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In this episode, we examine three deeply troubling aspects of Bill Gothard’s teachings from the IBLP Men’s Manual. First, we look at how Gothard pairs scripture with a racially charged illustration—one that subtly reinforces harmful stereotypes under the guise of spiritual leadership. Next, we unpack his message to fathers, where…

In this episode, we continue exploring the IBLP Men’s Manual with a closer look at Gothard’s page “What If a Father Has Already Failed?” Gothard teaches that a father’s unfulfilled dreams can still come true—through his children. He uses the story of David and Solomon to suggest that kids should…

In this episode, we take a closer look at Bill Gothard’s teaching for fathers who feel they have failed. On the surface, Gothard’s message sounds encouraging: as long as a man keeps trying, he’s not truly a failure. But underneath, we find a pattern of minimizing real harm and turning…

In this video, I point out a troubling aspect of Bill Gothard’s teachings: the use of scripture alongside a racially charged illustration. While the racism might not be immediately obvious to everyone, as a former cult member, I can see how this image subtly reinforces harmful stereotypes within Gothard's framework.…

In this episode, we delve into Bill Gothard’s troubling teachings from the IBLP Men’s Manual, where normal childhood behaviors are labeled as rebellion, and natural curiosity is framed as spiritual defiance. We start with Gothard’s “Early Signs of Rebellion” checklist, which misinterprets typical developmental stages as threats to parental authority.…

In this episode, we take a closer look at a page from the IBLP Men’s Manual where Bill Gothard uses graphic artwork—often created by cult members—to reinforce a grim interpretation of Proverbs 30:17. The verse warns against mocking one’s father or despising one’s mother, and Gothard emphasizes it with disturbing…

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In this follow-up episode, we continue our look at Gothard’s “Early Signs of Rebellion” and find even more troubling ideas. From claiming that unanswered prayers or doubt signal rebellion to warning that kids who admire the “wrong crowd” are being corrupted, Gothard’s list leaves no space for honest struggle or…

In this episode, we begin examining Bill Gothard’s “Early Signs of Rebellion” checklist from the IBLP Men’s Manual. While he claims to identify warning signs of defiance, many of the behaviors he describes—like feeling tension with parents or expressing concern about favoritism—are actually part of normal childhood development. Gothard’s phrasing…

In this episode, we explore the surprising theological roots of Bill Gothard’s interpretation of a woman’s desire. First, we uncover the quiet influence of Susan Foh—a scholar whose work Gothard quietly borrowed to justify silencing women. Then we turn to his parenting teachings, where a strange list of cause-and-effect claims…

In this follow-up episode, we continue our analysis of Gothard’s “Why Do Children Rebel?” page from the IBLP Men’s Manual. While some of the parenting advice may initially seem helpful, Gothard’s wording twists reasonable ideas into rigid rules and reinforces a harmful pattern of blame. We’ll explore how even good…

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In this episode, we take a close look at Bill Gothard’s “Why Do Children Rebel?” page from the IBLP Men’s Manual. Gothard lays out a cause-and-effect list, assigning specific types of rebellion in children to particular failures of their fathers. While some underlying principles might seem like sound parenting advice,…

In this episode, we conclude our examination of Bill Gothard’s teachings on marriage and authority—focusing on a surprising source he quietly draws from: theologian Susan Foh. Though Gothard teaches that women should remain silent and not instruct men, he leans on Foh’s interpretation of Genesis 3:16 to justify the claim…

In this episode, we examine the damaging legacy of Bill Gothard’s teachings on marriage—teachings that placed heavy burdens on wives while offering little guidance for husbands. From his interpretation of the term 'helpmeet' to his unbalanced emphasis on female submission, Gothard’s doctrine has shaped generations of evangelical families. But behind…

We continue examining the IBLP Men’s Manual and Gothard’s claims about why wives “react.” This time, we focus on his interpretation of Genesis 3:16, specifically, his use of a lesser-known theory by scholar Susan Foh. Gothard cites her 1970s article to support the idea that a wife’s “desire” in the…

Join us for culty book club. I read you a book related to IBLP or IFB cults, or from cult survivors. We started "Growing Up IFB" last week and will continue this week. Come join in the fun and hang out while we read a survivor's story. 🎙️ New to…

In this episode, we examine Bill Gothard’s teachings on marriage, where he heavily emphasizes wives’ submission while giving little attention to a husband’s call to love. We’ll explore how this imbalance may lead to unhealthy dynamics in Christian marriages, with wives burdened by unrealistic expectations and husbands left with little…

In this episode, we take a closer look at Bill Gothard’s flawed interpretation of the word “helpmeet” and how he uses it to justify a wife’s submission to her husband. Gothard claims that because Eve was created as a helper for Adam, she was meant to be in submission to…

Bill Gothard’s teachings in the IBLP Men’s Manual are filled with unrealistic expectations and puzzling tactics. In this episode, we examine his flawed and idealistic view of wives’ emotional responses, despite never being married himself, and how his perspective creates damaging expectations within marriages. We also take a closer look…

In this follow-up episode, we continue our examination of Bill Gothard’s ‘Why Wives React’ teaching from the IBLP Men's Manual. While Gothard’s first set of claims about wives' reactions has already been shown to be flawed, this portion of his teaching takes things further into unrealistic territory. Does Gothard’s view…

Come join us for a culty book reading and discussion. We have a few survivor books to choose from, we'll decide tonight which one to read.

Despite never being married, Bill Gothard had plenty to say about how wives react to their husbands’ actions. In this episode, we examine his 'Why Wives React' teaching from the IBLP Men's Manual and break down why his cause-and-effect claims don’t hold up. Does a husband’s inconsistent manners really cause…