Mission

If I had even a modest amount of physical attractiveness, charisma or technological proficiency in social media I would have created a YouTube channel. Fortunately for the reader, I have chosen a website as my medium. This website is devoted to examining the beliefs, history, practices, and claims of the religious movement commonly known as “The 2×2’s”. It is a digital resurrection of my old web site Pillar of Truth Online that I created in 1997 when my nom de guerre was Clay Randall. I would like to think that, despite my many shortcomings, the passing years were able to deposit at least a small amount of maturity and wisdom on my soul, such that my tone of writing is not so bellicose anymore.

I disagree substantially with most of the doctrines and historical claims associated with the 2×2’s. Nevertheless, I believe serious disagreement should be accompanied by fairness and accuracy. The essays presented here are therefore written with the conviction that beliefs should be examined on the basis of evidence, theology, history and reasoned argument rather than caricature.

Where criticism is offered it is intended to address ideas and institutional practices - not to demean individual members who no doubt are sincere, morally serious and deeply committed to their faith. I include my own beloved parents and their dear friends in this description. I also recognize that any religious community is more complex and internally diverse than its critics or even defenders often admit. The 2×2’s lack of a formal confession of faith makes generalizing their beliefs somewhat problematic; however, I did spend 18 years growing up in meetings and conventions and have spent enough years on the old 1990-early 2000’s internet message boards to feel like I have a reasonable grasp of their beliefs. I do welcome any and all corrections.

You need to be aware that I write from the perspective of a practicing Catholic, and I make no secret of the fact that I believe the Catholic faith contains the fullness of Christian truth. Naturally, those convictions shape many of my theological conclusions. At the same time, I intend to make every reasonable effort to prevent any personal bias from distorting the material presented here. My goal is not to force Catholic assumptions onto the evidence, but to examine the history, doctrines and claims of this movement as fairly and conscientiously as I can.

With that said, I will often include a separate dialogue box that specifically offers my Catholic perspective as it relates to the subject matter at hand for those who are curious.

Peace be with you!