By, Todd Cunningham, Pacific Hills
Did you know that early A.A. in Akron was a Christian fellowship?
Did you know that its basic ideas came from study of the Bible?
Did you know that the pioneers claimed to achieve a 75% to 93% success rate—which they properly called “cures”—as the result of their program?
Surprising, isn’t it? So much curiosity arises from an “anonymous society” whose rules forbade promoting it or even explaining the organization to the press, and whose members sometimes reported a variety of vague spiritual beliefs. It is no wonder that rumors of “door knob” faith and a “higher power” left some religious leaders queasy! But to those who examined it more closely, the reality is that this movement and its Big Book have produced lasting healing and have radically restored lives for millions around the world in recent history.
Before A.A., alcoholics and addicts simply died in their disease. After AA., sobriety, recovery, and transformed life became a reality for literally millions of alcoholics all over the world. This article is the first in a series designed to help people understand the origin of the Big Book—the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, which can empower recovery groups and recovering individuals to benefit from the Christian principles found there.
Not so surprising to the Christian is that the powerful healing principles in early A.A. (that were not present in the temperance movement and abstinence crusades) included many facets. Among them, belief in foundational scriptural truth, the commitment to Christian fellowship, an emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and a charge to testify to others of His love and power in their lives.
A reliance on their Creator was the early A.A. follower’s solution. That reliance produced a documented 75% success rate when the movement found momentum in Akron, and very soon a 93% success rate when chapters were started in Cleveland among the medically incurable alcoholics. It is a story worth learning. It was simple and the approach was effective. And, because it worked, it attracted thousands to A.A. over the ensuing years.
Fortunately, we still have a precise and accurate study of the successful Akron program. A program of faithfulness to these biblical principles is still used successfully by discerning recovering individuals within A.A. and in church recovery circles.
What features were included in the Akron program? They had the Bible, and they had the Oxford Group principles. They studied and incorporated both into their very simple spiritual program of recovery. They usually hospitalized the newcomer, shared their victories with him, left him with only a Bible for reading, and had him surrender (on his knees) to God before he was discharged, after only a few days of hospitalization.
Though the Oxford Group did help shape much of the early work that contributed to the birth of A.A., it was not the only source of A.A.’s principles, practices, and language. The Bible is the major source. Quiet Time, the teachings of Reverend Sam Shoemaker, the materials in Anne Smith’s Journal, and the Christian literature that A.A. pioneers read are all of major significance. Many Christian writers, pastors, teachers and evangelists of the time enthusiastically gave endorsement and encouragement to the movement.
From this rich fellowship, life-changing power was released into the lives of broken people who were hungry for their Creator. The power was fueled by the Christian principles. Principles led to programs and then ultimately to a simple published work for alcoholics seeking lasting sobriety, The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Dr. Bob said several times that he didn’t write the 12 Steps and had nothing to do with writing them. He said their basic ideas came from A.A. style of study of the Bible. He said the Book of James, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13 were absolutely essential to the program.
Are the writings of the Big Book and the early A.A. Christian roots really relevant? Noted A.A. historian, Dick B. answers: “For those of us puzzled by the confusing terms such as “spiritual” and “higher power” and “acceptance,” they are.
For those of us who want to rely upon the power of God and get the same results early A.A. followers did, these facts are quite relevant.
For those of us who want to better understand the words and phrases in the basic A.A. text, they are.
For those of us who don’t want to be intimidated in meetings when we mention God, the Bible, Jesus Christ, and church, they are.
For those of us who just want to know the whole story, the full score, the unedited and uncompromised ideas of the A.A. pioneers, they are.
For those of us who do not want to go elsewhere, they are.”
In the articles to follow, we will examine the secret to the amazing recovery rates in the early Akron and Cleveland AA groups and the use of Biblical principles in the early fellowship and in the text of the Big Book.
Pacific Hills Treatment Centers and Recovery Options Network provide free resources that empower the Church and its members to effectively address addiction and substance abuse issues through Christ. We want to help you help others through treatment and educational resources. Please visit us at www.pachills.com or contact us at (877) 722-4455 for more information.
Trademarks and Disclaimer: ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, A.A., and Big Book are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Our special thanks to: Dick B., his published works and his web site
