If you’ve blogged for over ten years as I have, you probably have scores of jotted ideas, half-baked posts, drafts, and . . . what do you know it, full posts that somehow never got posted.
Today, when I had a few moments but wanted to avoid listening to the news that literally put me to bed yesterday on Pentecost Sunday, I began scrolling through my files and files of blog ideas.
And then, there before me was a complete post about Bill Gothard’s umbrella heresy that I never had posted. And since Gothard—a man that I, along with many thousands of others, used to adore—has been in the news again recently, and since his teaching promotes complete compliance to abusive authorities (talk about being pertinent to the news!) I’m posting it now.
My previous blog post about the Umbrella Heresy is here.
What Gothard himself actually STILL says
Here’s what Gothard still says, even now(!):
As long as a person is under an umbrella, he finds shelter from harsh weather conditions. If he steps out from under the umbrella, he exposes himself to the environment. . . .
By honoring and submitting to authorities, you will receive the privileges of their protection, direction, and accountability. If you resist their instructions and move out from their jurisdictional care, you forfeit your place under their protection and face life’s challenges and temptations on your own.
Of course, for anyone who actually knows the Bible (which I didn’t in the 1970s and 1980s when I was in my twenties and devouring this teaching) the natural response would be . . .
At first Gothard called this concept the “chain of command”—that’s what it is in my old books from the 1970s. This is where he used the centurion as an example of a “man under authority” (to buttress his “chain of command” ideas instead of showing him to be an example of great faith in the power and authority of Jesus Christ, as the Bible does).
Then later he changed the name to the “umbrella of authority.” I’m guessing it was because he wanted to withdraw a bit from terminology that sounded so very much like the military.
Then in later years this very same concept became the “umbrella of protection” so it could sound really nice. Good PR move.
In order to help indoctrinate all those with their eyes on the prize in this teaching (which is not only nowhere in the Bible but is actually counter to what the Bible teaches), here’s a catchy ditty they can sing together at their conferences.
When the sky grows dark and the thunder roars
When the strong winds blow and the cloudburst pours,
I know I’m safe as I can be
When I’m under the umbrellas that God places over me!
For instruction – so I know where I belong,
For correction – so I know when I am wrong,
For provision – for the things I need,
For protection – that is guaranteed.
When the sky grows dark and the thunder roars,
When the strong winds blow and the cloud burst pours,
I know I’m safe as I can be
When I’m under the umbrellas that God places over me!
But instead of protection and provision—which good parents should give to their children even if they don’t own any umbrellas—the Umbrella Heresy applauds control and engenders fear.
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Go here to download your free Guide, How to Enjoy the Bible Again (when you’re ready) After Spiritual Abuse (without feeling guilty or getting triggered out of your mind). You’ll receive access to both print and audio versions of the Guide (audio read by me). I’m praying it will be helpful.
So good Rebecca.
thanks for exposing this Rebecca… ugh… the traditions of the elders/man that are being propagated and perpetuated, nullifying the word of God! (Mark 7/Matt 15)…
If “strong winds blow” then there goes your umbrella. If thunder is coming close, the umbrella is no protection against a lightning strike. It’s interesting that such a flimsy object was chosen as a symbol of supposed great import.
Well, he couldn’t use “shield.” That was already taken.
By the Bible.
And also, notice the umbrella handles. The symbolism communicates that none of those “authorities,” including God, can shelter anyone unless they’re held up. Just imagine trying to hold up multiple umbrellas everywhere you go, every minute of every day, in fear that if you let one slip, some terrible disaster will strike. Some of us don’t have to imagine, because we were trying to do it.
I hadn’t even thought of that. Goodness.
Like you said. Heresy.
And what about Jesus in his humanity as a Jew. Should He have obeyed the “spiritual leaders” of His people? Thank you for this article.
Or Abigail who told the king that her “umbrella” husband was a fool as his name implied.
Yes, so many Biblical examples that counter the Umbrella Heresy.
All so true, especially number 3! I had to leave my church in order to break free and it is so FREEING to run into members and tell of the Faithfulness of God, not the destruction I encountered moving out from under their model of patriarchy. Keep up the good work Rebecca more need to have their eyes opened!
Thank you Rebecca! I am learning a lot on the Spiritual Abuse.
I have just read “Empty the Pews” (Stories of Leaving the Church) edited by Chrissy Stroop and Lauren O’Neal with a forward by Frank Schaeffer. I just finished reading chapter “Fundamentalist” by Deirdre Sugiuchi in which she shares the impact the teachings of Bill Gothard had on her life, which involved lots of beatings from her father. If only those beatings could have been applied to Bill Gothard’s body. Would that be a sign of God’s righteous judgment? At least there is no time limit on God’s justice. It makes me sick to read of past views with no responsibility. Perhaps that is what heaven/hell is for? Sadly, my views don’t provide for such options. This life’s justice system has let a significant number of persons down. Statute of limitations not withstanding. It appears Bill Gothard is still in business. But not for much longer. He is 85. Thirty-four persons (women) filled complaints. Deirdre Sugiuchi was not one of them. Perhaps her physical scars have healed. Her emotional scars may still be with her.
I have had major difficulties with Bill Gothard’s teachings for many years now. Your article, Rebecca, serves to reconfirm my many negative opinions about the man.
Furthermore, in light of the ongoing Ravi Zacharias scandal, it is my very strong conviction that the victim of sexual abuse/assault in a church setting must bypass church leadership and go straight to the police. Let the dysfunctional church leadership structure set the example in submitting to authority.
[…] Shades of umbrellas, perhaps? […]
[…] the beginning of this article, I referenced an image of “The Umbrella of Protection,” a concept taught by Pastor Bill Gothard. Pastor Bill Gothard himself — who preached and popularized an […]
[…] he has holes in his umbrella [that sounds so crazy, but you can read more about that here, here, here, and especially here]. You have to listen to me, or Satan will get through to you and destroy […]