New Forums on International Christian Recovery Coalition Page

Check out the new International Christian Recovery Coalition Forums: http://goo.gl/DW1ms

Recovered Believer from Spain Joins Coalition Participants

The international presence of participants in International Christian Recovery Coalition. More and more countries in addition to almost all of our states have been represented.

Welcome to

Jonas Eriksson
Calle Mascarell 6
Piso 1A, Bloque B, Escalera 1
07610 Palma de Mallorca
Spain

International Christian Recovery Coalition Forum Coming Soon!

A Forum Coming Soon for International Christian Recovery Coalition on our website: www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com.

The International Christian Recovery Coalition has launched a number of projects in its two-year plus existence since 2009. The latest is a forum on its webpage.

International Christian Recovery Coalition has a simple mission. Confirming and reportingthat "Christians in the recovery arena are not alone", the Coalition has defined the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the origins, history, founding, original A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in 1935, and its astonishing successes. This role is little known in A.A. and has virtually been ignored by the Fellowship, historians, "scholars," treatment programs, counselors, and government-non-profit agencies--and even Christian recovery leaders and workers. The Coalition has bent every effort to report the history and also to show how important in application it can be today--in A.A. and certainly in helping to recovery those who want God's help.

The forthcoming forum will enable viewers: (1)To ask questions about the Coalition and its projects. (2) To ask questions about the Christian Recovery Resource Centers that were launched starting January, 2011. (3) To ask questions about Christian recovery. (4) To enable International Christian Recovery Coalition participants--now existing in almost every state of the USA, and in a growing number of other countries--to network with each other. (5) To enable Christian Recovery Coalition Centers become more effective in outreach by having a direct and popular means of give and take discussions on the internet. (6) To make comments and suggestions without restrictive censorship or "moderating" czars. (7) To introduce themselves.

This conversational opportunity will bring Christian recovery means and organizations and leaders and newcomers into a new and very specific forum that is focused on every aspect of Christian recovery problems, hindrances, resources, and locations.

The Forum joins the many other informational projects that have been established since the International Christian Recovery Coalition began with the large conference of Christian leaders and workers in recovery that was convened at the Mariners Church Community Center in Irvine, California in May, 2010.

First came the establishment of the Coalition itself. Next came the website. Next came the facebook. Next came the blog www.internationalchristianrecoverycoalition.blogspot.com. Next came the organization of Christian Recovery Resource Centers and Persons--Worlwide. Next came the free distribution of about 14,000 A.A. history and Christian Recovery Movement history titles, authored by historian and writer Dick B. Next came the "Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery Class" www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml. Next came the Dick B. Handbook for Christian Recovery Coalition Centers and Persons. Finally came over twenty-five conferences, meetings, and conferences in California and Oahu where Dick B and Ken B. addressed hundreds and hundreds of receptive audiences.

And, underlying the project, have been three editions of The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide. This is the flagship recovery resource. It has been available for purchase on www.dickb.com. It has been distributed at conferences. And it has been ordered online and by phone by a large number of afflicted and affected persons seeking God's help for their maladies.

Very shortly, the International Christian Recovery Coalition Forum will be up and running and available for viewing and exchange of views on a separate page on the www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com website.

Stay tuned, and gather immense amounts of information about Christian recovery from alcoholism, addiction, and "co-dependency" problems.

God Bless, Dick B., Executive Director, dickb@dickb.com; www.dickb.com

The First Eleven Dick B. YouTube Channel Programs and What they say and forecast

About the now uploaded and running first series of programs on Dick B. YouTube Channel:

1. There are eleven programs in which Dick B. provides brief audio explanations of: (a)The purpose of the YouTube Channel, which is to summarize the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played and can play in the original A.A. program and can play in recovery today. (b)Programs on the six major Christian organizations and/or people which most impacted on the origins, history, founding, original Christian Fellowship of AAs founded in Akron in 1935, and their successes. (c) And then the two final programs in this series which explain the plight of the newcomer entering recovery today and the solution to that problem.

2. The audio explanations are accompanied by "power point" attractive text which makes it possible for the listener to view both the comments made and also to see some of the books and resources that back up the statement.

3. For quick access to the Dick B. YouTube Channel and each of the programs, Click http://goo.gl/rCtH6.

4. There is a brief summary and forecast of the many program series that will follow, what they will cover, and how they relate to the basic theme of the dickbchannel, which deals with A.A. History and the Christian Recovery Movement.

Dick B., dickb@dickb.com; www.dickb.com

Quick Access to Dick B. YouTube Channel and Programs http://goo.gl/rCtH6

http://goo.gl/rCtH6

Welcoming You to the Dick B. YouTube Channel

Welcoming You to the Dick B. YouTube Channel

“The History of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian Recovery Movement”

Announcing the First Series, of Eleven Separate Presentations—one series of many to come—that is the first series of programs now up, running, and ready for you to view and hear

Here are Brief Summaries of Each of the Eleven Programs You Can Watch

Program One: “Introduction”

Dick B. discusses the need for brief, explanatory snippets explaining the role of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in the Christian Recovery Movement and in the origins, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successes of the early A.A. Akron “Christian Fellowship”—as Dr. Bob described it.

Program Two: “Six Christian Origins”

Dick B. introduces the Christian Recovery Community and societies like Alcoholics
Anonymous to the six epochs (naming the events or organizations or persons) which comprise and impacted on the real Christian roots of recovery and of A.A.’s Akron program.

Program Three: “The Great Awakening of 1875”

Dick B. explains how this remarkable event in St. Johnsbury Vermont, the boyhood home of A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob, changed an entire village and many others with it, converted many to God through Jesus Christ, and left a heritage for other organizations and for the Christian upbringing of both A.A. co-founders, Dr. Bob and Bill W.

Program Four: “The YMCA”

Dick B. shows how the YMCA brethren in the 1870’s followed the traditions of non-denominational personal work by lay workers who brought about the Great Awakening through Gospel Meetings, conversion meetings, and work with churches and communities. He also points to the position that Dr. Bob’s father, Judge Smith, held as YMCA President in St. Johnsbury, and the position that Bill W. held as President of the YMCA at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, Vermont.

Program Five: “The Christian Evangelists”

Dick B. highlights what the famous Christian evangelists (like Dwight L. Moody, Ira Sankey, F. B. Meyer, and Billy Sunday) brought to the recovery table in their huge revival meetings in New England and elsewhere in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s—when they brought about thousands of conversions and healed, by God’s power, innumerable sick folks, including drunkards. In fact, Dr. Bob himself appeared to take a special interest in one of these healing evangelists who spent considerable time in Akron not long after early A.A. was founded.

Program Six: “Gospel Rescue Missions”

Dick B. summarizes the widely known and applauded service performed by Jerry McAuley, his Water Street Mission, and Calvary Mission (where Bill W. and his “sponsor” Ebby made their decisions for Jesus Christ and became born again. He points to the typical “Jesus Saves,” hymn singing, Bible reading, prayers, and testimonials before the “altar call” where penitents like Bill W. kneeled, prayed, and gave their lives to Jesus Christ.

Program Seven: “The Salvation Army”

Dick B. illustrates the importance to early AAs of books like Harold Begbie’s Twice-Born Men which told how lives were saved and drunkards redeemed when recovered men went into the slums of London, found a derelict or drunkard on the streets, offered him Salvation and the teachings of the Bible, and then—when he had recovered—asked that he join “God’s Army”

Program Eight: “Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor”

Dick B. fleshes out the highly important fellowship principles and practices that Dr. Bob learned when, as a youngster in his church, he was active in its Christian Endeavor group, as were his parents. Dick also illustrates the close parallel between the confession of Jesus Christ, conversion meetings, prayer meetings, Bible studies, Quiet Hour, discussion of Christian literature, and motto of “love and service,” and the Akron program of A.A. begun in 1935

Program Nine: “The Misunderstood Christian Origins of Early A.A.”

Dick B. shows how the very clear parallels between the six Christian origins of A.A. have been ignored, distorted, or misunderstood and replaced by historians, scholars, and AAs themselves. These origins have given way to tenuous references to the Oxford Group and even the Washingtonians when the Washingtonians failed almost a century before A.A. was born, and the Oxford Group was, at most, a fellowship with which Dr. Bob and Bill were both briefly associated, but which came into play as an A.A. source, when Bill W. later fashioned his Big Book and Twelve Steps published four years after the founding of A.A. Dick points to Dr. Bob’s specific statement that the basic ideas of A.A. came from the Bible.

Program Ten: “A Newcomer’s Plight on Entering A.A. Today”

Dick B. explains how some wild intrusions have slipped into the A.A. program at a time when a bewildered, hurting, problem-filled, sick A.A. newcomer enters a Twelve Step fellowship today. That newcomer begins early to hear about false gods (called higher powers), illusory New Age “spirituality,” and outright condemnations of religion and of any relationship with the Creator. This feeds the newcomer confusion at a time when he should be hearing about the real A.A. solution from the beginning—the power of God. He doesn’t hear the origins. He doesn’t hear the real history. He doesn’t hear about the early A.A. Christian Fellowship. And he is confronted with the unreliable “wisdom of the rooms,” revisionist ideas, and concern over what may be his own deeply held Christian convictions.

