 2004.)

Victor was married July 2, 1937(Mr was 20, Mrs was 21). According to vpw, he and Mrs W married

secretly while he was still in college. No reason for this was ever given.

Victor suggested he played on his college's basketball team, and that after college

he played on the professional team "the Sheboygan Redskins." His claim of each was

phrased ambiguously ("I played basketball all through college" "I was involved in the

Sheboygan Redskins") and the purpose seems to have been so that he was believed

to have said he did both without actually making the claims. Later, he began

making claims that he also "invented the hook shot" at this time.

He graduated with a BA from Lakeland College in 1937. Donald was born in 1940.

Victor graduated Princeton Theological Seminary in 1941, with a Masters in Practical Theology.

He did his "trial sermons" in 1941 in Payne, Ohio for the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

According to his memorial in 1985, he started his first pastorate July 1941,

and was ordained July 29, 1941.

(According to his account in TW:LIL, his first pastorate began in 1944 in Van Wert, Ohio,

and continued until 1957.)

Victor entered his first pastorate and wasted little time becoming a bully and a

control freak AGAIN. He himself claimed he started his job by immediately

doing whatever the elders told him not to do- even though it hampered his ability to do his job

properly. According to him, they confronted him on this, he mouthed off at them, and they just

let him go about his business, and the local church prospered as a direct result of him.

He was known for building a fairly interesting sermon, and getting people involved,

including the youths. (This was STILL before the time when he claimed he believed

the Bible was the Word of God.)

He said the following year, (1942) he slowly became discouraged and was searching.

He was still the man he had been, which is to say he was prideful, arrogant, boastful,

liked attention, and viewed the clergy as a PROFESSION and not a holy calling.

(He could have been just as "called" as an accountant or actuary, say.)

During 1942, he claimed he was ready to give up being a minister.

About a year later (Payne, 1942, August), he met Rosal1nd R1nker. She was a former

missionary to China and Korea. She's remembered as the anonymous person

who asks vpw

"Why don't you search for the greatest of all things in life

which would teach Christians the HOW of a really victorious life?"

This woman fixed a great deal of attention on him, and had a forceful personality.

She spent some time with him alone. It was of this time that he later claimed

he asked forgiveness of God. He also credits her with DOGGING HIM

"on the Bible being the Word of God",

and she "got me STARTED on the right track".

which, until this time, he hadn't believed, not even in all his years of school.

During 1942, he claimed he was ready to give up being a minister in August AND September.

One month later (September 1942), an event happened that he later showed a habit of re-writing.

As Victor told God he was getting ready to quit (again), He claimed that God spoke to him and said

He (God) would teach him (Victor) His Word (God's Word)

like it had not been known since the 1st century,

if he (Victor) would teach it to others.

(This is the famous 1942 promise.)

vpw did not discuss this event with anyone until he told the early corps-according to Mrs W.

Thus, the earliest possible origin-point of this story is 1969,

when the "zero corps" was begun.

Victor of course lacked the education in church history to contextualize this claim-

since it was inaccurate as stated. This implies that this was a made-up story,

or it came from a god lacking knowledge in history.

Victor later added a second part to his story- a snowstorm.

He said that he required PROOF of God, and asked God to let him see it snow.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, and he saw a veritable blizzard out his window.

The later addition to this story suggest that he felt it needed more support

after using the initial story. Victor showed no marked improvement, neither in

character, nor in behaviour, thru the rest of the 1940s (nearly the entire decade after this

supposed promise), which strongly supports the rather direct assertion that he lied thru his teeth.

vpw referred to this as one of the two most significant days of his life.

October 3, 1942, vpw did his first radio broadcast. He continued to do a radio show

under one name or another for several years- Vesper Chimes, aka Chimes Hour Youth

Caravan. Its name changes to Chimes Hour Youth Caravan in 1947.

Rhoda joined its staff in 1947.

(Supposedly, the name "the Way" was in the documentation for this group since 1942.)

In 1948, vpw was issued a "Doctorate" from Pikes Peak Seminary, an organization lacking

accreditation and formal classes (among other things.)

At some point, vpw began claiming that he took EVERY class

Moody Bible School's Correspondence program issued.

According to official records at Moody, vpw never turned in a single class of

their correspondence school. This may mean he took classes and never

finished ANY (which indicates laziness), or that he was lying about taking

any of their classes.

At one point, Rufus Moseley attempted to minister Holy Spirit to vpw, but vpw demonstrated

an inability to receive it. In 1951, he visited missionaries in Honduras.

In 1951, vpw made another claim he was ready to give up on the ministry

(even after, supposedly a direct promise of God about really important stuff

which promptly failed to materialize.)

In November, 1951, vpw attended the Full Gospel Rally, in Tulsa, Oklahoma

(a big Evangelical conference.) He made several claims of this conference.

