The Nine Dots Of Nonsense

[Catcup]

Once in the upper level of the Wierwille Library (You know, the library that had NO BOOKS), I attended a meeting where a Way leader was teaching that we, as Way Corps, were called to lead God's people from darkness into light. In order to do this, we were to use our brains to see things differently than "the world" sees them.

In order to illustrate his point, the teacher drew three rows of three dots on a black board and asked us to connect all 9 dots using only 4 straight lines without lifting the pen from the paper.

Of course, the only way it can be done is to extend the lines and go outside the "box" the 9 dots appear to make. Most people are fooled by the three rows of three dots, and think only of how to solve the puzzle by staying within the box.

Most people, said the speaker, only think of solutions within the confines of what they can understand with their 5 senses. We, the Corps, were to "go outside the 9 dots," or outside the 5 senses to the Word of God (read rules and regulations and "spiritual principles" laid down by the ministry) in order to be successful leaders and successful believers.

We all immediately understood. We had options that "the natural man" did not have: the "spiritual senses" of being led by the spirit, the written Word of God (as taught by leadership), and direction from the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers that "God" (read the BOT) had set in our midst.

However, what The Way International did for us was to lay down their own "Nine Dots of Nonsense" beyond which followers refuse to look.

Way followers are so programmed to stay within the boundaries of what their leaders have taught them is the truth, that they refuse to consider there are options for them OUTSIDE the boundaries of what they have been taught.

Way Followers are taught that "No one else out there has the rightly-divided Word." Followers have been convinced and reinforce with each other and themselves that "there's nothing else out there." They are convinced that they are in God's only TRUE ministry and that anything else is second-rate and counterfeit.

Way followers have been taught, convince each other, and themselves, that those in leadership positions above them have been placed there by God. That even though they are human and therefore flawed, followers are still required to be obedient without question according to "The Word." TWI teaches that because God saw fit to choose them and set them where they are, so they should be obeyed without question.

Way followers have been taught, convinced, and reinforce with each other and themselves, that these "gift ministries" are there for our benefit, and for us to obey, because "The Word Says" that they "bear not the sword in vain."

In other words, there are consequences for disobedience. When we "obey" these leaders, we "grow up into Him," so of course, we all want to grow up into Christ and avoid the wrath of the minister, so we all obey, without question.

Questions from the very beginning in TWI are not allowed. Well, lets say, certain questions. You will know what is allowed and not allowed by the response you get in asking.

If questions are likely to contradict established teaching, or delve into matters TWI doesn't want to discuss, they are deferred to leadership or answered with another question to deflect attention away from glaring errors or contradictions. Persistence along this vein will get you the bum's rush or worse.

Followers are taught specifically about "spiritual boundaries" and staying on the "right path," or "highway of holiness" in order to remain in God's favor and out of harm's way. This pathway is understood to be staying within the teachings of The Way International and the guidance of it's ministers.

Followers are convinced, reinforce it with each other, and reinforce with themselves through classes, teachings, private study, and retemories, that safety is only possible within the boundaries of what they have been taught by their leadership. Followers have been repeatedly taught that the only thing that awaits them outside The Nine Dots Of Nonsense are tragic consequences.

A good Way follower does not question his leadership or the direction which comes from TWI headquarters. This direction is not questioned publicly in meetings, nor is it questioned privately between "good" Way followers, nor does the "good" Way follower even allow himself the luxury of entertaining such a question in his own mind.

He is bound by FEAR to stay within the Nine Dots of Nonsense that TWI has dictated for him, not allowing himself to consider he has options outside the "household of The Way" other than spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial devastation.

Followers of The Way International are bound by FEAR within The Nine Dots Of Nonsense taught by The Way International. But they will never admit it to themselves.

Why? They cannot.

Fear is the believer's only enemy. Fear defeats the promises of God. Fear is believing in reverse. Fear is a spiritual prison. Fear is a devil spirit. Good Way Followers are not allowed to have FEAR.

A good Way Follower simply refuses to look outside those nine dots. He is totally unable to see things other than how The Way International sees them for him.

However, the follower sees all the "freedom" he has to question-- WITHIN THE NINE DOTS

He has all the freedom to think and use his brain-- WITHIN THE NINE DOTS

He has all the abundance and safety God promises-- ONLY WITHIN THE NINE DOTS

Except, WHAT IF he lacks abundance? WHAT IF he lacks health? WHAT IF he finds he is not really safe? WHAT ABOUT the apparent contradictions he sees in the doctrine and practice of the ministry?

He is only allowed to seek answers for those questions WITHIN THE NINE DOTS OF NONSENSE.

While believing he is bringing God's brightest light to the world by witnessing for his ministry, the Good Way Follower is locked into a mindset that holds him captive from being able to see that he is in complete darkness.

If the light you have is darkness, said Jesus, then HOW GREAT IS THAT DARKNESS!

Edited June 8, 2005 by Catcup

[ToadFriend]

I agree, Catcup ... and if you notice, a lot of that nonsense originated in the Way's wrong dividing of Romans 13 about the higher powers. They ignored all the references in that section to civil government and used the example of not being able to follow Hitler as the reason that it could not mean civil governments. But if a person honestly looks at that section of scripture with Way Brain set aside, it is easy to see that it does indeed refer to civil governments, including police departments and others that "bear not the sword [in that time period] in vain."

So much of the JUNK that Way leaders operated, and still operate under, comes from the wrong dividing of Romans 13 and applying to spiritual leaders ...

If you're still in the Way, you owe it to yourself and to God to get out and have a life outside the Nine Dots of Nonsense.

TF

[dmiller]

quote:

Questions from the very beginning in TWI are not allowed. Well, lets say, certain questions. You will know what is allowed and not allowed by the response you get in asking. If questions are likely to contradict established teaching, or delve into matters TWI doesn't want to discuss, they are deferred to leadership or answered with another question to deflect attention away from glaring errors or contradictions. Persistence along this vein will get you the bum's rush or worse.

Ha! I had many questions in the beginning -- and I was told to take the class, and all questions would be answered there. Later on -- when I had further questions -- I was told to take *XYZ* seminar, and those seminars would answer my questions.

Seems like no one on the field knew any answers. Every question I had was relegated back to hdqtrs, so as to get the official *party doctrine*, and no "screw ups" by those poor souls out there in the real world -- dealing with the likes of us. :D-->

David

[mzimagine]

Catcup,

You are a greater writer and thinker.

Thank you.

MZ