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Preserving the Truth: The Church without a Name and Its Founder, William Irvine
At the turn of the twentieth century, William Irvine, a Scotsman, embarked on an experiment to restore the first century primitive New Testament ministry and church, using Matthew 10 as his model. The revolutionary movement caught on rapidly in the British Isles. Irvine's charismatic preaching inspired hundreds of young men and women to become itinerant, celibate, homeless missionaries traveling in pairs (2 by 2), sustained only by faith, freely spreading the nameless sect worldwide. Followers worshipped only in private homes.
Two fundamental beliefs of the Church without a
The church in the home and the preacher without a home.
(John "Jack" T. Carroll)
In 1914, Irvine's senior staff rebelled and expelled him. They did the same in 1928 to his right-hand man, Edward Cooney. After expunging their names, roles and actions from the sect's history, they claimed Jesus was their only founder.
Although this church purposely takes no name and has a large global following, few have heard of it. Common nicknames are "Two by Twos" (2x2s) and "The Truth." Many members are unaware of its true history and banished founder.
Determined to trace the origin of this sect, Cherie Kropp-Ehrig traveled to the UK in 2004 and 2014 where she discovered its deeply buried roots in Ireland. She unearthed many historical documents, including newspaper articles, accounts, journals, court cases, photographs, letters, testimonials, family trees, etc.
This book provides meticulous details and insight into the history, divisions, key figures, pivotal events, teachings and traditions of this low-profile, unique church. Hidden schisms, scandals, exoduses, tragedies, betrayals, riots and ex-communications are revealed.
Two fundamental beliefs of the Church without a
The church in the home and the preacher without a home.
(John "Jack" T. Carroll)
In 1914, Irvine's senior staff rebelled and expelled him. They did the same in 1928 to his right-hand man, Edward Cooney. After expunging their names, roles and actions from the sect's history, they claimed Jesus was their only founder.
Although this church purposely takes no name and has a large global following, few have heard of it. Common nicknames are "Two by Twos" (2x2s) and "The Truth." Many members are unaware of its true history and banished founder.
Determined to trace the origin of this sect, Cherie Kropp-Ehrig traveled to the UK in 2004 and 2014 where she discovered its deeply buried roots in Ireland. She unearthed many historical documents, including newspaper articles, accounts, journals, court cases, photographs, letters, testimonials, family trees, etc.
This book provides meticulous details and insight into the history, divisions, key figures, pivotal events, teachings and traditions of this low-profile, unique church. Hidden schisms, scandals, exoduses, tragedies, betrayals, riots and ex-communications are revealed.
- GenresNonfiction
608 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2022
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76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 19, 2022
An impeccably detailed, researched book.
This book describes the beginning of a religious movement, referred to outsiders as the 2x2’s, but to those in it, it has no name. It is called “The Truth” in passing, or “The Way” (Jesus’ way), but claims no name, because it is simply the only church actually following Jesus’ teachings.
They claim it started with Matthew 10: Jesus sending the disciples out two by two, just as they send pairs of “workers” out worldwide, without money or homes.
But it’s not true.
This book lays out in incredible detail the actual origins of the church** (started in 1897 by a man named William Irving) and the surrounding details of the history of it. It’s fascinating to see it all on paper, because the group bans written material (sermons, history, etc.).
I loved the pictures included, too, along with the notes on current practices within the church.
My family and I left this group when I was 15. I was raised in it, as were my parents, and their parents. Most of my extended family is still in it. We left after I was told I couldn’t be baptized because I wore makeup, skied, and owned a TV (forbidden within the group). It wasn’t until we left that we learned of the actual origins of the group, realized that it didn’t start with Jesus, came to terms with the fact that we were probably part of a cult, and recognized that other Christian’s and churches weren’t “evil”, like we’d been taught.
It takes time to shake off legalism as strong as the 2x2’s lay on you, and I’m still doing it now. I balk at wearing skirts, because for so long, that’s what I had to wear every Wednesday and Sunday (my parents were lenient and let me wear pants all other times). I still don’t like committing to things, because my whole adolescence, I had no choice but to sit through hours of meeting every Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon, and Wednesday night. I wear earrings 24/7 - because it’s a freedom that I never had then and something I fantasized about constantly as a child. I get a huge tree at Christmas to make up for all the Christmas’ without one. And I go to a big “worldly” church that I love, full of people who love on us way more than the 2x2’s ever did (our small group got us a car a couple years back and we’ve had so much support in times of need). The list goes on, and my life will go on, thankfully, with 2x2’s something of the past.