People at the conference OTHER than vpw supposedly had no difficulty beginning

speaking in tongues. He claimed he faked speaking in tongues in a clever

way, and others were unable to tell. He was further disillusioned about working for God.

He then claimed a miraculous snowstorm blocked him into the city entirely, and

ALL the evidence there NO blizzard whatsoever (and there was a WEALTH of evidence

-at the airports, Amtrak and bus depot, the hotel staff, the attendees,

etc) was concealed by angels. vpw also, apparently, never approached a window,

or they made an illusion at the window.

vpw has referred to this as one of the two most significant days of his life.

(Many people currently feel that vpw completely made up the story that God spoke

to him in 1942, and that his dependence upon this event plus the event at the

Full Gospel Rally to establish his authority were both dressed up with made-up

snowstorms to make them sound more spectacular. The specifics of both

appear to support this position-especially since vpw was fond of increasing

the magnitude of his claims in things as time went on.)

Supposedly, a woman came up to him and told him that she knew a man who can help him-

JE Stiles. He claims God told Stiles to attend the conference with the sole purpose

of ministering the Spirit to vpw. vpw met with Stiles, and made a few chauvinistic

observations to himself, before going off with Stiles.

Stiles worked with him for a few hours nonstop, hammering across to vpw what

the Bible says on speaking in tongues, and working over his doubts one by one.

Finally, vpw was able to speak in tongues.

It was during the 1950s that vpw's behaviour was noted to finally improve,

although he still did not stop including inappropriate words or concepts in his sermons.

In March, 1953, vpw found out about BG Leonard, and pushed his way into BG Leonard's

CTC Gifts of the Spirit class, which Leonard told him was closed, but permitted him

to enter after vpw arrived. vpw took this class twice, bringing several people with him

the second time. (That second time was July 1953.)

vpw then went off for a few months by himself, then told Leonard that he'd like to run

Leonard's CTC Gifts of the Spirit class locally for his congregation on a one-time basis.

Seeing the benefit to other Christians, Leonard agrees.

vpw then ran the first of "his" Receiving the Holy Spirit Today classes, (October 1953)

and took a photograph of that class. He told the students that this is "his" class

called RtHST, with NO mention of Leonard's class from which 100% of the content

had been directly lifted. The students had no reason to think he's lying. vpw sent

the photograph to Leonard and told Leonard that this is a photo of the class that took

Leonard's class on a one-time basis that was run locally. Leonard took vpw at his word,

and had no idea that vpw continued to run Leonard's class with vpw's name on it,

defrauding both Leonard AND the students. That the classes were interchangeable

in terms of material was the opinion of vpw himself- anyone who had graduated

Leonard's "Gifts of the Spirit" class was considered to be-by vpw- a graduate of

"vpw's" RtHST class.

To this day, many students STILL think this was was vpw's class, even when

evidence is introduced to the contrary. Later, vpw added the contents of JE Stiles' work

on "Gifts of the Spirit" and Bullinger's work on the Holy Spirit as well as

"How to Enjoy the Bible", and expanded the class into a class that was the

sum of the 3 men's work-Stiles, Bullinger and Leonard-rather than just Leonard.

He also renamed the class "Power For Abundant Living", rather than

"Receiving the Holy Spirit Today".

vpw later made a few offhand comments here and there that the material in the class

is not original, but its compilation was.

(However, as it was constructed, vpw could have been sued by copyright holders for

Bullinger, Stiles, and Leonard. Leonard found out but chose not to prosecute.)

It is often noted that the supposed 1942 promise claimed vpw would be taught-by God-

things unknown since the First Century Christians, if vpw would teach others-

yet ALL the material vpw taught was all taken from Leonard/Stiles/Bullinger/Kenyon

and a few others, and thus, it was all KNOWN. Therefore, if a god gave vpw revelation

in 1942, it was a god that lied, since vpw's source for everything was

MAN and NEVER represented information lost since the First Century AD-not even once.

In 1953, vpw also took JE Stiles' "Gifts of the Spirit" book, changed a few words,

and self-published it as the 1st Edition of "Receiving the Holy Spirit Today."

That it was the same year is no coincidence-it was the "original" textbook for

the "original" class. ("Original" in the sense that they were the 1.0 version of

his class, not that they originated at that time.)

Later editions would include incorporation of material from Leonard and Bullinger,

and would include more cosmetic changes in the order of the words and the

specific words used in an attempt to make it look less like Stiles' book.

Among the changes was the deletion of a reference to an anonymous Christian

who "put it together" for vpw (that was Stiles), who was missing by the 4th

edition book, where vpw put it all together himself.

vpw ran "his" PFAL classes continually from 1953 onward, with some success.

