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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: legalism

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 9: “Because I’m the Pastor, That’s Why!”

9 August 2012, 06:00

MatthewS

4

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 9: “Because I’m the Pastor, That’s Why!” We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. The previous chapter concluded part 1 of the book, which focused on the victims. Part 2 (chapters 9-16) looks at […]

As the Pendulum Swings

6 August 2012, 06:00

Carolynn

19

When I look back at my parents’ decision to join the Advanced Training Institute (ATI), I think I can understand many of the reasons behind their choice. They first encountered Bill Gothard and the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) when their friends attended the Basic Seminar in the 1970s. A few years later, my […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 8: Revictimizing Victims, cont’d

2 August 2012, 07:22

MatthewS

4

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 8: Revictimizing Victims We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. It is a devastating re-abuse of victims when a code of silence over the wounds they have experienced is enforced by a misuse of […]

Behind Every Good Man…

30 July 2012, 06:00

Moderator

52

The concept of authority is central to Bill Gothard’s teachings. So much so, that I remember performing a coronation ceremony crowning my dad “king” of our family as a Wisdom Booklet project. I was 16 at the time, and struggling with authority being defined as dad’s complete control over every aspect of my life. My […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 8: Revictimizing Victims

26 July 2012, 09:27

MatthewS

4

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 8: Revictimizing Victims We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. Chapter 8 concludes part 1 of the book which has focused on abusive systems and the victims. We have found that abusive systems can […]

Here’s The Courtship; Where’s The Love?

25 July 2012, 06:00

Moderator

52

When I was twelve, my parents came home and said, “Just so you know, you’re never going to be allowed to date.” This was fine by me; I was more into books than socializing. In fact, although I had a speech prepared on why I didn’t date, I never did get to use it. Still […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 7: Abuse and Scripture

19 July 2012, 09:30

MatthewS

9

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 7: Abuse and Scripture We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. The focus of chapter 7 is on how Scripture can be misused to contribute to spiritual abuse. It is a little lengthier and […]

What Have You Done with My Daughter?

14 July 2012, 06:00

Moderator

36

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 […]

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 […]

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

15 June 2012, 06:00

DavidM

24

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 […]