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 This book truly surprised
me! I knew that Gothard’s exegesis was wooden, that he was trying to introduce
a Romanist view of divorce into the Bible-believing churches and that he
had sundry other strange views. But, bad as those things are, what I read
on the pages you hold in your hand goes far beyond them. Unless you
are one of the few who are on the “inside” of the movement, I suspect that
you too will be astounded and dismayed exactly as I was. This is a must
read for all thinking believers who wish to protect their churches.
—Dr. Jay Adams
Author of Competent to Counsel Professor of Practical Theology Westminster Theological Seminary Philadelphia, PA |
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| The Veinots and Henzel have taken
on an important task in responding to Bill Gothard. A Matter of Basic
Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life is a much-needed book
that should be read by virtually all evangelical pastors — and all supporters
of Bill Gothard. Their book is provocative, well-researched, easy to read
and understand. Through it all they are fair and demonstrate a genuine
concern for the state of the 21st century Church. I recommend A
Matter of Basic Principles to anyone who has attended a Gothard seminar,
is considering attending one, or just wants to know more about the ministry
of Bill Gothard.
—Dr. Robert B. Stewart
Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans, LA |
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The Institute in Basic Youth
Conflicts (now known as the IBLP) began in 1964 under the leadership of
Bill Gothard and enjoyed unprecedented expansion during the ’70s. As board
members we recognized that God was at work in this
ministry.
In May 1980 we were shocked to
learn of gross immorality that had prevailed for years among the staff
under Bill’s supervision as president. Bill failed to share this information
with the board nor did he seek their counsel. By the end of that year it
became apparent that Bill continued his authoritarian style of leadership,
dismissing those on the board as well as staff who disagreed with him.
Consequently I found it necessary to resign.
As early as 1973 questions were
raised about IBYC/IBLP by various individuals such as Dr. Ronald B. Allen,
Dr. Earl Radmacher, Wilfred Bockelman and others. In the pages of this
volume — which everyone who is involved with IBYC/IBLP should seriously
evaluate — the reader will find that repeated attempts have been made to
dialogue with Bill Gothard about his lack of submission to authority, his
lack of accountability, and his failure to apply biblical principles to
his own life. Bill’s teaching on legalism, law, and grace deserves careful
examination. The authors are to be commended for their concern in
publishing this helpful volume.
—Dr. Samuel J. Schultz.
Professor Emeritus of Old Testament Wheaton College Wheaton, IL |
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Early in the 1970’s, I attended
my first of four or five Basic Youth Conf licts seminars. Later, with men
from the church where I was, I attended the Advanced Seminar in Los Angeles
and later several of the Ministers’ One-Day Conferences. There were areas
of concern each time I attended, but they did not seem to be a major issue
and I did not want to cause division in the work of God.
It did concern me that Bill Gothard’s
entire approach was based on stories and experience more than the Word
of God. This was presented to him numerous times by others. In recent years,
however, I have cautioned others about the cultic tendencies that I have
observed.
This volume is a well-documented
and carefully studied evaluation of, and warning concerning, Bill Gothard
and the IBLP. Therefore, because of its findings, it needs to be
read by every person who has ever attended the seminars. My prayer is for
all those in Christian leadership to walk in truth.
—Dr. Elwood H. Chipchase, President
Calvary Bible College & Theological Seminary Belton, MO |
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This book is needed in many of
our Evangelical Christian churches because
—Dr. Jerry Buckner
Adjunct Professor at Golden GateTheological Seminary Host of Contending for the Faith on KFAX AM Pastor of Tiburon Christian Fellowship Tiburon, CA |
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| The authors of this carefully
documented book have not written an angry polemic against Bill Gothard
and his ministry. Instead, they have carefully laid out the scriptural
reasons for grave concern over the teachings and methods of this man and
his organization. This book serves not only to reveal what is being taught
at IBLP, but issues a clear warning to all Christians about the dangers
of scriptural distortion, however subtle.
—Ingrid J. Schlueter
Producer and Co-Host Crosstalk Radio Talk Show Milwaukee, WI |
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I have followed the teachings
of the Institute of Basic Youth Conf licts (now IBLP) from its inception
over 35 years ago. From the beginning I have been deeply concerned about
the misuse and distortion of the teachings of God’s Word in their interpretation
and application. I have had numerous occasions to voice my concerns in
person and by telephone to Bill Gothard, his father, and other of his siblings.
