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Roundtable Series on A.A.’s Biblical Roots
(November 2001) Part One
This was an AA History seminar/ conference In Hawaii
By Dick B.
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Session One The Bible in Early
Alcoholics Anonymous
Important References
DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services,
Inc.,1980)
The Runner’s Bible, by Nora Smith Holm (1915)
The Holy Bible, King James Version
Alcoholics Anonymous, 1st ed. (Works Publishing Company, 1939)
Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A., by
Dick B.
By the Power of God: A Guide to Early A.A. Groups and Forming Similar Groups
Today, by Dick B.
The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible, by Dick B.
Why Early A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and
Today (A Bible Study Guide for AAs and other 12 Steppers), by Dick B.
[Except when otherwise indicated, the references are to Dick B., Why Early
A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today.]
An Understanding of Almighty God, Yahweh, Our Creator
God exists
Genesis 1:1
Hebrews 11:6
God either is or he isn’t (Big Book, 3rd ed., p.
53; Shoemaker, Confident Faith, p. 187)
The Fool hath said in his heart. . . (Psalm 14:1), also, title
by OG’s Beverley Nichols
Dr. Bob: If you are an atheist or agnostic, I feel sorry for
you (Big Book, 3rd ed., 181)
God is our Creator:
Big Book (3rd ed.) so refers to Him 12 times (See
Why Early A.A. Succeeded, p. 51)
For some Bible references to God as Creator (ibid., p.
51)
Our Creator offers us a relationship with Him (ibid., pp.
52-55)
Our Creator was, in the Good Book, clearly identified, known,
and understood
Bill specifically referred to Almighty over 400 times in the 3rd
ed. (ibid., pp. 55-6)
There is but one God (ibid., pp. 57, 70)
There is no other God like Him (ibid., pp. 71-2)
The Bible draws a clear line between idols and our Creator
(Psalm 115)
God has a personal name - Yahweh–YHWH in the texts (ibid,
pp. 61-6)
"This is my name for all time" (ibid., p. 65)
Correctly so translated in the Jerusalem Bible (ibid,
p. 65)
There are many Bible verses that enable us understand Yahweh -
Almighty God, Maker, is in heaven, Spirit, not a man, invisible, love,
light–and many more (ibid., pp. 66-69)
Our Creator Communicates with Us in Many Ways
He speaks to us directly, through angels, through prophets,
through His Son, by revelation, and by the Bible (References are in Why Early
AA Succeeded, pp. 74 to 79)
The Bible IS the Word of God
It so states many times (ibid, pp. 84-6)
It tells us how we received it from God (ibid., pp. 86-7,
90-1)
It contains His will (ibid., pp. 91-2)
It is truth (ibid., pp. 92-3)
It directly offers us far far more than just sobriety: a new
birth, everlasting life, an abundant life, the power of God, the ability to
heal, victory, future rewards, wisdom, discerning of truth (ibid., pp.
93-8)
We often are so busy "listening" or "reading" that we miss the
Bible’s point that the guidance of God is important to understanding. And so is
study (ibid., pp. 99-100)
The Significance of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
Jesus is not merely a teacher, an examplar, or leader, but the
Son of God (ibid., pp. 101-3)
Our possible relationship with God is established through His
Son (ibid., pp. 109-10)
We receive the power of God through accepting His Son (ibid.,
pp. 111-15)
We become God’s kids through accepting His Son (ibid., p.
114)
Early AAs accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour (ibid.,
p. 106)
The Commandments of God tell us of His Will
God commands that His will shall be obeyed (ibid., p.
116)
Jesus is a prime source as to the will of God (ibid., p.
117)
God’s will effected through what Jesus Christ accomplished:
Forgiveness of sins, healing, asking in Jesus’s name, gathering believers
together, deliverance from the wrath to come (ibid., pp. 118-22)
Sin, Disobedience, Grace
Sin as disobedience of the commands of God (ibid., p.
123)
More on what the Bible says is sin (ibid., pp. 123, 27,
134)
God’s ways and man’s ways are different from each other (ibid.,
p. 124)
AAs accepted the sin problem and the need to get rid of it
(ibid, p. 140)
The Grace of God–unearned favor from God–is the answer (ibid.,
pp. 125, 130-31)
Love
God first loved; He commanded us to love God and love our
neighbors as ourselves–the two great commandments as Jesus stated them (ibid.,
pp. 137-138)
Choices
Obedience is required (ibid., p. 148)
Obedience to God’s will (ibid., p. 143)
The Bible clarifies the difference between duty and choice (ibid.,
pp.144-45)
Deliverance, Release, Growth
Believers have been delivered (ibid., pp. 150-51;
Colossians 1:13)
With deliverance comes release from our prisons: Fear, guilt,
anxieties, cares, shame, insecurity, poverty, confusion, weakness, doubt,
temptation, sickness, evil spirits, the devil’s fiery darts, oppression by the
devil, everlasting release (ibid., pp. 154-70; The Runner’s Bible)
Our need to grow (prayer, changing thoughts, resisting the
Devil, believing); ibid., pp 171, 172, 178, 181, 183
Temptation is not from God (ibid, p. 187)
God’s way: "It is written"
(ibid., p. 197)
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