Program Eleven: “The Solution”

Dick B. concludes this first and very introductory series of programs by pointing to the much-needed return to information in the recovery world. Information that stresses the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played and can play in recovery. Information that tells the specific origins, principles, and practices of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship in Akron. And information which shows how this information can and should be applied in recovery today—with a firm position, for those who want to hear it, that it was the power of God that early AAs sought to find, and the power of God which they declared had healed them in such high and unprecedented numbers.

Note: There will quite a large number of segments—series presentations, if you will—where Dick B. will take the viewer and listener through the comprehensive, truthful, accurate history of both A.A. and the Christian Recovery Movement. He will show the dramatic compromises and changes in the program that occurred in 1939. He will discuss the various people who helped shape both the early Christian program and who helped Bill W. shape the new program of 1939. He will point to the resources available to those who want to grow in understanding and faith.
He will suggest how others can further the mission of understanding and historical truth that he has undertaken—and, for the last twenty-one years, with the immeasurable help of his older son, Ken. He will explain how the Twelve Steps can better be understood and applied by those who know their actual origins and original intended meaning. He will urge the formation of study groups and explain how they can be formed. He will urge the continuation of the rapidly growing participation in the mission of the International Christian Recovery Coalition and of the projects it has accomplished and is planning to undertake.

[Special appreciation for and recognition of the vital role played and being played by volunteer Neal Pearson of Texas, and by my son Ken B. in editing and producing the first of this series. Thank you. Dick B.]

dickb@dickb.com; www.dickb.com; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com; www.mauihistorian.blogspont.com; www.drbobinfo; http://freedomranchmaui.org.

Gloria Deo

The Plight of the A.A. Newcomer Entering Recovery Today: Dick B. YouTube Presentation # 10

The latest Dick B. YouTube Channel presentation is Number 10. It is up and running along with the previous nine. And thanks to the hard work of Neal Pearson of Texas and of my son Ken B., we will soon have online all 11 of the first series on A.A. History and The Christian Recovery Movement.

A.A. History and the Christian Recovery Movement will have many many brief videos presnting Dick B.'s voice, an easily read script to follow along, and occasionally some pictures of appropriate books--particularly the Dick B. A.A. History Titles www.dickb.com/titles.shtml. When all 11 are up and running, we will widely publicize all eleven presentations, by number and by titles of the subject. The best organized URL to click is: http://goo.gl/rCtH6


Meanwhile, Dick B. YouTube Channel PresentationNumber 10 is The Plight of the A.A. Newcomer Entering Recovery Today.
Check out my A.A. history videos on the new Dick B. Channel on YouTube:
http://goo.gl/rCtH6

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

The Contentious Few Who Fight God in Recovery

A reply to a dedicated A.A. Christian frustrated by a common accusation.

Dear Karl: I think or hope you know the response. The view is opinionated. It is historically incorrect. And it is a classic example of contempt prior to investigation. It is also all too common, primarily because of two major factors: (1) Most AAs do not know their own history; nor the Akron beginnings; nor Doctor Bob’s activities; nor how far they have strayed from the Big Book’s “Creator,” ‘”Maker,” “Heavenly Father,” “Father of Lights,” and “Spirit.” In fact, as you probably know, many AAs have never studied, and perhaps not even read, the Big Book. They stick to the “wisdom of the rooms.” And he who thinks he can or will change this widespread misinformation and stubborn attacks is whistling in the dark. (2) If you don’t believe in the Devil, you will never understand how deeply he has sunk his teeth into the entire fellowship (John 10:10). These folks—not necessarily in the majority—are being misled, deceived, and propelled by “the father of lies.” And they don’t even know it.

Now it is precisely because there are so many Christians in A.A. and in recovery who encounter what you encounter, that we had the huge conference in Irvine two years ago to assess the immensity of the problem. And it is precisely because 21 years of intense research have made it clear that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have played a major role in the origins, history, founding, original Christian Fellowship, its great successes, and the detour that Bill implanted in the Big Book when he changed Steps 2, 3, and 11. A.A. is no longer a Christian fellowship. But there are thousands upon thousands of Christians in A.A. and others who can be brought to a relationship with God (Big Book page 29) if they are snagged early enough and given the truth by a knowledgeable teacher.

To facilitate and catalyze the presentation of truth, we formed the International Christian Recovery Coalition. It has participants in almost every state and in a number of countries elsewhere. We mailed out 14,000 free books (compared to the 40 million A.A.. has “sold”). We have 17 Christian Recovery Resource Centers. And we have a wonderful track record of going where we are invited and funded and addressing large audiences who are “A.A. Friendly, Bible Friendly, History Friendly, Newcomer Friendly, and Friendly friendly.” Your lady writer is none of these, not even A.A. friendly, or she wouldn’t be trying to exclude information, distort the A.A. facts, and disrupt whatever it is that you proposed to her.

Dr. Bob had a very simple approach, summarized in DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers on page 131. He started, as did Bill, by finding out from the newcomer if he understood the deep hole he had dug for himself, how hopeless it was, and his need to give up booze permanently. You know the rest: Surrender to God. Eliminate Sin. Grow in fellowship with God and His Son and other believers through Bible knowledge, prayer efforts, Quiet Time seeking God’s will and guidance, and reading solid Christian literature. Then passing that on. Not what this lady – as so many others – promulgate. Then urging fellowship with like-minded believers and recommending a religious service weekly. And this lady hasn’t a clue about that. And probably would start arguing before she was invited to listen.

Do we support the A.A. we know and love? Do we try only to provide accurate history? Do we really have our course set to serve and glorify God? Do we recognize that Christians in the recovery arena are not alone? Do we keep our eyes on the newcomer and not on the A.A. police? Do we recognize that “unity” means – in present day A.A. – living along side folks who sometimes make us want to vomit? That’s what soldiers do. That’s what Boy Scouts do. That’s what labor unions do. That’s what Congressmen do. That’s what business people and professionals do. Do we fight or serve? And do we serve the truth? And do we recognize that we are not fighting against flesh and blood. It’s not about human versus human. It’s about recognizing the actual enemy and putting on the whole armor of
God.

I have no answer for this uniformed and highly motivated woman. I would say: Let her “bow out.” Decide, as I think you have, to keeping tooting the horn of truth; kick the devil in his behind (James 4:7), and recognizing that we have the weapons to win a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6).

I would be glad to discuss any of this with you by phone. And I adjure you to keep paddling. The ship is afloat. The course is clear. And God can provide the wisdom if we ask for it (James 1).

God bless,

Dick B.
Author, 42 titles & over 500 articles on A.A. History
Exec. Dir., International Christian Recovery Coalition
Christian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide
www.DickB.com
DickB@DickB.com
(808) 874-4876
PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837

Ps 118:17 (NJB):
I shall not die, I shall live to recount the great deeds of Yahweh.

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From: Karl

This is an example of the responses that I have experienced when I bring up your work. I have sent out feelers for a meeting with you within the AA community, many who are not Christians and rebellious to any reference of such.
I'm asking you for help responding to this.

KARL

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Lynda or Jeff >
Sent: Sat, June 25, 2011 12:06:06 AM

If you're referring to the early Christian connections with the Oxford Group, then I'm afraid I'm going to have to bow out of this one. We all know that the early 'would be' AA's associated early on with the Oxford Group looking for anything that would help themselves and other alcoholics to stop drinking, but realized this was not the answer. They turned away from the emphasis on Christianity and instead concentrated on spirituality through a Higher Power and the absence of organized religion. To practicing Christians, I imagine this history may be interesting, but it's not AA. AA started by borrowing a handful of Bible quotes and some teachings from the Oxford Group, but became its own organization devoid of any religious affiliation.

Rosie

A.A. Christian Roots

It drives psychoheresy and a few A.A. naysayers nuts when history reveals the extensive Christian roots of A.A. These anti-A.A. attack hounds just don't want to hear about the tremendous role that the Great Awakening of 1875, the YMCA lay brethren, the Christian rescue missions, the Salvation Army, the great Evangelists like Moody, Sankey, and Sunday, and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor played. Nor will they open their eyes to the Christian upbringing of both A.A. co-founders as youngsters in Vermont. They'd rather speculate about "automatic writing," masonry, non-Christians in A.A. today, and A.A.'s current drift away from God. They'd rather not look into the thousands and thousands of Christians in A.A. and in related Christian recovery fellowships in the great Christian Recovery Movement developing and growing each day.
And in the great stroke of "straw man" argument, they turn their thoughts to blaming it all on "Dick B." And they often claim he couldn't possibly be a Christian, though the evidence is to the contrary. And God, rather than psychoheresy, is the One who knows the heart of man.
Now for a few suggestions about the Christian Roots of A.A.

The Christian Roots of A.A.: A.A.'s heritage is not spirituality. It's certainly not a door knob or a light bulb "god." And "not-god-ness" is in no way representative of what the Big Book is about. The best starting place for info is Bill's Story and the A.A. First Edition Big Book. Then DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers. And then a thorough look at the Book of James, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13. These were the heart of early A.A.'s Christian Fellowship in Akron. See www.dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml.
If you compare the early program with the A.A. Big Book ideas, you'll see the biblical roots at every turn. But the next stop is the Oxford Group. This is because Bill codified the Oxford Group principles and practices into his "practical program of action" in the Big Book. www.dickb.com/OxfordGroup.shtml.
Shoemaker and William James played a part in introducing the idea of "finding God" but Dr. Bob stuck with just plain God. www.dickb.com/newlight.shtml

Take 12 Radio.com Interview of Dick B. on Sponsorship

This morning, my good friend Monty produced a one-hour open discussion forum on his radio show - Take12Radio.com. The topic concerned when and whether it is appropriate to say of an A.A. sponsee, "Enough is enough. I can't sponsor you any longer."

