beaconchurches

Has anyone here had any experience with him or his teachings? Do you know anyone who uses his homeschool curriculum? I understand he has had Bruce Wilkinson and Ray Comfort speak at his seminars. A friend of mine on another board was nearly recruited by one of his "followers" and I was wondering if anyone here knew anything about it. It sounds like a legalistic cult to me.

Here's a PDF of one of their curriculum brochures: http://ati.iblp.org/ati/admissions/docu ... ?show=true

Some of my sister's in-laws (large extended family) are involved with the Gothard movement and I've learned enough to be extremely wary of the Gothard movement. It is encourages a great deal of separation from the world beyond what most Christians would consider reasonable. It is not as isolationist as the FLDS, and definitely not as heretical and creepy, but still has a lot of similarities in outward appearances. such as: encouraging families to have as many children as possible (this from a leader who has never married himself!), homeschooling, home-birthing, abstaining from television, long hair and long skirts for women (but no beards for men), etc.

The Gothard movement is very authoritarian and militaristic in its teachings and pushes a high level of control over everything, including what to eat, what to wear, and when and how married couples should have sex. Traditional dating is forbidden (choose the courtship route instead) and individuals must receive the permission of all parents to marry (even if the parents are unbelievers). Unmarried adults are always “under the authority of their parents” and should live with them.

They have some odd teachings on adoption, the cleansing of bloodlines, opposition to birth control (even natural family planning), emphasis on OT holiness code, opposition to contemporary Christan music, and never borrowing money.

Any internet search will pull up both glowing testimonies and firey condemnations of Bill Gothard, his organization, and his teachings. Not everything is bad, but I would certainly keep my Bible and my eyes wide open when looking at their stuff and use all of your brain cells to think critically.

Thanks. Anyone else?

From what I recall of my exposure to Gothard back in the 70's, I would confirm Rev. White's report. God's design for society is a hierarchical structure; men rule over their women. I can't recall any specific examples, but I remember scratching my head over some of his interpretations and applications of Scripture.

You might want to check out Steve Taylor's song 'I Manipulate' (in the album 'On The Fritz' and in the 'Now the Truth Can Be Told' compliation), which is a commentary on Bill Gothard.

<>< Ron Troup

Thanks. I'll do that.

I was just singing "I Manipulate" the other day. I had no idea it was about Gothard. Hmmm . . .

Thanks for the info Ron!

Well the Pastoral counseling staff at the seminary I graduated from loved it when a church put on a Gothard seminar --- it gave them business!! What I have seen from the material my wife had from one she attended and from someother material I have seen it is not a Biblical model. The Father is the AUTHORITAIAN (spelling?) of the house then the wife the the oldest male child then the next male until there are no male childern then the eldest female child. Oh, he worte the program at 16 or 17 years old!!!!


As for the married couples sexual practices; what does a guy who lives with Mommy know about married folks sexual practices?


To put an end on this RUN IN THE OTHER DIRECTION if Gothard is in use at a church or endorced by a church!!