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

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Tag Archives: forgiveness

When Apologies Make it Worse

8 July 2014, 12:01

Moderator

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Since Bill Gothard had to resign from leading his Institute in Basic Life Principles amid allegations of inappropriate behavior toward female staffers, he has made few public statements. But in private, he has been far from silent. An article published yesterday by Mother Jones stated: These days, Gothard says, he is busy “contacting people I’ve offended […]

Narcissistic Apologies

7 May 2014, 06:00

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I recently read yet another statement by a well-known Christian leader confessing sin and asking for forgiveness. It was one of those apologies that leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. I would say that it was a narcissistic apology. The difference between the narcissistic apology and a real apology is the center. […]

Readings on Acknowledging and Healing from Sexual Abuse

29 April 2014, 06:00

Moderator

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Below are some links to readings that members of our community have found helpful on their paths to healing from physical and sexual abuse, especially abuse suffered at the hands of family members, authority figures, and other trusted individuals. In A Theology of Sexual Abuse: A Reflection on Creation and Devastation, Dr. Andrew Schmutzer describes […]

Letter from a Survivor of Spiritual Abuse

25 November 2013, 06:00

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To all those who are a part of my life in some way: Please don’t tell me that my parents loved me and “only wanted what was best” for me. When I hear you say that, I hear you telling me that all the spiritual abuse, oppression, and deep pain I have felt and experienced […]

What Forgiveness Isn’t

29 April 2013, 06:00

Moderator

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6 myths that may be keeping you from letting go by Denise George I listened quietly as my friend Jamie told me the frank details of the sexual abuse she’d suffered as a child. “I hate my father!” she blurted out. “He abused me for more than a decade!” Jamie cried. “But my pastor said […]

What Have You Done with My Daughter?

14 July 2012, 06:00

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My first experience with anything Bill Gothard was the Eternal Vision program. My then 18-year-old daughter, who had for years rejected God, had been amazingly touched by God in a Denny’s parking lot. This girl was beaming with joy, sleepless from excitement, and so new and fresh. I urged her to visit some people we […]

It’s All My Fault

9 April 2012, 06:00

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I’m adopted. I’ve always wondered why. My dad told me one day that my mom didn’t want to adopt me, but that he had talked her into it. I trusted my dad completely. I thought he was the best dad in the world. He taught me the Bible and how to memorize Scripture. He taught […]

The Art of Manipulation

5 March 2012, 06:00

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“Joseph, I wouldn’t be surprised if God caused the plane to crash in order to punish you for not honoring your mother.”  That’s what my mother said to me in the summer of 2002. I was 25 years old and it was the night before 4 of my friends and myself were to board a […]

On Forgiveness

20 February 2012, 06:00

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If the topic of forgiveness just triggers panic or fear in you, I understand. It’s not the right time for you to work on this. There are other things to work on first. If you experience forgiveness as a kind of ‘have to’ or if you experience it as a kind of bondage – or […]

Forced Fasting

8 February 2012, 06:30

Beverly

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In daily life at the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) Training Centers and Headquarters, it was always understood that the kitchens were to be closed on Sundays. The explanation I was given when I first arrived at the Indianapolis Training Center (ITC) in 1995 for my year of service with EQUIP was that the […]