Why Early A.A. Succeeded

Dick B.

Description

Early Alcoholics Anonymous claimed a 75% success rate among "seemingly-hopeless," "medically-incurable" alcoholics who thoroughly followed the original Akron A.A. "Christian fellowship" program Bill W. and Dr. Bob developed beginning in the summer of 1935. That very simple program was founded on basic ideas from the Bible. This book takes you through the Bible on the principal points AAs studied.

Informations

• Publié par: First Edition Design Publishing
• Date de parution: 28 juillet 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781937520052
• Langue: English

Extrait

Why Early A.A. Succeeded

The Good Book in
Alcoholics Anonymous
Yesterday and Today

(A Bible Study Primer for AAs and other 12-Steppers)

"We already had the basic ideas, though not in terse and tangible form.
We got them ... as a result of our study of the Good Book."
-Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith,
Co-Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous

Dick B.

With a Foreword by Jeffrey H. Boyd, M.D., M.Div., M.P.H.

Copyright 2001 by Anonymous
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ISBN 978-1-937520-05-2
Published by First Edition Design eBook Publishing July 2011
www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com


Paradise Research Publications, Inc. (print)
Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Published 2001 Printed in the United States of America

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher.

This Paradise Research Publications Edition is published by arrangement with Good Book Publishing Co., P.O. Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837

The publication of this volume does not imply affiliation with nor approval or endorsement from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism-use of the Twelve Steps in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A. A. , but which address other problems, does not imply otherwise.

Note: All Bible verses quoted in this book, unless otherwise noted, are from the Authorized (or "King James") Version. The letters "KJV" are used when necessary to distinguish it from other versions.

Publisher's Cataloging-in-Publication
(Provided by Quality Books, Inc.)

B., Dick.
Why early A. A. succeeded: the good book in Alcoholics Anonymous yesterday and today / Dick B. ¬1 st ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 1-885803-31-1 (print)
Other Titles by Dick B.
Dr. Bob and His Library: A Major A.A. Spiritual Source
Anne Smith's Journal, 1933-1939: A.A. 's Principles of Success
The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works
The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous
New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A.
The Books Early AAs Read for Spiritual Growth
Courage to Change: The Christian Roots of the Twelve-Step Movement
The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A. 's Roots in the Bible
That Amazing Grace: The Role of Clarence and Grace S. in Alcoholics Anonymous
Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A.
Turning Point: A History of Early A.A. 's Spiritual Roots and Successes
Hope!: The Story of Geraldine D., Alina Lodge & Recovery
Utilizing Early A.A. 's Spiritual Roots for Recovery Today
The Golden Text of A.A.: God, the Pioneers, and Real Spirituality
By the Power of God: A Guide to Early A.A. Groups & Forming Similar Groups Today
The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today
Dedication

To Donald Edward Brown

Special thanks to:
Kathryn Mau Trust #1, Manhattan Beach, California Frederick Robert Johnston, Maui, Hawaii Mr. and Mrs. Tom W. Shepherd, Hacienda Heights, Calif.
Contents