Dr E.E. Higgins was one of the students in the October 1953 class. She's known as

the anonymous person who would call vpw at night and ask what God

showed him that day. In 1954, Dr Higgins first introduced vpw to EW

Bullinger's books, and gave him his first copies of the Companion Bible, and

"How to Enjoy the Bible." The contents of both these books later became integral

parts of "vpw's" class.

According to his published memorial, Bishop KC Pillai took PFAL in 1954,

and began teaching a class on"Orientalisms of the Bible".

(Pillai also wrote 3 small books: "Light Through an Eastern Window"

and Volumes I and II of "Orientalisms of the Bible.")

According to the memorial in 1985, 1955 was the year they officially chartered

"the Way".

In 1955, JP was born. 2 months later, VPW left JP with family for the next

year or so, and took his wife and eldest son on a tour of the mission fields in India,

on the Evangelical and Reformed Church's dime.(1955-1957) (Per TW:LIL)

He was irritated that he's reminded he is not officially designated as a spokesman

or investigator of theirs. According to his account in TW:LIL,

he there met Bishop KC Pillai, whom he later invited to teach.

According to the memorial, this tour of the mission fields ran from 1955-1956,

and included stops in Great Britain, Europe, India, and "the Bible lands."

According to the memorial, 1956 was when he wrote

"the Dilemma of Foreign Missions in India."(According to TW:LIL)

In 1957, vpw returned to Van Wert. He cut his ties with the Evangelical and Reformed

Church, and took "his" PFAL class with him.In 1957, he and Harry bought out

their brothers and bought the family farm outright. Rather than take ownership

themselves, they declared it the propertyof "the Way", a church organization

(thus tax-exempt.)(Per TW:LIL, Harry said this was the time they chose the name

"the Way".) Work began on fixing up the farm.

In 1959, he ran a Wisconsin Summer Camp. In 1960, he ran an Indiana Summer Camp.

In 1961, he moved to the farm (refurbishment being sufficient for the move). Bishop Pillai

arrived and taught at the summer school. (Per TW:LIL.)

In 1961, he ran a Miamisburg, Ohio Summer Camp.

In 1962, he moved the summer school to the farm (refurbishment being sufficient

to hold classes there in the new BRC.)

In 1962, Lamsa taught at the summer school.(Lamsa is another unconventional teacher

who claimed special knowledge of the Bible and special status as a man of God.)

In 1963, vpw went to Lima, Ohio and filmed the sessions called "the Teacher".

(Despite this, success STILL had not taken off as vpw wished.)

According to the memorial, 1967 was when "Are the Dead Alive Now?"

(which is adapted from some of Bullinger's books) was published, and PFAL was filmed.

This was the edition of PFAL that incorporated Bullinger's books

(the contents, but not the books themselves) into the curriculum.

In Fall of 1967, vpw first filmed the PFAL class. This was done in a setting

with bright studio lights. (Bright studio lights do not cause cancer.)

vpw claimed that a doctor told him that filming a second day would mean

permanent eye damage, and that he was staring into 8000 watts.

He filmed for 3 complete days, getting sore eyes from the bright lights

(which do not cause cancer.) The figure of 2000 watts seems to be a more

realistic figure for the light level of the filmed class (which is still VERY bright.)

According to TW:LIL, In 1967, vpw read about the Christians at the House of

Acts. vpw went there, impressed them, and convinced them he has extensive,

EXCLUSIVE knowledge they lack. He then turned those he could from unorganized

Christians into a recruitment arm for his class and organization. They agreed

to handle things on the East and West coasts, and many young Christians were

impressed with THEM and join. It's been suggested that one of the reasons he

went there was because he'd heard of the "free-love" movement and wanted to

connect with Christians who would have sex outside of marriage. Thus claim might

sound ridiculous if his accounts of them didn't include little comments about their

displays of affection-and especially since he'd asked one of them-back then and

there-to give him DETAILS on what an orgy was like. He followed up by claiming

that God PERMITTED orgies-but considered monogamy BETTER.

It's also believed that San Francisco is where vpw bought the pornographic materials

he showed the corps, some Advanced Classes and CFS classes-like the movie

of the two women with the dog. (He MENTIONED that video to many Advanced

classes and CFS classes where it was not SHOWN.)

According to the memorial, his trip to Haight-Ashbury/House of Acts was in 1968.

As of 1969, sizeable numbers of young people had flocked to twi from both coasts

as a result.

Once there was sizeable membership in both coasts, vpw pushed out the Christians

from the House of Acts and insisted authority would come FROM hq and tithes

would go TO hq. No exceptions. At that point (1969), vpw made his first attempt

at a Way Corps, which resulted in the famous "Zero Corps".

At some point-presumably early in the way corps history, and possibly as early as 1969,

vpw (according to Mrs W's account) first begins to tell his "snow on the pumps" account

to people, starting with the way corps.