Half of the program involved an interview with me (Dick B.) asking the foregoing as well as other views about the strength or weakness of present-day A.A. To the discussion, I added when or whether it is appropriate to say of an A.A. sponsor, "Enough is enough. I can't work with you as my sponsor any longer."

My presentation centered around page 29 of Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed. 2001. There in plain and simple terms A.A.'s basic text explains that in the personal stories each individual explains in his own language and from his own point of view how he established his relationship with God. And that means freedom of viewpoint. It means to me that I should avoid passing on what a sponsee does not want. It also means getting rid of a sponsor who tries to prevent a sponsee from expressing in his own language and from his own point of view how he established his relationship with God. Both situations are within the realm of my experience.

In early A.A., Dr. Bob would ask a sponsee "Do you believe in God?" And there was only one acceptable answer. That answer was "Yes." And if the sponsee responded with a "yes," Dr. Bob might comment: Now we are getting somewhere. Get down on your knees. We are going to pray." And the two men did.

Much of today's later revisionist A.A. literature is, for the most part, framed on the idea that you can believe in what you want, or you can believe in nothing at all. You can have an "higher power" that is a tree, a light bulb, a radiator, Gertrude, Ralph, or Santa Claus. But that certainly is not a requirement. Nor is it acceptable to most Christians in A.A. today. Nor to me. We need not believe that way or unbelieve that way.

The bottom line in my radio answers was this: If a sponsee does not want to believe in God; or if a sponsee dumps his relationship with God, I, as a believer, know that this is not someone with whom I care to work. I wish him well, and suggest he go elsewhere for a sponsor. The same was and is true when a sponsor endeavors, as mine did, to prevent me from studying the Bible, leading others to the Bible, or talking about the Bible. I, as a believer, know that this person is no longer a suitable sponsor for me. And I let him go. This is exactly what I did when my sponsor and his sponsor contended that someone who reads the Bible will get drunk.

Love and service do not permit shoving something down someone's throat. The better part of love is to love. The better part of service is to serve something you believe in--especially when that belief is in God--something all the early AAs believed.

I applaud Monty for his continuing valuable radio shows which carry the recovery message far and wide.

Dick B. www.dickb.com

Christian Recovery Resource Center Highlights Maui Detox

For many years, we picked up detoxing drug addicts and alcoholics at A.A. meetings, the Alano Club, in homes and apartments; and we deposited them in the Emergency Room in Wailuku. We despaired of the lack of attention to the DT's, seizures, and even death that emerge from substance abuse excesses. Recently we learned of the availability of detox help at the Aloha House and are pleased to point up and highlight this much needed resource--whatever it takes to be admitted. Dick B. www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com

List of Believers in Recovery Meetings on Maui

Henry Cummings, a long-recovered, experienced Christian recovery leader - a participant in the International Christian Recovery Coalition - is coordinating the establishment and publicizing of believers in recovery meetings on Maui.

This is part of the new project of the Maui Christian Recovery Resource Center in partnership with the County of Maui Salvation Army. Henry is one of the leaders with whom we are associated in the Maui Community Recovery Project.

At our request, he has provded the following list of believers in recovery meetings; and we will be adding other such meetings as the project progresses.

Here is the meeting schedule:

Listings of Believer's In Recovery Meetings

Wailuku @ Good Shepherd Church on Main Street
Monday evenings @ 7:00pm to 8:30 pm
Held in St.Luke Classroom...
Run by: Henry & Momi Cummings # 268-5584 or 242-4571

Kihei @ (Maui Lu) South Calvary Chapel
Thursday evenings @ 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Held in the Library (front downstairs)
Run by: Sam & Robin Cavitt # 298-3307

Hana @ Senior Citizens Hall
Saturday mornings @ 8:00am to 9:30am
Located across Hana Ball Park (ocean side)
Run by: Ben & Jenny Nu # 283-9360 or 248-7236

Kahului @ Salvation Army Hall
SOON TO BE!!!

AA-Origin of Third Step Prayer

The following is the correspondence between me and a sincere A.A. history inquirer (John G.) who asked about the origin of A.A.'s Third Step Prayer

"Dear John: Thank you so much for writing on this important subject. I would much rather you phoned me here in Hawaii today at 808 874 4876 than to try either: (1) To tell you the complicated answers. or (2) To refer you to the seven and perhaps eight suggested sources of information in my books.

Suffice it to say, that the problem begins with those who don’t know or want to know the following: (1) What the early AAs did with their Bibles and surrenders and Jesus Christ. (2) What Anne Smith wrote and taught in her journal about all of these. (3) What the underlying Oxford Group idea’s about surrender and the 5 C’s and a “decision” were. (4) How Sam Shoemaker used the Oxford Group ideas to teach Wilson a somewhat different approach. (5) How the great compromise and change in the Big Book manuscript just before press altered everyone’s understanding. (6) How Bill added Steps 6 and 7 as an afterthought to his own original Step ideas. (7) How all these factors have become the subject of speculation, opinion, distortion, and suppression. (8) The revisionist influence on thinking and literature that Kurtz’s unjustified not-god-ness, spirituality, and “keep it simple” contentions have had.

When Dr. Bob said, “Keep it simple, Bill,” he was not talking about the Bible or the Oxford Group or the non-existent Steps. He was talking about not letting psychology and such ideas mess up the simple 7 point story of Akron. He was also saying what he said in the context of Bill’s climbing on the train after the heated argument in Akron and Bill’s planning on a book, hospitals, and missionaries. This view has degenerated into “Keep it Simple, Stupid.” And Bill and Bob weren’t stupid. Nor are we!

To be sure your source references are provided, here they are from the titles of my books: (1) The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible. (2) Anne Smith’s Journal 1933-1939: A.A.’s Principles of Success. (3) The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living that Works. (4) New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A. (5) By the Power of God. (6) Twelve Steps for You. (7) The Golden Text of A.A. – not excluding the workbook I compiled and edited for the Snyder sponsee writers who carefully put forth Clarence Snyder’s views.

That may sound like a mouthful. And it is. I gave the basic picture of the diversity of sources when I spoke at Archives 2000 at the Minneapolis Convention. I have spent twenty years researching and untangling the garbled incomplete history. I have spent the last few years showing how this pot full of sources can still be applied in today’s A.A. by Christians and others who want God’s help if they are receptive to learning the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have played in the origins, history, founding, original program, Akron’s successes, and the changes in 1939. And can play today for those who want to learn a simple, clear, account of the differences between the A.A. of Akron from 1935-1938 and the A.A. of Bill Wilson which was incorporated into the Big Book and compromised between 1938 and 1939.


I would rather that you become a puzzled scholar and teacher willing to tackle and accurately report the game that it is, than to have myself quoted out of context by those who have already formulated their own prejudices and approaches. There is a strong Christian Recovery Movement in play today. One that is A.A. friendly, Bible friendly, Christian friendly, newcomer friendly, and recovery friendly. And I would be glad to share this with you also by phone. Don’t give up the ship and yield to those who have already formulated their opinions, who are restrictive and revisionist in approach, and who don’t recognize the many adverse influences that are peppering away at the wonderful, simple Society originally developed by Bob, Bill, and the Akronites.

God bless,

Dick B.
Author, 42 titles & over 500 articles on A.A. History
Exec. Dir., International Christian Recovery Coalition
Christian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide
www.DickB.com
DickB@DickB.com
(808) 874-4876
PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837

Ps 118:17 (NJB):
I shall not die, I shall live to recount the great deeds of Yahweh.

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From: John Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 9:29 AM
To: dickb@dickb.com
Subject: Origin of 3rd step prayer

Hi Dick:
Thanks for all your great work through the years.
I have a whole bunch of your books already.
Can you please tell me where I might find some background
on the composition of the third step prayer and the seventh step prayer.
Did Bill just make them up? Did they come from some other source?
Did he pulled the basics from some other source?
Seems to be an increasingly common question from the guys I am sponsoring.
I'd like to be able to answer them.
Thanks so much for your help.
All the best, John G

Noted Singer, Pastor, Recovery Leader & Maui Ministry

Noted Singer and Pastor Kenny Munds Tells of Recent, Vigorous, Maui Christian Recovery Work and Christian Witness Over a Two-Week Period

By Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved

I urge readers to go to two different, lengthy blogs posted by Pastor Kenny Munds of Scottsdale, Arizona. Pastor Kenny is now a participant in the International Christian Recovery Coalition and is supporting our Maui island-wide Christian Recovery Coalition. He spent more than a week on Maui, with his visit's having been arranged by Pastor Rich DiGiacomo (also an International Christian Recovery Coalition participant).

I will briefly summarize in two separate paragraphs the stellar ministry that Pastor Kenny did here over a two-week period on Maui, and then point to the cooperative island-wide Community Recovery Program upon which so many experienced, long-recovered, devoted Christian recovery leaders and pastors have begun work.

