THE GOOD BOOK AND THE BIG BOOK
Alcoholics Anonymous History
THE GOOD BOOK AND THE BIG BOOK
A.A.'s Roots in the Bible
By Dick B.
An astounding seventy-five to ninety-three percent of the early members of Alcoholics Anonymous recovered from their seemingly hopeless diseases of alcoholism. They did it by relying on God and by basing their relationship with Him on the principles of the Bible. This comprehensive history discusses the biblical sources from which A.A.'s founders said they obtained their recovery ideas—focusing particularly on the Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James. For many A.A.s, the Bible was a standard of truth upon which they could depend for the power and guidance that they needed in their lives. Author Dick B.—an active, recovered member of A.A., a bible student, and a sponsor of over seventy men in their recovery—here shows how a knowledge of A.A.'s Good Book roots can be used effectively to produce a high recovery rate in today's Twelve Step programs.
THE PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE GOOD BOOK TITLE
Dick B. wrote The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible to provide an accurate, comprehensive statement of the basic ideas and principles early AAs took from the Bible as they were developing their spiritual program of recovery and later the Big Book and the Twelve Steps. This title by Dick has stood the test of time. It is much in demand. It is now used in counselor training, Salvation Army programs, A.A. meetings, spiritual retreats for AAs and their families, and in seminars and programs for people in recovery, whether in A.A., Al-Anon, or such groups as Overcomers and Alcoholics Victorious.
THE TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. "Lest We Forget Early AAs and Their Bibles!" Early A.A.'s Success Rate Compared to Today
The Historical Evidence of A.A.'s Good Book Roots The Oxford Group-Shoemaker Impact
Bible Devotionals and Other Early A.A. Literature The Purpose of Our Book
2. God! The Frequency of Biblical Names for God God is`A Loving God A Special "god" for A.A.?
Whence Came "Higher Power?" Bill Wilson's Higher Power"God As We Understood Him"
"A Power Greater Than Ourselves"
3. Biblical Impact on Big Book Language Direct Quotes from the Bible Recognizable Biblical Words and Concepts A.A. Slogans and Watchwords with Biblical RootsTwo Other Biblical Concepts
4. The Parts Dr. Bob Found "Essential" The Thirteenth Chapter of First Corinthians The Book of James The Sermon on the Mount
5. The Good Book and the Twelve Steps
Step One and Deflation at Depth
Step Two, Willingness, Belief, and Seeking
Step Three and the Decision to Surrender
Step Four and Self-examination
Step Five and Confession
Step Six, Conviction and Readiness to Change
Step Seven, Humble Submission and Rebirth
Step Eight, Willingness To Make Amends
Step Nine, Restitution
Step Ten and Daily Corrective Action
Step Eleven, Prayer, Guidance, Growth, Power
Step Twelve, Awakening, Witness, Practice of Principles
6. Keeping It Simple The Original Six Steps Simmered Down to the Last (Love and Service)
7. The Good Book and A.A. Today
Foreword by Bob Smith, Son of A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob and his wife, Anne.
Paradise Research Publications, Inc.; 264 pp.; 6 x 9; perfect bound; 1997; $17.95; ISBN 1-885803-16-8.
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Endorsements
"The Bible and the 'Big Book' of Alcoholics Anonymous are not mutually exclusive, as the author, Dick B., carefully shows. The A.A. book which has helped millions with their addictions is deeply indebted to, and profoundly influenced by, biblical language, images, and themes gleaned directly from the Bible or indirectly from Bible teachers like Rev. Samuel Shoemaker, E. Stanley Jones, and Oswald Chambers. A.A. has received much from biblical Christianity, and biblical Christians can receive much from Dick's new book about spiritual growth and victorious living."
Rev. Charles B. Puskas, Jr., Ph.D.
Author, An Introduction to the New Testament
"Dick's exhaustive research gives us a clear picture of how Dr. Bob, Anne, Bill W., and the early A.A.s used the Good Book to help thousands recover".
