Bill Gothard resigns from the Institute in Basic Life Principles

I am simply asking what proof you would accept if 34 women accusing him of the same thing is not proof. Not a hard question.

I ran into the brick wall when I was engaged to a Japanese girl. According to Mr. Gothard, we needed to get her father’s permission. What Mr. G’s thinking didn’t account for was her father wouldn’t accept a non-Japanese suitor. The relationship didn’t mature for other reasons. But, I came to think he had blinders a mile long.

Gothard rose to prominence because:

• His program was a response to the anti-authoritarianism of the 60’s. The 60’s culture promoted “asking questions” … “questioning authority” … et cetera.
• if “the 60’s” was the disease … Gothard was the cure! Plug teens and young adults through the Institute of Basic Youth Conflicts and they are either immunized (if they haven’t caught it) or cured.
• Additionally some positive elements of Gothardism was the emphasis upon the role of the Father (in the home) and the strengthening of marriages
• Pastors “ate it up” because Gothard taught things they wanted someone else to teach - like the Scriptural basis for tithing

The flaws of Gothardism:

• It was / is parachurch and extra-church (and you see this in that now that there are issues with Gothard, he is outside of the church discipline process)
• He himself became more prominent and more authoritative than the local church
• It has a flawed hermeneutic with a misunderstanding of the law
• Here’s a link to a 10 year old article on CT: Exegeting Bill Gothard
• ​More:
  • Issues of Concern — Bill Gothard and the Bible: A Report
  • There You Go Again: Bill Gothard and ‘The Facts’

Excellent summation Jim.

A Sharper Iron reader recommended this book which deals with Gothardism:

Robots or Rebels: The Dangers of Growing Up a Legalist, and Biblical Motivations for True Holiness

I understand the book may be procured directly from the author: email pastor@colomabible.org or by phone at 269-468-3411

More on the book here

Jim,

Thanks for posting this link. The book is actually about legalism in general. Neither Gothard, nor any other legalistic ministry is mentioned in the book. I want people to see their own brand of legalism, and then understand that there is a better way. True holiness will only be a reality when holiness is based in biblical motivations, and so this is stressed in the last several chapters. Thanks again.

Robert