Bill Gothard - Teaching

Teaching

Gothard's primary teaching, his "Basic Seminar," focuses on seven Biblically based "Basic Life Principles." Some argue that Gothard's teaching is legalistic but he claims that he teaches principles rather than rules to avoid legalism. He claims that the seven principles are universal and people will suffer the consequences of violating these principles. This philosophy is similar to natural law based ethics. Just as a physicist discovers natural universal laws, the natural law ethicist believes that there are discoverable universal ethical principles. Gothard's principles are called Design, Authority, Responsibility, Suffering, Ownership, Freedom, and Success.

The design principle is that people should understand their specific purpose for which God created them. This is a similar principle that launched Rick Warren's best selling book, The Purpose Driven Life. Once a person understands his/her purpose and the purpose for other people, objects, and relationships in their life, then harmony and self-acceptance are the result.

The authority principle is that inward peace results when people respect and honor the authorities (parents, government, etc.) that God has put in their lives. One controversial aspect of this teaching is that the husband is the authority figure in marriage.

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. Personal responsibility begins with a person's thought life.

The suffering principle is that people can and must forgive others for the pain that they have caused them; pain is often a tool that God uses to develop character.

The ownership principle is that people are stewards, not owners, of their possessions. Gothard teaches that when people yield their rights to God, true security results.

The freedom principle is enjoying the desire and the power to do what is right. Moral purity is the result of true freedom. This is probably the most controversial principle because many of the examples of "wrong" like certain types of music and dress are not generally accepted as being "sinful" even by those claiming to be evangelical Christians.

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.

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 "Basic CARE Bulletins" and "Total Health Seminars" are offered to those who have attended "Basic" or "Advanced" or "Anger Resolution" seminars.

Gothard encourages homeschooling. IBLP publishes its own Advanced Training Institute (homeschool) materials.

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 teaches that some diseases have spiritual roots and to have suspicion of modern medicine.

Gothard continues to be the subject of debate. Various books and websites have been formed on the basis of personal claims to have been psychologically and/or emotionally abused as a result of Gothard's teachings.