Jump to content
GreaseSpot Cafe

Twi Nostalgia vs Twi Reality


skyrider
 Share

Recommended Posts

Twi nostalgia vs Twi reality.......major differences!

At times, a new poster arrives here at Greasespot and highlights many first-hand experiences from "the good old days"....or, twi nostalgia. And yet, later....as the poster is challenged by others, more "snapshots" start to fill "the photo album of twi reality."

Disappointments, setbacks, confrontations, accusations, prejudices, preferential treatment, unjustly fired....now, when the nostalgic veil is lifted (as more posts detail) all can see the scarred and mean-spirited face of twi reality.

There was a time when I think, I too, held onto those nostalgic moments (snapshots).....time with Mrs. Wierwille, VP, UH, Ermal, Dorothy, George Jess and the others. And, AT THAT TIME........these experiences were very special to me. But......NO MORE. Twi reality sickens me. Internet-insight and first-hand accounts of Wierwille's disgusting behavior has NEGATED all that I was led to believe about twi. LCM further NEGATED twi's image and brought its reality into focus. And, Rosalie is simply trying to photocopy what she saw from vpw. Uuuuugh.

I seriously doubt that Elena Whitesxdx would today endorse the same, simple, heart-serving twi hq that she described in her 1970's book? Times change. People change. And besides.....she only spent a day with vpw. She saw what he wanted her to see. He knew he was "on stage".......he wasn't stuuuupid. icon_biggrin.gif:D-->

Sure, I can hold onto those "special" memories back in the early days.....BUT I also take into account that my perception of those things were skewed...by youth, by adulation of "leaders," by ROA fun times, by close friendships, by innocent emotions, by manipulated-twi-historical facts, by whatever.

Maybe......just maybe, some don't come to GreaseSpot because they have their Twi Nostalgia Photo Album all tucked away in their treasure chest and they want to keep it THAT WAY? icon_eek.gif

skyrider

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Steve, I know what you mean.

When I think about my twi experience.........I thank God that I was introduced to the work of wonderful men like....

Dr. E.W. Bullinger

Rev. B.G. Leonard

George Mueller

Charles H. Welch

Herbert Lockyer

......and many, many more. icon_smile.gif:)-->

Link to comment
Share on other sites

UncleHairy, your closing statement on that other thread (VP & Craig) was a classic! Thanks.

quote:
To rephrase a statement from the old Vickster himself..."You tell me what you think of Victor Paul Wierwille, and I'll tell you how far you have come in your cult recovery".

icon_biggrin.gif:D--> icon_biggrin.gif:D--> icon_biggrin.gif:D-->

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting points, Sky. I seldom use the word nostalgia in relation to what I discuss about the Way because it implies a longing for something past, a pining for it if you will. "Oh they were good days and I wish they would come back and it could be like that right now."

On Waydale I started a thread once where the topic was a spin off of why the Way has shrunk so in numbers and so many people have left. My observation to make was that for my part, there were a lot of great people and experiences in the Way years that I was involved and that good people are a huge asset. Really, a no-brainer. That component of some very unique and caring people was one of the things that was integral to the Way's growth. That component was denigrated and diminished by Way leaders more and more because they stupidly assumed that it was the biblical teaching and knowledge alone that had real value. The value of the real, living, breathing people was relegated to the least important. "It's the word of God that endures, not people!!!" all of that attitude.

The results speak for themselves. Treat people like trash and they'll stop coming. Eventually you end up with a population whose values are, in a word, non-human. And proud of it.

Posting that with examples as I did caused some posters to wag their heads in disgust at the sorry "nostaglia" for the good old days. "Sad sad, so sad".

Which completely misses the point. My life is made up of a huge library of experiences, people, events, education, etc. etc. The fact that I was in the Way for a period can't be changed now, and everything adds to that library of experiences I've lived, good or bad. It accumulates whether I like it or not. The things I've done and learned include good and bad, it's really simple.

I'm guess I'm about out of steam on these GS discussions as I think about it. It happens about once a year and it's amazing to me that since Waydale it's been a few. Sooner of later if I stop I'll have fonder memories of it later. Not that I'll be nostalgic for it of course. icon_biggrin.gif:D-->

Link to comment
Share on other sites

socks, thanks.....appreciate your insight.

quote:
My life is made up of a huge library of experiences, people, events, education, etc. etc. The fact that I was in the Way for a period can't be changed now, and everything adds to that library of experiences I've lived, good or bad. It accumulates whether I like it or not. The things I've done and learned include good and bad, it's really simple.

I hear what you're saying. Throughout my twi experience.....it was always the real, living, working people that added to special "snapshots" into my "photo album." The list is long.......people on the field, wows, corps, staff. All kinds of unique people are catalogued into some very special moments of my past. THOSE are my favorite snapshots!

Spending time with spirit-filled believers was thrilling....not looking to score browny points with twi leadership.

Working alongside staff/corps, at times, were some of the greatest moments in my twi tenure!

BUT......vpw's legalistic agendas trashed the work and reputation of good men and women alike. As you stated, "It's the Word of God that endures, not people!" was used as a sledgehammer to drive us into nothingness. Either vpw had a sadistic mean-streak to oppress his followers or he was foolish in propounding his out-of-contexts statements at the expense of those who helped to build this ministry.

The legalism mounted with each year. The arrogance mounted with each statement. The abuses mounted with each new corps location. Lording over God's heritage was rampant.

Couldn't vpw spiritually SEE what he was doing? Couldn't the board of trustees stop wierwille's pride and arrogance from blinding his way? Had all of the "top leaders" succombed to vpw adulation? Vpw idolatry?

