Bill Wilson's 1943 Affirmation of His Born Again Status: His Inscription “Yours in Christ” by Dick B., with Ken B. (rev. 12/27/16)

Bill Wilson's 1943 Affirmation of His Born Again Status:

His Inscription “Yours in Christ”

By Dick B., with Ken B.

(lightly edited by Ken B., 12/27/16)
© 2014-2016 Anonymous. All rights reserved

Born again

Bill Wilson said in his autobiography:

For sure, I'd been born again.

[Bill W., My First 40 Years (Center City, Minn.: Hazelden, 2000), 147.

For more examples of this language, see Dick B., The Conversion of Bill W., 110 (http://www.dickb.com/theconversionofbillw.shtml)]

After Ebby's visit to Bill prior to Bill's decision for Christ at Calvary Mission, Bill Wilson wrote of Ebby:

The man was transformed; there was no denying he had been reborn.

[“Bill Wilson's Original Manuscript,” see lines 935-942, an unpublished manuscript located at Bill and Lois Wilson's home called “Stepping Stones” in New York. You may see what is purported to be a copy of this document here: http://www.aamo.info/bb/billstory/index.htm (accessed 12/27/16). For more on this, see, for example: Dick B., The Conversion of Bill W., xv, 47, 49.]

After Bill Wilson made his own decision for Christ at the rail at Calvary Mission in New York about December 7, 1934, he told his wife Lois about his experience that evening. Speaking of Bill's experience at Calvary Mission in a speech she gave in Texas, Lois stated:

And he [Bill W.] went up, and really, in very great sincerity, did hand over his life to Christ.

[“Lois Remembers: Searcy, Ebby, Bill & Early Days.” Recorded in Dallas, Texas, June 29, 1973, Moore, OK: Sooner Cassette, Side 1.

For more on this, see, for example: Dick B. The Conversion of Bill W., 61.]

Lois Wilson wrote in her autobiography:

Although my joy and faith in his rebirth continued, I missed his companionship.

[(L.B.W.), Lois Remembers: Memoirs of the Co-founder of Al-Anon and Wife of the Co-Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (New York: Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 1979), 98.

For more on this, see, for example: Dick B., The Conversion of Bill W., 114.]

Even author Mel B., the man who dubs himself a casual historian, concluded:

His [Bill W.'s] was clearly a kind of “born again” experience, . . .

[Mel B., New Wine: The Spiritual Roots of the Twelve Step Miracle (Center City, Minn.: Hazelden, 1991), 88]

In John 3:7 (KJV), Jesus said to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

In 1 Peter 1:23 (KJV), the Apostle Peter wrote:

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.

In Christ

In January 13, 1943, Bill Wilson signed his full name “Bill Wilson” in an inscription in a first edition Big Book he gave to his friend, Dr. Jesse M. Bader. A photo of the inscription was sent to me (Dick B.) by Ken R. I have it in my archives and have shown it at A.A. History conferences. You may see a picture of the page in Alcoholics Anonymous on which Bill Wilson wrote the inscription including “Yours in Christ” to Dr. Bader, as published by PBA Galleries in conjunction with the auction of this book [Sale 389: Rare Books & Manuscripts (#389) 09/25/2008 1:00 PM PDT], here:

https://www.pbagalleries.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/154/lot/42773/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F154%2F  [accessed 1/2/2015]

Ken R. also posted the following message on the web:

“I just purchased a First Edition, Third printing Big Book inscribed on the front free endpaper,

“To my friend Dr. Jesse M. Bader,
            Yours in Christ, Bill Wilson, 1/13/43.”

Jesse Moren Bader (1886-1963) was a noted evangelist, ecumenist and global leader. He
founded the global, ecumenical, World Communion Sunday which was launched on October 6, 1940 and continues on the first Sunday in October each year.

This is the first time I've ever seen Bill W. inscribe anything “Yours in Christ” and it's also notable that he signed his full name. He apparently stopped signing his full last name about the time the Traditions were coming out.

Sincerely,
Ken R.”

And here is the detailed information PBA Galleries provided about this particular copy of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous in conjunction with the auction:

PBA Galleries (Auctioneers & Appraisers)

Sale 389: Rare Books & Manuscripts (#389) 09/25/2008  1:00 PM PDT CLOSED!

Lot 3 of 145:

Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than Six Thousand Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism

Lot closed - Sale Price: $13,200

Heading:         (Alcoholics Anonymous)

Author:           [Wilson, William (Bill W.)]

Place:              New York

Publisher:       Works Publishing Co.

