Leaderboard

Hi Greasespotters! Today on my blog at https://charleneedge.com: From “The Snow Story” to “The Comment” by Charlene L. Edge | posted in: Writing Undertow | Hi subscribers! Amazingly, Undertow’s 7th birthday is this November. One way I’m celebrating is by sharing extra bonus material with you that’s related to my cult story, such as the book review below. I’ll do this until Nov. 1st. On that day, you’ll [subscribers to my blog] receive a special post offering free copies of Undertow. So, stay tuned. Meanwhile … Today’s extra bonus I’m very happy and humbled to share another unsolicited review of my memoir, Undertow. This one is from a former follower of The Way International named Buck Dopp. I met Buck and his wife in California many years ago when my then-husband and I were leaders for The Way. They were and still are among the kindest folks you’ll ever meet. From “The Snow Story” to “The Comment” A review of Charlene Edge’s memoir, Undertow In her exciting new memoir, Undertow, Charlene Edge records her real-life roller coaster ride when a Bible fundamentalist cult, The Way International, recruited and trained her to be one of its elite leaders in the Way Corps. For the next 17 years, her major life decisions were dictated or influenced by the Way’s teachings and her fear that disloyalty would engender severe consequences. Edge’s story details, step-by-step how the naïve freshman from Salisbury, MD who simply wants to know and serve God, is recruited by a fellow student at East Carolina University to a Way fellowship. She soon takes the Way’s Power for Abundant Living Class taught by founder and leader Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille who convinces Edge and her fellow converts that his research—by comparing ancient texts—has uncovered the inerrant and original Word of God. Wierwille’s miracle, which Edge calls “The Snow Story” confirms her emotions and soon her life has only one major purpose: to spread Wierwille’s Word of God over the world. Friends and family warn her along the way and in time she discovers the clues—-like “The Comment”—that lead to the realization that she has made a mistake. But how can she escape? Her writing style is generously seasoned with metaphors to complement the crisp details she is able to provide thanks to her meticulous journals and notebooks faithfully recorded during that period. Despite the length of time covered, the book is fast paced. Edge senses when defining moments need to be zoomed in on, and when other periods can be summarized. In the middle of the story, the reader forgets he or she is reading a book and it feels more like watching reality TV. The people in Undertow are multi-dimensional and she paints them with depth and color. The exception is her ex-husband whose deeds and misdeeds are brought into the story as needed without insight into his motivations. Edge guesses where he is coming from, but doesn’t know for sure. He’s a supporting actor, not a main character in this marriage which seems secondary to Edge’s primary relationships in her ministry work and special friendships. Undertow is a lively story and a cautionary tale for the youth who want to search for truth and then save the world. They may end up sacrificing their time, energy and money in the process. The money can be replaced, but the time is gone forever. What glitters isn’t always gold and as Edge discovers, the Word of God may not really be the true Word of God and therefore not the Will of God either. ~ Buck Dopp, former follower of The Way International —END— Next time on the blog “The Faulty Foundation of The Way International” Thanks for reading! Your writer on the wing, Charlene

Excuse my lackadaisical response to your comment "That's the most inauthentic piece of "art!" I may have ever seen." Concerning the 7 different forms of art, when I was teaching Grade 1, my students learned literature and media arts (which touched on cinema) as part of the Language arts program, as well as dance, drama and visual arts as part of the Arts curriculum. Visual arts included some messy lessons about painting and sculpture which pretty much meant working with plasticine . (Thank goodness the music section was taught by a qualified music teacher.) That just leaves architectural arts which was covered in our science classes. God, I miss those times. It was a lot of fun for me and the kids.

I't trying to figure out what it was that we supposed to actually have known..

Free Will.. As much as everybody here likes to disagree with Mike.. I think he has a pretty good take on Freedom of Will.. everybody seems to have their own set of axioms.. are they chosen, or given? I don't know. My axioms are generally simpler. I wake up in the morning and can generally convince myself that I can still count to ten or so.

The interview.. why are you here.. "I just kind of floated here. I did not choose this, it chose me.." heh so much for freedom of will.. heh

Knew that we Knew is circular reasoning..

That about said it. He took a vibrant, vital, genuine movement among God's people and diverted it into a less-vital cash cow for his pocket. In that respect, vpw was the first "Stump" Coordinator- someone who starts with an active group and micromanages it to pieces. I'm not sure what would have happened, but the imact of the Jesus People movement was somewhat blunted by vpw subverting some of its people to shill classes. His biggest impact on history-and Christianity- was to IMPEDE it.

That's Ham for you, STL. Irrelevant off topic comments. Can be amusing - at times.