Legalism | Recovering Grace

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A closer look at the teachings of Bill Gothard by the Elders of Calvary Bible Church in Fort Worth, TX

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

The truth about what happens behind the scenes in IBLP.

Our response to Bill Gothard's November 2011 letter addressed to "all past and present ATI students."

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From Clear Conscience to Clear Thinking: Journey from Guilt to Grace!

16 May 2013, 06:00

Administrator

While many entered the world of ATI (the Advanced Training Institute) as teenagers or young adults, I was one of those who began my journey quite young. Even though I didn’t understand my parents’ new found zeal for “Wisdom Booklets” on my first day of school, I gradually came to accept them as a regular part of [...]

When We Criticize The Church

13 May 2013, 06:00

Micah J. Murray

We were sold a package deal. Truth and lies, hope and despair, real and fake — all tied up in a neat package with a bow and sold to us with the label of “Christianity.” The men in the suits with all the words told us that what they taught was true. They said it [...]

We Were The Normal Ones

6 May 2013, 06:00

Administrator

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 [...]

When the Courtship Crashes

2 May 2013, 06:00

Lindsey B

“Lindsey? Do you miss them?” The swing creaked as I pushed a blonde boy who attended our church.We came from different families, backgrounds, and were far apart in age, but today I’d been drawn to play with him by one thing in common. Our friends were gone. “Yeah.” “Did you tell them not to come [...]

Commitments, Vows, and Promises of Greatness: The Art of the Spiritual Con

25 March 2013, 06:00

Eliza

…The above memory (albeit a bit foggy with the years) is a typical example of how Mr. Gothard spoke to apprenticeship students at various IBLP and ATI (Institute in Basic Life Principles and Advanced Training Institute) functions I attended. One of the effects of this type of spiritual manipulation was that I began to have unrealistic [...]

Safety or Superstition?

17 March 2013, 14:50

WendyA

The deeper I move into traditional realms of theological thought, the more I am convinced that one of the biggest dangers in the teachings of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) is that it teaches a subtle form of superstitious determinism. Rather than being free to live our lives without fear, we are taught [...]

Stolen Treasures

11 March 2013, 05:00

Administrator

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 [...]

Les Miserables: The Struggle between Grace and Legalism – Part 2

21 February 2013, 06:00

Kathleen Reynolds

Continued from Part One… {Spoiler Alert! This article gives a detailed analysis of the movie Les Miserables} Because Javert was so bent on seeing justice served, he was disturbed by Valjean’s successful escape. In the musical, he then sings “Stars” — an absolutely gorgeous piece, majestic and determined. I still remember the very first time [...]

Les Miserables: The Struggle between Legalism and Grace – Part 1

18 February 2013, 06:00

Kathleen Reynolds

{Spoiler Alert! This article gives a detailed analysis of the movie Les Miserables} I have long loved the story of Jean Valjean’s redemption. I grew up watching a little-known movie version of the story, and read the book when I was 12 or 13. The fact that Valjean served 19 years hard labor for stealing [...]

Me, the Pharisee

11 February 2013, 06:00

JoannaV

One of the things I respect my parents for is their constant search for truth. If I could convince my dad that he was wrong, he would apologize and correct our family’s future accordingly. This was a blessing and a curse. It meant that others could do the same. My dad had attended a Basic [...]