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'''William W. (Bill) Gothard''' (born November 2, 1934) is an American [[Christian]] [[Minister (Christianity)|minister]], speaker, and writer, and the founder of the [[Institute in Basic Life Principles]] (IBLP), notable for his [[Conservative Christianity|conservative]] teachings. Among the several strong distinctives of his teaching have been encouragement of Bible memorization, large families, [[homeschooling]], aversion to [[debt]], [[respect]] for [[authority]], and extended principles related to [[Identity formation|identity]], family, education, healthcare, music, and finances.
'''William W. (Bill) Gothard''' (born November 2, 1934) is an American [[Christian]] [[Minister (Christianity)|minister]], speaker, and writer, and the founder of the [[Institute in Basic Life Principles]] (IBLP), notable for his [[Legalism_(theology)|legalistic]] teachings. Among the several strong distinctives of his teaching have been encouragement of Bible memorization, large families, [[homeschooling]], aversion to [[debt]], [[respect]] for [[authority]], and extended principles related to [[Identity formation|identity]], family, education, healthcare, music, and finances.


At the height of his popularity during the 1970s, the Basic Youth Conflicts seminar with Bill Gothard was regularly filling auditoriums throughout the United States and beyond with attendance figures as large as ten thousand and more for a one-week seminar. In this way, he reached many in the [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] community from the [[Baby Boomers|Baby Boomer]] generation during their teen years and years of young adulthood. Other seminars during this time included an advanced youth conflicts seminar and as well as seminars for pastors, physicians, and [[legislator]]s. Bill Gothard has credited a large influence to his parents. His mother, Carmen Christina Gothard (née Torres), was of [[Mexican American|Mexican-American]] descent.<ref>Original data: Cook County Clerk, comp. Cook County Clerk Genealogy Records. Cook County Clerk’s Office, Chicago, IL: Cook County Clerk, 2008. {6F4264FE-9EED-43E6-8E7A-F49A41733724}</ref><ref>Year: 1910; Census Place: Cicero, Cook, Illinois; Roll: T624_238; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 1539; FHL microfilm: 1374251.</ref><ref>Year: 1940; Census Place: La Grange, Cook, Illinois; Roll: T627_782; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 16-277.</ref> His father, William Gothard, Sr. was a speaker at many seminars during the early years, and held high positions at organizations that included the [[Gideons International|Gideons]], [[Child Evangelism Fellowship]], and [[Pacific Garden Mission]] in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Tribute To William Gothard, Sr|url=http://iblp.org/about-iblp/bill-gothard/tribute-william-gothard-sr|accessdate=February 13, 2013}}</ref>
At the height of his popularity during the 1970s, the Basic Youth Conflicts seminar with Bill Gothard was regularly filling auditoriums throughout the United States and beyond with attendance figures as large as ten thousand and more for a one-week seminar. In this way, he reached many in the [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] community from the [[Baby Boomers|Baby Boomer]] generation during their teen years and years of young adulthood. Other seminars during this time included an advanced youth conflicts seminar and as well as seminars for pastors, physicians, and [[legislator]]s. Bill Gothard has credited a large influence to his parents. His mother, Carmen Christina Gothard (née Torres), was of [[Mexican American|Mexican-American]] descent.<ref>Original data: Cook County Clerk, comp. Cook County Clerk Genealogy Records. Cook County Clerk’s Office, Chicago, IL: Cook County Clerk, 2008. {6F4264FE-9EED-43E6-8E7A-F49A41733724}</ref><ref>Year: 1910; Census Place: Cicero, Cook, Illinois; Roll: T624_238; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 1539; FHL microfilm: 1374251.</ref><ref>Year: 1940; Census Place: La Grange, Cook, Illinois; Roll: T627_782; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 16-277.</ref> His father, William Gothard, Sr. was a speaker at many seminars during the early years, and held high positions at organizations that included the [[Gideons International|Gideons]], [[Child Evangelism Fellowship]], and [[Pacific Garden Mission]] in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Tribute To William Gothard, Sr|url=http://iblp.org/about-iblp/bill-gothard/tribute-william-gothard-sr|accessdate=February 13, 2013}}</ref>
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* [http://www.iblp.org Institute in Basic Life Principles]
* [http://www.iblp.org Institute in Basic Life Principles]
* [http://www.embassyinstitute.org/bill-gothard Bill Gothard Seminars]
* [http://www.embassyinstitute.org/bill-gothard Bill Gothard Seminars]
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* {http://recoveringgrace.org/ Recovering Grace website]

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[[Category:1934 births]]
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Revision as of 19:49, 19 December 2013

Bill Gothard
Born
William W. Gothard Jr.

(1934-11-02) November 2, 1934 (age 90)
Illinois, United States
Occupation(s)Instructor, author
Known forInstitute in Basic Life Principles
WebsiteBillGothard.com

William W. (Bill) Gothard (born November 2, 1934) is an American Christian minister, speaker, and writer, and the founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), notable for his legalistic teachings. Among the several strong distinctives of his teaching have been encouragement of Bible memorization, large families, homeschooling, aversion to debt, respect for authority, and extended principles related to identity, family, education, healthcare, music, and finances.

