ATI Textbook Reviewed

[Visionoyahweh]

I was looking for something for TWOP when I stumbled across this review Gothard's books. Lotsa cray-cary on display.

 

http://watchmansbagpipes.blogspot.com/2 ... mined.html

 

 

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p.28 Anecdote in reference to "pre-birth training" uses Luke 1:44 and 2 Tim. 3:15 as proof texts. A baby hearing a voice and then learning through it are two entirely different things. Luke just says the baby heard the voice, and it is obvious there was a spiritual connection which isn't in normal people. 1 Tim. just describes how Timothy was taught from the time he was a child, not while he was in the womb. To make more than that out of it is poor hermeneutics.

 

 

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p.103 "MEN OF GOD WHO REFUSED TO BORROW" This page builds extra-biblical cases for all eight men, with what they "could have done". Scripture doesn't address any of this; it is only Gothard's imagination.

 

 

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p.109 "LEARN TO PRAY FOR MONEY" Gothard then lays out six unbiblical principles.

 

 

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p.150-151 Much psychobabble and mysticism dwelling on the meaning of peoples' names.

 

 

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p.160 "Note: The violation of any phase [of Gothard's SEVEN PHASES OF A GODLY COURTSHIP] will hinder fulfillment and communication in a marriage." This is a very threatening statement, implying God's judgement for failure to follow a Gothard teaching!

 

 

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p.178-179 Anecdotes are given to "prove" the benefits of abstinence. One couple cited counted days simulating the monthly cycle - after her hysterectomy! Again, there is no Scriptural basis for these injunctions.

 

 

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p.195 "Large families are a foundation of human happiness." This may be Gothard's philosophy, one of which he never tried, but it is certainly not biblical.

 

 

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p.211 "Most men are very fragile when it comes to being the spiritual leader of their families. One criticism or sarcastic remark can cause a husband to give up his God-given spiritual responsibilities." There is no evidence given to support this contention and is pure imagination on Gothard's part.

 

 

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p.239 Gothardite schedule. "...if a choice must be made, it is better to start the day without physical food than without spiritual food." This could be downright unhealthy for a diabetic. Gothard implies that breakfast can be only 1/2 hour, and after Wisdom Searches. He now dictates what breakfast should be!

 

 

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pp.276ff This section tells us how we are to dress. Some of the information about modesty is very good, but too much emphasis is placed on appearances; e.g., "Wear special accents near your face." Then he says, "Men should note that facial hair tends to obscure the countenance." This is overgeneralization and implies that Godliness is a clean-shaven face. The whole purpose of this section is to keep peoples' focus only on the face, as if the rest of the person is too horrid to look at, or maybe too tempting for Gothard?

p.279 "Cosmetics should be used to enhance your facial appearance..." This is mere vanity.

 

2. "Based on the covenant of marriage, the following balance is required [note the requirement] to achieve true fulfillment. Spiritual Emphasis - 60%. Psychological Emphasis - 30%. Physical Emphasis - 10%." And this just after telling us how important our physical appearance is!!!! Anyway, there is no evidence of data to support this contention, but making it a requirement can cause much bondage as people try to count their numbers.

 

 

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p.287-295 Gothard spends these 8 pages discussing homosexuality. In this section he attempts to prove that "sodomy" is "God's term" and that we are wrong to use any other, citing 1 Cor. 2:13 as his justification. This is poor hermeneutics.

 

To quote Scott Thompson "Well, I prefer sodomite. It goes along with my concept that the world's a big jail."

 

 

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p.311 "Feeding on demand produces a demanding child." There is no evidence given to support this contention, which is made by a man who never had children. Feeding an infant on demand is the proper method for raising a healthy baby! Gothard's claim is a non sequitur logic fallacy.

 

 

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p.350 "When children are taught together, boys are programmed for failure." Again, no evidence to support this claim. In fact, I have read in many places in the past that the opposite is true; it's the girls who suffer! But with proper teaching, neither will have a problem due to gender.

[Mela99]

Ooooh, Michelle is in troooooouble.... teaching them all around the SAME table???