Decide for Yourself: Is A.A. Christian?

Is A.A. Christian?

Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved

 

More and more, people are Googling in the question: Is A.A. Christian?

 Is it?

Some, including a few Christian writers who are anti-A.A., are quick to jump in and answer with a Bible verse or two, an admonition or three, and plenteous irrelevant condemnations alleging in error that A.A. sprang from spiritualism, Masonry, LSD use, New Thought.

Instead of pondering this biased speculation, why not investigate for yourself and then decide for yourself. Making sure you look at all the evidence, and not just some undocumented material by someone who not dislikes A.A. and Christian AAs but is determined to dissuade thousands and thousands from seeking help in it.

Again: Is A.A. Christian?

Why not start with facts before attempting to answer the question in any meaningful, useful, and helpful way!

One very clear set of facts can be found in the words of cofounder Dr. Bob’s last major speech published in The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks. Dr. Bob said the early AAs had no Steps, no Traditions, no drunkalogs, (and, of course, no Big Book text). They simply believed the answer to their problems was in the Bible. They assiduously studied Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, the Book of James, and 1 Corinthians 13. And Dr. Bob went on to say that even the basic ideas of the Twelve Steps (published four years after A.A. was founded) came from the study and effort that had been going on in the Bible from 1935 until the Steps were published in 1939.

Was A.A. Christian then? Dr. Bob called it a Christian Fellowship! And many observers said it was First Century Christianity in action.

How about the later years after the Big Book was published in 1939 and after Dr. Bob had died at the end of the 1940’s?

You might first ask  "What is A.A.?" Or, "What A.A. literature--past or present--can shed light on the question?" Or, "Who is asking the question?" Or, “Is the questioner studying A.A., condemning A.A., researching A.A., trying to prove the affirmative that AA was and is Christian? Or, trying to argue the negative, contending that Christians will go to hell if they set foot in a meeting. Or, stating that the Bible prohibits attending A.A., or stating flatly that A.A. is Christian or not Christian. And then ask: to what period in A.A.'s 75 years or so, does the questioner refer?

You can start by finding out the major influences on A.A. historically.

These are the Young Men’s Christian Association, Christian evangelists like Dwight Moody and F.B. Meyer, the Salvation Army, the Gospel Rescue Missions including the one where one cofounder made his decision for Jesus Christ, and The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. One comprehensive, documented study can be found in Dick B. and Ken B.’s, Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous. Another is Dick B.’s, The Conversion of Bill W. Still another can be found in Dick B.’s Real Twelve Step Fellowship History. And if the inquirer investigates the footnotes, the quotes, and the bibliographies in those books, he will find the documentation.

You can move on to look at the Christian upbringing of A.A.'s cofounders Dr. Robert H. Smith and William G. Wilson in Vermont. You will mostly have to look outside of A.A. for details. But the books above will be helpful. And so will several more recent ones by Dick B. and Ken B. But two A.A. Conference-approved books can start you on your quest. One is DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers (1980). Another is "Pass It On." And still another is the autobiography of Bill W. himself. Another, the biography of Bill's doctor, "The Little Doctor Who Loved Drunks." Still others, the works on Bill by Susan Cheever and Nan Robertson.

Then you can look at how the first three AAs got sober. And what they had to say about God, Christianity, the Bible, and how they were delivered from alcoholism.

A.A. Number One, Bill Wilson, was told by his doctor (Silkworth) that the "Great Physician" Jesus Christ could cure him. Bill made a decision for Jesus Christ at the altar of Calvary Mission in New York. Bill wrote that he was "born again." And Bill decided to call on the "Great Physician" for help. Finally, Bill cried out to God for help at Towns Hospital. Bill had a "white light experience." He sensed the presence of "the God of the Scriptures," as he phrased it. And he never drank again. But he did immediately go about with a Bible under his arm, telling his story, and telling drunks they must give their lives to God in order to get well. Bill had been raised a Christian in East Dorset and Manchester, Vermont. He had studied the Bible in both places. He had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in New York. And, in A.A.'s own Big Book, he was quoted as saying "the Lord has cured me of this terrible disease."

A.A. Number Two, Dr. Bob Smith, had been a member of St. Johnsbury's North Congregational Church when his parents were raising him to believe in Jesus Christ and study the Word of God. Bob and his whole family were deeply involved in the North Congregational Church, with Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, with the Young Men’s Christian Association, and with the Congregationalist St. Johnsbury Academy. And, as to it all, Dr. Bob stated he had received excellent training in the Bible as a youngster.