At another point-before the early 1970s-vpw began adding to the "special revelation"

that produced the books and classes (which were really compilations of the work

of other Christians with their names removed) and began speaking of special

revelation about current events. He began to expound on some conspiracy

theories to the corps, and about attempts to take over the United States.

vpw was getting this material from the John Birch Society and the Liberty Lobby.

A few people on-grounds were aware of information coming in from them,

but almost nobody knew those were the direct sources of his supposed

"revelation". As he had done often before, he just claimed to mysteriously

know things and never cited a source-leaving the listeners to guess that there

WAS no conventional source, making this ANOTHER thing God just told him.

These conspiracy theorist organizations and their personal biases fill in the blanks

in some of his odder statements. Their anti-Semitism helps explain his claims

that the current Jews were not descended from the historic Jews (which has been

disproven genetically since), and his recommendations of books like

"the Thirteenth Tribe." Their condemnation of rock and roll and musician/celebrities

explain his claims of all musicians being possessed, and his recommendation of

"the Marxist Minstrels" to the corps (which claimed rock and roll was a communist

plot to take over the United States.) vpw even had David Noebel, who wrote

"the Marxist Minstrels" come and lecture the corps.

In 1971, vpw began his WOW Ambassador program. This program underwent some

changes, but primarily was a one-year committment to get sent out,

support yourself, find housing, and run PFAL classes.

According to his memorial, 1971 was when the Orange Book, "Power for

Abundant Living" was first self-published. It contained mostly material from Leonard's

class and from Bullinger's book "How to Enjoy the Bible".

A number of pamphlets called "Studies in Abundant Living" accompanied the

PFAL class from fairly early on (the filmed class names "Studies in Human

Suffering", later renamed "Job:Victim to Victor".)

In 1971, the first 3 volumes of "Studies in Abundant Living" are published,

compiling the pamphlets into 3 small hardbound books.

In 1974, Emporia College in Emporia, Kansas was bought. It was renamed

"the Way College of Emporia". Despite an absence of accreditation, licensed professors,

and a school "library" composed ENTIRELY of used textbooks donated by way members,

it was put forth as if it is a normal, accredited college.

In 1975, "Jesus Christ is Not God" was published. This was the last book-

not counting Vol 4 of Studies in Abundant Living- that was actually put together by vpw.

In 1976, campuses were purchased in Rome City, Indiana ("the College of Biblical Research")

and Gunnison, Colorado ("the Way Family Ranch-Camp Gunnison").

In 1977, the PFAL '77 was done live at Ball State University. According to the memorial,

in 1977, Howard Allen and Donald Wierwille were installed as Trustees on the

Board of Trustees (replacing "Uncle" Harry Wierwille and Ermal Owens.)

In 1977, Volume 4 of Studies in Abundant Living was published.

In 1978, the land for the LEAD Outdoor Academy was purchased in Tinnie, New Mexico.

In 1979, Advanced Class '79 ran (live, I imagine.)

In 1980, "Jesus Christ Our Passover" was published. This was the first book written by

competent staff and researchers. According to the book itself, it was written

"by Victor Paul Wierwille", with no mention of anyone else. It was a higher-caliber book

than twi normally self-publishes.

In 1982, twi celebrates its "Fortieth Anniversary" since the radio shows that

weren't called "the Way". In 1982, vpw installed LCM as the new president of twi

and vpw becomes "president emeritus".

In 1982, "Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed" was published. It also was written by staff,

and said "by Victor Paul Wierwille" on the cover.

It relied largely on the calculations of another writer as well. This book also saw the

breakthrough of proper crediting, since it actually named the other writer

(Martin) and his book.

In 1984, a live PFAL class was taught at Camp Gunnison, and a manor house was

purchased in Gartmore, Scotland. It was named the Way College of Biblical Research.

(aka Gartmore House, or "the big house" to the villagers of Gartmore.)

vpw spent his life drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking cigarettes and cigars-

tobacco products. Although he usually did it "off-camera", many people knew some

of this. Everyone knew he at least smoked, but he seemed to chain-smoke when

"no one was watching." Furthermore, he had a "coffee cup" next to him for morning

meetings and so on-and often, the contents had nothing to do with coffee. Those who

ever commented on it (who were few enough among those who noticed) were

treated to his comments about us not being "under condemnation" and thus it wasn't

sinful, and therefore had no consequences.

However, there WERE consequences....

By 1984, the long-term exposure to alcohol-which damages internal organs, including

those that act as the body's filtration system and also damages the brain-

and long-term exposure to tobacco-which is a known cancer-causing agent

(unlike studio lights)- resulted in some permanent damage to vpw' body.

He acquired cancer of the eye and liver, and suffered a stroke.

vpw quite vocally-and often- announced that the eye damage was the result

of getting cancer from the studio lights used when filming PFAL- thus saying it was

the result of virtuous activity, and used to give the students a guilty conscience.