** I refer to them as a church, but they do meet all the cult requirements. I’m trying to be sensitive and non-triggering in this review.
This book describes the beginning of a religious movement, referred to outsiders as the 2x2’s, but to those in it, it has no name. It is called “The Truth” in passing, or “The Way” (Jesus’ way), but claims no name, because it is simply the only church actually following Jesus’ teachings.
They claim it started with Matthew 10: Jesus sending the disciples out two by two, just as they send pairs of “workers” out worldwide, without money or homes.
But it’s not true.
This book lays out in incredible detail the actual origins of the church** (started in 1897 by a man named William Irving) and the surrounding details of the history of it. It’s fascinating to see it all on paper, because the group bans written material (sermons, history, etc.).
I loved the pictures included, too, along with the notes on current practices within the church.
My family and I left this group when I was 15. I was raised in it, as were my parents, and their parents. Most of my extended family is still in it. We left after I was told I couldn’t be baptized because I wore makeup, skied, and owned a TV (forbidden within the group). It wasn’t until we left that we learned of the actual origins of the group, realized that it didn’t start with Jesus, came to terms with the fact that we were probably part of a cult, and recognized that other Christian’s and churches weren’t “evil”, like we’d been taught.
It takes time to shake off legalism as strong as the 2x2’s lay on you, and I’m still doing it now. I balk at wearing skirts, because for so long, that’s what I had to wear every Wednesday and Sunday (my parents were lenient and let me wear pants all other times). I still don’t like committing to things, because my whole adolescence, I had no choice but to sit through hours of meeting every Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon, and Wednesday night. I wear earrings 24/7 - because it’s a freedom that I never had then and something I fantasized about constantly as a child. I get a huge tree at Christmas to make up for all the Christmas’ without one. And I go to a big “worldly” church that I love, full of people who love on us way more than the 2x2’s ever did (our small group got us a car a couple years back and we’ve had so much support in times of need). The list goes on, and my life will go on, thankfully, with 2x2’s something of the past.
** I refer to them as a church, but they do meet all the cult requirements. I’m trying to be sensitive and non-triggering in this review.
July 22, 2023
Admittedly, this would not be a four star book for me if I weren't part of this group. It is at times dry and there is some redundancy. However, in many instances I found the author's research (a majority of which is based on first hand accounts) fascinating. She includes the earnest beginning of going out to preach the gospel on faith, the evolution to home meetings, the doctrine shifts to exclusivity, the hierarchy that developed, and a few of the excommunications and cultural mores that affect the church today.
June 1, 2023
Absolutely fantastic!! Thank you to Cherie for writing this very important book! This may not be important to anyone outside of the church I grew up in, but this book is pivotal to understanding where and how the beliefs of the 2x2 church were formed. This has helped my husband and I to process why it was we ever believed the way we did, especially because it certainly wasn’t biblical (but we already knew that before we left, the Workers specifically preached AGAINST the Trinity at the last convention we were at! We decided right then and there that we could no longer endure false doctrine) Since we started learning what the bible actually means about salvation and the body of Christ we are praying that people will wake up inside the sect and understand the heresies that are preached as “the truth” and “the way”. The only way is through Jesus Christ our Savior, not through a group of “ministers” or religion. So thankful to finally know the truth.
June 14, 2023
Amazingly thorough study of a church. I learned so much and am grateful to the author for this tremendous work.
I would recommend this book to all workers and friends in the church. History repeats itself and knowing some history may prevent mistakes going forward.
I would recommend this book to all workers and friends in the church. History repeats itself and knowing some history may prevent mistakes going forward.
October 20, 2022
The most comprehensive book about the 2x2s. Well written and informative.
December 31, 2024
“The truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged.”
“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.”
And in the words of Winston Churchill, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”
“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.”
And in the words of Winston Churchill, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”
October 30, 2024
I'm not sure how to fairly rate this book. I'd give it 5 stars in research and content. However, in structure, style, cohesion, etc., this history is very poorly written, meriting about 1 star. Splitting that difference would put my rating at 2.5 stars. So, I've rounded up to 3 stars.