When Bob at last began his march to sobriety, he knelt on the rug in Akron with a group of Christians and prayed to God for his deliverance. Shortly, his prayers were answered by the visit of his new friend-to-be, Bill Wilson. And Dr. Bob soon quit drinking forever, studied the Bible intensely, and was a member of at least two Christian churches in Akron, Ohio—a Presbyterian church and an Episcopal Church, the latter a year before he died.

A.A. Number Three, Bill Dotson, an Akron attorney, and a drunk, had long believed in God, taught Sunday school in and was a Deacon of a Christian church in Akron. Dotson received the witness of Bob and Bill while in the Akron City Hospital. He turned to God for help. And he was instantly cured. In A.A.'s Big Book, Dotson (like Bill Wilson) declared that the Lord had cured him also.

Early AAs in the group founded by Wilson, Smith, and Dotson called themselves a Christian fellowship. All newcomers were required to profess belief in God, to make a decision for Jesus Christ, to study the Bible, to make a surrender of their lives to God, and to attend "old fashioned prayer meetings." They also were urged to fellowship with other believers and attend a religious service once a week.

Was Akron A.A. Christian in the 1930's? You be the judge.

Did A.A. as a Society change its face when it published its Big Book in 1939?

It removed the word "God" from its Second, Third, and Eleventh suggested Steps of recovery. It tossed out some 400 pages of its draft manuscript--all said to have contained Christian and biblical materials. And it avowedly declared it did so in order to placate atheist and agnostic drunks who wanted to get sober in the Society.

At that point, was A.A. Christian after its Big Book and Steps were published in April 1939?

You be the judge.

What about today's A.A? It has changed again so that the Lord's Prayer no longer closes many of its meetings. It often refuses to sanction groups that study the Bible, mention Jesus Christ, or study Christian literature. A.A.’s present-day publications more and more call the Society "spiritual but not religious"--even though the courts have mostly rejected this statement. Its literature more and more says that you don't have to believe in anything at all to be a member of A.A.

 Is today's A.A. Christian? You be the judge.

But! The point made here is that you can be the judge. You can be a Christian in A.A. You can believe what you wish, read what you wish, worship where you wish, and "be" whatever you wish to be. A.A. has no authority, no power, no leader, and no employee who can exclude anyone from its membership or censor books or "govern" what groups do or do not do.

Therefore, today there are tens if not hundreds of thousands of Christians in A.A. And they are neither barred, nor evicted, nor suppressed by anything except by rude, boisterous, and sometimes insulting remarks of a few intolerant "bleeding deacons"--as Bill Wilson used to call such dissenters.

In the opinion of the author, based on the foregoing evidence: (1) A.A. was Christian to the core in its origins. (2) A.A. founders and the first three AAs were Christians in their upbringing. (3) The same three were believers in God and Christians when they turned to God for help and were cured. (4) The Akron fellowship was not only Christian, but said so.

Today, as a member of A.A., you can believe in God, be or become a Christian, believe what you wish, worship where you wish, belong to a Christian denomination if you wish, read the Bible and Christian literature if you wish, and talk about what you wish in meetings.

A.A. is not organized. Its leaders are but trusted servants. They do not govern. Groups are expected to turn to and follow the guidance of "a loving God" as He may express Himself in their group conscience. And anyone who disagrees can, as an A.A., buy a coffee pot and take his resentment and disagreement with him to a group he and another alcoholic can form or to which he may choose to belong--Christian or not.

Gloria Deo

 

Alcoholics Anonymous History by Dick B. and Ken B. Florida, February 2013

Applying the history-techniques-and program of the early Akron AA – Dick B http://www.crossflorida.org/applying-the-history-techniques-and-program-of-the-early-akron-aa-dick-b/

2 New A.A. History Books Now on Amazon for 2013

Many of radio interviews, conferences, workshops, and gatherings of and about recovered Christian alcoholics and addicts leaders and workers in early 2013 will be very much focused on two of the most recent Alcoholics Anonymous History books published by Dick B. and Ken B. and being made available right now in print-on-demand and electronic form on Amazon and other ebook outlets:

1. Stick with the Winners! How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena.

2. Pioneer Stories in "Alcoholics Anonymous": God's Role in Recovery Confirmed!

Please feel free to contact dickb@dick.com if you want to buy these at a substantial discount for your group, meeting, conferences, sponsees, clients, programs, and fellowships.