Once, when addressing the corps, he was speaking on personal committment to

God. He said "I gave my EYE-what are YOU willing to give?"

Further, in private, vpw was MOST disturbed that he had ANY physical problems,

especially this one. He claimed he'd never been sick or needed an aspirin EVER-

not ONE DAY in his life-before this. Not even in PRIVATE did he ever seem to admit

he'd exposed his body to carcinogens for DECADES. He had surgery that

removed the cancer-stricken eye.

The details of the stroke were COMPLETELY hidden-although there were witnesses-

and the existence of any cancer produced a problem. According to vpw's DOCTRINE,

any Christian should be able to believe sufficiently to burn out a cancer from their

body. vpw had slowly manipulated his personal image to the point that he was

frequently seen as some sort of super-Christian-which is what he wanted. However,

this meant he should have EASILY believed away his cancer.

WORSE, he'd taught in the Advanced class that, since a cancer has a life of its own

(like algae), it must be the result of devil activity. Since vpw was supposedly a

super-Christian, he should have been able to deflect such an assault easily.

However, rather than adjust his image, or correct his doctrine-which had already

hurt many other Christians-he simply hid the cause of his descent into death.

In 1985 the "Word over the World Auditorium" opened at the organizations hq on the farm.

vpw died May 20, 1985 at age 68. According to his death certificate, the cause was

cancer of the liver and of the eye. According to most people in twi at the time,

the cause was UNKNOWN. The most commonly-stated reason was

"he got tired of fighting."

In the last few months of his life, vpw visited Gartmore and spoke privately

with Chr1s Ge*r. He (CG) later claimed that his own paper which he wrote

afterwards-"the Passing of the Patriarch"-was based entirely on private

conversations with vpw. (Some people believe him, some do not.)

That paper-among other things-also claims that vpw would have been

able to "believe himself healthy" if he'd wanted to.

Volume 5 of Studies in Abundant Living was published

posthumously. Its contents were from vpw, it was edited by Chr1$ Ge*r.

=========

[WordWolf]

In the interests of putting this all together in as easy-to-find a package

as possible,

I'm adding some quotes here.

These are from the thread "Outreach beyond vpw's congregation..."

by skyrider.

It's got quotes from Mrs W's book "Born Again to Serve",

and that book offers a THIRD view of events we're looking at

here. Thus, it will help us form a complete picture of vpw and his

group's early years.

==========

pg-36-37.

"After our move into the new parsonage, Rev Wierwille found a room a block away from the

church, formerly a dentist's office, which he rented and made into his office/study. Not a

particularly patient young minister, he got pretty discouraged by not knowing how to handle

various challenges within the congregation. At one time he told me that he was ready to quit

the ministry if he didn't learn how to handle these seemingly helpless situations. Something

seemed to be lacking in answer to prayers."

"I'd had the best education money could buy; but with all that I knew, I just could not

help people. I was discouraged the first year in the ministry, 1941-42. I thought,

'Had my dad spent all that money to educate a fool?' I prayed a great deal about

it. Even then I was discouraged with my life. The principles of the ministry bothered me.

The shallowness bothered me."

"The annual Paulding County Sunday School Convention was held Friday evening,

September 5, and Sunday afternoon and evening, September 7, 1941, at our church

in Payne. These three meetings were set 'to worship, receive inspiration for daily

living, and acquire information about the unique place religious education holds in

the proper training for your son or daughter and its importance for your own spiritual

growth."

"At this same time Rev Wierwille introduced a Bible study and teacher-training course

which he taught. The purpose was to 'bring to hand every element required to build up

knowledge, acquaint you with methods, and supply inspiration for dealing with the

problems that confront teachers and workers."

"Rev Wierwille's outreach beyond the congregation then began on July 23, 1942,

with a column called 'Religion in the Weekly' in the local weekly newspaper,

The Payne Reflector. He wrote, 'The aim in this is a column written for your

enjoyment, edification and growth in matters pertaining to the spiritual

adancement of your personality.' He expected to see some results, so he closed his

first article with this statement: 'We are anxious to hear from you and your response

will help to determine the value of this column to your own life and the well-being

of your community.' "

[WordWolf]

pg-38 of Born Again to Serve:

"Rev. Wierwille visited the Higley Press frequently for fellowship with the people there.

In later years he said 'If you want to improve in a sport, play with someone better than you,'

so he also fellowshipped with people from whom he might learn.

'Robert Higley, having learned of my academic background and my ability of researching

certain subjects, asked me to be a contributing editor for the Christian Action

magazine (which the Higley Press published.) This opportunity I gladly accepted, and the

venture proved fruitful.'

