dickb
01-26-2008, 05:22 PM
A. A. Pioneers and Their Relationship with God
Dick B.
© 2008 by Anonymous. All rights reserved.
Contempt Prior to Investigation
Most serious members of A.A. today have found their way to the last pages of their basic text Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed. (NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2001). And that’s the book I’ll be citing throughout this article.
On page 568, Bill Wilson added this segment:
“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation. – HERBERT SPENCER”
Now I don’t vouch for the validity of Spencer’s remark. But most of us will probably agree that Bill Wilson inserted it to urge readers to investigate, to learn all the facts, to be willing to listen and learn, and honestly to relate their findings to their own situations. And then to state facts.
But anyone who attends as many meetings as I have knows that this is not often the case. Frequently someone will hear something in a meeting, and it becomes his doctrine. Frequently someone will be told something by his sponsor, and that becomes an indelible rule. Frequently someone will read something in the A.A. Big Book and begin quoting it as if it is the inerrant word of God—or at least that of Bill Wilson.
Whatever the conclusion someone cares to pass along, it’s a good idea to investigate before arguing and condemning. And this article will give you some facts to investigate:
What A.A.’s Basic Text Says about Establishing a Relationship with God
I’ll just quote the Big Book language and pages (bold face added) and invite you to investigate:
My friend [Bill’s friend and “sponsor” Ebby Thacher] promised when these things were done I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator; that I would have the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems. Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness,, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements (4th ed., 13-14).
If what we have learned and felt and seen means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try (28).
Each individual, in the personal stories, describes in his own language and from his own point of view the way he established his relationship with God (29).
Having made our personal inventory, what shall we do about it? We have been trying to get a new attitude, a new relationship with our Creator, and to discover the obstacles in our path (72).
Remind the prospect that his recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his relationship with God (99-100).
See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us (p. 164).
Then, from the much revered and mentioned Dr. Paul O., who wrote the well-known chapter “Acceptance Was The Answer” (4th ed., 407-20):
Acceptance is the key to my relationship with God today. I never just sit and do nothing while waiting for Him to tell me what to do. Rather, I do whatever is in front of me to be done, and I leave the results up to him; however it turns out, that’s God’s will for me (420)
What Does The Basic Text Say about the Urgency of Establishing That Relationship?
Find Him now!
Remember that we deal with alcohol—cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power—that One is God. May you find Him now! (59)
The Basic Text Talks Specifically about Relying on the Power of God
Here are the specifics:
“Belief in the power of God” (13)
“Impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God” (46)
“we had to stop doubting the power of God” (52)
“receiving strength, inspiration and direction from Him who has all knowledge and
power” (85)
“The power of God goes deep” (114)
“consciousness of the power of God in our lives” (130)
“Many of us have felt, for the first time, the Presence and Power of God within its walls”
(162)
What Was the Result of Establishing the Relationship and Relying on the Power of God?
“But my friend [Ebby Thacher] sat before me, and he made the point-blank declaration that God had done for him what he could not do for himself” (11)
“That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism. . . That God could and would if He were sought” (60)
“We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves” (84)
“If you think you are an atheist, an agnostic, a skeptic, or have any other form of intellectual pride which keeps you from accepting what is in this book, I feel sorry for you. . . . Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!” (181).
Gloria Deo
dickb@dickb.com
Dick B.
© 2008 by Anonymous. All rights reserved.
Contempt Prior to Investigation
Most serious members of A.A. today have found their way to the last pages of their basic text Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed. (NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2001). And that’s the book I’ll be citing throughout this article.
On page 568, Bill Wilson added this segment:
“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation. – HERBERT SPENCER”
Now I don’t vouch for the validity of Spencer’s remark. But most of us will probably agree that Bill Wilson inserted it to urge readers to investigate, to learn all the facts, to be willing to listen and learn, and honestly to relate their findings to their own situations. And then to state facts.
But anyone who attends as many meetings as I have knows that this is not often the case. Frequently someone will hear something in a meeting, and it becomes his doctrine. Frequently someone will be told something by his sponsor, and that becomes an indelible rule. Frequently someone will read something in the A.A. Big Book and begin quoting it as if it is the inerrant word of God—or at least that of Bill Wilson.
Whatever the conclusion someone cares to pass along, it’s a good idea to investigate before arguing and condemning. And this article will give you some facts to investigate:
What A.A.’s Basic Text Says about Establishing a Relationship with God
I’ll just quote the Big Book language and pages (bold face added) and invite you to investigate:
My friend [Bill’s friend and “sponsor” Ebby Thacher] promised when these things were done I would enter upon a new relationship with my Creator; that I would have the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems. Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness,, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements (4th ed., 13-14).
If what we have learned and felt and seen means anything at all, it means that all of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try (28).
Each individual, in the personal stories, describes in his own language and from his own point of view the way he established his relationship with God (29).
Having made our personal inventory, what shall we do about it? We have been trying to get a new attitude, a new relationship with our Creator, and to discover the obstacles in our path (72).
Remind the prospect that his recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his relationship with God (99-100).
See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us (p. 164).
Then, from the much revered and mentioned Dr. Paul O., who wrote the well-known chapter “Acceptance Was The Answer” (4th ed., 407-20):
Acceptance is the key to my relationship with God today. I never just sit and do nothing while waiting for Him to tell me what to do. Rather, I do whatever is in front of me to be done, and I leave the results up to him; however it turns out, that’s God’s will for me (420)
What Does The Basic Text Say about the Urgency of Establishing That Relationship?
Find Him now!
Remember that we deal with alcohol—cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is One who has all power—that One is God. May you find Him now! (59)
The Basic Text Talks Specifically about Relying on the Power of God
Here are the specifics:
“Belief in the power of God” (13)
“Impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power, which is God” (46)
“we had to stop doubting the power of God” (52)
“receiving strength, inspiration and direction from Him who has all knowledge and
power” (85)
“The power of God goes deep” (114)
“consciousness of the power of God in our lives” (130)
“Many of us have felt, for the first time, the Presence and Power of God within its walls”
(162)
What Was the Result of Establishing the Relationship and Relying on the Power of God?
“But my friend [Ebby Thacher] sat before me, and he made the point-blank declaration that God had done for him what he could not do for himself” (11)
“That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism. . . That God could and would if He were sought” (60)
“We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves” (84)
“If you think you are an atheist, an agnostic, a skeptic, or have any other form of intellectual pride which keeps you from accepting what is in this book, I feel sorry for you. . . . Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!” (181).
Gloria Deo
dickb@dickb.com