Institute in Basic Life Principles
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The Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) is a Christian organization in Oak Brook, Illinois that serves as an umbrella organization for several ministries, all of which center around the teachings of IBLP founder Bill Gothard. It is a non-profit tax-exempt religious or charitable organization by the IRS,[1] that earns an estimated $63 million annually.[2][3][4]
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[edit] History
IBLP was founded by Gothard in 1964. The organization was originally named Campus Teams, then changed to Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts in 1974, and to its current name in 1989. IBLP started promoting Gothard's "Basic Youth Conflicts" seminars in areas around the United States and several nations, which during its heyday in the 1970's had attendances of up to 20,000 persons.
IBLP's programs have keys services, which include seminars, public services, training for ministry, community outreach, troubled youth mentoring, and an international ministry. They all deal with education and contributing to the community. Many of the ministries workers have received (and continue to receive) Presidential medals for their work in helping the community in various ways.
[edit] Controversies and criticism
[edit] Teachings
Personal Freedom Outreach (PFO) is a group devoted to exposing cultic movements. Since 1981 the PFO has been editing a quarterly journal and has seven officers, and a board with three members."[5] The PFO published criticism about Gothard in three basic areas: a view that Gothard's views are legalistic teachings and interpretations of Scripture, a belief that IBLP and its adherents exhibit a "cult-like" mentality, and concern about Gothard's application of authoritarianism within his own organization.[6] Gothard was also accused by some of being hyprocritical for not practing what he preaches about conflict resolution.[7]
Dr. Ronald Allen, Professor of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary, attended a Gothard seminar in 1973 and wrote of his experience that "In this seminar, I was regularly assaulted by the misuse of the Bible, particularly of the Old Testament, on a level that I have never experienced in a public ministry before that time (or since)."[8]
[edit] Medical advice
The Midwest Christian Outreach (MCO), a group consisting of 5 board members, including president Don Veinot and his wife criticized Gothard for bringing his legalistic teachings into all areas of life. Gothard's teaches that he holds absolute authority: use of cosmetics, clothing, beards, sleep schedules, homeschooling, courtship and marriage, and even medical advice."[9] Gothard's institute has a "medical training institute"[10], which is not licensed as a medical school.[11] The Institute for Biblical & Scientific Studies notes "Bill Gothard also pushes the evils of hospital births. One should give birth at home with a midwife. Gothard wants to train future doctors by watching other doctors, not by going to medical school which is wrong."[12]
Marty Butz, another Gothard critic from Midwest Christian Outreach, explained, "addition to much of what might be construed as practical, educational, and informative medical advice, Mr. Gothard also presents diagnoses and cures for medical problems which, in some cases, could possibly cause serious harm." [13] Butz offers "examples of Mr. Gothard’s advocacy of a mystical approach towards resolving health problems," and explains why western medicine is more reliable than Gothard's diagnosis.[14]
[edit] Sexual misconduct
Much of the criticism of Gothard originated from Don Venoit's book A Matter of Basic Life Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life 21st Century Press (2002). Venoit's book also alleges three different instances of sexual misconduct. The first being Gothard himself had indecent contact with some of his female staff, and "admitted in staff meetings that these actions were 'moral failures' on his part.[15] Secondly, Venoit notes that in 2001 a sex scandal took place at IBLP headquarters, shortly before the group's annual homeschooling conference in Knoxville, Tennessee. Venoit alleges that Jim Voeller, an intended keynote speaker at the upcoming conference and the director of Bill Gothard's homeschooling curriculum, left his wife and seven children after an ongoing affair with his secretary was exposed. Venoit alleged that employees and volunteers serving at the facilities in Oak Brook were asked to keep silent on both matters, leading to criticism that Gothard was attempting to "cover up" the issues.[16] Lastly, controversy appeared when when Bill Gothard's brother admitted to having affairs with a number of secretaries in the IBLP ministry. [17]
Gothard is considered controversial by many groups. One book written about Gothard, "A Matter of Basic Principles" by Don Venoit of Midwest Christian Outreach, tells of a scandal in 2002 involving allegations of child abuse at the Gothard-run Indianapolis Training Center. However in 2004, the state released its findings about the investigation and determined that the abuse claims were "completely unfounded and unsubstantiated."[18]
[edit] Social issues
Gothard was also criticized in a song by Christian rock musician Steve Taylor.[19] Gothard preaches against modern Christian musicians and specifically he had mentioned negative things about Taylor.[citation needed]
Gothard has "warned" that "if your daughter has a Cabbage Patch doll she could become mentally ill because their middle names are demonic."[20]
[edit] References
- ^ IRS, Search for Charities, Online Version of Publication 78 (last accessed 8/30/06)
- ^ Silja J.A. Talvi "Cult of Character" In These Times January 9, 2006
- ^ Culture Wars Follow this leader and your kids will obey their masters and join lockstep with God or else by Bob Norman. New Times Broward-Palm Beach September 12, 2002
- ^ DCF head warms to faith groups LEONORA LaPETER and CURTIS KRUEGER St. Petersburg Times August 22, 2002
- ^ Personal Freedom Outreach About Personal Freedom Outreach (accessed 7 June 2006)
- ^ G. Richard Fisher, "A Study in Evolving Fadism: The Cultic Leanings of Bill Gothard's Teachings", Personal Freedom Outreach Quarterly Journal, April-June 1996.
- ^ Ron Henzel "Bill Gothard and Institute in Basic Life Principles" Midwest Christian Outreach 2006
- ^ Don Venoit. A Matter of Basic Life Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life 21st Century Press (2002), page 64
- ^ Don Venoit. A Matter of Basic Life Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life 21st Century Press (2002), Chapter 10, Bill Gothard - Medicine Manpage.
- ^ Bill Gothard by Ron Henzel
- ^ Database of Medical Schools
- ^ Institute for Biblical & Scientific Studies
- ^ Bill Gothard’s Mystical Approach To Medical Issues by Marty Butz Midwest Christian Outreach
- ^ Bill Gothard’s Mystical Approach To Medical Issues by Marty Butz, Midwest Christian Outreach.
- ^ Don Venoit. A Matter of Basic Life Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life 21st Century Press (2002), page 54
- ^ Don Veinot, Ron Henzel, and Joy Veinot. A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard & the Christian Life. 21st Century Press, 2002. ISBN 0-9717009-2-3
- ^ Rich Poll, "Exegeting Bill Gothard". Christianity Today March, 2003.
- ^ WISH-TV Indianapolis State Releases Findings into Indianapolis Training Center Investigation April 8, 2004.
- ^ [1] See songs: "I Manipulate", "You Dont Owe Me Nothing", and "It's A Personal Thing" off his album "On The Fritz"
- ^ Institute for Biblical & Scientific Studies
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Christianity Today: "Exegeting Bill Gothard", a book review and discussion of theological issues related to the Institute, critical of the Institute.
- Bill Gothard: General Teachings/Activities
- Independent Spirits, a site dedicated to helping those who have come out of IBLP and Gothard's teachings.
- X-ATI Guy, an anonymous graduate of Bill Gothard's Advanced Training Institute spoofs IBLP teaching and culture.