It was also at this press that Rev. Wierwille met Rosalind

Rinker, a former missionary to China and Korea, now devoting her time conducting

Christian Action evangelistic meetings. Rev Wierwille brought Rosalind to our home near

the end of the summer. We met with her privately, along with two high school girls who

helped Rev Wierwille by cleaning his office and doing some typing for him after school

every day. Rosalind taught us, among other things, that we needed to read the Bible

rather than read around it. This idea seemed somewhat radical to a highly-read,

highly-educated young man. She then further suggested,

'Why don't you search for the greatest of all things in life which would teach

Christian believers the HOW of a really victorious life?'

He took her advice and began studying the Word more diligently.

The contacts we made at Higley Press and the Winona Lake Conference were

central to our spiritual growth. There we heard dynamic speakers at the Christian

Action Conferences, such as RG Le Torneau, a very progressive businessman who

literally believed God's promises of prosperity in tithing, and Homer Rodeheaver,

who had at one time been soloist for the famous evangelist Billy Sunday.

Homer Rodeheaver was a great promoter of outstanding Christian music, singing with

a great voice or playing a trumpet as he led tremendous audience singing.

Another evangelist who had inspired Rev Wierwille with his great musical ability

was Rev Charles Fuller. Rev Wierwille had stated,

'I listened to Charles Fuller's radio program, The Old-Fashioned Revival Hour,

every Sunday morning before I went to church or to my office. He inspired me so

with his music. He was an evangelist who had great charisma, great ability, and

was one of the first preachers involved in radio. Rev. Fuller was such a humble man

and wanted to bless people. Why WOULDN'T the spirit of God work within him?

It did.'

Rev Wierwille and I grew with our little congregation as we visited and became more

personally acquainted with them: meeting their families, their children in college,

understanding family relationships and backgrounds. Rev Wierwille always spoke of

our church as 'The church with the open door and the open Bible.'"

[WordWolf]

Another quote from "Born Again to Serve",

by Mrs W.

pg-41.

""Beginning with a radio broadcast on Saturday, October 3, 1942, Rev. Wierwille and his assembled youth group performed their first live radio production. Rev. Wierwille certainly didn't realize at the time that this program would launch a ministry which would change the lives of thousands. His first radio program was designed to teach principles of the abundant life "through musical performancs and scriptural messages." Dr. Wierwille later said, "I felt we had to do something to bless the people, and a radio broadcast might arouse some excitement and serve as outreach." The personal impact of such regular teaching and preaching, Dr. Wierwille explained, "was that it got me back to digging the Word.... That broadcast and the Sunday morning service made me, made me, go to the Word for two or three new teachings a week. It got me into the Word, got me growing in it and kept me fluid.

"We were pioneers in using people for our performances," he continued. "All of the other religious programs used adults. But I thought if we started with young people, it would grow into something and the adults might catch on."

[Pictured in the first broadcast of Vesper Chimes.......One man, one young female pianist, three young female singers and Mrs. Wierwille.]

pg-42-43

""Rev. Wierwille said the following of his days in Payne:

After all this activity and reaching out to learn more, I must know to satisy my inner yearning. And so I stood in my newly rented office and prayed to the Father. "Father, teach me the Word, teach me the Word." He told me as plain as day that if I would study the Word, He would teach me the Word like He had not been able to teach it to anybody since the first century. And, of course, at that time I thought, "Now that's a dandy. Boy, if I learned this Word of God, everybody will listen to me. The whole church will be blessed; my denomination will grow by leaps and bounds because we'll have the Word of God." And I thought that was terrrific. But during the process of that revelation, I said, "Father, how will I know that this is You and that You'll really teach it to me? Because I had worked the Word in commentaries and the rest of it, and I couldn't understand it, couldn't get it to fit.

And the sun was shining brightly. It was in the fall of the year. Gorgeous. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. And just on the inside of me it seemed to say, "Well, just say to the Father, "Well, if it'll just snow right now, you'll just know that this is God talking to you.'" Cause you see. I'd never had much experience with God's talking to me. And this business of His saying to me, just as audibly as I am speaking to you, that He'd teach me the Word if I'd teach it, sort of shook me. I'd been expecting to hear from heaven for a long time, but I hadn't heard that way before. Oh, my ears were perhaps clogged up. Since that time I've heard a lot of things from Him.

And I said, "Lord, to know that this is true, I'd like to see it snow." And I opened my eyes, and it was pitch-black, almost pitch-black outside, and the snow was falling so thick. I have never seen it fall that thick since that day.

And I sat in that little office, and I cried like a baby. Because I guess it was about my time to cry because I'd grown up but I didn't know the Word. And from that day on since He promised He'd teach me the Word, I have tried with all my heart to learn this Word.

Rev. Wierwille never told anyone of this experience until much later when he was teaching The Way Corps. It was a most astounding phenomenon which he kept to himself."

*****

Skyrider gives a little timeframe,

and continues quoting "Born Again to Serve".

