Our Beliefs

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Our Beliefs

13 January 2012, 20:34

Recovering Grace is a Christian organization dedicated to helping those affected by the teachings of Bill Gothard, the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), and the Advanced Training Institute (ATI). As the foundational statement of our faith, we adhere to both the Apostles and Nicene creeds.

We are evangelical in doctrine and practice, and thus we hold to the following:

We believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We believe that there is one eternal God existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He took upon Himself human nature, and through His death on the cross made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body, he ascended into heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to complete His redemptive mission.
We believe that the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for Salvation.
We believe that Christians are able to live God-honoring lives only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that both the saved and the lost will one day be raised from the dead; the saved to life eternal and the lost to eternal punishment.
We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Although these are the officially held doctrines of our ministry, the reality is that former ATI students fall along a wide spectrum of theological, spiritual, and behavioral worldviews. Recovering Grace publishes articles written by former ATI students across this spectrum. While we may not endorse every author’s personal beliefs or lifestyle, we believe that each one has a valid story to share of their experience within Gothard’s programs and the results of his teachings.

All articles on this site reflect the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of other Recovering Grace contributors or the leadership of the site. Students who have survived Gothardism tend to end up at a wide variety of places on the spiritual and theological spectrum, thus the diversity of opinions expressed on this website reflects that. For our official statement of beliefs, click here.

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3 Comments

Jeff Nettles April 15, 2012 Reply

Hey guys and gals, I appreciate your website. I never was too influenced by Gothard and his legalism, despite the strong efforts of some parents in our church I served as the youth pastor back in the day. Working on a sermon this morning on 1 Corinthians 8 and went to Gothard's music teachings to illustrate making a (biblical) mountain out of a(n unbiblical) molehill.
I appreciated the article outlining his very twisted approach to music. Because some Africans worshipped demons to a beat in their village, all music emphasizing the 2 and 4 beat is from the devil to corrupt our morals and faith.
Unbelievable. Glad God kept me from getting entangled into such junk.
I'm also glad He has set you guys free from that legalism.

Grace through Christ, our Lord who's Word is SUFFICIENT for all gospel ministry,
Jeff Nettles
Pingback : ‘Recovering Grace’ Reaches Out to Those Harmed by Bill Gothard’s Teachings | The Wartburg Watch 2013
Alicia Keller April 29, 2013 Reply

I just found your website. Thank you for reaching out to the children raised in the ATI cult! I clearly remember the day I realized that Gothard sincerely believed he should not be questioned, but blindly followed. It is always better to obey God than man. I encourage anyone (no matter how they grew up) to read the Bible for yourself and don't try to add things that aren't there or 'interpret' what is plainly obvious. Please keep up the faith!