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'''A Matter of Basic Principles: [[Bill Gothard]] and the Christian Life''' is a 2002 Christian apologetics book written by Don and Joy Veinot and Ron Henzel, all affiliated with the Christian apologetics ministry [[Midwest Christian Outreach]] (MCO; the Veinots are the founders, Henzel the senior researcher).  It was published by 21st Century Press.

'''A Matter of Basic Principles: [[Bill Gothard]] and the Christian Life''' is a 2002 Christian apologetics book written by Don and Joy Veinot and Ron Henzel, all affiliated with the Christian apologetics ministry [[Midwest Christian Outreach]] (MCO; the Veinots are the founders, Henzel the senior researcher).  It was published by 21st Century Press.

The book is a critical analysis of Gothard and his teachings which he publicized through his [[Institute in Basic Life Principles]] (IBLP), a (then) Illinois-based Christian organization known for its highly ultra-conservative and legalistic interpretations of the Bible and how Christians should live (to the point where IBLP has been called "cult-like", as it does not deny any of the historical tenets of Christianity).<ref>IBLP later relocated to a site outside of [[Big Sandy, Texas]], which was once the home of Ambassador College, operated by the [[Worldwide Church of God]] cult, though it maintains "Box One" in [[Oak Brook, Illinois]] and some operations in that area.</ref>

The book is a critical analysis of Gothard and his teachings which he publicized through his [[Institute in Basic Life Principles]] (IBLP), a (then) Illinois-based Christian organization known for its highly ultra-conservative and legalistic interpretations of the Bible and how Christians should live (to the point where IBLP has been called "cult-like", as it does not deny any of the historical tenets of Christianity).<ref>IBLP later relocated to a site outside of [[Big Sandy, Texas]], which was once the home of Ambassador College, operated by the [[Worldwide Church of God]] cult.  It previously had a vanity Post Office Box, "Box One" in [[Oak Brook, Illinois]] and some operations in that area, but later ceased all operations in the Chicago area where the organization was founded.</ref>

The Prologue begins with notable religious movements within American Christianity (both genuine and heretical) and its impacts on society at large, leading ultimately to the anti-intellectualism of what would be called [[Fundamentalism]] in opposition to the rise of liberal Christianity and the 1960's anti-authoritarian movements.  It then mentions Gothard's upbringing and his earning of both a B.A. and M.A. from [[Wheaton College]], his termination from a ministerial position after "confessing to spiritual pride" and the harsh treatment he received, his entry into youth ministry which ultimately led to the founding of what was then called '''Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts''' (ultimately changing its name later) and its unlikely success in the turmoil of the 1970's where Gothard (dressed in a conservative dark suit) would preach what appeared to be standard Christian doctrine: follow Biblical principles in making decisions and obey authority figures God has ordained.

The Prologue begins with notable religious movements within American Christianity (both genuine and heretical) and its impacts on society at large, leading ultimately to the anti-intellectualism of what would be called [[Fundamentalism]] in opposition to the rise of liberal Christianity and the 1960's anti-authoritarian movements.  It then mentions Gothard's upbringing and his earning of both a B.A. and M.A. from [[Wheaton College]], his termination from a ministerial position after "confessing to spiritual pride" and the harsh treatment he received, his entry into youth ministry which ultimately led to the founding of what was then called '''Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts''' (ultimately changing its name later) and its unlikely success in the turmoil of the 1970's where Gothard (dressed in a conservative dark suit) would preach what appeared to be standard Christian doctrine: follow Biblical principles in making decisions and obey authority figures God has ordained.