"

In June of 1944, the Wierwille family left the Payne church, with approximately 120 members, and moved to the St. Peter's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Van Wert which had 16 on the active membership list.

In Mrs. Wierwille's book, Born Again to Serve, many Christian men are noted to help Rev. Wierwille with his search for answers. Listed below are highlighted excerpts from the book.

E. Stanley Jones

p. 48

"Rev. Wierwille had made plans to go to the E. Stanley Jones Ashram (as he called his religious retreats) at Salisbury, North Carolina, the latter part of that July 1944. Since there was gas rationing because of World War II, rides had to be shared. So Rev. Wierwille rode with three other people from northwestern Ohio to North Carolina.

Later Rev. Wierwille said of E. Stanley Jones, "I considered him a wonderful friend. I learned a great deal from him and I liked him very much. But I began to grow and develop not only to enjoy intellectualism but also the heart and love which I picked up from Rufus Moseley, Starr Daily, and Glenn Clark."

Rufus Moseley

p. 52

"One of the main speakers of the 1944 Ashram in North Carolina was a spirit-filled man whom I mentioned previously, Rufus Moseley. Brother Rufus, as everyone called him, a retired professor by that time, literally jumped for joy as he taught....

His teachings were so simple yet so dynamic. 'When we are born from above through faith that causes us to receive Him, we are born of His nature, of His love, of His Word, of His seed, and are given power to become like Him.' Also, 'We're made for the highest and nothing short of His best for us, and our best for Him, for all can satisfy us....So centralize on Jesus and his way of life as perfect union, perfect love, and perfect joyous obedience and you get these and you get everything.' He wrote in his book Perfect Everything, 'Many are tempted to believe that everything man needs is within himself, that all he needs to know are the laws of mind....and no need for a personal God or savior....We must be wise enough to be taught and led by the Holy Spirit.'"

Perry Hayden

p. 55

"In his search for Christians with a dynamic knowledge of God, Rev. Wierwille somehow heard of Perry Hayden, a Quaker miller from Tecumseh, Michigan, who was inspired by a message in his Quaker church and set out to illustrate some of the Bible lessons on "tithing," "rebirth," and "returns on what you sow." As quickly as arrangements could be made, Rev. Wierwille invited Perry to come from Michigan to visit our church and tell us about his [tithing] experiment."

Glenn Clark

p. 56

"Having attended the Camp Farthest Out in the summer of 1945 at Lake Koronis in Minnesota, Rev. Wierwille invited the camp's founder, Glenn Clark to come to speak and teach us in 1946...

"Because of his dream of 'going farther out spiritually.' Glenn developed the concept of the Camps Farthest Out. His first experimental camp was held at Camp Koronis in Minnesota, in 1931...

"We thought Glenn Clark's Camps Farthest Out was the best design in camps that we had ever seen. And so we have used many of the C.F.O. principles and activities in The Way Family Camps at Camp Gunnison--The Way Family Ranch in Colorado."

E.W. Kenyon

p. 76

"E.W. Kenyon (1857-1948) was another man whose dynamic writings had a great impact on Dr. Wierwille's life. Kenyon was a man who had a great thirst for a knowledge of God. And what he learned, he was diligent to pass on to others..........by studying Kenyon's writings, Dr. Wierwille was able to teach more of the accuracy of God's Word."

"Kenyon's one fixed goal was: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15). Dr. Wierwille enthusiastically promoted Kenyon's writings: The Blood Covenant, The Two Kinds of Faith, The Two Kinds of Knowledge, Identification, and Jesus the Healer, to mention some of them. These were valuable sources of inspiration for himself personally and in his teaching ministry."

*****

Skyrider continues...

"According to Mrs. Wierwille's book, there is a long list of men and women who significantly taught and influenced her husband.....one of the most profound being Rev. B.G. Leonard.

Rev. B. G. Leonard

p. 90

"Ever since the Divine Healing Convention in Tulsa in December 1951, and since Rev. B.G. Leonard prayed with us for Mary's healing over the phone in December 1952, Dr. Wierwille's hunger for more knowledge about God's healing power was piqued. In late winter, February 1953, Dr. Wierwille felt the need to spend time with B.G. Leonard.....

"B.G. Leonard called his work in Calgary 'The Christian Training Centre.' Dr. Wierwille described his first impressions there: "I walked in and B.G. was in the middle of announcements. They must have lasted an hour and a half. Then he took his violin and played hymns for a while. When he finally started preaching, he taught his heart out for another hour and a half. Then everyone left and I sat there. He said, 'I thought I told you that you couldn't come.' And I said, 'Yeah, but I didn't hear you.' "

In June of 1953, four months after Dr. Wierwille's initial trip, our family traveled with two other carloads of our friends to Calgary to take B.G. Leonard's class which he called "The Gifts of the Spirit." At his Christian Training Centre, a large upstairs room over a pawnshop, our son Don and I were students in this class from June 28 to July 15. Dr. Wierwille was with us, but of course, he was not a new student, though he wanted to sit through the class again because what B.G. Leonard was teaching was so thrilling and powerful about the "gifts" of holy spirit and about spiritual healing."

p. 99...."In October 1953, Dr. Wierwille taught the first Power for Abundant Living class, which was held in the basement of St. Peter's Church. The first two classes were called "Receiving the Holy Spirit Today." The name was then changed to the broader title......"

