Alcoholics Anonymous History Blog and Its Content

Dick B. is a writer, historian, retired attorney, Bible student, CDAAC, and an active recovered member of the Alcoholics Anonymous Fellowship with over 25 years of continuous sobriety. He has published 42 titles and over 675 articles on Alcoholics Anonymous History as well as the Christian Recovery Movement. He is Executive Director of the International Christian Recovery Coalition.

Several websites incorporate various aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous History, the biblical roots of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Christian Recovery Movement today, These include www.dickb.com; www.dickb-blog.com; http://drbob.info; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition; and http://freedomranchmaui.org.

This blog will supplement the materials posted on Alcoholics Anonymous History.com. It will present materials primarily devoted to Alcoholics Anonymous. It will cover titles, articles, blogs, forums, facebook, twitter, digg, in the rooms, tumbler, stumble upon, and several social network forums. But the materials covered here will be those pertaining to Alcoholics Anonymous History.

Probably the beginning work is the First Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous just published by Dover Publications. It contains the original First Edition reprint with all the personal stories--most of which have since been removed from later editions. It also covers the original solution---a "spiritual experience"--not just a spiritual awakening or personality change sufficient to overcome alcoholism. Of great importance is the lengthy introduction by author Dick B. explaining the origins of the Big Book, its sources, the changes in the manuscript, the purpose of the personal stories, and the way in which the personal stories were included to provide evidentiary testimony as to how the program in the edition worked.

Any Alcoholics Anonymous History presentation with integrity does not merely start with some writer's conception of a "higher power," a fellowship that it "spiritual, but not religious," a theory that claims you can choose your own conception of "a" god, or an assertion that you do not need to believe anything at all in order to recover from alcoholism by the path outlined in the A.A. Big Book.

To me, accurate and truthful Alcoholics Anonymous History includes the origins, history, founding, original A.A. Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in June, 1935. It also includes Bill Wilson's claim that there were "six" word-of-mouth ideas that were commonly used to "work" the program, but also were varied in wording, varied in their reference to God, and varied in acceptance by different groups of AAs. It includes the original seven point summary of the original Akron Christian Fellowship program and the 16 principles and practices of the Akron pioneers. It includes the shift in program promulgated by Bill Wilson and his partner Henry Parkhurst as they formed a corporation and sought to write a book primarily emanating from the 28 Oxford Group life-changing ideas which were ultimately codified into the Big Book and Steps. www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml. It includes the Christian and Bible materials tossed out before the Big Book was printed. It includes the sources of the Steps named by Bill Wilson as Dr. William D. Silkworth, Professor William James, and the Oxford Group teachings of Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr. It includes the last minute changes in the Big Book manusript just prior to its going to the printer. It includes full details as to how and why a committee of four changed the word "God" in the Steps and substituted "Power greater than ourselves" and "God as we understood Him" in God's place. It explains how Bill Wilson resisted these changes, but finally relented in order to appease atheists and agnostics who might try to get sober by the Steps. It includes the change of the solution from "spiritual experience" to "spiritual awakening" and "personality change." It includes the person by person stories removed from Big Book editions and the vacancy their removal left in testimonies about either the Akron Christian Fellowship program or the original Big Book program.

There is much more to Alcoholics Anonymous History. And the items have theirit place in any effort to answer such questions as to whether Alcoholics Anonymous History proves that A.A. is a "cult." Or that Alcoholics Anonymous History has no Christian origins. Or that Alcoholics Anonymous History does not prove that all three of the first AAs--Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith, and Bill Dotson believed in God, were born again Christians, had studied the Bible extensively, and had been cured by simply turning to God. Or that Alcoholics Anonymous History proves that A.A. is not religious or a religion. Or that Alcoholics Anonymous History establishes A.A. as a program whose recovery comes from "Someone" or "Something" or "not-god-ness," but not and never from reliance on "the God of the Scriptures" as Bill Wilson himself referred to Yahweh, the Creator, Maker, Heavenly Father, God of our fathers, and Father of Light.

Each year of our 21 years of research has brought before the fellowship and historians mountains of manuscripts, books, correspondence, news articles, church records, creed and confession statements, historical accounts, and obscured writings by A.A. founders and pioneers as well as virtually ignored news accounts across America. This blog will be reporting them as found, analyzed, verified, and published.
God Bless, Dick B. dickb@dickb.com

Christians recovering from alcoholism/drug addiction in 12 Step fellowships today? Yes!