Ray G.
Archivist, Dr. Bob's Home, Akron, Ohio
"We use Dick's book in all our counselor training centers. It is an invaluable resource."
Jean LaCour, Ph.D.
Dean, The N.E.T. Training Institute
"We're excited to have this book for scholars of A.A. that explains A.A.'s roots in the Bible!"
Ozzie and Bonnie L.
Managers, The Wilson House, East Dorset, Vermont
"Anyone seeking to learn the spiritual roots of Alcoholics Anonymous will find Dick B.'s publication, The Good Book and the Big Book, an invaluable resource. Dick has done a monumental job of finding and documenting the prime sources of A.A.'s life-renewing power."
John F. Seiberling
Former United States Congressman
Son of Henrietta Seiberling, an early A.A. "founder"
posted by 1st Timothy @ 5:05 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
"We Christians in the recovery arena are not alone." And thank you for featuring the key book. Here is a conference that will help others: “A Nationwide Recovery Conference with Dick B.”
Southern California, late April or May 2009
Hosted by Pastor Don Fugate, Grace Way Fellowship Ministries
Coordinated by Pastor Jim Gaffney, Consultant, Ministry Catalyst
Mariners Church, Irvine, California [Tentative Location]
Conference Theme: A New Way Out
For Christians in the Recovery Arena
Hospitality: Fellowship, Snacks, Music, Literature Table, Tapes, Historical Books & Displays
Kay Adams-Bernstein, Hospitality Chair; Frank B., Conference Contact Person
Friday Pre-Conference Workshop with leaders and “ambassadors” sharing about: Centers, Archives, Conferences, Literature, Radio, TV, Websites, Forums, Guidebooks
Saturday All-Day Conference Agenda (tentative)
Opening Remarks: Dick B., “We Christians in the Recovery Arena Are Not Alone”
The Historical Success Factor and the Pressing Need for “A New Way Out”: Dick B., Hawaii
Brief Story/Presentation by Mike Lewandowski, Lamb of God Ministries, Florida.
Christian Recovery Presenters and Leaders: 15-minute presentations
• The Bridge Group Approach: Pauline Bartosch & Jeff MacLeod, Overcomers O., Inc.
• The Treatment Approach: Tom Thompson, Pacific Hills Treatment Centers, Calif.
• The Treatment Approach: Chris Raymer, La Hacienda, Hunt, Texas
• The Residential Ministry Approach: Rev. Pat Robertson, President, CityTeam, Calif.
• The International Addictive Behavior Counseling Ministry: Darvin Smith, M.D., Colo.
• The Gospel Rescue Mission Approach: Rev. Michael Liimatta, City Vision College, MO.
• The Clergy Approach: Pastor Don Fugate, Grace Way Fellowship Ministries, Arizona
• The Church Approach: Jim Gaffney, Pastor, Consultant, Ministry Catalyst, California
• Trainer and Recovery Advocates: Jean La Cour, Ph.D., Pres., Net Training Institute, FL
• The Practice of the Crucified Life: George McLauchlin, M.A., Tampa, FL
• “Footprints” Alcoholics Victorious, Bro. Wayne White, Kansas City, MO.
Santos Ministries: Music and what they are doing at Calvary Ranch in Lakeside, California
Recovery Fellowship Members: 15-minute presentations
• Memorial Locations, Bonnie Lepper, Wilson House, East Dorset, VT; Ray G., retired archivist, Dr. Bob’s Home, OH
• James Club and Bible Study Groups: Joey Delgado, San Dimas, CA
• Focus on the newcomer: Keith Walters, Kona, Hawaii;
• Focus on the newcomer: Scott Craven, Oahu, Hawaii
• “Came to Believe” Retreats for AAs and Families: Steve Foreman, Winter Park, Florida
• Community outreach groups: Russell Spatz, attorney, Miami, Florida
Concluding Remarks: Dick B.
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