There are many researchers who have utilized this method in recent years, but the one whose work most concerns me is Ron Enroth, a sociologist from Westmont College who is widely known and respected in evangelical circles. I have been acquainted with Ron as a colleague in cult research for several years, and he has been the featured speaker at a seminary lectureship that I chair. But I can no longer endorse his work or recommend him as a speaker or authority in the area of cult studies.

My serious concerns about about Ron's work arose in 1991, when I was asked by his editor at Zondervan to write an endorsement for his book, Churches That Abuse. After I read over the manuscript I wrote back to the editor (and sent a copy of the letter to Ron) stating that I could not endorse the book. Of the churches featured in the book, I had personal knowledge of only one of them, and in that instance I felt that Ron had made some very unfair allegations. The one-sided testimonies on which he based his conclusions were old (primarily 1980=1984), and he seemed entirely oblivious to the cultural factors that gave the group its distinctive non-western flavor. It is true that this church is strict and legalistic in some areas, and it expects its members to be disciplined in their Christian lives. For some present-day Evangelicals, such an atmosphere is intolerable. Churches are supposed to be places where everyone is made to feel good about themselves and discipline is a dirty word.

I was not the only one who had serious reservations about Ron's work. After the book was published, a review appeared in Christianity Today, and the letters to the editor regarding that review (10/26/92) expressed concern. One writer commented:

In my experience the opposite problem (little or no true church discipline) is at least as common. I was left wondering how the author would have us understand what constitutes "proper exercise of discipline." In our desire to prevent abuse, let us beware of falling into the opposite error.

I wonder how Enroth would handle the "authoritarian" John Wesley who expelled sixty-four people from a Methodist society, some for "minor" infractions like quarreling, idleness, and "lightness and carelessness"? Or what would he say about a charismatic religious leader who insisted his personnel go on an extended mission without money, adequate clothing, or even food (Matthew 10:9-10)? Sounds like someone inflicting spiritual, emotional, and physical abuse on unwary followers to me!

What is so ironic about this latest attack is that Cornerstone magazine [an outreach of JPUSA] is widely recognized for its solid investigative reporting--and for its persistent efforts to interview people on both sides of the story. Never has it offered up articles based solely on victim stories, claiming they were valid research. Yet, the organization is being attacked by the very methods it strictly avoids.

The real tragedy of Ron's "research" is that it gives the impression that there is only one model for the contemporary Christian church--that being the fashionable, affluent, suburban church with all its middle-class values. JPUSA is anything but that, and it may be tempting for those of us living in comfort on the outside to cast stones in order to make our own lifestyle appear a bit less offensive in comparison. I am not suggesting that Ron has intentionally done this, but he is certainly opening the way for others to feel more spiritually secure in their materialistic comforts.

Allow me to focus on JPUSA itself. As a friend of JPUSA, have known members as colleagues in countercult ministry and investigative journalism, and I have personal friends in the community and have stayed with them and shared in their ministry.

JPUSA is a unique "experiment" that I profoundly admire. Indeed, more than once I have contemplated joining the movement myself. I know it wouldn't be easy. Though I try to live very modestly in my integrated city neighborhood, I am firmly planted in middle-class values, and it would be a major sacrifice to become a part of this communal organization. Yet I recognize the value of such a lifestyle.

That is not to say that JPUSA is some sort of Utopia. I know these folks as real people, and as such, I have never had any illusions about their being a community of super-saints. JPUSA is a family, and like any family it has its problems and imperfections. And like all families there are times of hurt and pain and anger. That's true of traditional churches too, but as much as we like to think of our churches as families, they simply are not. JPUSA truly is a family, and it faces all the difficulties families face — many times magnified, due to its size and its very meager finances.

I hope and pray that the criticism and attacks won't cause JPUSA to turn away from its calling and heritage. Of course there is always room for improvement and for change, but I trust that the fear of opposition will not shift this community in the direction of becoming more mainstream and turning into something that looks like just another church in our materialistic Western culture.  

Ruth Tucker, Ph.D., professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, is an authority on cults and has written a book dealing with the topic, Another Gospel (Zondervan, 1989). Dr. Tucker has also written numerous books on church history and women's issues.

First published in Cornerstone (ISSN 0275-2743), Vol. 22, Issue 102/103 (1994), p. 41. © 1994 by Cornerstone Communications, Inc.

Electronic version may contain minor changes and corrections from printed version.