Counting On alum, Jinger Duggar Vuolo is not holding back as she shares about her faith journey and her life asa Duggar in her new book, Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear. The book, which is co-written with Corey Williams, states that it is not meant to be a tell-all about the Duggar family, but rather an exploration of how Jinger worked on “disentangling” herself from extremely conservative upbringing under the teachings of disgraced pastor Bill Gothard.
Gothard founded the Institute in Basic Life Principles, an organization that adopts a conservative Christian lifestyle -members are subjected to modest dress, female subservience, homeschooling and large families. As fans know, Counting On’s Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, raised their kids under the teachings and Jinger writes of revering Gothard when she was younger.
Counting On’s Jinger Duggar Vuolo Says Disgraced Brother, Josh Duggar Was ‘Living a Lie’ Before Arrest In Her Book (Exclusive)
The minister, however, resigned from the IBLP in 2014 after more than 30 claims of sexual harassment from his former employees. Even though Gothard denied the allegations, it further tainted his reputations for Jinger as she began to find her own spiritual path.
However, the issues with predatory men didn’t end there for the former reality show star. Her oldest brother, Josh, is currently his prison, serving his 12-year term after being found guilty on two counts of receiving and possessing child pornography. Jinger mentions her disgraced brother when drawing parallels between his behavior and the disgraced minister Gothard’s, pointing out the “hypocrisy” of spiritual leaders using positions of power to hide their disgusting behaviour.
“[Josh] used his platform, and even his job at the Family Research Council, to promote some of the same ideas Gothard taught,” the mother of two writes in her book, out January 31. “But while he looked the part in so many ways, the true Josh appears to be much different. He was living a lie. Even though he claimed to follow Jesus, his actions gave no evidence of a true love for the Lord, a heart changed by the gospel.”
Read the full excerpt shared by ET below:
One of the hardest realities in my life is that my brother Josh very publicly displayed some of the same hypocrisy as Gothard. He used his platform, and even his job at the Family Research Council, to promote some of the same ideas Gothard taught. But while he looked the part in so many ways, the true Josh appears to be much different. He was living a lie. Even though he claimed to follow Jesus, his actions gave no evidence of a true love for the Lord, a heart changed by the gospel. Watching all the pain Josh’s sin has caused not only shows me the danger of hypocrisy but also reveals that external religion, a life of performance, has nothing to do with following Jesus. Though I haven’t seen or spoken to Josh in nearly two years, I still pray for him. I ask God to show Josh his desperate need for repentance. I want my brother to be genuine and honest about his sin and reject the hypocrisy that has been part of his life for so long. Only Jesus can save him. False religion and man-made rules never will.
Gothard’s rules can’t transform anyone. They couldn’t even transform him. Only Jesus can do that. What Gothard and my brother Josh need is a new heart that only Jesus can give. That’s what I need. That’s what we all need. Without a new heart, all the outward religious behavior isn’t going to please God.