Date:               1942

Description:    viii, [2], 400 pp. 9x6, original blue cloth, spine lettered in gilt, original jacket. First Edition, Third printing. Presentation copy inscribed on the front free endpaper, "To my friend Dr. Jesse M. Bader, Yours in Christ, Bill Wilson, 1/13/43." Jesse Moren Bader (1886-1963) was a noted evangelist, ecumenist and global leader. He founded the global, ecumenical, World Communion Sunday which was launched on October 6, 1940 and continues on the first Sunday in October each year. There were 5000 copies of this third printing published in June, 1942.

Lot Amendments

Condition:

Jacket chipped and worn, lacking top 2½" of spine strip and some of adjacent front panel, repairs on verso; volume spine head bumped, shelf wear, darkening along front endpaper gutter, else very good in good jacket.

Item number:197329

Full link: https://www.pbagalleries.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/154/lot/42773/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F154%2F [accessed 1/2/2015]

Shortened link: http://mcaf.ee/ql4yt [accessed 1/2/2015. If the auction page doesn’t immediately come into view, copy-and-paste this link into your browser’s address bar and then hit “Enter”.]

Some Examples of the Phrase "in Christ" in the King James Version of the Bible

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV), the Apostle Paul wrote:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [emphasis added]

In Romans 8:1 (KJV), the Apostle Paul wrote:

There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [emphasis added]

Here are a couple of other examples of this phrase:

2 Corinthians 2:17 (KJV): “. . . in the sight of God speak we in Christ” [emphasis added]

1 Peter 5:14 (KJV): “Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen” [emphasis added]

Appendix

Additional Examples of Verses in the King James Version

in Which the Phrase “In Christ” Occurs

Rom 16:7: Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

1 Cor 1:2: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Cor 1:30: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

1 Cor 3:1:  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 Cor 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Gal 1:22: And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

Eph 1:1: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Phil 1:1: Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Phil 4:21: Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

Col 1:2: To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thess 2:14: For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

1 Thess 4:16: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1 Pet 5:14: Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Gloria Deo

Obituary for Richard G. Burns (pen name: "Dick B.") who passed away one year ago on September 12, 2015

Aloha!

Dick B.'s son Ken here.

I maintain the "Dick B.: The Real 'Power' Behind Alcoholics Anonymous" blog that my dad started many years ago.

My dad, Richard G. Burns (pen name: "Dick B."), passed away one year ago on September 12, 2015.

Here is the Obituary for him that I had published in The Maui News:

Richard G. Burns, 90

Richard G. Burns, of Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, passed away on September 12, 2015. He was born on May 15, 1925, in Stockton, California. He was the only child of Earl Gordon Burns (1895-1971) and Alberta Viola (Whale) Burns (1894-1980).

            He was predeceased by his wife, Eloise Estelle Beil (1928-2001), to whom he was married 1951-1985. He is survived by two children, Kenneth and Donald; and Don’s two daughters, Emily and Jessica.

            Richard was a U.S. Army Sergeant in WW II.

            He received an A.A. degree, with honors, from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1948. He also received a Phi Beta Kappa key in his Junior year at Berkeley. He received his A.B. degree from Stanford University in 1949; and also received his Juris Doctor degree at Stanford in 1951.

            Richard was an attorney with Clausen & Burns, San Francisco, 1951-1961; and was in private practice in Corte Madera, California, from 1961-1986.

            After going on a guided tour of the Bible Lands with his son Ken around 1980, Richard became a Bible-believing Christian.

            Later felled by alcoholism, he entered Alcoholics Anonymous in April 1986, sponsored more than 100 men in A.A., and had more than 29 years of continuous clean and sober time at his death.

            In 1990, a Christian A.A. member asked Richard, “Dick, did you know that A.A. came from the Bible?” Researching that question launched a 25-year quest. He founded Good Book Publishing Company in 1991. Using the pen name “Dick B.,” he wrote 46 titles and more than 1,750 articles, and presented numerous audio and videos, on the topic of the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.’s astonishing success. His best known title is: “The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible.” In 2003, he cofounded Freedom Ranch Maui, Inc. And in 2009, he cofounded the International Christian Recovery Coalition. His main website is www.DickB.com. Contact Dick B.’s son Ken for more info at kcb00799@gmail.com.

How the Words “Recovered” and “Recovering” Are Used Regarding Alcoholism in “Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th Ed. (2001)

Posted by Dick B.'s son Ken

So how does one settle apparent controversies in A.A. such as the one swirling around the words "recovered" and "recovering?" The following wise words from the current edition of the Big Book might be of help: ". . . [O]ur literature has preserved the integrity of the A.A. message, . . ." ["Alcoholics Anonymous," 4th ed., xxiv].