Summary of the Broad Ministry of Pastor Kenny Munds Here on Maui

This is to let Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena see and understand the intended broad scope of the outreach of the Maui Christian Recovery Resource Center in partnership with the County of Maui Salvation Army. Pastor Kenny’s ministry on Maui was a lightening rod for all of us. And here are some of the places where he sang, pastored, witnessed, and fellowshipped: (1) the Maui Correctional Center. (2) Several Maui Christian churches. (3) Beaches where homeless people were living. (4) Bible studies. (5) Twelve-Step Meetings. (6) Neighborhood Place of Wailuku, which endeavors to meet the needs of families and children and help them find a new, successful life and environment. (7) Various meetings current and possible International Christian Recovery Coalition participants played a role. Check Kenny’s blog for more details: http://kennymundsministry.org/2011/06/14/maui-part-1/

The Maui Christian Recovery Leaders and Workers Now Working Together

Again, this is just a brief summary: As Pastor Kenny said, he and Pastor Rich DiGiacomo met with my son (Rev. Ken B.) and me, and Pastor Rich shared a Set Free vision for the entire County of Maui. And they told us the places and people Pastor Rich has contacted to begin converting the vision into an actual program. We learned of Kenny and Rich's meeting with the prison chaplaincy people here on Maui as well as with men and women prisoners. We learned of the great work being done by Pastor Henry Cummings in coordinating believer’s Bible study meetings throughout the Island. We learned of the street and prison ministry of Frank Hobbs on Maui. We visited for several hours with Pastor Greg DeLa Cruz who is a Family Success Coach at Neighborhood House in Wailuku and also Senior Pastor of Living Way Church in Wailuku. We were introduced by Pastor Rich to Pastor Cliff Spencer, CADAC, Director of The Salvation Army Maui County Emergency Disaster Services. And there were others—still to come. See the details of the Kenny Munds Ministry's second blog: http://kennymundsministry.org/2011/06/15/maui-last-week/

The remarkable thing about all of these leaders is their passion for the Lord Jesus Christ and for reliance on the Word of God. All, except my son (who is not an alcoholic or an addict) have had sustained, long-term recovery from alcoholism and drug use. Most have been imprisoned. All have attended either A.A. or N.A. or both. Many have been connected with other programs such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Set Free, and YWAM. All have ministered to veterans, to the homeless, to those afflicted with alcoholism and drug addiction, as well as to the families and loved ones of these people. Almost all are directly working with a Christian church. Most are volunteers. Nearly all have become participants in the International Christian Recovery Coalition. And all have put their shoulders to the wheel in establishing a broad-based, Christian recovery resource program on Maui that will publicize: (1) the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have played in successful recovery work since the later 1800’s and even until today; (2) the role they played in the founding of the original Alcoholics Anonymous “Christian fellowship” founded in Akron in 1935; and (3) the role they can play for those who want God’s help and are at-risk, incarcerated, homeless, without every-day-living resources, facing mental problems, and/or dealing with the ravages of alcoholism and addiction.

Dick B., Executive Director, International Christian Recovery Coalition
Dickb@DickB.com; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com

Gloria Deo

A Suggested Guide for Recovery Groups and Meetings Patterned on Early AA

A Suggested Guide for Recovery Groups and Meetings Patterned on Early AA

Dick B., Copyright, 2005, 2011 as revised

P. O. Box 837
Kihei, HI 96753-0837
(808 874 4876)
email: dickb@dickb.com
URL: http://www.dickb.com/index.shtml

Introductory Comment

For the past three of four years, and particularly in 2005, scarcely a day goes by that someone does not phone, fax, email, or mail me a request on how to start a Big Book/Bible Study Group in AA, How to hold an old-time, early AA meeting, What to do with a recovery group started by a church, a para church, or a group of AAs who want to focus on the early AA Christian Fellowship, reliance on the Creator, Bible Study, and the old fashioned prayer meetings@ as they were frequently called.

Each communicant has a different agenda, a different point of origin, and a unique recovery group or church community background.

Hence, I have found it helpful to have each person supply me directly with the following:

1. Their name, mail address, phone number, email, and website, if any.

2. A brief statement of their alcoholism or addiction story.

3. The length of their continuous sobriety or freedom from addiction.

4. Their religion, church or group, and religious beliefs.

5. Whether they believe in the Creator, have accepted Christ, and are willing to lead.

6. Their familiarity with the Big Book, taking the Twelve Steps, and a fellowship

7. The name, address, religion, and faith beliefs of their pastor or priest, if any.

8. The number of people they plan to reach at the beginning.

9. The immediate financial resources they have for acquiring start-up literature.

10. Whether they have read my books, and, if any, the books they’ve read.


When the foregoing have been answered by phone, email, or other communication, I welcome personal calls by phone to discuss moving forward and initial guidance.

Specific Suggestions

Suggested Format for Recovery Group Meetings

Open the Meeting as Follows:

This is the regular meeting of the (i.e.) God’s Way Recovery Group
My name is xxx, and I am your secretary
We will open the meeting with a moment of silence to do with as you wish
Followed by a prayer; and the secretary or chosen person prays (i.e.)

“Heavenly Father. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ for your blessing on this meeting of those who are here to overcome their life-controlling problems such as alcoholism, addictions, and other dependencies. We ask that your wisdom and guidance show us your will for our lives, your way to victory, and how we may glorify you in all that we do here.”

This group patterns its work after that of the first Alcoholics Anonymous Group, which was formed in Akron,
Ohio, The early A.A Christian Fellowship in Akron; stressed the Bible; was known as AA Number One; was a Christian Fellowship; and relied on the Creator to overcome the problems of the members. To the same end, we’ll review several verses from the Bible that guided them in their work:

God’s love: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life@ (John 3:16)

God’s will: Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge
of the truth (1 Tim 2:4)

God’s word of faith: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved (Rom 10:9)

His Word is truth: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17)

Faith in God: But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him: (Heb 11:6)

Obeying God: Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promises (Heb 10:35-3 6)

God’s Two Great Commandments: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets (Matt 22:37-40)


Forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy
diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Who satisfieth thy mouth with
good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:3-5)

The Gospel: And he [Jesus] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shalt they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover: (Mark 16:15-18)

Early AAs believed that the solution to all their problems was in the Good Book--the Bible.

The Book of James was their favorite. In fact, A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob declared that James, the sermon on the mount, and 1 Corinthians 13 were all considered absolutely essential. The Society considered it vital that they seek, find, know, and establish a relationship and fellowship with God. Also vital that they study the Book of Acts to see what Christians could and should do by reason of
the teachings and accomplishments of Jesus Christ before he ascended to heaven to be at the right hand of his Father, Yahweh, the Creator.

Tonight’s session will be divided into three parts.

First, I will select someone to read (i.e.) the first two (or more) chapters of James.

Second, I will select someone to read the guide prepared for us by A.A. historian Dick B. concerning these two chapters and the A.A. program.

Third, I’ll open the meeting briefly for comments and discussion on these items.

We will then have a period where each of us in the group may pray to God and to seek His guidance in respect of our own lives.

Then, we ask that newcomers raise their hands so that we can get to know you. Please talk to someone after the meeting, give them your name and phone number, and get theirs so that you may call them for prayers, help, and support. During the period you are working at recovery God’s way, keep company with believers whether in shopping, recreation, sports, church, meetings, schools, meals, and so on. See Acts chapters 1 through 4 for what they did in the First Century that sustained their believing and carried the message.

For those who have not yet been born again of God’s spirit, please either see your pastor and do so with that person if you wish, or see me after the meeting; and we will have a brief ceremony where individually you can confess Jesus as your Lord and confirm in your heart that God raised him from the dead. This was called a surrender in early AA.

Literature is available for purchase or order at the table in the rear. Be sure to read your Bibles and pray each day. Our next meeting will be on _____________.


We will close the meeting by joining hands in a circle and saying the Lord’s Prayer, which will be led by __________. Thank you all for coming. Please join us again.

Suggestions for Members of the Group

Suggestions for the individual to follow daily:

Abstain. Under no circumstances, indulge in your temptation problem - alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, lust, over-eating, etc.

Be sure to seek medical help for withdrawal, sweats, shaking, etc.

Thank God for all the blessings, name them and for all blessings that you already have.

Ask God in the name of Jesus Christ to heal you of your illnesses, to guide you away from temptations, to forgive you for your mistakes, to guide you and instruct you to safe habits, friends, places, and activities.

Determine that you will change your life by following God=s commandments as they are set out in the Bible.

Renew your mind in your reading, thinking, speaking - filling it with simple ideas
such as those in Philippians 4:8, 1 John 4:8, and Ephesians 1:19.

Call other believers for prayers, company, joint reading, activities.

Begin immediately finding someone you can help even if it is by phoning them,
giving them rides, joining them for an activity, reading the Bible with them, or simply keeping fellowship with that person.

Don’t give up! Don’t give in. Read James 4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

Suggested reading for individuals or the group:

Read slowly, bit by bit, the Gospels, Acts, and go on with Romans, etc.

Read

Dick B.’s Why Early AAs Succeeded (a Bible study guide)
Use it, beginning at Chapter 4, for individual Bible study or
Group Bible study.

Dick B.’s The James Club: The Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials


Read Psalms such as 23, 31, 56, 91; Proverbs 3:5-6.