Richard G Burns

Curious about alcoholism and drug addiction? Wondering if recovery techniques are still available to Christians? Want to get some Christian recovery information from about 25 leaders, speakers, and panelists who are successfully helping the afflicted the "old school" Christian Fellowship way in early A.A.? Come to one or both of the free, open to public, Summit presentations in California during September--17th at Costa Mesa; 24th at Brentwood. You'll be glad you did!

· · 5 minutes ago near Kihei

• Aishrenelle Rein likes this.
• • 

    Richard G Burns Locations, times, programs, content are and will continue to be posted on International Christian Recovery Coalition site www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com, and its blog and forums.

    

    International Christian Recovery Coalition

    www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com

    International Christian Recovery Coalition: An informal fellowship of Christian Leaders and Workers in the recovery arena

    4 minutes ago · ·
• 

  Write a comment...

Comments on the brief 12Step.com Article on origins of A.A. Twelve Steps

Here is my reply to an article by 12Step.com on the history and origins on the origins and development of the A.A. Twelve Steps:

Congratulations on the temperate quality of your short articles on A.A., the Steps, and the origins.

I would add only these more comprehensive caveats and comments.

1. Dr. Bob stated that the basic ideas for the Twelve Steps came from the study and effort in the Bible. See DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers and Dick B.., The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml and The James Club and the Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials www.dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml
2. If you take Bill Wilson at his word—and I do on this point—the Steps that he introduced in the Big Book four years after A.A. was founded (the Big Book in April 1939 to be exact), Bill stated that of the Twelve Steps, the first should be attributed to Dr. William D. Silkworth. The second and twelfth to Professor William James. And “the rest of it” to the Oxford Group as led in American writing and teachings by Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr., chief OG lieutenant in America. See Bill’s Grapevine Writings in The Language of the Heart and Dick B., Twelve Steps for You www.dickb.com/12stepsforyou.shtml, and New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A. www.dickb.com/newlight.shtml.
3. Then there is the indisputable and commonly accepted journal kept by Dr. Bob’s wife Anne Ripley Smlth. www.dickb.com/annesm.shtml. Anne shared this journal (compiled between 1933 and 1939) with Bill and Bob, with early AAs, and regularly with the early AAs and their families who gathered at the Smith home each morning to participate in the Quiet Time meetings conducted on the porch of the Smith home by Anne Smith. You can find that, before the Steps were either contemplated or written by Bill W., the ideas are discussed extensively by Anne Smith and her journal.

"The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook" by Dick B. available on Kindle!

You can now read and obtain this great companion to Dick B.'s all-time favorite book (among his readers and purchasers) The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml

The companion book is "The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook" by Dick B. Read it in electronic form on Kindle http://mcaf.ee/1an9c. And see how the Biblical roots of A.A. can now be studied in conjunction with A.A. Big Book and A.A. Twelve Steps.

A great duo for A.A. Study Groups, Big Book Studies, and the many "James Club" groups now in existence across the USA

21 Dick B. Titles Now Listed in Hollis Classic Full Catalog at Harvard University

Thanks to a distinguished psychiatrist at Beth Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, a set of my 29 reference titles has been placed in the Harvard Library System. And now, thanks to him, 21 of my titles are listed in Hollis Classic Full Catalog at Harvard, with miscellaneous titles also listed in World Catalog under Harvard.

15th Dick B. YouTube Presentation Script - The September 24 Summit Announcement

The Dick B. Channel on YouTube

The History of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian Recovery Movement

Video 15

The North American Christian Recovery Summit, September 24, 2011

This is the fifteenth presentation of the Dick B. Channel on YouTube. The subject was to have been a continued discussion of the Christian upbringing of A.A. cofounders Bill W. and Dr. Bob as a youngsters in Vermont.

But we interrupt the series to tell you about the first North American Summit of the International Christian Recovery Coalition at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, California, on Saturday, September 24, 2011. This is the first major summit meeting of Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, newcomers, and the public, since the Coalition was formed in July 2009 just following the conference at Mariners Church Community Center in Irvine, California, in May 2009.