Even today......"vpw worshippers" come here to GS and put him on a pedestal. They STILL don't get it! These vpw apologists seem to be blinded to the One Body of Christ with members in particular.

The cancerous worshipping of man is well documented in the Bible. When some take a Bible class.....they see the True and Living Way, the Christ. Others see the preacher.

I keep snapshots in my photo album of special people......NOT the roa tent or the brc.

icon_biggrin.gif:D--> icon_biggrin.gif:D--> icon_biggrin.gif:D-->

Link to comment
Share on other sites

quote:
The cancerous worshipping of man is well documented in the Bible. When some take a Bible class.....they see the True and Living Way, the Christ. Others see the preacher.


If some folks would quit focusing endlessly on Wierwille's sins and dirty laundry, maybe the focus wouldn't be on the preacher; but other, more important things.

Does focusing on Wierwille's sins magnify the True and Living Way, the Christ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Steve, I hadn't noticed.

quote:
The legalism mounted with each year.
Skyrider, are you referring to your Corps duties? Please explain what you refer to as legalism. Gee, I think TWI was anything but legalistic before the 90's. Have you checked out some other religious groups?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

quote:
If some folks would quit focusing endlessly on Wierwille's sins and dirty laundry, maybe the focus wouldn't be on the preacher; but other, more important things.

Does focusing on Wierwille's sins magnify the True and Living Way, the Christ?


Oldies....could you possibly get thru one sentence without bringing up "wierwille?"

Yeah......the worshipping of man is well documented.

icon_biggrin.gif:D--> icon_biggrin.gif:D--> icon_biggrin.gif:D-->

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wierwille-worshippers: your heretic has not been dead long enough, and there are too many living witnesses around with a knowledge of his dirty laundry.

If you give Wierwille another couple hundred years - his stock may gain considerably in value. Add a few extra points should the world be hit by catastrophes which somehow wipe out the internet.

In the meantime, consider adopting any number of homeless heretics from the second century on.

The Syrian Cerdo is looking for a home, last I heard, as well as Montanus and Apelles.

Danny

Link to comment
Share on other sites

All I gotta say is, I'm not really thankful for any kind of teaching thing. I've somehow rejected alot of it.

I am a Christian, and take my faith very seriously. I just can't get into people, and their spin on things.

Give me Jesus, and I'm satisfied.

I don't give a rat's behind whether I've read, or studied, or paid attention to, or researched, whatever, anybody or anything mentioned by TWI having anything to do with my Christian faith.

There's alot of stuff out there, and TWI was pretty limited in what was promoted.

The "Christian World" is alot bigger place than I ever knew while involved.

that's my story and I'm sticking to it. icon_smile.gif:)-->

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to agree with Ex10. Any sort of nostalgia that I might have for the "good old days" of TWI has little to do with any doctrines or teaching - and certainly not any warm fuzzies about leadership; but more about individuals and friends I made over those years.

Yet even that is tempered by the fact that for a lot of those so-called "friends" I pretty much ceased to exist once I left TWI

Link to comment
Share on other sites

quote:
When some take a Bible class.....they see the True and Living Way, the Christ. Others see the preacher.

Yo Oldies,.....

Twi mandates and vpw apologists concur: Thank the preacher, reverence the teacher, promote "his work" and legacy for future generations.

If I were to honor men, instead of the Lord:

Should I thank and "honor" BG Leonard for his class that taught young vic?

Should I thank and "honor" Martin Luther for the Protestant Movement?

Should I thank and "honor" bible translators for the English version?

Should I thank and "honor" those who secured these holy writings?

Should I thank and "honor" the writers for hearing the voice of God?

Should I thank and "honor" all in the bloodline of Christ?

To you vpw apologists: If we honor and rever man, any man, with excessive adulation and repeated reverence.....is there NO END to such hypocrisy and idolatry?

I challenge you to go to the way international today. VPW's legacy is everywhere! There is a vpw monument near the Garden of Living Waters. There is a stone marker in the BRC. Go to the OSC, the Auditorium, Founders' Hall....what do you find??? Vpw's legacy!

Check out the street names. Of course, Wierwille Road. icon_biggrin.gif:D--> Other streets, side streets....Wierwille, Owens, Allen, Sylvia, Lydia....names of trustees and wierwille's sisters.

The wierwille family barn is a focal point of the homestead....and pictured in their promotional stuff. All of this adds to a glaring declaration of twi's idolatrous mindset.

Need I say more?????

So, Oldies......go visit your beloved twi headquarters and OPEN YOUR EYES. Then.....come back here and tell us what you saw?

Oldies.....please tell me ONE MORE TIME about getting away from focusing on "wierwille."

icon_eek.gificon_eek.gificon_eek.gificon_eek.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

quote:
... All of this adds to a glaring declaration of twi's idolatrous mindset.
Nothing of the kind, unless you think having monuments and rememberances of historical figures is idolatry.

When we all visit Washington D.C., and see and enjoy all the monuments and honors of the founding fathers, do you call that idolatry as well?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

quote:
Nothing of the kind, unless you think having monuments and rememberances of historical figures is idolatry.

Oldies......in your own words, YOU STATED THE DIFFERENCE.

Monuments (plural)....of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Grant, etc.

Remembrances (plural)....men and women who built this country.

Historical figures (plural)....the heritage of our founding fathers to establish freedom.

ALL WHO BUILT TWI ...and later left, the slate of their work is wiped clean. icon_wink.gif;)-->

Only Wierwille is at the top of this pyramid of man worship.

Oldies.....while you're visiting the Victor Paul Wierwille Prevailing Word Auditorium be sure to put in your application for twi's PR front man. Rico won't be at that job forever.

icon_biggrin.gif:D--> icon_biggrin.gif:D-->

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...