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

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Stories and accounts of the destruction caused by the teachings of Bill Gothard.

Tag Archives: advanced-training-institute

Somebody SHOULD Have Despised My Youth!

18 June 2012, 06:00

WendyA

23

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 […]

Establishing a Career the Hard Way

11 June 2012, 06:00

Moderator

57

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 […]

Is This the Gospel?

5 June 2012, 06:00

SteveB

13

You know, I have seen so much in my 38 years. I have witnessed first-hand what false theology can do. Theology is the doctrine of God. It matters. How we view God determines how we treat one another and how we relate to the world around us. I am thankful for being taught about Jesus when I […]

The Leader Who Lost His Anointing

25 May 2012, 06:00

Jay Rowland

8

Over the past few weeks, since Bill Gothard’s Easter Letter featuring David and Saul, I’ve been surprised as I revisited the book of First Samuel. When was the last time you studied the misadventures of King Saul? Saul was God’s anointed leader. Especially interesting and sad was his story in relationship to God, though.  Here […]

Failure to Conform

23 May 2012, 06:00

Joshua B

48

As an ATI (Advanced Training Institute) student, I was a walking contradiction. So much of me wanted to be a perfect, sharply dressed, smiling young man in navy and white with a shining smile and a perfectly slicked comb over–just like the fine young men that sang on the main stage at the Knoxville conference […]

Grace in Gothard’s Economy: Sanctification with Compounding Interest

18 May 2012, 06:00

Jay Rowland

19

Grace. Historically, most theologians and Christian teachers view it simply as favor bestowed upon man by God. A supernatural intervention that, though we don’t understand its workings, changes the outcome of our lives. For example, most Christians would view grace something like this: My repentance + God’s grace = Salvation My sorrow + God’s grace […]

No Place for Shame!

16 May 2012, 06:00

Joshua B

21

Talking about my family’s involvement in ATI & IBLP is something that is so incredibly difficult for me, mostly because my family refuses to talk about and would like to pretend that it never happened. It wasn’t until I was 25 years old and found myself having panic attacks, intense feelings of shame, and anxiety, that I […]

To My Daughter

14 May 2012, 06:00

Moderator

40

Dear one, I am sorry for all the mistakes I made along the way. I looked to a program to validate what we believed we should do for our children by home educating them. I was more concerned about finishing the “race” (all the required booklets) and having good reports to send off to Headquarters, […]

Life Inside

7 May 2012, 06:00

Moderator

37

My family joined ATI when I was five in 1984. We were members of the pilot family program (the first 100 families). I don’t know what ATI is now, I only know it as it was for me: A very strict Christian home school program. I hear they have changed some things, but that doesn’t […]

Gracenotes: Sexual Abuse Wrap-Up

1 May 2012, 06:00

Moderator

28

Dear Recovering Grace Readers, This month has been a sobering one for Recovering Grace. While we are aware that many of these stories have been difficult to read, we absolutely believe that they needed to be told. Based on the overwhelming traffic to our site this month, we believe that they have had an inestimable impact in […]