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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: standards

The Raising of a Christian Narcissist

17 September 2012, 06:00

Moderator

50

My family joined the Advanced Training Institute (ATI) in the early ’90s, shortly after attending a Basic Seminar, at the invitation of a family which has in recent history become a household name. I was in my early elementary years at the time. I didn’t really understand why we were making so many abrupt changes […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 13: The Weight of Religion

13 September 2012, 06:00

MatthewS

1

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 13: The Weight of Religion We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. What about the backlash of too much grace? What if we give people too much grace and not enough pressure to perform […]

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 12: Straining Gnats, Swallowing Camels

6 September 2012, 13:30

MatthewS

13

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, Chapter 12: Straining Gnats, Swallowing Camels We continue our Thursday series blogging through “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.” The first post in the series is here. Jesus used an evocative word picture when he told the Pharisees that they strained out gnats even as they swallowed camels. Gnats […]

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 […]

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 […]

I Just Want to Be Normal!

25 June 2012, 09:00

JoyS

54

“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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]