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'''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(under the new title '''A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and His Cultish Teachings''').
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>
*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.<ref>The group later reported (not part of the book) that Gothard -- similar to what he did in 1980 -- attempted to regain control but (in a twist of irony, given his insistence on "obeying authority") was ordered off IBLP property by local law enforcement. Gothard has had no known involvement with IBLP after this incident and the legal matters to follow; outside of maintaining a personal website with his teachings, he has mainly stayed out of the public eye.</ref> 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.)
*A new "Chapter 11" discussing the misuse of Bible passages about "touch not mine anointed" by authoritarian groups.
*Two addenda: one **The first, related to Chapter 2 , discussing a 2002 meeting further meetings and discussions with Gothard on his teachings, which proved as unsuccessful as prior meetings**The second, and one related to Chapter 9 providing an update to the Arkansas facility discussing a later meeting between Gothard and the results of landowners, which resulted in mutual forgiveness between the state inspection parties (that addendum later mentioned that and partial reimbursement by IBLP did partially reimburse to the landowner for his costs)., as well as more details of the results of the state inspection
==References==