Another complaint about Glenn C.'s censorship of AA history

This matter is posted on the aabibliography site which has been banned from Chesnut's site:

"Hello LD,

 

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles, but I'm not at all surprised. Another friend of mine also got banned from the AA History Lovers yahoo group for mentioning bits of history that they didn't want to hear about, like the 100 Men Corporation.

 

The AAHL group isn't really a history group, it's a mythology group where they demand that people repeat the old legends and myths in the approved orthodox manner, or else.

 

Oh well, have a good day anyway.

 

== Orange

 

 

*             orange@orange-papers.org        *

*         AA and Recovery Cult Debunking      *

*          http://www.Orange-Papers.org/      *

**   "Things are now in motion that cannot be undone."

**     ==  Gandalf, Lord Of The Rings

 

Early A.A. Frequent Mention of Jesus Christ

 

A.A.: Frequent References to Jesus by A.A. Pioneers

         Dick B.

                  Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved

Was Jesus Christ shelved in early A.A. and replaced by “Something,” as one A.A. historian wrote years ago? Did early A.A. principles and practices include belief in God and coming to Him through His Son Jesus Christ? A few A.A. critics seem to think so. Others just haven’t done their homework or don’t care.

“Is Jesus even mentioned in early A.A. literature?”

“Did A.A.’s founders frequently mention Jesus?”

“If so, are there still a number of A.A. General Services Conference-approved books and materials that mention, refer to, or discuss the role of Jesus in recovery from alcoholism?”

Answers: Yes! Yes! And Yes!

 

In fact, there are so many references, that it will suffice to mention and document a few of them, and then let inquirers search for themselves – just as Dr. Bob used to require questioners in early A.A. to search in the Bible for answers to their questions about the program.

Here is Where You Can Find the Answers

Bill W. and The Great Physician, Jesus Christ:  In his own autobiography, Bill Wilson spoke of the “Great Physician”—a metaphor for Jesus Christ. This reference to Jesus Christ as the “Great Physician” was also often uttered by Bill Wilson’s doctor, William D. Silkworth, M.D. See Bill W. My First 40 Years: An Autobiography by the Cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, 139, 145, 147; Dale Mitchel, Silkworth The Little Doctor Who Loved Drunks: The Biography of William Duncan Silkworth, M.D.. 44, 47, 49, 50, 51, 225; Dick B., The Conversion of Bill W.: More on the Creator’s Role in Early A.A., 43, 50, 52-53, 56, 59, 60, 62-67, 70, 76, 100-02, 115, 126, 133-34, 173, 189, 193.

Bill W. and “The Lord. . . curing me. . .”:  Probably the most emphatic testimony as to the role of Jesus Christ in Bill Wilson’s recovery, as Bill himself phrased it, is found on page 191 of the latest (4th, 2001) edition of Alcoholics Anonymous. Moreover, Bill’s affirmation of Jesus’s role was echoed on that same page 191 by Bill Dotson, AA Number 3.

Bill W. and his decision for Jesus Christ:  Mrs. Samuel M. Shoemaker, an eye witness, told me (and Bill’s wife Lois attested in a recorded talk she gave in Texas) that Bill had made a decision for Jesus Christ – “handed his life over to Christ.” Dick B., The Conversion of Bill W., 61-62.

Bill W. himself twice confirmed his statement: “For sure I had been born again.” Bill W.: My First 40 Years, 147; Dick B., Turning Point, 94-98; A New Way In, 62; The Conversion of Bill W., 62.

Bill W. told AAs this at his last full-length talk at an A.A. meeting in New York (quoting. Bill Dr. Bob’s reminder “that most of us were practicing Christians.”  The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks, 30.

Bill W. pointed out to the Lecturers at Yale University that “a great many of us have taken to reading the Bible.” Alcohol, Science and Society: Twenty-nine Lectures with Discussions as given at the Yale Summer School of Alcohol Studies. “Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Inc., 1945, W.W., Lecture 29, The Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous,” 467.

Dr. Bob is frequently quoted in The Co-Founders Pamphlet P-53, as speaking about “Jesus Christ,” the “Master,” God, his “Heavenly Father,” and the “Good Book” as he often called the Bible: The Co-Founders, 11, 13-15, 19, 20. 30. And, on page 34, Bill said of Bob: “So Dr. Bob became the prince of all twelfth-steppers. Perhaps nobody will ever do such a job again.” And—if the “Prince of all Twelfth-Steppers” thought it important to refer frequently to his Lord and Master Jesus Christ—shouldn’t we?