Filling your hours:

A job, volunteer work, exercise, sports, wholesome recreation, school, reading.

Heed the old AA adage: Don’t get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.

A Sponsor: Ask someone who has a sound Christian life to be your contact and sponsor. Keep in touch. Share your problems as long as your contact provides you with prayers, Bible segments to read, and positive solutions - not just sympathetic listening, or some secular experience or solution.


Other Meetings Your Group Can Hold

First, consult the Creator for guidance as to content and leader.

. 1 meeting a week resembling the above original AA meeting

1 meeting a week on early AA History

1 meeting a week simply reading the Bible - using the Bible study primer

1 meeting a week teaching the Big Book chapter by chapter

1 meeting a week studying a step and its origins (using my Twelve Steps for You Book)

1 meeting a week on Steps 10, 11, 12, particularly explaining what is involved in
a real Quiet Time: (1) Born again of God’s spirit. (2) Reading from the Word.
(3) Prayer to God with thanksgiving, praise, seeking guidance, seeking healing,
seeking forgiveness, asking help for others. (4) Asking for revelation from God
for any message He wishes to give. (5) Using devotionals like The Upper Room,
The Runner’s Bible, My Utmost for His Highest.
Read the Big Book instructions on Steps 10 and 11

As to Step 12,

(1) Note that the original spiritual experience was acceptance of Christ
(Romans 10:9), being born again of the Spirit (John 3:1-8), and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-8). Then walking by the Spirit of God and not the flesh.

(2) Note that the message that was to be passed on was: God has done for me what I could not do for myself.

(3) Note that the primary principles to be practiced are those specified in
1 Corinthians 13, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), the two Great
Commandments love God and love your neighbor (Mark 12:28-31);
Serving (Mark 10:42-45); and witnessing (Matthew 28:18-20).

Dr. Bob cited all the foregoing verses. He emphasized that the steps could
be simmered down to their essence - love and service. He concluded his personal Story by assuring AAs that Your Heavenly Father will never let you down.

Twenty-five years later, Rev. Sam Shoemaker was addressing A.A. conventions and declaring that a Aspiritual awakening@ involves four things: (1) Conversion. (2) Prayer. (3) Fellowship, and (4) Witnessing.

Suggested Resources Your Group Should Acquire

1. As many copies of the Big Book (4th ed.) as there are members
Plus at least one reprint of the 1st Edition, and Poe’s Concordance to the Big Book.

2. As many Bibles (preferably King James Version) as there are members Plus Young’s Concordance to the Bible.

3. A reference set of the Dick B. 29 Titles - with discounted price.

4. As many of the following Dick B. titles for each as there are members (available at a 50% discount plus s & h)

The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible.


Why Early A.A. Succeeded (Bible study primer)

When Early AAs Were Cured. And Why.

Good Morning: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation

Twelve Steps for You

The James Club and The Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials

Dickb@dickb.com; www.dickb.com

Gloria Deo

Maui Pastor Cliff Spencer Joins Intl. Christian Recov. Coalition

Friday, June 17, 2011Pastor Cliff Spencer, CADAC, Maui Joins Coalition
Pastor Cliff Spencer, CADAC, is long-recovered, is experienced on the national disaster relief field, is a devoted Christian leader, and is presently Director of Emergency Disaster Services for the County of Maui Salvation Army.

Cliff has just become a participant in the International Christian Recovery Coalition. His listing is:

Pastor Cliff Spencer CADAC, Salvation Army, Maui County Director of Emergency Disaster Services, 45 Kamehameha Avenue, Kahului, Hawaii 96732, clff_spencer@yahoo.com
Posted by Dick B.

Maui Hawaii Christian Recovery Leaders Meet on Island-Wide Community Recovery Projects

Thursday, June 16, 2011Growing Number of Maui Leaders in Christian Recovery
For about a month, there have been frequent meetings among a number of long-sober, experienced Maui Christian recovery leaders (which include two Maui pastors)and an ordained minister who has long worked on the history of the Christian Recovery Movement and its applicability in present day fellowships, treatment programs, counseling, and church efforts. The meetings have taken place at the newly opened office of the International Christian Recovery Coalition located at the Salvation Army building in Kihei, Maui. They have also taken place at the Mana Kai Resort in Kihei, at Ruby's Restaurant in Kahului, at Neighborhood Place of Wailuku, and at the homes and groups with which the leaders are affiliated.

Headed by A.A. Historian and writer Dick B., Executive Director of the International Christian Recovery Coalition (www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com), these leaders have met together quite regularly in small groups. The International Christian Recovery Coalition is partnering with the County of Maui Salvation Army in the bid to present Christian recovery, Christian recovery resources, and and treatment resource options to the growing body of alcoholics, addicts, and those who have been hurt or damaged by the ravages of alcoholism and addiction.

Among the immediate actions planned are these: (1) A small conference of Maui Christian recovery leaders and those in the community who wish to take immediate action to let the afflicted and the affected know the resources available right now that make God's help available to them. (2) Continuing dissemination of the whole history of the Christian Recovery Movement. This includes the six major Christian groups and organizations beginning in 1850 who were able to convert thousands and thousands and bring God's power, healing, love, forgiveness, and guidance to those suffering from alcoholism and addictions. (3) Continuing dissemination of accurate information about the Christian upbringing of both Alcoholics Anonymous Cofounders as youngsters in Vermont, and about the impact on them of the earlier successful Christian efforts. (4) Continuing dissemination of accurate information on the origins, history, founding, original program, and high success rate among the original A.A. members of the Akron Christian Fellowship founded by Bill W. and Dr. Bob in Akron in June of 1935. (5) Continuing dissemination of accurate information on how the first three AAs got sober by turning to God for help and studying the Bible to develop the basic ideas of early A.A. (often called "old school" A.A.).
(6) Continuing dissemination of accurate information about the 7 principles and 14 practices of the original AAs in their Christian Fellowship in Akron. (7) Continuing discussion and active development of the applicability of the original, highly successful program, in helping AAs, NAs, families and others today.

The particular areas of focus will be on Maui Veterans, Maui Homeless, Maui folks just released from prison, and all in transition from the curses of substance abuse to an abundant life in which God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible can play a major role, as they did in the recovery movement from the 1850's to 1939 - when the A.A. Twelve Step program was published and adopted. It will have equal focus on any and all seeking help in Twelve Step Fellowships, Christian Recovery groups and meetings, Believers study meetings, treatment, counseling, discipling, and detox.
The effort has been called "A.A. friendly, Bible friendly, Recovery friendly, Church friendly, and newcomer friendly." It will use A.A.s early Christian Fellowship success to offer an option to all the friends who really want God's help and work for it.

Leaders who are already experienced, long sober, devoted Christians will each focus on their own segments and areas of experience and expertise in the whole recovery arena. Some work with prison ministry. Some work with veterans. Some work with homeless. Some work with those in transition. And many work with families and others impacted by substance abuse. Some work through fellowships like A.A. Some work through Believer study groups. Some work through neighborhood assistance for women, families, and those in need of treatment and detoxifcation facilities. And some work in existing Christian fellowships and Bible study groups.

The unique all-Maui approach will, on an Island-wide basis, show to the Island Community the many virtually unknown but existing Christian recovery resources on Maui; the potential for church and social agency involvement; and the offer of God's help as a long-successful option for those who want diligently to seek it, maintain it, and in turn serve God and others by encouraging them to do likewise.

The cadre of leaders is growing each day, and their specific names and contributions will be made when a substantial group is constituted and ready to roll out the planned approaches.

God Bless, Dick B. dickb@dickb.com; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com
Posted by Dick B. at 10:51 PM Email This

Scotland Man Joins International Recovery Coalition

We are delighted to announce that a fervent believer from the British Isles has now joined the growing number of participants in International Christian Recovery Coalition. www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com

Delward Burns's listing as a participant is as follows:

Derek Burns, Recovered Christian Believer, 28 Deans Avenue, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom. G72 8UT

God Bless, Dick B., Executive Director, International Christian Recovery Coalition

Pastor Henry Cummings of Maui is latest International Christian Recovery Coalition Participant

Pastor Henry Cummings of Wailuku, Maui is the latest Maui Christian Recovery Leader to participate in the International Christian Recovery Coalition www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com. Henry's listing is: “Pastor Henry Cummings, Maui Believers’ Recovery Meetings, Wailuku, Hawaii”

A.A.: From God's help to self help?

A.A.'s basic ideas came from the Bible. And Dr. Bob said so many times. Yet a curious detour occurred as revisionists tried to make A.A. into what it was not, either in the original Akron Christian Fellowship founded in 1935, or in the First Edition of the Big Book published in 1939.

Was A.A. about God's help? Or was it about self help? Let's look at the record, including the warped revisionist comment quoted from Wikipedia on A.A.

"By 1937 Wilson separated from the Oxford Group. AA historian Ernest Kurtz explained the split:[22]

...more and more, Bill discovered that new adherents could get sober by believing in each other and in the strength of this group. Men [no women were members yet] who had proven over and over again, by extremely painful experience, that they could not get sober on their own had somehow become more powerful when two or three of them worked on their common problem. This, then—whatever it was that occurred among them—was what they could accept as a power greater than themselves. They did not need the Oxford Group."