This summit is free. No registration is required. The public is invited. And it will be the first gathering of Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, of newcomers, and of the public, where we will be hearing: (1) how Christian recovery has been moving; (2) how it is incorporating the “old school” Akron A.A. and Cleveland A.A. Fellowship programs; (3) what leaders are doing now and suggest for steps forward. If you are one of those who wants: (1) to stay in existing 12 Step and other recovery programs; (2) to stress the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have played in the recovery movement; and (3) to apply those “old school” A.A. principles in recovery today, then this is a great opportunity you will not want to miss.

We here present the program of the North American Summit of the International Christian Recovery Coalition on Saturday, September 24, 2011, at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, California, as it has tentatively been arranged:

The Theme:

Using Principles of the Akron-Cleveland Christian Recovery Model

to Enhance Substantially Today's Christian Recovery Efforts

The Tentative Northern California Meeting Program Schedule

Friday Evening, September 23: (We'll announce place and time when speakers and panels set)

            Possible workshop meeting with International Christian Recovery Coalition Participants

Saturday, September 24, 9:00 AM. Admission Free! No Registration. Be early for best seats!

            Pre-meeting music, program literature, exhibit tables, and hospitality

            Commencing prayer

            Welcome by Matt Pierce, Pastor of Recovery Ministry, Golden Hills Community Church

            Theme presentation by Dick B., Exec. Dir., International Christian Recovery Coalition

                        “Christian Recovery Resource Centers and Persons” Worldwide—on the Move!

                        Learning about the Astonishing Success of the Original Akron A.A. “Christian                              fellowship” Program and How to Apply Its Principles and Practices Today

                        How the Early Cleveland Program Built upon the Original Akron program and

                                    Set the Stage for Christian Recovery Opportunities Today

            Break and Music

            Vision presentation by Ken B.

                        The International Christian Recovery Coalition and “Christian Recovery Resource

                                    Centers and Persons”: Supplying Critically-Important, Missing Pieces in

                                    Modern Christian Recovery Efforts

            Lunch Break (We're told there are about 75 eateries within a 5 minute walk from church.)

            Featured Christian, Recovered Speaker: Don Hall of Colfax, California

            Break and Exhibit Tables

            First Speakers Panel:

                        David Sadler, Recovery Ministry, Golden Hills Community Church, Brentwood

                        Dale Marsh, Recovery Pastor, Serenity Group, Church of the Nazarene, Oroville

                        Wade Hess, Training Leader, CityTeam Ministries, San Jose, CA

                        Dominic D. Turning Point, Cornerstone Fellowship, Livermore, CA

                        Jeff Holt, recovery fellowship, Church of the Nazarene, Auburn, CA

            Break and Music

            Second Speakers Panel:

                        Ken Jones, Pastoral Counselor, Melbourne, FL

                        Bill Boyles, President, Won Way Out, Wyoming, Delaware

                        Craig G., Christian Recovered AA, Rohnert Park, CA

                        Danny W., founder, A.A. Roots Revival Group; Clarence S. (Cleveland) sponsee

            Dinner Break

            International Christian Recovery Coalition Future Plans: Dick B. and Ken B.                    

            Christian Music Concert

            Closing Prayer

Our Conference Reward

for Those Who Want God’s Help and Can Learn the Facts

The last 21-plus years of research and learning about the real “old time” A.A. of 1935-1940 in Akron and Cleveland, and how it developed, has produced a rich treasure of facts about how the early AAs achieved astonishing success. The simple, seven-point program outline by Frank Amos on page 131 of the A.A. General Service Conference-approved book DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers acquainted early AAs with their problem and defeat due to alcoholism. It then stressed surrender to God by coming to Him through Jesus Christ and obeying God's will. It encouraged spiritual growth through prayer meetings, Bible study, “Quiet Time,” reading Christian literature. And it encouraged early AAs to focus on love and service to others in need.

By learning these simple facts, and how the Akron approach was further refined in Cleveland A.A. beginning in May of 1939, those in recovery need no longer: (1) Wallow in the talk of nonsense “higher power” gods that abounds in today’s recovery scene. (2) Try to fathom the mystical “spirituality” which is little understood and poorly articulated by those who advocate it. (3) Fruitlessly rely on meetings and group strength to get well, rather than believing that God could and would relieve them if He were sought.

