When debating Gothardites on the topic of grace, often the first text they cite is James 4:6b: “‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble,’” (ESV). It is also usually the one text they keep coming back to in support of their assertion that grace is not freely given, unmerited favor, but rather is a desire and power to do God’s will that is earned or merited. When someone rightly tells them that … Continue reading
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Recovering Grace is a website which hosts discussions of the teachings of Bill Gothard and his Institute in Basic Life Principles. They do this in an effort to help those who have been hurt by Gothard’s legalistic and authoritarian teachings. On February 19, 2016, Recovering Grace was forwarded a letter which had been sent to an attorney representing a number of individuals who have filed suit against Bill Gothard and the Institute. This letter was … Continue reading
(This originally appeared in the Winter 2001 edition of the MCOI Journal beginning on page 10) By Dr. Harry Adams Christianity is the faith of the cross. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”(Gal. 6:14). The sufferings of Christ obtained for us what we could never obtain by ourselves with respect to salvation and sanctification. Therefore, the Apostles’ writings abound with references to the cross, the … Continue reading
By Marty Butz Suffering, including medical and health hardships, affects Christians and non-Christians alike. Not only are physical infirmities tough to deal with, but mental anguish can be at least as disturbing when the question “Why me, Lord?” goes unanswered. Like Job, we may never come to know the reason or purpose for any specific event causing our own medical hardships, if indeed there is a special reason at all as in Job’s case. The … Continue reading
(This originally appeared in the July/August 1998 edition of the MCOI Journal beginning on page 6) In Parts 1 and 2, we assessed some of the teachings of Bill Gothard and his Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) through a chronological approach. While we wish to maintain that basic perspective in this series, this article covers such a vast and pervasive topic in Gothard’s ministry that it will depart from the chronological format. To evaluate … Continue reading
(This originally appeared in the March/April 1998 edition of the MCOI Journal beginning on page 6) On December 4, I997, three members of Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc. (Ron Henzel, Marty Butz, and Don Veinot) met with seminar minister Bill Gothard at his offices of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) in Oak Brook, IL. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Gothard’s concerns about an article entitled “Bill Gothard’s Evangelical Talmud” which had … Continue reading