You can find for yourself many other statements (about which I have written extensively), as to how early AAs, their “co-founders,” and their predecessors spoke of Jesus Christ. Examples are 

(1)    Dr. Bob’s wife Anne Smith mentioned Christ in the journal from which she daily shared with early AAs and their families. (2) Rev. Sam Shoemaker—who was called a cofounder of A.A. by Bill W.—started writing about Jesus Christ in his very first significant book—Realizing Religion, and continued to do so throughout his long career. (3) Shoemaker pointed out that Calvary Mission—where Bill W. made his decision for Christ—was the place where Jesus Christ changes lives. (4) Bill W. marched in a processional from Calvary Church to Madison Square to witness—as the group carried the sign, “Jesus Christ changes lives.” (5) Endless Oxford Group writings were read by early AAs and frequently mentioned Jesus Christ. (6) Dr. Bob mentioned many times that early AAs considered that the Bible’s Book of James, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13 were “absolutely essential to the early program;” and, of course, it was Jesus that delivered the sermon (see Matthews 5, 6, 7)." 

Gloria Deo

Hundreds of A.A. Photos of A.A.'s Important Vermont Roots

The New Historical Era Reporting of A.A.’s Vermont Roots

Hundreds of Photos Now Available on http://drbob.info

Dick B.

 

Between September 1 and 10, 2012, a large group of recovered Christian A.A. leaders, workers, and archivists spent their time visiting and researching all of the important A.A. locations in Vermont which played such a major role in the origins, history, founding, original Christian Fellowship program, and successes of early A.A.  The research trip was a project of the International Christian Recovery Coalition.

 

Jim H., a long-recovered archivist from the State of Washington, was with us every step of the way. He took hundreds of photos of the many places visited and researched. These included Dorset, Danby, Emerald Lake, East Dorset, Rutland, Manchester, St. Johnsbury, and Northfield, Vermont, as well as the Dwight  L. Moody campus in Northfield, Massachusetts.

 

The result was a comprehensive picture of the places where A.A.’s main founding group lived or were much involved in the State of Vermont. These founding people included Bill Wilson, Mark Whalon, Lois Burnham Wilson and the Burnham family, Bill Wilson’s high school love Bertha Bamford and her family, Bill’s grandparents the Griffiths, Bill’s grandparents the Wilsons, Bill’s mother and sister and brother-in-law, Bill’s step mother, Edwin Throckmorton Thacher, the Thacher family, the Burnham family, Rowland Hazard, Cebra Graves, F. Shepard Cornell, Judge Collins Graves, Rev. Sidney K. Perkins of Manchester, Robert Holbrook Smith, Judge Walter Smith, Susan Amanda Holbrook Smith, Amanda Northrup, the entire Fairbanks family of St. Johnsbury, Col. Franklin Fairbanks, Vermont Governors Horace and  Erastus Fairbanks, Thaddeus Fairbanks, Joseph Fairbanks, Rogers Burnham, the son of Rev. Perkins, Dwight L. Moody, Robert E. Speer, Ira Sankey, Allen Folger, and a host  of others—all centered around Vermont.

 

If you go to our website http://drbob.info, you will see the photographic panorama produced by our friend and A.A. archivist Jim. H. who came all the way from the State of Washington to the State of Vermont. In so doing, he has produced photos of Wilson House, Griffith House, East Dorset Congregational Church, the locations of the Wilson family in Rutland—their home, their school, and the Congregational Church. He also produced photos  of the Wilson family cemetery, the homes of the Thachers and the Burnhams in Manchester, Burr and Burton Academy, Manchester Congregational Church, the Manchester Congregational pastor’s home, the Episcopal Church in Manchester, the campus at Norwich Military Academy in Northfield, the Mount Hermon home and campus of Dwight L. Moody, North  Congregational Church of St.  Johnsbury, St. Johnsbury Academy, the St .Johnsbury Court House, the Athenaeum (town library), the location of the St. Johnsbury YMCA building, Dr. Bob’s boyhood home and birthplace, Dr. Bob’s Summer Street  School, the Fairbanks Museum, the Fairbanks Inn, and other places of historical importance in A.A.’s new Vermont era history.                 

