The Duggar family, made famous by their reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting,” has been a staple of American television for over a decade. With their strict adherence to fundamentalist Christianity and old-fashioned values, the Duggars have often found themselves at the center of controversy. And within the family, no one has faced more criticism than Jinger Duggar, the youngest daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle.
Jinger, who has always been seen as the “rebel” of the family, has been open about her struggles with her family’s strict rules and expectations. But in a shocking revelation, Jinger has revealed that her criticism of the family’s church, which she has called “toxic,” has turned many of her loved ones into enemies. In an explosive confession, Jinger has opened up about the devastating consequences of her outspokenness, and the painful rift it has created within her family.
Join us as we dive into the dramatic story of Jinger Dugg
Jinger’s Decision to Speak Out
Jinger Duggar Vuolo is opening up about the “very harsh” and “unkind” reactions she received from loved ones after criticizing the Duggar family’s church in her 2023 memoir. The former Counting On star’s 2023 book, Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear, featured Jinger’s condemnation of the teachings of her famous family’s ultra-conservative Christian church, the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), established by disgraced minister Bill Gothard in 1961.
Videos by PopCulture.com Now, ahead of the release of her new book, People Pleaser: Breaking Free from the Burden of Imaginary Expectations, (out Jan. 14), Jinger told PEOPLE she had been trying to “focus my thoughts on how can I love and serve the people who’ve been so hurt by this teaching,” with her first book instead of caring “what all the critics are going to say.”
“I’m going to just put all that aside and say, no, I want to do what I feel called to do and that’s to speak truth,” she continued. “So let me just put on my blinders and focus on that and share my story, and then whatever the outcome is, I know I’ve done what I’m supposed to do.”
The Harsh Reactions
Speaking out, Jinger found was actually “so freeing” as she found herself “not being consumed by fear,” despite the reactions of some of her loved ones.
“Yes, there were critics. Yes, there were people who were saying very harsh things,” confessed the TLC alum, who is married to Jeremy Vuolo. “There were loved ones that would say things that were very unkind. It was not easy. But at the end of the day, I realized it was the best decision. It was the best thing that I could have done, to love these people by sharing truth.”
Focusing on Truth
While some people who had seen her on television since 19 Kids and Counting wanted her to “throw off all restraints” and “to leave the faith altogether,” she has found her own relationship with God that resonates more with her.
“Even [though] I know some people may be bothered by that … that’s where I am and that’s where my story is, and I’m really grateful for that,” she said.
Challenging Harmful Beliefs
As for her family members who still follow Gothard’s teachings, Jinger said, “I think that, at some point, you just agree to disagree.”
Despite the challenges of navigating different beliefs, Jinger remains committed to sharing her truth and promoting a more nuanced understanding of faith and gender roles.
Jinger’s Criticism of IBLP
A few years ago, I was interviewed by a journalist writing about Gothard’s Institute for Biblical Life Principles (IBLP) and how his views on gender might have contributed to the numerous accusations emerging about his sexual abuse of women who had worked with him.
I don’t think the journalist ever got the article published, which is, unfortunately, what sometimes happens in freelance journalism. However, what stands out from the interview was the reporter’s surprise that I was willing to go on the record and call Bill Gothard a false prophet, and say that he was someone whose popularity in conservative Christian circles made his teaching dangerous and helped perpetuate a culture that excuses domestic abuse and makes women feel like their faith is tied to their submission to their husband.
Apparently, not many people were willing to do that. Well, I’m so glad I’m no longer the only one willing to call him what he actually is.
I’ve been reading Jinger Duggar’s book Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear, and she also calls Gothard a false prophet. Duggar’s book not only calls out Gothard and his behavior, but point by point goes through IBLP curriculum and calls out toxic theological interpretations.
I applaud Duggar’s willingness to speak out but, like her sister Jill, Jinger still hasn’t fully disentangled from complementarian theology.
Jinger’s Current Stance on Complementarianism
Unfortunately, She and her husband are involved with John McArthur’s Grace Community Church in California and Master’s Seminary.
McArthur has openly mocked women preachers, such as Beth Moore. At a 2019 Grace Community conference, McArthur and other Grace leaders were essentially playing the Joey and Chandler “I give you a word and you say the first thing that comes to mind” game A dangerous pastime, as they found on in Friends The One in Vegas Part One.
McArthur was given the phrase “Beth Moore,” to which he responded, “Go Home.” Then went on to say “There’s no case that can be made biblically for a woman preacher…Period, paragraph, end of discussion.”
I’m not a massive fan of Moore, but she is Biblically justified and should preach if that is her calling.
I note Duggar’s connection to McArthur (and her co-writer Corey Williams is the chief communication officer at Master’s Seminary), to illustrate she still has a ways to go in her journey away from toxic complementarianism.
Important Points Raised
Despite the book’s flaws, she is still raising important points about the impact of complementarianism on women’s self-worth and mental health.
I don’t think many people realize how incredibly impactful Gothad’s IBLP curriculum has been on evangelical culture.
As I read Duggar’s book, I realized that many of the IBLP principles she discussed I also encountered growing up in mainstream evangelical culture.
Conclusion
As the reality TV world continues to scrutinize the lives of the Duggar family, Jinger Duggar’s recent revelations about her criticism of Family Church have sent shockwaves through the community. In our article, we delved into the controversy surrounding Jinger’s outspoken views on the church, which reportedly led to her loved ones turning against her. According to Jinger, her criticism of the church’s teachings and practices sparked a rift within the family, causing some of her closest relatives to become her adversaries.
The implications of this situation are far-reaching, highlighting the delicate balance between individual freedom of expression and the expectations of a tight-knit community. Jinger’s story serves as a poignant reminder that even within the confines of a seemingly idyllic family, dissenting opinions can have devastating consequences. Moreover, this incident underscores the importance of empathy and understanding in navigating complex relationships.
As Jinger navigates this tumultuous chapter in her life, it is crucial that she finds a path toward healing and reconciliation. The question remains: Can Jinger and her loved ones find a way to reconcile their differences and mend the relationships that have been strained by her criticism of Family Church? Only time will tell. One thing is certain, however: Jinger’s courage to speak her truth, despite the potential backlash, is a powerful testament to the enduring power of self-expression and the human spirit.