*****

Much thanks for Skyrider for posting that in the "Outreach Beyond vp's congregation" thread.

[WordWolf]

"Uncle" Harry gave some interesting biographical details that help

fill in some of the blanks, especially about the youngest son in

the family, vp.

page 77

quote:

"I didn't see much of him when he was growing up. When I was

seventeen, I started to work, was away from home most of the time.

That's near about when he started school. We all walked a mile to the

same red schoolhouse. We all had chores to do: milking, feeding the

cows, horses, hogs and sheep."

quote:

"When VP was in high school, Dad wanted him to take over the

farm later. You see, that was the tradition-that the youngest son take

over the farm, just as he had done. But VP emphatically said no.

He'd always liked to study and said he wanted to study for the

ministry.

Our Dad said 'You haven't even learned to work well on the farm.

You'll never make a good preacher.'

But VP used to practice by preaching to the trees." Uncle Harry

chuckles at the recollection. "He'd go out to the woods for hours.

Dad thought he was loafing, but I knew what was going on. He was

preaching to the trees."

Really, Harry? You admitted you didn't SEE him most of the time.

Why wasn't he doing his chores in sight and preaching to the

animals on the farm, or, you know, the other kids, people who might

actually hear something of use? Maybe Dad was on to something.

David was a good shepherd FIRST, then a good man of God....

Later, we'll see what vpw has to say about kids and their work

ethic.

pg-78, Harry again.

quote:

"Our mother encouraged Dad to send the boy to seminary. He was

always full of pep and vinegar. But he never hurt a soul. He did a few

boy's tricks, though, I guess. He played basketball, was always very

energetic. That drive and desire for an education VP had is inherited.

It came from his grandmother on our father's side. Even three years

before he was ordained, he was preaching. In 1941, when he headed the

church in Payne, Ohio, Dad and I went to hear his trial sermons.

That was his first church- Payne, Ohio."

I thought he'd been preaching for years, Harry-to the trees.

Also, Lamarckianism has been thoroughly discredited. You can not

inherit an interest in learning. You can ENCOURAGE it, but not pass it

along from birth. Finally, Dad seems to think vpw lacked drive, but

you said he DID, at least about preaching. Hm.

Maybe he had drive for preaching, but neglected his chores.

Harry spoke about their father's will.

quote:

In the transaction of the legal settlement of the estate in

January, 1957, VP and I paid cash to Reuben and Charles for their

shares. The we, VP and I, bypassed ownership and put the deed directly

in the name of The Way, Incorporated. We took the name from the book of

Acts where people who believed were called followers of 'that way.'

===============================

I just found out something interesting.

Just like he stole everything else, I think vpw stole the

"I was preaching to the trees" thing Uncle Harry believes happened

when he himself was far away and could not confirm this.

Billy Graham did this.

This is from Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox:

http://www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArtID=7650

"He transferred in January of 1937 to Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College) from which he graduated in 1940 with a bachelor of theology degree.

Graham's mother and younger brother Melvin had gone to visit him there and found him talking to the trees, Melvin Graham said.

"When we arrived, someone at the Bible Institute told us Billy was out in the woods practicing his preaching," he said. "We walked out into the woods and there he was doing an altar call to the trees." "

Seems like Billy Graham had EYEWITNESSES to this.

And Graham's story, I'd bet my life, was common in ecclesiastic circles by 1970,

so there was plenty of time for vpw to read this, and start a viral campaign that this

was HIS story as well.

As for Graham, the reason, I heard earlier today, was that he felt shy at the

pulpit and clumsy (my words), so he was out there PRACTICING.

============

Does anyone actually believe vpw really was preaching to the trees with no witnesses

rather than just slacking off on his chores?

Did the man ever have an original thought in his life?

[leafytwiglet]

Bumped so I can find it again tomorrow to read.

[waysider]

Bumped so I can find it again tomorrow to read.

http://www.greasespotcafe.com/ipb/index.ph...c=7363&st=0

[WordWolf]

Bumped because the new people haven't read this thread yet.

It's the thread based on the book "the way:Living in Love."

[WordWolf]

Bumped because the new people haven't read this thread yet.

It's the thread based on the book "the way:Living in Love."

[OldSkool]

Bumped so I can finish reading and also that Mrs. OldSkool can locate.