According to a concordance available online of the current, fourth edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous” (“the Big Book”) published in 2001, the word “recovered” relating to alcoholism occurs 15 times [http://www.164andmore.com/words/recovered.htm; accessed 6/5/16] up to and including page 164. The word “recovering” used in relation to alcoholism occurs twice, once in a footnote on page 104 in chapter eight, “To Wives” (which note was not present in the first printing of the first edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous” published in 1939); and once on page 122 in chapter nine, “The Family Afterward.” [http://www.164andmore.com/words/recovering.htm; accessed 6/5/16]

“Foreword to First Edition” [1939]

We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., xiii]

“To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., xiii]

“Foreword to Second Edition” [1955]

“In that brief space [“Sixteen years . . . between our first printing . . . and . . . our second edition.”], Alcoholics Anonymous has mushroomed into nearly 6,000 groups whose membership is far above 150,000 recovered alcoholics.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., xv]

“Their very first case, a desperate one, recovered immediately and became A.A. number three.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., xvii]

“The Doctor's Opinion”

“This man and over one hundred others appear to have recovered.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4^th ed., xxv]

“There Is a Solution”

“Nearly all have recovered.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4^th ed., 17]

“Doubtless you are curious to discover how and why, in the face of expert opinion to the contrary, we have recovered from a hopeless condition of mind and body.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 20]

“Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 29]

“We Agnostics”

“If a mere code of morals or a better philosophy of life were sufficient to overcome alcoholism, many of us would have recovered long ago.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 45]

 “Working with Others”

“If he says yes, then his attention should be drawn to you as a person who has recovered.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 90]

“He often says that if he had continued to work on them, he might have deprived many others, who have since recovered, of their chance.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 96]

“To Wives”

“But many of the suggestions given here may be adapted to help the person who lives with a woman alcoholic -- whether she is still drinking or is recovering in A.A.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 104, footnote (added after the first printing of the first edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous” was published in April 1939]

“He knows that thousands of men, much like himself, have recovered.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 113]

“The Family Afterward”

“Our women folk have suggested certain attitudes a wife may take with the husband who is recovering.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 122]

“We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 132]

“We, who have recovered from serious drinking, are miracles of mental health.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 133]

“To Employers”

“An alcoholic who has recovered, but holds a relatively unimportant job, can talk to a man with a better position.” [“Alcoholics Anonymous,” 4th ed., 146]

Dick B.'s son Ken "debates" the topic "Is A.A. Biblical" (Moody Radio Network: "Up for Debate": May 14, 2016, episode)

** Available Now!**

Hear Dick B.'s son Ken "debate" the topic "Is A.A. Biblical?" on the May 14, 2016, episode of the "Up for Debate" show on the Moody Radio Network:

http://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=185387

According to A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature, A.A. was and is based on a biblical foundation. Here are some examples:

 A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob stated: ". . . [W]e [Dr. Bob and A.A. cofounder Bill W.] were convinced that the answer to our problems was in the Good Book. To some of us older ones, the parts that we found absolutely essential were the Sermon on the Mount, the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, and the Book of James." ["The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous," 13 (item # P-53)].

Dr. Bob also stated: "We already had the basic ideas [of the Twelve Steps], though not in terse and tangible form. We got them, as I said, as a result of our study of the Good Book." ["The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous," 14 (item ‪#‎P-53)].

"When someone asked him [Dr. Bob] a question about the [A.A.] program, his usual response was: 'What does it say in the Good Book?'" ["DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers," 144].

". . . Bill [W.] looked across at my wife [i.e., the wife of AA #3, Bill D.] and said to her, 'Henrietta, the Lord has been so wonderful to me, curing me of this terrible disease, that I just want to keep talking about it and telling people.'" ["Alcoholics Anonymous," 4th ed., 191].

Dr. Bob also stated in the last sentence of his personal story in the Big Book: "Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!" ["Alcoholics Anonymous," 4th ed., 181].

Dick B.'s son Ken J

The new Dick B. A.A. history & Christian Recovery Facebook page is now live!

The new Dick B. Facebook page is now up and "live"!

https://www.facebook.com/DickBonRecovery/

The page discusses: (1) Dick' B.s 25 years of research on the roles God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played in early A.A.'s overall 75% success rate among those who really tried, and in the documented 93% success rate in early Cleveland A.A.; and (2) how Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, as well as alcoholics and addicts who still suffer, and others affected by addiction, may apply the fruit of Dick B.'s research in order to enhance their success and effectiveness in today's recovery scene.

Most posts--including Facebook Live videos (coming soon!)--will be made there (with blog posts also being made on the "Dick B.: The Real 'Power' Behind Alcoholics Anonymous" blog) from now on.

Please visit the new Dick B. Facebook page; and "Like," "Share," and "Comment" about posts on that page.

In GOD's love, Dick B.'s son Ken J