The mix of history, conjecture and opinion is jarring, although Kropp-Ehrig usually does qualify her opinions. The biggest issue, IMO, is the very strange chronological structure which moves forward and back, then forward and back -- over and over again, resulting in frustrating redundancy. It makes for a very unpleasant, exhausting read at over 600 pages which, with some judicious editing, could have been presented much more succinctly at half the length.
I can't fault the precise attention paid to historically accurate detail. I'll certainly keep this book around for reference purposes. The appendices and glossary are very useful. But, as a straight-forward historical read? Oh dear.
The mix of history, conjecture and opinion is jarring, although Kropp-Ehrig usually does qualify her opinions. The biggest issue, IMO, is the very strange chronological structure which moves forward and back, then forward and back -- over and over again, resulting in frustrating redundancy. It makes for a very unpleasant, exhausting read at over 600 pages which, with some judicious editing, could have been presented much more succinctly at half the length.
I can't fault the precise attention paid to historically accurate detail. I'll certainly keep this book around for reference purposes. The appendices and glossary are very useful. But, as a straight-forward historical read? Oh dear.
May 11, 2024
I am so grateful this book exists.
Its thorough, well-researched documentation of the little-known history of the secretive, high-control sect I grew up in feels critically important to those of us who want to know more than the half-truths and vague answers we were given when we tried to ask reasonable questions.
I wish I could give 3.5 stars — I waffled between 3 and 4. Ultimately, I felt 3 was an accurate score from me as an agnostic / atheist person. It felt like this book took a lot of liberties by interrupting otherwise objective historical accounts with the author’s own Christian assessment of why something also wasn’t “truly Christian.” I wish Cherie had written two books - one with the history (I would rate 5 stars) and one with her critique of the church’s alignment with her views of Christianity (I would not read).
Its thorough, well-researched documentation of the little-known history of the secretive, high-control sect I grew up in feels critically important to those of us who want to know more than the half-truths and vague answers we were given when we tried to ask reasonable questions.
I wish I could give 3.5 stars — I waffled between 3 and 4. Ultimately, I felt 3 was an accurate score from me as an agnostic / atheist person. It felt like this book took a lot of liberties by interrupting otherwise objective historical accounts with the author’s own Christian assessment of why something also wasn’t “truly Christian.” I wish Cherie had written two books - one with the history (I would rate 5 stars) and one with her critique of the church’s alignment with her views of Christianity (I would not read).
December 19, 2023
A fascinating read for me, but I'm not sure anyone who isn't connected to the religion would find it quite so captivating. It was a very thorough and factual history of my religion. I wish she would write a 2023 update chapter to include the recent crisis revealed in March 2023.
July 14, 2025
If zero stars were an option, that would more accurately reflect my experience with this book. The author repeatedly relies on vague phrases such as "it would only leave the reader to believe," "it was whispered," or "it is the opinion of..." — over 130 times by a conservative count. This overuse of speculation undermines the credibility of the research and suggests a reliance on inference rather than verifiable evidence.
Notably, the author openly admits that her theory regarding William Irving was inspired by a prior publication in 1990. This acknowledgment raises concerns about the originality of her conclusions and the potential for uncredited borrowing.
Despite what appears to be a decades-long effort to discredit a particular faith tradition, the arguments presented fall short of being persuasive or conclusive. If the author's intentions were truly rooted in a desire to inform or help others, offering the book freely — as she once did with her letters — would seem more in line with that mission.
This woman has been attacking a certain faith for 40 or so years. Sad stuff. She HAS succeeded in dragging folks out for that long, and some have even become atheist.
Notably, the author openly admits that her theory regarding William Irving was inspired by a prior publication in 1990. This acknowledgment raises concerns about the originality of her conclusions and the potential for uncredited borrowing.
Despite what appears to be a decades-long effort to discredit a particular faith tradition, the arguments presented fall short of being persuasive or conclusive. If the author's intentions were truly rooted in a desire to inform or help others, offering the book freely — as she once did with her letters — would seem more in line with that mission.
This woman has been attacking a certain faith for 40 or so years. Sad stuff. She HAS succeeded in dragging folks out for that long, and some have even become atheist.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews