Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 160:639 (Jul 2003)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Matthew S. DeMoss

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BSac 160:639 (Jul 03) p. 372

Book Reviews

By The Faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary

Matthew S. DeMoss

Editor

A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life. By Don Veinot, Jay Veinot, and Ron Henzel. Springfield, MO: 21st Century Press, 2002. 383 pp. $15.99.

Bill Gothard’s seminars and printed materials have been used by the Lord in the last four decades to help many couples renew their marriages and many individuals to benefit from life-changing principles. Gothard’s ministry began in the 1960s with seminars called the Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts. A number of years ago he changed the name to Institute in Basic Life Principles. In addition to the Basic Seminar, Gothard offers Advanced Seminars and Pastoral Seminars, and has developed a home-schooling curriculum, the Medical Institute of America, a correspondence law school, and the “Character First!” curriculum for cities, schools, and even nations.

The authors of this book, who direct a ministry called Midwest Christian Outreach, with headquarters in Lombard, Illinois, examine a number of Gothard’s teachings that are questionable. They discuss biblical, theological, and medical and marital concerns. In the biblical area they point out Gothard’s misinterpretations of several passages. For example Gothard says Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:27–28 about the inability to extend one’s life and the tendency to worry about clothing means Jesus was addressing the problem of shame over one’s physical appearance or poor self-image (p. 97). And Gothard says that Jesus’ response to Joseph and Mary (Luke 2:48–49) revealed that He chose to be subject to them, thus choosing against being about His Father’s business (pp. 103-4). Quoting Galatians 3:24 about the Law as tutor or schoolmaster, Gothard teaches that this means Christians should follow the Law (pp. 133-34). According to Gothard, Genesis 6:5, “every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” teaches that these thoughts were cultivated through “dating-type relationships” (p. 254).

An example of a serious theological error is Gothard’s discussion of grace. He calls the definition of grace as “unmerited favor” a “faulty definition,” and says that “in the Old Testament those who found grace possessed qualities that merited God’s favor” (p. 145). He also calls grace “an active, dynamic energy from God to carry out His will” (p. 146). It is disturbing, of course, to read that he says grace is merited. And now...

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