The Way of the Master

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The Way of the Master
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The Way of the Master logo.
The Way of the Master logo.

The Way of the Master (WOTM) is a US-based Christian evangelism ministry, founded in 2002 and headed by American actor Kirk Cameron and New Zealand-born evangelist Ray Comfort. The organization includes a TV show, radio broadcast, numerous books, online school, small-group training courses, and a website. The ministry's logo incorporates the letters, WDJD, standing for "What Did Jesus Do?" and a reference to Mark 16:15, which quotes Jesus commanding his disciples, who he had upbraided for their unbelief, to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature.[1] The ministry is headquartered in Bellflower, California.

Contents

[edit] True and False Conversion

The ministry distinguishes between 'true' and 'false' conversions, believing that converts who fall away were never born again to begin with. This is an extension of the eternal security and Lordship salvation theologies to which Cameron and Comfort subscribe.

They cite the Parable of the Sower to support this belief. According to Comfort in his audio message "True and False Conversion," five signs of a false conversion are:[2]

  • An immediate result, with impressive changes occurring quickly, but followed by a quick fading away.
  • Lack the "life-giving and life-sustaining power of God's Word," regarding the Bible as "dry and uninteresting."
  • False converts have no "roots," foundations into faith and Christian learning, so they "dry up" like a plant with no roots.
  • Come into salvation with joy and gladness at first, but later lose that joy and backslide.
  • Actually believe for a season, but then end up renouncing that belief.

[edit] Programs

[edit] Television

The television show, first aired in December 2003, is a half-hour show hosted by Cameron and Comfort, teaching principles of biblical evangelism, and then showing examples through "man-on-the-street" interviews. Two 13-episode seasons have been televised[3] and are broadcast via satellite[4] to more than 100 countries[5], and are also available on DVD.[6]

Caricature of Ray and Kirk, with the "Freakishly Tall" Todd Friel in back, drawn by Dan Nuckols
Caricature of Ray and Kirk, with the "Freakishly Tall" Todd Friel in back, drawn by Dan Nuckols[7]

[edit] Season 1 episodes

  1. The Firefighter
  2. The Mirror of the Ten Commandments
  3. The Motive of the Sinner
  4. The Summary of Salvation
  5. Practice What You Preach
  6. Idolatry -- The Darling Sin of Humanity
  7. The Beauty of a Broken Spirit -- Atheism
  8. WDJD?
  9. Blasphemy, Sabbath, Parents
  10. Murder
  11. Adultery
  12. Theft
  13. Lie and Covet

[edit] Season 2 episodes

  1. God's Wonderful Plan
  2. Conscience
  3. Alcatraz, Al Capone, Alcohol
  4. True and False Conversion
  5. When Things Go Wrong
  6. The Satanic Influence
  7. How to Witness to Someone Who's Gay
  8. Evolution
  9. How to Witness to a Loved One
  10. The Fear of God
  11. Ice Breakers -- Gospel Tracts
  12. The Greatest Gamble
  13. How to Get on Fire for God

[edit] Radio

Hosted by Christian radio host and former comedian Todd Friel, with regular appearances by Comfort and Cameron, Way of the Master Radio features faith-related commentary and humor from Friel, as well as frequent evangelism demonstrations.[8]

[edit] Living Waters Publications

Living Waters Publications (LWP) acts as an online store for WOTM, and contains approximately 80 gospel tracts, designed as varying forms of gags to draw attention, such as their "Million Dollar Bill," "Giant $100 Bill," and "Ten Commandments Coins."

[edit] Million Dollar Bill Seizure

On June 2, 2006, the United States Secret Service seized 8,300 copies of the "million dollar bill" tract printed by Living Waters Publications from the Great News Network (GNN) headquarters because a woman in North Carolina attempted to deposit the tracts as legal tender (despite the fake bills clearly stating "This is not legal tender" and the fact that there is no real US million dollar bill)[9][10] A representative of GNN stated that he will continue passing out the bills, stating that "until I hear different, I don't believe what the Secret Service did yesterday was lawful."[11] However, a court found the Secret Service's actions to be legal, in response to GNN's legal challenge.[9]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ CBN.com, Kirk Cameron: The Gospel Truth
  2. ^ True and False Conversion. Perf. Ray Comfort. DVD. Word Pictures, Living Waters Publications, 2001.
  3. ^ TV.com episode list
  4. ^ The Way of the Master
  5. ^ The Way of the Master
  6. ^ Living Waters store
  7. ^ Dan's Pulpit
  8. ^ The Way of the Master Radio FAQ
  9. ^ a b Judge: Secret Service can seize tracts, Tim Wyatt, Dallas Morning News
  10. ^ Events that left their mark in 2006, Denton Record-Chronicle
  11. ^ WB33 News interviews Darrel Rundus about the Secret Service seizing Million Dollar Bill gospel tracts, The Great News Network

[edit] External links

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