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Articles about how Bill Gothard mishandles the Bible to support his legalistic viewpoint.

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The Gospel of Pragmatism

9 May 2013, 06:00

Moderator

Pragmatism is basically the idea that positive results are sufficient criteria for determining value, even truth. In other words: if it works, use it. One of the most famous pragmatists was a man known as Nicollo Machiavelli. For Machiavelli, the goal of a strong and controlled kingdom was worth whatever it would take to get […]

We Were The Normal Ones

6 May 2013, 06:00

Moderator

I have heard many people talk about how they still want to be involved in ATI (the Advanced Training Institute), but be “normal” families and just “filter out the bad stuff.” I’ve seen some of those responses in the Recovering Grace comments. If that’s your premise, then this post is for you, because that’s my […]

How “Counseling Sexual Abuse” Blames and Shames Survivors

18 April 2013, 06:00

Moderator

120

Versions of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) document “Counseling Sexual Abuse” were distributed at Advanced Training Institute (ATI) Counseling Seminars for over a decade. The document speaks for itself, but Recovering Grace would like to point out how victim-blaming and/or callous dismissal of abuse survivors’ pain is built into almost every one of […]

How “Lessons From Moral Failures in a Family” Blames Victims

11 April 2013, 06:00

Moderator

An Institute publication entitled “Lessons From Moral Failures in a Family” [Click here for the full pdf document] was first mailed to Advanced Training Institute (ATI) families in the late 1990s, and it has been periodically distributed at conferences since. Recovering Grace does not know the identity of the family members who shared their story […]

Stolen Treasures

11 March 2013, 05:00

Moderator

143

A recent article on Recovering Grace, entitled “Moving On,” prompted me to think about the reason it is so difficult to move forward after being victimized by legalism. As I have worked with those hurt by legalism over the years, I have often heard stories about what happened five, ten, maybe thirty years ago. These […]

I Remember…

25 February 2013, 06:00

Carolynn

I was nine when my parents decided to join the Advanced Training Institute (ATI). I have many memories of their decision and its effect on my life. I remember being extremely happy before joining ATI. Happy with how we were homeschooling (using a mix of curricula), happy that my parents started a homeschool group in […]

It’s All In Your Head!

4 February 2013, 06:04

HelenE

Bill Gothard teaches many things that are erroneous. Even dedicated followers admit the need to pick and choose. This story outlines only a few of them in relation to what I experienced starting in 1992. Bill’s teaching on mental illness is that it is caused by irresponsibility or a character deficiency. I disagree. I was […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse: Concluding Thoughts

13 December 2012, 06:35

MatthewS

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Concluding Thoughts We conclude our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. We come to the end of this road together. This has been rewarding for me, and I hope it has been for others as well. All […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 19: Recovering Right Focus (Part 1)

15 November 2012, 05:00

MatthewS

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 19: Recovering Right Focus We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. This chapter is about our focus. Spiritual abuse tends to leave people self-focused. They become preoccupied with doing things right and keeping those […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 18: Renewing the Mind

7 November 2012, 06:00

MatthewS

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 18: Renewing the Mind We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. Even after we leave an abusive system, we are likely to continue to struggle with damaging habits of thought. “God’s stance toward us […]