Big Book Question?

[Leadfoot]

I was given an assignment for a BB Study tonight and I'm having a difficult time with it.
Pg 153 first full paragraph says "The age of miracles is still with us. Our own recovery proves that"
The questions and discussion arose as to what exactly is the "Age of Miracles"
I've heard this used before and a lot of references came up as to where. None of the references pre-date 1939 so they were invalidated.
Does anyone know anything about this "Age of Miracles or what Bill was referring to?
I'll continue my quest for the answer and check back here from time to time.
Thanks in advance for any help... Leadfoot!

[letgo]

Hi there,
I'm afraid I am absolutely exhausted so my brain is pretty dead and I can't think straight. To me, (please not current state of my brain) this is about how the AA program is a just a miracle - read The Doctor's Opinion. How the movement has just mushroomed from its beginnings, how there is a solution for us alcoholics if we are willing to go to any lengths, do what is suggested and work this simple program.

Dr Bob’s last words to Bill: “Remember Bill, let’s not louse this thing up. Let’s keep it simple!” Years later Bill was asked to describe the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous in simple terms. He replied, “I certainly can. It is a complete mystery shrouded in utter simplicity.”

Maybe you could discuss with your sponsor. Right now I'm finding it hard(no sleep) to articulate what I want to say about this. Perhaps it isactually more of a conversation piece for debate as opposed to a written response. Sorry! Maybe I'll re visit this another time when I've had some zzzzzzzz's!!

[francie21805]

Good Morning Leadfoot
Thank you for the interesting topic. I will carry it with me today and talk with some of my, AA history buff, friends. They'll love it!!

Today, I love it when people make me think in this way.

[francie21805]

Hello leadfoot- this what one my my A.A. friends come up with:

There is a 16th century English proverb which says "the age of miracles is past." This is referring to the Biblical age of miracles... by 1599 and 1602 (see below) Shakespeare was using this proverb. Then, in 1840, Carlyle declares that the "age of miracles is for ever here!" and Bill W., Fred and Betsy are in full agreement.



It must be so; for miracles are ceas'd; And therefore we must needs admit the means How things are perfected.
[1599 Shakespeare Henry V i. i. 67]

They say miracles are past; and we have our philosophical persons to make modern and familiar things supernatural and causeless.
[1602——All's Well that Ends Well ii. iii. 1]

The Age of Miracles past? The Age of Miracles is for ever here!
[1840 Carlyle On Heroes & Hero Worship iv.]

‘A total victory,’ I agreed. ‘The Age of Miracles is not past.’
[1988 J. Mortimer Rumpole and Age of Miracles (1989) 108]

[Leadfoot]

Thank you for the information Francie. Is' been a big help in tracking the answer down.
I did find that "The six Tenets of The Oxford Group" also contained that very thing.
1. Men are sinners
2. Men can be changed
3. Confession is a prerequisite to change.
4. The changed soul has direct access to God
5. The age of Miracles has returned
6. Those who have been changed must change others.

Members of The Oxford Group must adhere to these principles. It was the 6th tenet that brought Ebby to Bills home.
I'm going to focus on Carlysle next because I find things pointing that direction from any research I have done. I plan on tracing this back to the very roots of where Bill came up with that sentence. Trying to interpret the mind of Bill W. can be a real challenge. Sometimes I think Lois was the brains of the bunch. (actually most of the time)
I wish everyone could find a BB Study like the one I attend on Monday Nights. Sometimes we seem to spend the entire 2 hours dissecting one sentence. It keeps things interesting to say the least.

Thanks again and I'll post anything else I can manage to dredge up.
Leadfoot.

[dickb]

I would suggest you read Lockyear's All the Miracles of the Bible. Also Weatherhead's Psychology, Religion, and Healing. And then my extensive studies of the miracles of healing recorded in the Old Testament, the Gospels, the Book of Acts, and history from the Apostolic Age to the present. See Dick B., Cured (http://dickb.com/cured.shtml); When Early AAs Were Cured and Why (http://dickb.com/alcoholismcured); The James Club and the Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials (http://dickb.com/JamesClub.shtml); and The First Nationwide A.A. History Conference - which was held in Phoenix and explored the whole healing history. Moreover, when Bill Wilson lectured at the Yale Summer School of Alcohol Studies, four different clergymen also talked about the long history of healing--one in particular mentioned the Salvation Army. See also Dr. Clinebell's study on pastoral counseling - a landmark work on the subject. And Dr. Silkworth also commented on the age-old healings by the power of God.
God Bless, Dick B.