 

You can locate the many photos at:

 

drbob.info/photos.shtml

 

They are listed as aajimh's Photos and Videos

 

URL Addresses for Stick with the Winners Book

The Stick with the Winners! book is available in 6" x 9" paperback format from Amazon.com:

http://mcaf.ee/grhyx

The Stick with the Winners! book is also available in various eBook formats (iPhone, Amazon.com Kindle, and Barnes and Noble Nook). Here is the URL address for the book in the Amazon.com Kindle store:

http://mcaf.ee/bd0yw

Translating into Spanish "The Good Book and the Big Book"

Great News About the Translation into Spanish

Of

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

 

A few years ago, a great gentleman from Mexico came to Maui and  was also a person closely linked to the same Christian Endeavor Society in which A.A.’s Dr. Bob was active. This man was a member of Christian Endeavor and came to tell us about it. He was on Maui at his own expense engaged in work at our Haggai Institute in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. And what a great opportunity it was to gain still further information about Christian Endeavor from a living participant.

 

The man is Frank P., and not long ago he proposed to me that he and his group work up a translation into Spanish of  our landmark and  very much in demand

 Book, The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible (www.dickb.com/goodbook.shtml). This came as wonderful news considering the huge influx of Hispanic people into the United States and the growth of A.A. in Central and South America.

 

Frank was offering to fill a need that surely needed to be met.

 

Frank has been true to his word. And here is a progress letter we just received:

 

 

Dear Dick

 

I hope you health has improved and the Lord is using you to bring the message of recovery to many people.

 

This is to let you know that we are about to finish the first draft  of  "The Good Book and the Big Book" into Spanish.

 

With the collaboration of my translation students we are 90 % done

 

Of course it is the first draft and it will need revision and edition.

 

If you have any words for the group please send me a message and I will pass it to them.

 

May God bless you and keep you.

 

In His Love

 

Frank

 

My reply to Frank:

 

Bless you and your cohorts and this wonderful service you are rendering for our Heavenly Father and to His glory. As you know, we are very much engaged in disseminating to Christian recovery leaders, workers, newcomers, and concerned members of the public the important role played in the recovery movement by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible. And can still play today!

 

I am sure tens of thousands will learn a great deal about A.A.’s roots in the Bible when this project is completed. And please tell your entire group that our prayers are  with them, my health is fine, and we eagerly  await further news and completion.

 

In His Service,

 

Dick B., dickb@dickb.com

 

Gloria Deo

Many more participants join International Christian Recovery Coalition

Add to the International Christian Recovery Participants List

12/1/2012

California

 

            Pleasanton

 

                        Chris Mullen, President and Lead Prison Minister, Mercy and Grace Ministries,

                        PO Box 1567, Pleasanton, CA 94566, 925 550 9403, chris@mercyandgrace.org

 

            San Jose

 

                        Jeff  King, CityTeam International,   jeffjazzlomg@gmail.com, 408 207 3542

 

                        Don Zonic, J.O.T.L. Ministries, joyofthelord@sbcglobal.net,408 568, 4874,

                        Joyofthelordrecovery.com

 

Darryl Pearson, Pastor, Seven Trees Church, 3195 Senter Road,  San Jose, California  95111,  650  289 1253

 

Rory Fly, believer 408 469 8182

 

            Fremont

 

                        Jeffrey A.  Poling, 41829 Albrae Street, Fremont, California 94538.

                        916 838 1880, jrggpoling838@hotmail.com

 

Florida

 

            Jacksonville Beach

 

Jimmy Hughes, PO Box 50325, Jacksonville Beach, FL , 32250, jameshughes@bellsouth.net, 246 4731

 

            Altamonte Springs

 

Debbie Baranska, Recovered believer, 586 Orange Dr., Apt 112, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701, 407 252 4073, Debbie.baranska3@gmail.com

 

            Okeechobee

 

                        Paul Cullum, Recovered believer, 1012 S.  Parrott Ave, Okeechobee, Florida

                        34974, 903 407 3467, paul@logre.org

 

            Pompano Beach

 

                        Pastor Don Fugate, CAC, Director, Journey2Freedom, 971 S. Dixie Highway W.,                                     Pompano Beach, FL 33050, PastorDon@logre.org, 954 946 7332

 

             New Port Richey

                        Vincent Leo, Recovered believer, Chronicles220@hotmail.com, 9101 Peony St.

