Carmen J. Bryant, August, 2002
17
teenaged "diamond in the rough." The illustration, with its implications of harshness,
offended many, but the concept of yielding unquestioningly to authority had its effect.
In all fairness, Gothard's notebook does not overtly teach that one should obey in
matters contrary to Scripture. However, he prefaces any permission for noncompliance
with several if-clauses:
If the basic intention of [one in authority] is actually to get him to violate
God's moral laws, and [if] he has tactfully presented a creative alternative
[and if he has] given God time to change their minds [and if he] has had the
right attitudes, then he must appeal to their understanding that he cannot do
what [the one in authority asks].
47
A huge burden is placed upon the one being asked to disobey authority. He not only has
to be sure of his own motives but he also has to discern the "basic intentions" of the one
in authority, suggest "creative alternatives," and give time for an appeal that will show
"how the [creative alternative] will reach his goal." Only after applying all these steps is
one scripturally ready to "suffer for not doing what is wrong." The unlikelihood of this
47
"Chain of Command: Basic Questions and Answers," Institute of Basic Youth Conflicts, 1974.
How the chain of command works in the family
(Gothard's Basic Youth Conflicts notebook)