The Kurtz opinion is pure, subjective, opinionative distortion of A.A.'s roots - roots in the Bible, not the Oxford Group until 1939; and Kurtz was writing about 1937.

The pertinent Bible verses are about God sufficiency, not self sufficiency--whether sought by one suffering soul or two or three:

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (KJV Matthew 18:19-20)

"And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God" (KJV 2 Corinthians 3:4-5)

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you: that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (KJV 2 Corinthians 9:8)

And now for what Bill Wilson wrote, quoted in the Big Book, 4th ed., 2001:

"When we saw others solve their problems by a simple reliance upon the Spirit of the Universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God. Our ideas did not work. But the God idea did" (p. 52).

"We agnostics and atheists were sticking to the idea that self-sufficiency would solve our problems. When others showed us that "God-sufficiency" worked with them, we began to feel like those who insisted the Wrights would never fly" (pp. 52-53).

"Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power--that One is God. May you find Him now!" (p. 59).

". . . three pertinent ideas: (a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. (b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism. (c) That God could and would if He were sought" (p. 60)

Neither the Bible nor the A.A. "basic text" supports the "not-god-ness" which Kurtz espouses and has managed to have quoted now in Wikipedia.

I like Dr. Bob's statement at the close of his personal story on page 181: "Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!"

And that does not mean self-help, self-sufficiency, or that two or three drunks working together accomplish the job. It is about Almighty God.

Fear - the enemy of the recovering alcoholic

Not only the Bible, but also the words of Bill Wilson in the Big Book, make clear that "fear" is sand in the machinery of life--a tool of the devil to replace the believing of God's Word with anxiety, doubt, guilt, shame, and all the rest. That is one reason why the Fourth Step in A.A. calls for making a "fear" list in one's inventory.

Here are some verses from the "Good Book" that make God's view quite clear:

Psa 34:4 (KJV): I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Prov 29:25 (KJV): The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

John 14:27 (KJV): Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Phil 4:6 (ESV): do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Phil 4:7 (ASV): And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

2 Tim 1:7 (KJV): For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:18 (KJV): There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We Are Doing Something on Maui! . . .

We are doing something on Maui! . . . about Alcoholism, about Addiction, and about Those Affected by These Illness.

Author & Historian Dick B. is presenting a Maui Island-Wide Community Recovery Program of

The Maui Christian Recovery Resource Center
in partnership with The County of Maui Salvation Army

in association with a growing number of leaders and groups where the leaders are recovered people with long-terms sobriety, are Christians, and have been devoted for many years to helping others get well. The difference today is that these leaders and the groups they work with will be joining together in efforts to make full-time recovery resources available to the homeless, the imprisoned, those being released from prison, the abandoned and despairing, alcoholics and addicts and those affected by and often harmed because of alcoholic and addictive behaviors. In all, people who have been yearning for a return to "old time" A.A. This "old time" A.A.--grounded in the mottoe of "love and service"--is completely compatible with and supportive of present-day 12-Step and anonymous programs - with one exception. It is focused on reminding those desperately seeking a new way out that the way out began many years ago, embraced salvation, Bible, prayer, Quiet Time, fellowship and witnessing. It was fostered by the Evangelists, Rescue Missions, YMCA lay brethren, the Salvation Army, and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. And this new way out exists in Maui today!

Those wanting God's help will be given a full-time opportunity to seek His love, power, guidance, forgiveness, and healing with the help of those who have fully recovered by reliance on God, whatever the starting point of recovery.

More details on their way.

Dick B.

7th Dick B. YouTube Program - The Salvation Army

One of the major factors in the Christian origins of early A.A. was the Salvation Army. Its simple technique of sending a recovered and saved derelict into the slums of London was the start of passing it on. Next the saved member would offer salvation and the Bible to the derelict on the streets in the slums. When the new person became saved, he was asked to join "God's Army." And this simple pattern of one recovered drunk reaching out to another, converting the newcomer to God through Jesus Christ, and then calling for the new man to join the Salvation Army and help another to the same recovery and salvation by the same means.

The Dick B. 7th YouTube Program on A.A. History and the Christian Recovery Movement gives the viewer a brief summary of the important A.A.-Salvation Army link to the techniques of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in June, 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith.

Here's the Program data:


The Dick B. Channel on YouTube.com:

Title of Video: Dick B. 07 AA History & Christian Recovery: The Salvation Army

URL address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3efpKJFFqIU&feature=channel_video_title

6th Dick B. YouTube Program - The Rescue Missions

We are plugging ahead with these programs on A.A. History and the Christian Recovery Movement. My son is painstakingly editing the hard work that I did in drafting the material and that our great friend and helper Neal Pearson of Texas did and does in putting the presentations together. Ken is a stickler for precision and accuracy, and I'm all for his views and efforts.

Now this sixth Dick B. YouTube Program is on a very important item among the six Christian factors that influenced the cofounders in their boyhood and cast an strong influence on the first A.A. Christian Fellowship the cofounders of A.A. founded in Akron in June, 1939.

Remember, all of these are brief introductions to the many subjects we will cover. And we put up text and books to help you see more about the particular subject.

This sixth program on dickbchannel is about the rescue missions. It is especially important because both Ebby Thacher and Bill Wilson made their decisions for Jesus Christ at the altar of the Calvary Mission, operated by Sam Shoemaker's Calvary Church.

Here is the scoop on where to find, see, and hear Number Six on Rescue Missions:

The Dick B. Channel on YouTube.com:


Title of Video: Dick B. 06 AA History & Christian Recovery: Rescue Missions

URL address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AKpJLSqEqw&feature=channel_video_title

Anonymous Press Article on "Conference Approved" in AA

An Excellent Statement from Anonymous Press
About
“The Conference-approved” Issue

Dick B.

Under the terms of this project and you are free to copy answers for the benefit of others as long as you are similarly open to sharing the work it appears in and you must attribute the source of the material as being from:
http://anonpress.org/faq

The preferred code for attribution on a Web page is:
Reproduced with permission from The Anonymous Press: http://anonpress.org/faq





Is it OK to use non-conference approved literature in meetings?
________________________________________
Question: My group sometimes reads from The Original Manuscript of The Big Book because many of us favor the more forceful language it uses. Some have objected to doing this because they say only AA approved books can be used in meetings. Is it OK to read from non-AA books in meetings?

Answer: Yes, it is OK to read from "non-AA" literature in an AA meeting.

Some groups independently decide to restrict themselves to "conference approved" literature but are under no obligation to do so.

When talking about whether a book is "AA approved" the question is often this: "Is the book General Service Conference approved literature?" Conference approval is only considered for books published by AA World Service in NY (AAWS). It serves as a way of saying that AAWS has put together a book and the General Service Conference has approved it. AAWS organizes the General Service Conference.

Each AA group is the highest authority in AA and therefor free to use any literature it wants to. Both AAWS and the conference exist to serve the groups and Tradition prohibits them from governing groups.

In 1978 the AA General Service Office described what "Conference Approved" means in their Box 4-5-9 newsletter (Volume 23, No 4). Here the General Service Office said:
It (Conference Approved) does not mean the Conference disapproves of any other publications. Many local A.A. central offices publish their own meeting lists. A.A. as a whole does not oppose these, any more than A.A. disapproves of the Bible or any other publications from any source that A.A.'s find useful.

What any A.A. member reads is no business of G.S.O., or of the Conference, naturally.
The General Service Conference has also dealt with the meaning of the term "Conference Approved" in a "Conference Approved" pamphlet (SM F-29) called: Conference-Approved Literature. Here it is explained this way:
"Conference-approved" — What It Means to You

The term has no relation to material not published by G.S.O. It does not imply Conference disapproval of other material about A.A. A great deal of literature helpful to alcoholics is published by others, and A.A. does not try to tell any individual member what he or she may or may not read. See: http://www.aa.org/en_pdfs/smf-29_en.pdf
Books like the Original Manuscript and the First Edition of the Big Book are not Conference Approved Literature since there was no conference at the time they were published.

An odd side effect of a group that limits itself to conference approved literature would be that if the rule were rigorously followed, the group would not allow someone to read from Dr. Bob's personal copy of the Big Book. As a First Edition, it would lack conference approval.

Regional newsletters and literature also lack conference approval but are widely used in meetings. Since 1954 the Hazelden published "Twenty Four Hours a Day" (ISBN 9780894860126) has been very widely used in AA meetings and has never been considered for conference approval.

The first AA group in Akron, Ohio (still going today) continues to display the Bible that AA's founders read from in the earliest meetings. What Bill or Bob would have considered fine literature to read in a meeting would surely spark outrage in some groups today.

Devotionals Used Daily by Early AAs

Quiet Time (a time for prayer, Bible study, seeking God's guidance, and using Christian daily devotionals) was a "must" in early Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

The practice was later abandoned in A.A., and Bill Wilson made the comment that he always regretted that this important practice was no longer used. However, Bill Wilson and his wife Lois continued to use it themselves. And certainly during the lives of Akron co-founder Dr. Bob Smith and his wife Anne, they continued to be used in the Smith Home and also at the homes of other Akron A.A. pioneers.

