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He Was Supposed to Protect Us

2 July 2012, 06:00

Moderator

The relationship between my step-dad and myself has always been a little different than a normal father-daughter relationship. For most of my life, I thought of him only as my dad, never putting “step” in front of it, because he was the only man to ever fill that spot in my life. I started using […]

Grace…Fully Loaded

29 June 2012, 06:00

Moderator

Years ago I learned a little acronym that was supposed to help me understand the meaning of grace: “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” I suppose there is truth in the phrase, but it doesn’t really clarify this thing called grace. Later I learned another definition of grace: “The desire and ability to do God’s will.” […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 4: The Pre-Abuse Set-up

28 June 2012, 20:26

MatthewS

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 4: The Pre-Abuse Set-up We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. These two statements are both true: 1) The perpetrator is always responsible for the abuse, and 2) Some people seem pre-disposed to wind […]

I Just Want to Be Normal!

25 June 2012, 09:00

JoyS

“What does this song remind you of?” my husband asked, as the song Take My Breath Away played on the radio station. I thought for a second before responding, “I don’t know. — Nothing, I guess. What does it remind you of?” He laughed. “Top Gun!” “Oh.” I said, feeling that familiar embarrassment overtaking me. […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 3: Abused Christians

21 June 2012, 06:00

MatthewS

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 3: Abused Christians 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 how people who have experienced spiritual abuse have a lot in common with those who have had other abusive experiences. […]

Somebody SHOULD Have Despised My Youth!

18 June 2012, 06:00

WendyA

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12) I remember frequently hearing this verse during my years with Bill Gothard’s Advanced Training Institute (ATI). It was often quoted to the young people at various […]

Sowing to the Flesh–More thoughts on Mr. Gothard’s Sexual Rules

15 June 2012, 06:00

DavidM

This article is a continuation of “Mr. Gothard’s Sexual Rules,” a three-part series we ran last December. Mr. Gothard’s teachings on sex within marriage are not among the Institute in Basic Life Principles’ (IBLP) central doctrines. However, this section of the Advanced Seminar is an excellent example of how Mr. Gothard both views the Law and […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 2: Spiritual Abuse Is Not New

14 June 2012, 06:00

MatthewS

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 2: Spiritual Abuse Is Not New We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. Are the spiritual relationships you have bringing the rest Jesus promised or do you find just more toil and weariness? […]

Establishing a Career the Hard Way

11 June 2012, 06:00

Moderator

A number of former ATI (Advanced Training Institute) students have shared their post-ATI experiences in light of ATI’s position against pursuing higher education. This is “Julia’s” story: I want to start off by saying I greatly value most things about my upbringing. But how I plan for the future now is based largely on my […]

Spiritual Alchemy

8 June 2012, 06:00

MatthewS

A thousand years ago in Europe, alchemists served as philosophers, scientists, and magicians all wrapped up into one. They mixed, stirred, bubbled and distilled chemicals in the search for the fabled philosopher’s stone–the substance that would have the power to turn metals like lead into silver or gold. Their mission was doomed from the beginning, although […]