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 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
Lynne Whelden
Interesting observation about Ed. I felt the same after reading the book, that he was a marginal character at best and a detractor at worst. I realize there’s always two sides to any marriage story. Maybe that’s a whole other book in itself!
Charlene L. Edge
Hi Lynne,
I appreciate your sharing your reaction.
Just FYI, since the book is focused primarily on my research story, the marriage took back seat. I chose to share only the parts of it that “moved the story forward.” And privacy considerations played a large role, too.
Lynne Whelden
Has your ex- come to his senses now? To the point where he wants to tell his own story?
My own experience with The Way was brief. I was a freshman at Cornell, fall of 1971. I’d become an on-fire Christian a few months earlier.
I ran into a nice looking guy who was holding bible studies at a frat house on campus so I started attending. He was talking about the importance of being baptized in the Spirit and speaking in tongues. I was intrigued. The only catch was…the seminar would cost money.
That’s where my mom came into the picture. Since I didn’t have $45 in spare cash, I had to ask her. It was one of the worst arguments we ever had….but (thank you Jesus) she won. I didn’t go.
About the same time a couple guys from Campus Crusade invited me to supper. They got me straighten out on the cult aspects of The Way.
And here I am, more than 50 years later, still loving Jesus. I’m a retired videographer. Here’s one of my more evangelical videos:
Who owns your brain?
https://youtu.be/280ac2Sxtdw
Charlene
Thank you, Lynne, for sharing this part of your story here.
To answer your question about my ex-husband, he left The Way with me in 1987, as you see in Undertow, and he did not go back, either.
Nylda Dieppa
Wow! What a thorough review of your book. It reveals the profound impact of “Undertow” on this reader. Thanks for sharing. I must find a way to share this with my readers on blog, newsletter, and/or social media. The world needs to know your story.
Charlene L. Edge
Thanks, Nylda. You can simply use this link to take readers to this post:
https://charleneedge.com/from-the-snow-story-to-the-comment/
Kathleen Brandt
Great review and I agree: Undertow affected me that way too. Just pulls you right into the story. LIke going back in time and visiting a place I used to live…
Charlene L. Edge
Thank you, Kathleen, for this compliment. That was my hope with the story.
Linda
Charlene, What a great review of your book! After reading your book and having conversation with you, I’ve been unraveling choices I made as a young, lost and vulnerable person, who gave away my personal power to people with so little regard for me and my life.
Thank you for your commitment to write this book, which can give others back their lives that they might have given away.
Charlene Edge
Unraveling is such a great descriptor for how we examine our life’s choices. Thank you for sharing, Linda.
Charlene Edge
Unraveling is such a great descriptor for how we examine our life’s choices. Thank you for sharing, Linda.