At the height of his popularity during the 1970s, the Basic Youth Conflicts seminar with Bill Gothard was regularly filling auditoriums throughout the United States and beyond with attendance figures as large as ten thousand and more for a one-week seminar. In this way, he reached many in the evangelical community from the Baby Boomer generation during their teen years and years of young adulthood. Other seminars during this time included an advanced youth conflicts seminar and as well as seminars for pastors, physicians, and legislators. Bill Gothard has credited a large influence to his parents. His mother, Carmen Christina Gothard (née Torres), was of Mexican-American descent.[1][2][3] His father, William Gothard, Sr. was a speaker at many seminars during the early years, and held high positions at organizations that included the Gideons, Child Evangelism Fellowship, and Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago.[4]

Biography

Bill Gothard received his B.A., in Biblical Studies from Wheaton College in 1957 an M.A. in Christian Education in 1961 from the same institution[5] and a Ph.D. in biblical studies from Louisiana Baptist University in 2004, which is not a regionally accredited university.[6]

Gothard started an organization in 1961 called Campus Teams,[7] which in 1974 changed its name to Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts. Later, in 1989, the organization's name changed again to Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP),[8] of which Gothard is currently the president and a board member.

In 1984, he founded the Advanced Training Institute (ATI), a homeschooling program with a curriculum that is based on the Sermon on the Mount.[9]

Teaching

Gothard's primary teaching, his "Basic Seminar," focuses on what he refers to as seven "Basic Life Principles." He claims that these principles are universal and that people will suffer consequences for violating them.[10] Gothard's principles are called Design, Authority, Responsibility, Suffering, Ownership, Freedom, and Success.[11]

The design principle is that people should understand their specific purpose for which God created them. Gothard writes, "A person's attitude toward himself has a profound influence on his attitude toward God, his family, his friends, his future, and many other significant areas of life."[12]

The authority principle is that inward peace results when people respect and honor the authorities (parents, government, etc.) that God has put into their lives. It is based on the idea that God gives direction, protection, and provision through human authorities.[13]

The responsibility principle is that a clear conscience results when people realize that they are responsible to God for every thought, word, action, and motive. Part of this principle is asking forgiveness from whomever has been offended so that no one can point a finger at you and say, "You've offended me and never asked for my forgiveness."[14]

The suffering principle is that people should allow the hurts from offenders to reveal “blind spots” in their own lives. Genuine joy is a result of fully forgiving offenders.[15]

The ownership principle is that people are stewards, not owners, of their possessions. Gothard teaches that anger results from not yielding personal rights to God.[16]

The freedom principle is enjoying the desire and the power to do what is right. Moral purity is the result of true freedom. The key to freedom is learning how to walk in the Spirit and appropriate the victory that Christ has already won through His death, burial, and resurrection.[17]

The success principle is that when people learn to think God's thoughts by meditating on and memorizing scripture, they make wise decisions and fulfill their life purposes.[18]

In addition to the Basic Seminar, Gothard also has an Advanced Seminar and an Anger Resolution Seminar. He also has a 49-week "Daily Success" series where he expounds on the "Commands of Christ" found in the Gospels.

Gothard's "Total Health" training seeks to bring a Biblical view of sickness. He considers that there may be spiritual aspects of illness. His organization published "Basic CARE Bulletins" and offers "Stress Resolution Seminars."

Gothard teaches that dating is morally dangerous and that courtship is the better alternative. Gothard encourages parents to be involved in their children's courtship. The father, especially, should be involved in his daughter's relationships. He should at the very least have the right to say "no" when a man asks to marry his daughter.

Gothard’s teachings discourage dating and rock music, including Christian rock. Gothard teaches that women working outside the home are putting themselves under another man's authority and conflict may arise. He has warned that some toys such as Cabbage Patch dolls may cause destructive behavior in children.

Gothard has been the subject of much debate in Christian circles. Various books[19] and articles[20] have challenged Gothard's teachings on legalism, law, and grace and questioned his handling of the IBLP ministry.

Books

References

  1. ^ Original data: Cook County Clerk, comp. Cook County Clerk Genealogy Records. Cook County Clerk’s Office, Chicago, IL: Cook County Clerk, 2008. {6F4264FE-9EED-43E6-8E7A-F49A41733724}
  2. ^ Year: 1910; Census Place: Cicero, Cook, Illinois; Roll: T624_238; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 1539; FHL microfilm: 1374251.
  3. ^ Year: 1940; Census Place: La Grange, Cook, Illinois; Roll: T627_782; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 16-277.
  4. ^ "A Tribute To William Gothard, Sr". Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  5. ^ "Biographical Sketch". Archived from the original on January 01 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Outstanding Alumni". Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  7. ^ Cassels, Louis (June 23, 1973). "Clergyman-Novelist Links Wit, Theology". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  8. ^ Poll, Rich (March 1, 2003). "A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life". Christianity Today. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  9. ^ "IBLP Educational Programs". Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  10. ^ "Resolving Conflicts". Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "Basic Life Principles". Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  12. ^ Basic Seminar Textbook. Institute in Basic Life Principles. 1979. p. 10.
  13. ^ Basic Seminar Workbook. Institute in Basic Life Principles. 1993. p. 16.
  14. ^ Basic Seminar Textbook. Institute in Basic Life Principles. 1979. p. 42.
  15. ^ "Basic Life Principles". Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  16. ^ Basic Seminar Textbook. Institute in Basic Life Principles. 1979. pp. 100–102.
  17. ^ Basic Seminar Workbook. Institute in Basic Life Principles. 1993. p. 46.
  18. ^ Basic Seminar Workbook. Institute in Basic Life Principles. 1993. p. 64.
  19. ^ Don Veinot (2002). "A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard & the Christian Life". 21st Century Press. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "Gothard Staffers Ask Hard Questions". Christianity Today. February 6, 1981. Retrieved September 5, 2013.

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