The Real "Power" Behind Alcoholics Anonymous

The Real "Power" Behind Alcoholics Anonymous.
By Dick B.
Copyright 2010 Anonymous

The year 2010 will mark our new series of books, DVD's, audios and articles emphasizing the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the origins, Original A.A. program, and astonishing successes of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in June, 1935. These new resources will explore how the A.A. Society was changed in character in 1939 in order to sell books and to placate atheists and agnostics. And the resources will assure Christians: (1) Christians in the recovery arena today area not alone. (2) A.A. itself can no longer be characterized as a Christian Fellowship. (3) There are tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of Christians in A.A. today. (4) The present-day program has more than enough room for the beliefs, principles, and practices of Christians in A.A. and other segments of the recovery community. (5) The vital role of God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible is still available in A.A. and anwhere else where those who are suffering want God's help. (6) There is need for Christians and others still suffering to step up to the plate and learn what God can do for them if they want his help.

Because:

The real "Power" behind A.A. is the power of God.

Even today, A.A.'s Fourth Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous declares:

1) There is One who has all power--that One is God (p. 59)
2) That God could and would [relieve our alcoholism] if He were sought (p.60)
3) God either is, or He isn't (p. 53)
4) And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about God (p.45)
5) That Power, which is God (p. 45)

The real "Power" behind Alcoholics Anonymous is the power of God!

Are there those in A.A. or who write about A.A. who believe otherwise? There sure are. Some talk about a "higher power." Some say that their higher power can be a light bulb, the A.A. group, a chair, a rock, a radiator, Ralph, the "Big Dipper," a "Coke Bottle, "Something," "Somebody," or just a "not-god." Others--including many publishing present-day A.A. literature--say you don't have to believe in anything at all.

So either God is, or He isn't. Our own choice is to thank, praise, ask wisdom from, seek healing by, gain forgiveness through, and be assured of victory because we believe in and turned for help to Almighty God--described in the Big Book as Creator, Maker, Father, Heavenly Father, Father of lights, and (elsewhere) as the "God of our fathers." That's the One with all power. And early AAs obtained that power by believing that God is (Hebrews 11:6) and that you can come to Him and be made whole by the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified, whom God raised from the dead, and by whose name seekers must be saved (John 3:16, 14:6; Acts 4:7-14; Romans 10:9-10.

The real "Power" behind Alcoholics Anonymous is the power of God--the power that was made available by the accomplishments of His Son Jesus Christ for all who wished to become children of the living and true God, and obtain His help.

God Bless, Dick B. www.dickb.com, 2010