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
The Way Out
The Beginning
The Relationship They Sought
My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge
Divine Help Doesn't Mean "Idol" Help
I Our Creator Is in the Deliverance Business
Calling All Teachers!
A Guide to the Way Back and Out!
What Early AAs Said about Reading the Bible
From the Words of A.A. 's Pioneers Themselves
A.A. Co-founder Dr. Bob
A.A. 's Conference-Approved Book, DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers
From the Writing of Dr. Bob's Daughter, Sue Smith Windows
From the Remarks of Pioneer Clarence Snyder
From the Remarks of Dr. Bob's Son, Robert Smith
From Early Akron A.A. Pamphlets Commissioned by Dr. Bob
From Remarks by A.A. Co-founder Bill Wilson
From Dr. Bob's Wife, Anne Ripley Smith, the "Mother of A.A."
From A.A. 's Trustee-to-Be Frank Amos's Report to John D. Rockefeller, Jr
From Bill Wilson's Secretary and
A.A. 's First Archivist, Nell Wing
From Dr. Bob Himself on
A.A. 's Good Book Source
From Tapes of Early Pioneers That Were Interviewed
From Personal Stories in the First Edition of A.A. 's Basic Text
The Foregoing Confirm the Bible's Critical Role in Early A.A.
They Mean You Can Study the Good Book Today
The Bible and Recovery
Do People Really Want What Early A.A. Had!
What's up with Anonymous Fellowships and the Bible Today?
The Facts about Early A.A. Are Basically Unknown Today
A.A. 's "In-house" Teachers Are Long Gone
Today's Emphasis on Simplicity Encourages Ignorance
What Pioneer A.A. Was About
It Was about "Finding" God
A.A. Was Really about Seeking God
Begin Your Bible Study by Learning about God
Learn and Understand
God Exists
God Is the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth
Establishing a Relationship with God, the Creator
The Name of the Creator
The A.A. Backdrop and Why the Particulars about the Creator's Name Are Vital
The Creator's Name Is Important to Us.
The Creator's Name Is Important to Him!
The Creator's Name is Yahweh
Learn What the Bible Says about the Creator
God Is Almighty
God Is Our Maker
God Is in Heaven
God Is Spirit
God Is Not a Man
God Is Invisible
God Is Love
God Is Light
Some Other Things God Is
There Is Only One God
There Is No Other "God" Like Yahweh
Don't Mention the Name of Other Gods
Learning about God's Word, the Bible
Dr. Bob and Anne Urged the Bible's Importance
God Communicates His Will to Human Beings in Many Ways
God Himself Speaks to People Directly
God Speaks through Angels
God Speaks through Prophets
God Speaks through His Son, Jesus Christ
God Speaks by Revelation to Born-again Believers
Learning What the "Bible" Is
The Word of God
How We Got the Word of God
The Word of God and the Will of God
The Word of God: Truth
The Good Book Offers Far More Than Sobriety
It Offers Victory
It Speaks of Future Rewards
It Enables One to Discern Truth from Error
"Wise" and "Wisdom" in Proverbs
The Vital Importance of God's Guidance
Therefore, Study the Good Book
Learning about God's Son, Jesus Christ!
"Jesus Is the Christ, the Son of God"
Anne Smith's Journal and Your Path
About the "Surrenders":
To As Much of God As You Understand or Know
You Came to Him through Believing on His Son:
Power after Confession and Belief
Learn How Jesus Fits in the Picture
Jesus: The Only Way to the Only True God
Becoming God's Kids
Holy Spirit, Power, and the Love of God by God's Grace
Fellowship with God, His Son, and Each Other
Necessity for Obeying God's Commandments
Knowing and Understanding God through Christ
Jesus Christ Declared God
Jesus Christ Came to Destroy the Devil and His Works
Jesus Christ and the Will of God
Jesus Christ and His Accomplishments
Sin, Love, Choice, and Obedience
God's Ways, and God's Mercy and Grace
Sin
"Sin" in the Old Testament
"Sin" in the New Testament
Some Sources of Sin
Some Consequences of Sin
The Forgiveness of Sin
The Inheritance of Sin
Personal Sins
The Standard for the Believer
The Preventives for Sin
The Need to Obey
Some Questions for the Critics
Release from Your Prisons
First, about God's Will
Power Available to Believers
Above All They Can Ask or Think
Forgiveness, Healing, Deliverance
Believing in Order to Receive
The Release Available
Release from Fear
Release from Guilt
Release from Anxiety
Release from Cares
Release from Shame
Release from Insecurity
Release from Poverty
Release from Confusion
Release from Weakness
Release from Doubt
Release from Temptation
Release from Sickness
Release from Evil Spirits
Release from the Devil' s Fiery Darts
Release from Oppression by the Devil
Everlasting Release
Free indeed!
More to Learn
Praying and Prayers
Confess Your Sins to God to Receive His Forgiveness
Ask God for Things in the Name of Jesus Christ
Ask God to Supply Your Need
Thank God for What He Has Done for You
Praise God for What He Has Done
Pray in the Spirit
Seek God When You Need Healing
Seek God for Deliverance
Seek God for Guidance
Pray to God for Others As God Directs
Cast out Evil Spirits in the Name of Jesus Christ As God Directs
Renewing Your Mind to God's Word
Manifesting the Gift of the Holy Spirit
Resisting the Devil
Believing
Understanding the Bible As an Eastern Book
Understanding Figures of Speech in the Bible
Learning about the Early Manuscripts of the Bible
Reading for Scope
Word Studies
It's Not So Tough
What's on the Platter Today
It Is What God Says That Counts
Become Knowledgeable about the Bible's Place in A.A.
Get Acquainted with the Bible's Contents
Boldly Mention God, His Son, and His Word
Grow
Learn Your Resources
Pass It On!
There Is a Process, Then
Birth
Growth
Maturity
Trust God with All Your Heart
-Appendix 1: The Creator's Name is Yahweh!
-Appendix 2: The Materials Dr. Bob Considered "Absolutely Essential"
-Appendix 3: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Bibliography
Foreword

The success rate of early Alcoholics Anonymous in Akron was 75 %. In Cleveland, it was 93 %. Today, by most accounts, it is less than 10%. How was the effectiveness of A.A. lost? What did the founders know that we don't?
Dick B. is uniquely qualified to answer this question. He has the mind of a lawyer digging up the facts, and the passion of an alcoholic whose life was saved by A.A. It was not until Dick had been an A.A. member four years that he heard that A.A. came from the Bible. As a committed Christian, Dick was fascinated. He spent the next decade researching this issue, publishing 14 titles on the biblical roots of A.A., and amassing the most comprehensive library on the spiritual origins of A.A. that the world has ever seen (more than 23,000 books and other documents). His wisdom is distilled in this volume, which proposes that the decline