                        New Port Richey, Florida 34654

 

            Jensen Beach

 

Tom Kocur, Chicago  PD, USCGR, Retired, 1600 NE Dixie Highway, Building

12, Unit 205, Jensen Beach, FL 772 342 2467, tob867@bellsouth.net

 

            Old Town

 

                        Yvonne Holt, believer, owner of Cable TV Co. in Suwannee, PO Box 56,

                        Old Town, Florida 32680, 352 542 9037, yvonnehholt@gmail.com

 

            Port Saint Lucie

 

                        Annie Rupp, believer, 2079 SW Castinet Lane, Port Saint Lucie, Florida 34953

            Stuart

 

Nancy Budd, believer, 4300 SE St. Lucie Blvd, 216 Palm, Florida lifesruffgetahelmet51@yahoo.com, 772 287 8316

 

            Suwannee

 

                        Sonja L. Reed, believer, PO Box  247, Suwannee, Florida, 32692, 352 542 0704,

                        Sonjareec673@ad.com

North Carolina           

 

            Davidson

 

Michael Elliott, Recovered believer, PO Box 1865, Davidson, North Carolina 28036, 704 765 6078, rockbornrealty@gmail.com

 

 

Ohio

 

            Cleveland       

 

                        David Gillette, Cleveland Intergroup, 216 289 4033, davidagillette@yahoo.com

 

            Niles

 

Greg Miller, Recovered believer, 330 501 7536, 1636 Gypsy Lane, Niles, Ohio 44446

Hawaii

 

            Volcano

 

                        Hayley & Tyler Ford, Recovered believers, Adventure Guides, PO Box 1261,

                        Volcano, HI 96785, 808 640 1618, EXLORE@AKAMAITOURS.COM

 

Indiana

 

            Rick & Jo Voirol, Recovered believers, 17233 Devall Road, Spencerville, IN 46788.

            260  458 5868, rickandjoe2R1@yahoo.com

 

            Joyce Butler, Recovered believer, 6719 Chickasaw, Ft. Wayne, Indiana 46815,

            260 433 3976 , joycebu@hotmail.com

Let's look at AA and the Oxford Group in Historical Context

Alcoholics Anonymous History

 

Looking at Its Oxford Group Link in Context

 

Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved.

 

Note! You can get a thoroughly reviewed, accurate, and complete account of the relationship of Alcoholics Anonymous with the Oxford Group, also known as “A First Century Christian Fellowship.” Obtain a copy of The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous, 2d ed. by Dick B., www.dickb.com/Oxford.shtml.

 

No facet of Alcoholics Anonymous History has been more bungled than A.A.'s connection with the Oxford Group. There are some relevant fundamentals concerning the relationship. But there are far more erroneous pieces of information still being promulgated by many today. Consider the following:

 

Yes, after he got sober, Bill Wilson became involved with the Oxford Group on the East Coast. But the real activities that brought about Bill’s sobriety had little to do with the Oxford Group at and before the time he got sober. Bill actually learned the solution to alcoholism--Conversion to God through Jesus Christ--from his friend Ebby Thacher and from his physician Dr. William D. Silkworth.

 

To be sure, Bill also learned about the Oxford Group from Rowland Hazard and Ebby Thacher. But he did not rely on Oxford Group principles and practices (their life-changing program) when he: (1) made his decision for Jesus Christ at Calvary Mission in New York; (2) became born again and so stated in his autobiography; (3) decided he needed to turn to the Great Physician Jesus Christ for help and so stated in his autobiography; and (4) went to Towns Hospital, cried out to God for help, had his indescribably white light experience--sensing God's presence—and exclaiming “Bill, You are a free man. This is the God of the Scriptures.” .See Dick B., The Conversion of Bill W. (www.dickb.com/conversion.shtml). See also Dale Mitchel, Silkworth: The Little Doctor Who Loved Drunks. And see Bill’s own words in The Language of the Heart, page 284.

 

And Bill Wilson never drank again. Later, Bill went to Oxford Group functions on the East Coast and belonged to its businessmen's team. But Bill and his wife were “kicked out” of the Oxford Group in 1937. When Bill got authority to write a book on the A.A. program, he worked out his Step ideas with Rev. Sam Shoemaker prior to publishing the Big Book in 1939. See The Language of the Heart, pages 297-98.

 

What about Dr. Bob and the Oxford Group link?

 

Bob specified the Bible as the source of A.A.’s basic ideas. He said the basic ideas for A.A. came from the Bible. He said he had nothing to do with the writing of the Twelve Steps. He said that the Bible's Book of James, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13 were the absolute essentials for the Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship program founded by Bill W. and Dr. Bob in 1935. See The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks, pages 13-14. Did Dr. Bob attend a small Oxford Group meeting once a week at T. Henry Williams' house? Yes. Did he get sober by applying Oxford Group principles? No. He got sober earlier by joining the little Oxford Group people and families in praying for his deliverance--and, with his prayers answered, met with Bill Wilson, and then got sober as the two studied the Bible for three months in the summer of 1935.

