the twigs. This organizational structure remained as recently as 1998, based on accounts (Tracenet.net Society, 1998). At the beginning of the movement, PFAL courses could be purchased for $20 in 1968, but by 1979 the price quickly rose to $100 per course (Williams, 1979:36). The current price of a PFAL course is not publicized by The Way (The Way, 2012). The fee for the course was referred to as a “required minimum donation,” and one must purchase and complete the initiation/confirmation course in order to be considered a member (Williams, 1979:36). Today, The Way maintains its image as a Biblical research organization for “serious Biblical students” through its website (The Way International, 2012). No information is provided about the organization’s history or core teachings, only its means of providing research opportunities (The Way International, 2012). Followers are encouraged to attend fellowship meetings (at the Twigs), and those “who are eligible” may go on to complete The Way of Abundance and Power series (The Way International, 2012). Only those who complete this series are eligible to partake in the Disciples of the Way Outreach Program (for those who wish to actively witness the teachings to others) and The Way Corps Leadership Training, which is aimed at those who wish to be “ministers” of the teachings of The Way as leaders within the organization (The Way International, 2012). One of the main teachings of The Way is this type of biblical literalism (Williams, 1979:47). The Way claims there are many errors in the translations of the Bible, and it provides research it claims gets “back to the God-breathed original” (The Way International, 2012). Through this research, Wierwille gives ‘evidence’ to support The Way’s denial of the Trinity (Morton and Juedes, 1980:8) and that worshipping Jesus violates the commandment against idolatry (Williams, 1979:54). Wierwille does acknowledge the Holy Spirit, but makes a very
References Angus, Larry. 2012. “Gnostic Christians.” Retrieved on February 21, 2012. (http://gnosticschristians.com/). Brakke, D. 2010. The Gnostics: Myth, Ritual, and Diversity in Early Christianity. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press. Berquist, Anders. 2007. “Gnosticism: Can People Be Saved By Acquiring Secret Knowledge?” Pp. 102-112 in Heresies and How to Avoid Them: Why It Matters What Christians Believe, edited by Ben Quash and Michael Ward. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. Byrne, Richard. 2006. "The end of Gnosticism? Lost texts of Christianity have created scholarly excitement and news-media buzz. So why do some researchers say we're using the wrong name for them?" The Chronicle of Higher Education 52(35): A18-A22. Church of the Pearl. 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2012. (http://www.thepearl.org). Dawson, Lorne L. 2006. Comprehending Cults: The Sociology of New Religious Movements (Second Edition). Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press. Laney, William. 2000. “The Way International Reaches Settlement With Couple.” Wapakoneta Daily News, November 7. Reprint retrieved March 17, 2012. Morton, Douglas V. and John P. Juedes. 1980. The Integrity and Accuracy of The Way’s Word. Saint Louis, MO: Personal Freedom Outreach. Pagels, Elaine. 1979. The Gnostic Gospels [Exerpt]. New York: Vintage Books. pp. xiii-xxiii. Retrieved February 21, 2012.