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Early A.A. was a Christian Fellowship in Akron. Contrary to most notions, it was not patterned after the Oxford Group. Instead, most of its principles and practices seemed derived from United Christian Endeavor Society of Dr. Bob's youth. Thus it involved confession of Christ, reliance on the Creator, obedience to God's will and elimination of transgressions, growth in fellowship with God, His Son, and other believers through Bible study meetings, Old Fashioned Prayer Meetings, Quiet Time, conversion meetings, religious comradeship, and church attendance favored. It was unique in that it focused on helping the alcoholic and insisted on abstinence and early hospitalization. The witnessing of groups like United Christian Endeavor with its love and service code became the watchword for A.A.; and the idea of leaving the message carrying through the work of one successful drunk with another in need was a typical Christian outreach, much like that used in the Salvation Army.
It is my belief that any Christian group, Christian meeting, Christian program, Christian treatment, Christian Track program, or Christian Recovery Program needs to incorporate the early A.A. history as one segment of its curriculum.
Why? Because so much of present-day recovery work is secularized, promotes idolatry, and attempts to reach new people of belief and non-belief and encourage them in the idea that believing is not important--while not drinking and attending meetings is.
The Akron program stressed Bible study. It stressed early hospitalization and then in-home christian recovery living, coupled with only one meeting a week, but plenty of Quiet Time, Bible study, prayer, seeking of guidance, use of Christian devotionals, and study of Christian literature and topics.
Did it succeed? Yes 75 to 93% of those who followed the program were cured of alcoholism and continued their Christian beliefs and practices. Since neither medicine, nor clergy, nor psychology had come up with such a program--with the possible exception of the early Salvation Army successes--this unique blending of Christian faith and growth, medical attention at the beginning, and witnessing in fellowship by those already saved deserves immense attention today when the success rates are 1 to 5% and many churches are finding too many empty pews and perhaps too many people in their basements at A.A. meetings--wondering what they can do.
Your post is accurate, however I've experience more of a spiritual conversion rather than a religious one by being a member of AA. I just finished "Pass it On" and the "Good Oldtimers". Dr. Bob and Bill W actually started with Oxford Group ( a Christian religious organization) and broke away. They were brought together by a woman named Henrietta Sieberling. Bill W was at a fork in the road, one night on a business trip and could have gone to the Bar, but a divine intervention occurred, as I read it, and Henrietta hooked Bill W up with Dr. Bob ~ one drunk talking to another, that's all it was and it kept those guys sober (except Bob went out one time). AA's 12 steps are based on the Oxford's group "Steps" if you will, and they used them to teach people about love and service and suggests a morale, decent way of living, however we are fallible and we know that being in recovery, well it's progress not perfection...well, at least that's my interpretation of it...thank God that Dr. Bob and Bill W came together...unbelievable miracle.
You have faulsley mistated your stats. 12 step and self help groups very rarely help to keep anyone sober for any lenght of time.
You have a better chance of recovery by helping yourself than you due to using any of these other so called programs that where developed 50 or 60 years ago.
If you found out that you had cancer today, would you seek help from data/research from 1950, or would you investigate all the new technology that is available today??
Peace
You have a better chance of recovery by helping yourself than you due to using any of these other so called programs that where developed 50 or 60 years ago.
If you found out that you had cancer today, would you seek help from data/research from 1950, or would you investigate all the new technology that is available today??
Peace
Thanks for your reply. I've tried everything (in the 20 years) I tried to get sober...(I was out there on coke and alcohol for 28 years) and now have over 2 years of sobriety. I've tried: Rationale Recovery, Women for Sobriety, Moderation Management, Hinduism, Mormonism, Catholicism, EST, willpower, Chrisianity and never achieved sobriety. I might be able to stay clean and sober w/o the 12 Step program I am a member, however by practicing the Steps and principles as suggested, I lead a morale and honest life today.