 

For most writers, the story has ended there. But the Christian Fellowship program developed and practiced by Bill, Bob, Bill Dotson, and the pioneers as a daily discipline—much like that of the Apostles in First Century Christianity. It is summarized in A.A.’s own literature at DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, page 131. The sixteen Christian practices that implemented the Akron program and the comments about their daily First Century Christianity are covered in Dick B. and Ken B., Stick with the Winners! How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena.

 

How, then, to what extent, and if at all, did the Oxford Group’s twenty-eight life-changing principles and practices become a part of Bill Wilson’s new A.A. program and previously non-existent Twelve Steps?

 

Bill Wilson did that primarily by working with Rev. Sam Shoemaker in 1938 and 1939 and then codifying Oxford Group ideas in ten of A.A.’s new Twelve Steps and recovery program produced in 1939 in its Big Book first edition... Bill spelled out the real sources of those Twelve Steps and ideas in The Language of the Heart, pages 297-98!

 

www.dickb.com/titles.shtml

 

Gloria Deo

Online A.A. History Shopping and Savings Right Now

You can always buy online the many historical books by Dick B. This holiday season is no exception. However, there are substantial discounted prices if you shop online right now.

We'll tell you how and make some suggestions.

First, amazon.com with listings of Dick B., Paradise Research Publications, and titles is making available right now some exceptionally good prices for purchase on line.

Second, you can always purchase online from Dick B. by using check or money order sent to us at Dick B., PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837; or by phoning 808 874 4876 and using your credit card, or by using the "donate" button on our main website www.dickb.com, or by clicking through to your title of choice on our titles page www.dickb.com/titles.shtml. There are pictures of the covers, details about each book, and details on how to order.

Now for the savings opportunities.

As stated, go to Amazon.com, look under Dick B. or Paradise Research Publications, and order.

Take advantage of two of our own important bargain prices.

First bargain offer right now: You can have these saving prices, by purchasing at least 3 books each of The Original 1939 Big Book Alcoholics Anonymous (with the long ignored, forgotten, or unused "personal stories of the pioneers," original language of the First Edition, and a 27 page introduction by Dick B.) and 3 books each of The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible.

The first edition reprint has just been published by Dover Publications, Inc. Its retail/list price is $12.00 plus. But in our offer, you can buy three for $6.00 per book if you also buy three copies of The Good Book and the Big Book (retail/list price is $23.95). This tremendous savings on the Dick B. book, is yours for $ 6.00 per book - only as part of the bargain offer. 3 and 3 books for $6.00 each, plus shipping and handling. Email us at dickb@dickb.com, or phone 808 874 4876, or send your check or money order to Dick B., PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837. If you phone or email, we will also provide you with the shipping and handling cost.

Second bargain offer right now: Of the 46 A.A. history books, he has published, Dick B. has assembled 30 which he believes will be most useful to you. These are called "The Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set."

If purchased individually, the set of 30 books would cost retail/list about $700.00

Right now, you can purchase the entire set of 30 titles for $249.00 - no handling, free shipping. A lifetime value available now at unusual prices this year.

May your holidays be bright and merry! And may your service to God and others about you be strong and fruitful.

Dick B.

A.A. History Books - Holiday Savings

A.A. History Holiday Savings Opportunity

dickb@dickb.com

 

Of late, we have decided to make two different offerings of A.A. history at affordable costs and savings for the holiday period of 2012.

 

We hope you will consider them and the important service to believers and others suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction. Also that you will avail yourself of this special opportunity.

 

 

Offer One: 3 or more copies of the new Alcoholics Anonymous Original 1939 Big Book, just released by Dover publications and containing the vitally important original personal stories (long removed from view until recently), the original form of the Big Book chapters, and a 27 page introduction by Dick B.  Accompanied by your purchase of 3 or more copies of The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible.

 

Fill out this form and send you order and purchase price to Dick B., 808 874 4876, or dickb@dickb.com, or PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-

 

Name, mail address, city, state, zip

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

3 or more copies each of the original Big Book of 1939 and 3 or more copies of The Good Book. – Cost of each 3 or more copies is $8.00 per book, shipped directly to you by print on demand, with a list price on the Big Book of $12.00 and the Good Book of $23. 95. Plus shipping and handling.