Early A.A. principles and practices are being used by the few that know them in today’s 12 Step and Christian recovery fellowships. And these principles and practices appear to hold great promise of making possible successful recovery today similar to that achieved by earlier Christian recovery pioneers.

This fifteenth presentation has covered the North American Summit of the International Christian Recovery Coalition we hope you will attend on Saturday, September 24, at Golden Hills Community Church in Brentwood, California. The next program--our sixteenth--will cover the remaining two Christian evangelists of importance--F.B. Meyer and Billy Sunday—that impacted on the Christian upbringing of A.A.’s cofounders as youngsters in Vermont.

I close by giving you pictures of three of my books which more fully detail the facts about the “old school” A.A. programs in Akron and Cleveland in the late 1930’s. The first is The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous. The second is The James Club and the Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials. And the third is Real Twelve Step Fellowship History.

Dick B YouTube Program 14 - the best yet - Christian uprbringing of Bill and Bob

Dick B. YouTube Program 14 - one of the best programs thus far. It covers a major part of the Christian Upbringing of Bill W. and Dr. Bob as youngsters in the Green State of Vermont. You can hear it and see the commentary right now!
http://goo.gl/tNYui

Christian Roots of A.A., A.A. Christian Roots

What are the Christian roots of A.A.? Strangely, there are some well financed websites, sites like psychoheresy, that claim there are no Christian roots of A.A. And they make many statements that just don't square with the actual Christian roots of A..

In brief, those Christian roots of A.A. (Alcoholics Anonyous) include the following:

1. The Salvation Army. See www.dickb.com/drbobofaa.shtml
2. The lay brethren of the YMCA. See www.dickb.com/drbobofaa.shtml
3. The great Christian evangelists like Dwight L. Moody, Ira Sankey, F.B. Meyer, Billy Sunday, and
Allen Folger.
4. The Christian Gospel Rescue Missions like those headed by Jerry McAuley, S.H. Hadley, and
Calvary Mission (where A.A. co-founder Bill W. and his "sponsor" Ebby T. made decisions
for Christ.
5. The Great Awakening of 1875 in St. Johnsbury, Verrmont (where A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob was
born and raised.
6. The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor of North Congregational Church of S Johnsbury
7. In St. Johnsbury, Vermont - where Dr. Bob was born and raised: (a) Devoted Congregationalist
parents who were Sunday school superintendents and teachers, as well as active in the church. (b)
Sunday school, sermons, prayer services, Bible studies. (c) Christian Endeavor (d) St. Johnsbury
Academy where Dr. Bob's parents were active and Dr. Bob took Christian studies, attended Daily
Chapel, required weekly church services and Bible study. (e) The YMCA of which Bob's father
was president - which was active in the church and in the Academy.
8. In East Dorset Vermont--where Bill W. was born and spent his youngest years: (a) East Dorset
Congregational Church and Sunday school and revivals (b) Bible studies by Bill with his
grandfather Griffith and his friend Mark Whalon.
9. In Manchester, Vermont--where Bill W. attended Burr and Burton Academy: (a) Daily chapel.
(b) Required weekly Bible study. (c) Required weekly attendance at Manchester Congregational
Church. (d) Bill's four-year Bible study course. (e) The presidency by Bill W. of the school YMCA
and of Bill's girl friend Bertha Bamford of the school YWCA and their joint participation

There are many more facets of the Christian roots of A.A. And these will be covered in the next presentation.

Dick B. dickb@dickb.com; www.dickb.com; www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com
-

A.A. Big Book First Edition to Have New Birth

Alcoholics Anonymous First Edition of 1939 about to be given a new birth.

Three different aspects--original printers' manuscript to be reviewed, reprint of A.A. 1939 First Edition with introduction that makes its purpose evident, and a work-in-progress sponsor guide by an oldtimer speaker.

Stay tuned for this fresh, forthcoming new opportunity to use the 1939 A.A. 12-Step program and its personal stories that give such a great view of how the A.A. program was applied then.

This new birth series will be coming soon from three different publication sources, and then accompanied by my articles and intros that pull the picture together - A.A. 1939 style.

There's the "old school" original Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship about which I have written so much.

Now there will be the 1939 A.A. Big Book approach which has been slashed to pieces by deleting almost all the personal stories, and also--despite what many say--changed!

dickb@dickb.com; www.mauihistorian.blogspot.com; www.dickb.com