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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 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 originally published by 21st Century Press in 2002, with a revised and updated edition published by MCOI Publishing in 2023.

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 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>

Later, the book accounts numerous attempts to confront Gothard over his teachings and actions (by both MCO and others) and his constant obfuscations, half-truths, and stonewalling in the process, along with critical assessments of both teachings (including his now-discontinued Medical Training Institute of America, which could only be described as "alternate medicine" at best and outright quackery at worst, and his views on courtship, which the Duggar family -- IBLP's most notable followers, and stars of a reality TV show featuring their lives) and events (such as the disastrous construction of a facility in the Arkansas Ozarks, which contained numerous building hazards and -- contrary to Gothard's teaching to "follow authority" -- failed to follow applicable building codes, and his continued stonewalling and obfuscations in dealing with the problems, leading the property owners to terminate their lease).

Later, the book accounts numerous attempts to confront Gothard over his teachings and actions (by both MCO and others) and his constant obfuscations, half-truths, and stonewalling in the process, along with critical assessments of both teachings (including his now-discontinued Medical Training Institute of America, which could only be described as "alternate medicine" at best and outright quackery at worst, and his views on courtship, which the Duggar family -- IBLP's most notable followers, and stars of a reality TV show featuring their lives) and events (such as the disastrous construction of a facility in the Arkansas Ozarks, which contained numerous building hazards and -- contrary to Gothard's teaching to "follow authority" -- failed to follow applicable building codes, and his continued stonewalling and obfuscations in dealing with the problems, leading the property owners to terminate their lease).

An updated version (now including a forward by Jinger Duggar Vuolo) was published in 2023 (on the book's 20th anniversary), with updated information on more recent events.

*The Foreword to the original book (written by Dr. Ron Rhodes of Reasoning for the Scriptures Ministries) was replaced with a new Foreword, written by Jinger Duggar Vuolo, a member of the noted Duggar clan (adherents of IBLP, featured in the television series ''19 Kids and Counting'').  Vuolo discovered the book shortly after her marriage in 2016, when she was leaving IBLP, and was "glad [she] discovered it early in my journey from entangling truth from error".  (Portions of the original Foreword were moved to a different section.)

*A Preface (not in the original book) introduces the reader to John Cornish, founder of '''''Recovering Grace''''', a ministry (founded in 2011) which initially sought to merely expose the world to the harm of IBLP teachings in the words of former adherents.  However, in 2012 the ministry began to receive and publicize reports of alleged misconduct by Gothard, including "accusations of unwelcome physical contact, misconduct during private counseling sessions, and failure to report instances of abuse involving minors".  The group engaged in dialogue with both Gothard and other influential people within IBLP, and ultimately published their findings.  Their actions would lead IBLP to place Gothard on administrative leave in February 2014, and to ultimately dismiss him from the organization in June of that year.  Later, a group of former IBLP students would sue Gothard and IBLP in 2015 but would ultimately dismiss their suit in 2018.  (The Preface also mentions that, shortly after publication of the original book, Steve Gothard would affirm what the book published about his departure and Gothard's original resignation.)

*Two addenda: one to Chapter 2 discussing a 2002 meeting with Gothard which proved as unsuccessful as prior meetings, and one to Chapter 9 providing an update to the Arkansas facility discussing the results of the state inspection (that addendum later mentioned that IBLP did partially reimburse the landowner for his costs).

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