 

Please send me ___ copies (3 or more) of the Dover reprint of the First Edition at $8.00 per book ___ copies x $8.00 per book = $_____. Plus ___ copies (3 or more) of The Good Book  x $8.00 per book.

 

Total order:

 _______ (3 or more copies of First Edition) x $8.00 per book =           $________

_______  (3 or more copies of The Good Book x $8.00 per book=        $________        

 

Total for amount ordered (check, money order, credit card # and exp date, or paypal

On www.dickb.com $__________________. I will also pay for shipping and handling

Immediately after you  determine that amount and notify me of that figure.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

Offer Two: The 30 volume Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set

Retail/List price $ 672.55 if purchased separately.

Your substantially discounted price $ 249.00 (shipping and handling included within USA)

 

 

 

Credit or Debit Card, or PayPal Accepted. (PayPal is the gateway, BUT NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT IS REQUIRED.) www.dickb.com.

 

 

 

 

Buy Your Alcoholics Anonymous History books online this year

Dick B. has published 46 titles on Alcoholics Anonymous History. Most of the major ones are listed with pictures of the covers, bibliographic details, price, and description of the book contents. You can order these online in at least two ways:

1. Go to www.dickb.com/titles.shtml. Select the title or titles you want. Order directly from the title page.

2. Go to www.amazon.com. Look up Paradise Research Publications, Inc. Or look up Dick B. books, and order directly from amazon. Amazon often offers special prices.So don't miss this opportunity.

Dick B. offers a complete reference set of 30 history titles at a huge discount--about 2/3 off. Many Big Book study groups, Christian recovery fellowships, treatment programs, counselors, interventionists, and libraries are taking advantage of this offer--which enables you to have a complete reference set of titles, to select the one or ones you want to study, and to have your valuable Alcoholics Anonymous History references ready for use for a lifetime.

For further information, contact Dick B. 808 874 4876 or email dickb@dickb.com

Healing Records in the Gospel of Matthew

GOD

Jesus Christ

 

Healing Records in the Gospel of Matthew

 

Matt 4:23 (KJV):

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

 

Matt 4:24 (KJV):

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

 

Matt 8:1-4 (KJV):

When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

And Jesus put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

 

Matt 8:5-13 (KJV):

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this [man], Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it].

When Jesus heard [it], he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

 

Matt 8:14-15 (KJV):

And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

 

Matt 8:16-17 (KJV):

When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with [his] word, and healed all that were sick:

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare [our] sicknesses.

 

Matt 8:28-34 (KJV):

And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought [him] that he would depart out of their coasts.

 

Matt 9:1-8 (KJV):

And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This [man] blasphemeth.

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

For whether is easier, to say, [Thy] sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

And he arose, and departed to his house.

But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

 

Matt 9:18-19, 23-26 (KJV):

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

And Jesus arose, and followed him, and [so did] his disciples.

And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

 

Matt 9:20-22 (KJV):

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind [him], and touched the hem of his garment:

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

 

Matt 9:27-31 (KJV):

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, [Thou] Son of David, have mercy on us.

And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See [that] no man know [it].

But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

 

Matt 9:32-34 (KJV):

As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

 

Matt 9:35 (KJV):

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

 

Matt 11:1-6 (KJV):

And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

And blessed is [he], whosoever shall not be offended in me.

 

Matt 12:9-14 (KJV):

And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

And, behold, there was a man which had [his] hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift [it] out?

How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

 

Matt 12:15-21 (KJV):

But when Jesus knew [it], he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

And charged them that they should not make him known:

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

 

Matt 12:22-30 (KJV):

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

But when the Pharisees heard [it], they said, This [fellow] doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast [them] out? therefore they shall be your judges.

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

 

Matt 13:54-58 (KJV):

And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?

Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this [man] all these things?

And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

 

Matt 14:13-14 (KJV):

When Jesus heard [of it], he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard [thereof], they followed him on foot out of the cities.

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

 

Matt 14:34-36 (KJV):

And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

 

Matt 15:21-28 (KJV):

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] to dogs.

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

 

Matt 15:29-31 (KJV):

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

 

Matt 17:14-21 (KJV):

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a [certain] man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

 

Matt 19:1-2 (KJV):

And it came to pass, [that] when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

 

Matt 20:29-34 (KJV):

And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, [thou] Son of David.

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, [thou] Son of David.

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

So Jesus had compassion [on them], and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

 

Matt 21:14-16 (KJV):

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?