I have listened to the complaints of such scriptural abuse from many former
administrators and staff of the Institute. I believe that Don and Joy Veinot
and Ron Henzel of Midwest Christian Outreach have done the Christian public
a tremendous service in their careful analysis and consequent warnings
about the teachings that are promulgated by IBLP. The terrible hurt to
so many staff and others that became public in the early ’80s need never
have happened if there had been the humility to be corrected by numerous
pastors and teachers. My prayer is that God will be pleased to use
this work to bring the correction that is needed to bring the IBLP teachings
into compliance with the Apostle Paul’s admonition of 2 Timothy 2:15.
—Earl D. Radmacher, Th.D.
Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology and President Emeritus of Western Seminary Portland, OR |
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Sometimes a book is described
as “a page-turner,” or “something I simply could not put down.” But I found
in my reading of this book that I put it down often. I found I could only
read a chapter or two at a time; more would be too much. Feelings of incredulit
y, sorrow, even tears, and at times anger — such were responses that impeded
a fast or leisurely reading of this book. William Gothard has many
followers. His organization claims that more than two-and-one-half million
people have taken part in one or more of his seminars over a period of
more than three decades. This is an amazing statistic! Countless people
have made decisions for Christ, have found ways of renewal in their marriages,
and have been strengthened in their families through the principles they
have learned in week-long seminars, pastors’ conferences, home-school curricula,
and a wide variety of published materials coming from the Gothard organization.
Well respected pastors across the nation have encouraged congregations
to attend seminars en masse, even by arranging for chartered busses and
group discounts. Massive funds have been raised to build retreat centers
to further the work of Bill Gothard.
Bill Gothard! He is a living
Christian institution!
So why, one would well ask, why
would anyone wish to write a book (much less read a book) that brings a
critical eye on such a successful ministry, or on such a revered figure
as Bill Gothard?
Pastor after pastor has told
me over the years something along this line:
Finally, here is a book-length
treatment of the Bill Gothard ministry that I can hold out to such pastors
and other devoted Christian persons and say, “Oh really? Read this book
and see if you still believe that the issues are only some problems here
and there.”
In A Matter of Basic Principles,
the authors have sifted through an amazing amount of material, have sorted
through many issues, and have presented a powerful indictment of many serious
errors in Gothard’s teaching, the alarming level of hypocrisy in his personal
behavior, and his decades-long resistance to consider correction and improvement
of biblical understanding by people who once really wished to be a help
to him. The book is marked by grace, logic, wit, and common sense.
It is also focused on Scripture sans twisting.
At one point in this book the
authors evaluate Gothard’s peculiar teaching on the subject of courtship
in this manner:
After reading this book, it is
likely that you will conclude this is a proper summary not only of Gothard’s
views on courtship, but on a great deal of his entire ministry.
The authors have not just dealt
with ideas; they have interacted with people. It is in the records of damaged
lives that this book is so difficult to read as a “page turner.” When a
person presents distortions of Scripture as though these ideas are the
true teaching of Scripture, it is not just that the person has erred.
This is not just a “goof.” These errors impact people’s lives; sometimes
the results are horrendous. It is for these reasons that the Apostle Paul
spoke so strongly against false teachers in the first century. Paul had
occasion even to speak directly against Peter when Peter moved slightly
from grace. Bill Gothard has not moved slightly; this book demonstrates
that he misunderstands grace as much as he confuses the function biblical
dietary laws had in ancient Israel with principles for “good eating” among
Christians today.
One more note: The writers score
strongly in their many witty analogies from film, fiction, television,
and other elements of popular culture. This makes a solid book more enjoyable
for the teachable person to read. My suspicion is that when Mr. Gothard
reads this book, not only will he continue to resist its intended correction
in his personal life and public ministry; he is also rarely to “get” the
wonderful jokes in these allusions, as they come from a world (the world
in which real people live) in which he has had so very little experience.
—Dr. Ronald B. Allen
Professor of Biblical Exposition Dallas Theological Seminary Dallas, TX |
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