They were used in three major ways: (1) Individual quiet times. (2) Group quiet times. (3) Daily morning quiet time led by Dr. Bob's wife Anne Ripley Smith at the Smith Home in Akron, Ohio. Each morning, A.A. pioneers, their wives, and their families would gather at the Smith Home at 855 Ardmore Avenue in Akron. They would frequently have coffe and cookies. And Anne would lead them in prayer, in words from the Bible, in a quiet time for seeking God's guidance, and in discussions of the materials she shared from the journal she kept from 1933-1939 and from the devotionals. Akron AAs joshingly described Anne's morning teachings as "spiritual pablum."

Devotionals were used in all three of the foregoing ways. The devotionals usually contained a Bible verse for the day, a prayer for the day, a thought for the day, and citation of Bible verses for further study. An exception was The Runner's Bible by Nora Smith Home--a favorite devotional of Dr. Bob's. The Runner's Bible contained chapters on Christian subjects such as God, Jesus Christ, Healing, Forgiveness, Guidance, Love, and so on. Each chapter was loaded with pertinent Scriptural references on the subject.

The primary devotionals were five: (1) The Upper Room, a Methodist quarterly brought to the Smith Home by "Mother G.," mother of one of the A.A. pioneers. (2) The Runner's Bible by Nora Smith Holm. (3)My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. (4) Daily Strength for Daily Needs. (5) Victorious Living by E. Stanley Jones.

Sources for the foregoing information are covered in substantial detail in the following publications: Dick B., Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A. (www.dickb.com/goodmorn.shtml); The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous (www.dickb.com/Akron.shtml); Anne Smith's Journal 1933-1939 (www.dickb.com/annesm.shtml);The Books Early AAs Read for Spiritual Growth, 7th ed. (www.dickb.com/titles.shtml); and DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers.

The foregoing Christian devotionals used by the early A.A. program were uniquely valuable in that they focused on the Bible and readable "chunks" in the Bible which could be and were used for daily morning inspiration, for Bible references and verses to be committed to the renewed mind, for group discussion, and for teaching by A.A. leaders such as Dr. Bob, Anne Smith, Henrietta Seiberling, and later by recovered A.A. pioneers.

Dick B., author, historian, retired attorney, Bible student, CDAAC, and active recovered A.A. member with over 25 years of continuous sobriety.

Censorship Strikes Again in Alcoholics Anonymous

First, check out this headline that an AA lady just sent me re Toronto Area

"Does religion belong at AA? Fight over 'God' splits Toronto AA groups"

Second, apparently there were two A.A. atheist or agnostic groups in the Area; and the "higher powers"-that-be "banned the groups" from the A.A. listings

Third, next to freedom of speech in A.A., I can't think of anything that has helped me more than belief in God, coming to Him through Jesus Christ, and studying the Bible. And I don't believe that God is a "higher power." He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth if you turn to Genesis 1:1. And nobody can or will evict Him from A.A. or prevent others from seeking Him.

Fourth, the event in the Toronto heirarchy is just the opposite of most of the censorship problems in A.A. today. And they are rampant. Frequently someone seeks to suppress literature, topics, names, studies, discussions, and individual voices. The would-be censors act as patriots protecting the members from something the censors dont like. They do it in the name of "moderating," yelling, citing "the Traditions," proclaiming things to be violative of some mythical "conference-approved" yardstick. Usually, the propaganda censorship people are those who "do not govern," who are said to be "servants" and not officers, and who have no authority at all to trench on the autonomy of A.A. groups. Nonetheless they have barred A.A. groups from mentioning "Bible Study," barred them from being listed if they read or discuss Christian literature, and insisted that to get a listing, they have to submit their plans to the super-heirarchy in New York. There, some individual--whether paid or unpaid, AA or not AA, elected or appointed--takes it upon himself or herself to write a letter declining status to the A.A. Bible Study Group. Often in meetings, newcomers and others are reprimanded for mentioning Jesus Christ, the Bible, or their church.

There is even a website now (and perhaps several) whose "moderator" denies forum discussions and contributions by any "history lover" who doesn't love history in the same form, fashion, or constriction that the moderator does. His excuse? "Others would be furious" if he didn't do it. Sort of like Hitler's propaganda minister banning thinking because Hitler didn't approve. And neither is American nor right.

Fifth, I object.

Sixth, A.A.'s stated primary purpose is to help the person who still suffers. Its Traditions--though neither governing nor binding--state that any decision by a group(not some dingo at GS0) should be as "a loving God may express Himself in our group conscience." That pertains to groups and their autonomy and reliance on God.
Presumably all the other structured offices from cities to world services just don't need to ask God what His will is in a particular situation.

Sixth, I am all for A.A. Newspapers more and more like to underline and highlight controversies in A.A. And the problem is that newcomers and oldtimers alike get intimidated (and a few would say drunk) when they are chastized for their religious beliefs. It's not whether they might drink over the criticism. It's a matter of their learning some kind of sobriety that is far far from that which A.A.'s original Christian Fellowship in Akron envisioned when A.A. was founded in 1935.

Seventh, anyone with any knowledge of A.A. history knows that in 1939, just before the Big Book went to press, "God" as such was eliminated from the Twelve Steps. Yet Wilson must have smiled as he still published "God" and descriptions like Creator, Maker, Heavenly Father, Father of Lights, and Father and allowed these words to remain and be capitalized. Yet, as Wilson himself wrote in the 1950's after his partner Dr. Bob was dead, the door was opened to atheists and agnostics in 1939; and it has come to be viewed as a door that opened on a "Broad Highway."

Eighth, by the time I entered the rooms of A.A. in 1986 (and for the twenty-five years of active, continuous sobriety I enjoy today), I either knew little or nothing about atheism in A.A. I do now, and it certainly exists. What I did know did not square with what many Christians and others in A.A. thought was their program.

Ninth, I did quickly find in 1986 and thereafter that A.A. was open to anyone with a drinking problem. And I helped all varieties of these "anybody" drunks. I also found that included policemen, firemen, Jews, Protestants, Roman Catholics, gays and lesbians, atheists and agnostics, men and women, African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and many who didn't believe in anything at all.

Tenth, I choose the folks with whom I associate and to whom I extend help in A.A. I choose to believe in the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played, do play, and can play in today among those who want God's help and will go to any lengths to get it. I also choose to believe in freedom of speech in A.A. That doesn't mean vulgarity though it is common place and prevails. That doesn't mean atheism though it is present and still prevails. It does mean that no purported authority from the top to the bottom of A.A. can, should, or will succeed in exterminating those with the variety of differing stages of belief or unbelief or no belief. But they will try. And consider the cesspools of prison, jails, mental wards, treatment programs, homeless shelters, abandonment, loneliness, terror, bewilderment, drug courts, divorce courts, bankruptcy courts, and many more, from which they emerged. I among them. One wag said we come in with "encumbrances."

Eleventh, A.A. today is neither Christian, non-Christian, atheist, humanist, or Muslim. It is what it is. And it allows just about anyone to come in, yell, shout, swear, and seek sex. Under those circumstances, if there ever was a time where censorship by another AA or A.A. group of these seeking souls was inappropriate, it's now.

Twelfth, those of us who love A.A. tend to look at it in terms of what it made available at a time of desperate need, and what God has enabled us to do, and what it challenged us to do in loving and serving and glorifying God and others. And censorship is just one of the prices we pay for letting drunks "rule" other drunks.

Today's media pay less and less homage to A.A. ideas of "anonymity," "no public controvery," and open-mindedness. Some media and the Christian and atheist critics alike pounce on every opportunity to tell others what's wrong with this or that A.A., which argument or wrongdoing A.A. is involved in, how how "cult-like" it has become, and how ineffective it is.

Today's news is censorship. Tomorrow's may be Sheen or Gibson. The next day's may be the intrusion of religion into A.A. And on and on and on. Whatever the approach, A.A. could wither on the vine just because of the loud protesting voices of its observers and critics who really know very little about A.A., its origins, its development, and its changes through the years. And who certainly have forgotten where God fits into the picture.

5th Dick B. YouTube Program - Christian Evangelists and A.A. History

The Dick B. Channel on YouTube.com:


Title of Video: Dick B. 05 AA History & Christian Recovery: Christian Evangelists

URL address:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8MKK3LjYKk&feature=channel_video_title

4th Dick B. YouTube Program Now: A.A. History-Christian Recovery Movement

The Dick B. Channel on YouTube.com:


Title of Video: Dick B. 04 AA History & Christian Recovery: The YMCA

URL address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQynZXkvrfY&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

The Good News and The Bad News. Please Note the Answer

This is a reply to a courteous A.A. oldtimer who wanted to know just how much Swedenborg and spiritualism as embraced by Bill Wilson filtered into what we drunks do to help others go to the Creator, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible for real, effective healing and recovery (And, by the way, I know of no such filter)

