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A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and His Cultish Teachings

2023

Synopsis

Since the 1960s, Bill Gothard’s teachings about authority and character have captivated countless numbers of Christian families. Building his Institute in Basic Life Principles outside the framework of most churches and denominations, Gothard created his own unique religious system. His false definitions of grace, “umbrellas of authority,” and fear-based notions of human relationships, all wrapped in Christian veneer, led many to obey Gothard’s “non-optional principles” rather than what the Bible really says. Today, many of those followers feel betrayed by the bondage of legalism and the allegations of abuse at Gothard’s Institute.

In the mid-1990s, Christian apologists Don and Joy Veinot and Ron Henzel began researching IBLP after hearing of heartbreaking stories from those affected by what had become cultish teachings. They found patterns of corruption—from scandal cover-ups to spiritual abuse—which compelled them to expose the serious unbiblical beliefs at the crux of Gothard's worldview.

After extensive research and challenging Bill Gothard in person, the Veinots and Henzel published this book in 2003. Now in this twentieth anniversary edition, they add new material and re-present their conclusions in hopes of further exposing Gothard’s harmful teachings. If you are a survivor of Gothard-style authoritarianism—or if you know of a person who is—A Matter of Basic Principles can help you escape this spiritual oppression and discover the freedom to rejoice in our Lord’s saving grace.

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