Bill Gothard


William W. "Bill" Gothard, Jr. is an American Christian minister, speaker, and writer, and the founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles.
His conservative teachings encourage Bible memorization, large families, homeschooling, aversion to debt, respect for authority, conservative dress,
and extended principles related to identity, family, education, healthcare, music, and finances. In 2014, he stepped down from the IBLP after multiple allegations of sexual harassment and molestation were made against him. In 2016, Gothard and IBLP were sued by a group of alleged victims; the lawsuit was dismissed in 2018, due to the statute of limitations.
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 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, was of Mexican-American descent. 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.

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, and a Ph.D. in biblical studies from Louisiana Baptist University in 2004. He started an organization in 1961 called Campus Teams which changed its name in 1974 to Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts. The organization's name changed again in 1989 to Institute in Basic Life Principles, of which Gothard was the president and a board member until his resignation in 2014. In 1984, he founded the Advanced Training Institute, a homeschooling program with a curriculum that is based on the Sermon on the Mount.
Gothard has had many political connections with various Republican political leaders, including Mike Huckabee, Sonny Perdue, and Sarah Palin. His ministry was also popular with the reality TV Duggar family and others. He has never married.

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. Gothard's principles are called Design, Authority, Responsibility, Suffering, Ownership, Freedom, and Success.
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 also advocates conservative dress. Gothard's teachings discourage dating and rock music, including Christian rock. He has warned Cabbage Patch dolls are idolatrous.
Gothard has been the subject of much debate in Christian circles, and occasionally in mass media. Various books and articles have challenged Gothard's teachings on legalism, law, and grace, and questioned his handling of the IBLP ministry.

Sexual harassment allegations

On February 27, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Institute in Basic Life Principles placed Gothard on indefinite administrative leave while it investigated claims that he sexually harassed several female employees and volunteers. No criminal activity was uncovered, but an investigation found that Gothard had acted in an "inappropriate manner". The claims had been publicized on Recovering Grace, a website, Christian ministry, and support group for former followers of Gothard's teachings. As many as 34 women who worked for Gothard claim that he harassed them. Gothard denied the allegations and admitted no wrongdoing but announced his resignation from the Institute in order "to listen to those who have ought against him.".
On June 17, 2014, IBLP issued a statement, summarizing the investigation conducted by "outside legal counsel". In that statement they made the claim that no criminal activity was uncovered, but that Bill Gothard had acted in an "inappropriate manner" and so "is not permitted to serve in any counseling, leadership, or Board role within the IBLP ministry".
In July 2015, Gothard re-launched his website, including testimonials from several women.
In 2016 Gothard and IBLP were sued by a group of alleged victims who accused him of sexual harassment and assault. The plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit in 2018, citing "unique complexities" with the statute of limitations, but said in a statement, "we are not recanting our experiences or dismissing the incalculable damage that we believe Gothard has done."

Books