Dear JC

1. I make every effort to reply to any courteous email that comes to me. However, many do not send me their emails, but rather use some kind of response to my newsletters. These comments and responses do not come to me. Most don’t even reach me. And when they arrive in a huge bundle, I do not have the time to sift through them for happy birthday cards vs. genuine questions.
2. When someone writes me, through any medium, and just uses initials like J.C. or Jim C., I really don’t care to reply until and unless they identify themselves by name and address. You have no idea how many Jim’s, Jim C.’s, JC’s and even James’s and others – not including spammers – cross my path.
3. Now to your question about Swedenborg. I took the time to review your material; and since no source is shown, I can’t tell whether you are quoting Cheever or Lois or “New Church” whatever that is.
4. I regret that people have chosen to use Bill’s many shortcomings—most of which are well known, and most of which have only a remote and speculative relationship if at all to A.A.—as a means for lambasting Bill, lambasting A.A., or creating some new mythical A.A. that consists of adultery, LSD, psychic experiments, spiritualism, greed, and all the rest. Also that feed the yellow journalism of those who always attract an audience when negatives are amplified and widely broadcast.
5. Normally I would not take the time even to reply to such irrelevant material. First of all, it is well known and even published in official A.A. literature. Second, it is very likely to be speculative and undocumented opinion. Third, it is rarely based on historical fact. Fourth, it has nothing to do with what I believe, or do, or research, or write about concerning A.A. As you probably know, for 21 years my mission has been to find out whether and precisely how much A.A. was influenced by the Bible—not Bill’s shortcomings. And I have now published 42 titles and over 560 articles which lay out the facts. As you probably also know, 20 years ago, few if any knew anything about the Christian upbringing that both Bill and Bob had as youngsters in Vermont; and few if any realized that A.A. did not emerge from the Oxford Group until Bill wrote his Big Book. Prior to that, A.A. was a Christian Fellowship. It required belief in God and coming to Him through Jesus Christ. It required Bible study, prayer meetings, quiet time, Christian fellowship, Christian literature, and recommended attendance at religious services. See DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, p. 131; Big Book, p. 191; and Dick B., When Early AAs Were Cured and Why.
6. Until and unless inquirers get up to speed on the difference between the Christian influences of the 1850’s and later, the Christian beliefs of Bob and Bill as youngsters, the Akron Christian Fellowship AND the Oxford Group/Shoemaker life-changing program that Bill wrote into the Big Book four years after the founding in 1935, they won’t have a clue about the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the Christian Recovery Movement, in the life of the founders, in the original Christian fellowship, and in its successes. And can play today!!!
7. Now let me make a suggestion to you in view of your courteous and thoughtful letter and also in view of your commendable sobriety date. I would suggest you obtain my books and materials and study them. And these are: The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml; Our “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery” 4 DVD class www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml; and The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010 www.dickb.com/ChristianRecov-Guide.shtml. When you have done that, I predict you will have some thoroughly documented facts to pass along, have facts that bear a real relationship to both the Akron and the Big Book programs (and they are vastly different); and realize that all the Bill-bashing makes good reading for a few obsessed Christian critics, but detracts monstrously from all the needs and hunger of Christians in recovery—both those in and out of A.A.
8. It matters little to me that people waste time with the ill-researched, ad hominem, diversionary writings of the Bobgans, of Lanagan, or Orange, and even of Glenn Chesnut. Those writings will—like any partially accurate yellow journalism—always attract naysayers. William Randolph Hearst learned this before I was born. What matters to me is that those Christians in A.A. who want the truth and who insist of serving in our fellowship—whatever its warts and strange influences-are armed with knowing and rejecting the damaging effect of the attacks on Christians in A.A.

I have taken the time to write in extenso because you may be one of those questing souls who can really help others get up and going on relevant history that will help drunks who want God’s help/

Incidentally, to make the facts more brief, more simple, and more widely available, I have established dickbchannel—an ongoing and comprehensive effort on YouTube to give those questing for truth another avenue in this information age for learning more about God, His Son, the Bible, and—yes—A.A.

God bless,

Dick B.
Author, 42 titles & over 500 articles on A.A. History
Exec. Dir., International Christian Recovery Coalition
Christian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide
www.DickB.com

A Letter to the Bobgans, Orange, and Others Who Equate Bill-bashing with Christian Hunger to Serve and Glorify God in A.A.

This is a reply to a courteous A.A. oldtimer who wanted to know just how much Swedenborg and spiritualism as embraced by Bill Wilson filtered into what we drunks do to help others go to the Creator, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible for real, effective healing and recovery (And, by the way, I know of no such filter)

Dear JC

1. I make every effort to reply to any courteous email that comes to me. However, many do not send me their emails, but rather use some kind of response to my newsletters. These comments and responses do not come to me. Most don’t even reach me. And when they arrive in a huge bundle, I do not have the time to sift through them for happy birthday cards vs. genuine questions.
2. When someone writes me, through any medium, and just uses initials like J.C. or Jim C., I really don’t care to reply until and unless they identify themselves by name and address. You have no idea how many Jim’s, Jim C.’s, JC’s and even James’s and others – not including spammers – cross my path.
3. Now to your question about Swedenborg. I took the time to review your material; and since no source is shown, I can’t tell whether you are quoting Cheever or Lois or “New Church” whatever that is.
4. I regret that people have chosen to use Bill’s many shortcomings—most of which are well known, and most of which have only a remote and speculative relationship if at all to A.A.—as a means for lambasting Bill, lambasting A.A., or creating some new mythical A.A. that consists of adultery, LSD, psychic experiments, spiritualism, greed, and all the rest. Also that feed the yellow journalism of those who always attract an audience when negatives are amplified and widely broadcast.
5. Normally I would not take the time even to reply to such irrelevant material. First of all, it is well known and even published in official A.A. literature. Second, it is very likely to be speculative and undocumented opinion. Third, it is rarely based on historical fact. Fourth, it has nothing to do with what I believe, or do, or research, or write about concerning A.A. As you probably know, for 21 years my mission has been to find out whether and precisely how much A.A. was influenced by the Bible—not Bill’s shortcomings. And I have now published 42 titles and over 560 articles which lay out the facts. As you probably also know, 20 years ago, few if any knew anything about the Christian upbringing that both Bill and Bob had as youngsters in Vermont; and few if any realized that A.A. did not emerge from the Oxford Group until Bill wrote his Big Book. Prior to that, A.A. was a Christian Fellowship. It required belief in God and coming to Him through Jesus Christ. It required Bible study, prayer meetings, quiet time, Christian fellowship, Christian literature, and recommended attendance at religious services. See DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, p. 131; Big Book, p. 191; and Dick B., When Early AAs Were Cured and Why.
6. Until and unless inquirers get up to speed on the difference between the Christian influences of the 1850’s and later, the Christian beliefs of Bob and Bill as youngsters, the Akron Christian Fellowship AND the Oxford Group/Shoemaker life-changing program that Bill wrote into the Big Book four years after the founding in 1935, they won’t have a clue about the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in the Christian Recovery Movement, in the life of the founders, in the original Christian fellowship, and in its successes. And can play today!!!
7. Now let me make a suggestion to you in view of your courteous and thoughtful letter and also in view of your commendable sobriety date. I would suggest you obtain my books and materials and study them. And these are: The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml; Our “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery” 4 DVD class www.dickb.com/IFCR-Class.shtml; and The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010 www.dickb.com/ChristianRecov-Guide.shtml. When you have done that, I predict you will have some thoroughly documented facts to pass along, have facts that bear a real relationship to both the Akron and the Big Book programs (and they are vastly different); and realize that all the Bill-bashing makes good reading for a few obsessed Christian critics, but detracts monstrously from all the needs and hunger of Christians in recovery—both those in and out of A.A.
8. It matters little to me that people waste time with the ill-researched, ad hominem, diversionary writings of the Bobgans, of Lanagan, or Orange, and even of Glenn Chesnut. Those writings will—like any partially accurate yellow journalism—always attract naysayers. William Randolph Hearst learned this before I was born. What matters to me is that those Christians in A.A. who want the truth and who insist of serving in our fellowship—whatever its warts and strange influences-are armed with knowing and rejecting the damaging effect of the attacks on Christians in A.A.

I have taken the time to write in extenso because you may be one of those questing souls who can really help others get up and going on relevant history that will help drunks who want God’s help/

Incidentally, to make the facts more brief, more simple, and more widely available, I have established dickbchannel—an ongoing and comprehensive effort on YouTube to give those questing for truth another avenue in this information age for learning more about God, His Son, the Bible, and—yes—A.A.

God bless,

Dick B.
Author, 42 titles & over 500 articles on A.A. History
Exec. Dir., International Christian Recovery Coalition
Christian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide
www.DickB.com
DickB@DickB.com
(808) 874-4876
PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837

Ps 118:17 (NJB):
I shall not die, I shall live to recount the great deeds of Yahweh.

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A.A. History - The Christian Recovery Movement: Dick B. YouTube

Alcoholics Anonymous History – The Christian Recovery Movement

Dick B.

Two New Programs on the Dick B. YouTube Channel
dickbchannel


Announcing Program Two on dickbchannel

The Dick B. Channel on YouTube.com:

Title of Video: Dick B. 02 AA History & Christian Recovery: Six Christian Origins

URL address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KULaaka4VQ&feature=related


Announcing Program Three on dickbchannel

The Dick B. Channel on YouTube.com:

Title of Video: Dick B. 03 AA History & Christian Recovery: The Great Awakening

URL address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y868u3Z9Mm4&feature=channel_video_title

Announcing the 2d DickB YouTube Program

Alcoholics Anonymous History and The Christian Recovery Movement

The Dick B. Channel on YouTube.com:

Title of Video: Dick B. 02 AA History & Christian Recovery: Six Christian Origins

URL address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KULaaka4VQ&feature=related