Two Major Christian Recovery Books for AAs

[dickb]

Two Major Christian Recovery Books of Importance to AAs Today
by Dick B. at 5:38 PM PST, November 2, 2008
There are more and more Christian Recovery Books coming out today. And they seem to represent attempts to satisfy the hunger of those with a Christian background for something that will help them recover from alcoholism, addiction, and life-controlling problems.
I believe the place to start is with the Bible itself. At least that is where the early A.A. Christian Fellowship in Akron started. It started with belief in God. See Hebrews 11:6. It started with emphasizing salvation. See Romans 10:9. It stressed daily Bible study, old-fashioned prayer meetings, and the use of Christian devotionals like the Upper Room, My Utmost for His Highest, and The Runner's Bible.
Then the program--the original program itself--was developed. Following this original program, the Big Book of A.A. was published in 1939. And there are two main Christian recovery books that can feed the hungry the details about the roots and an understanding of the Biblical program of recovery that became the astonishingly successful program in Akron (75% success rate) and later in Cleveland (93% success rate).
The following two Christian recovery books will tell you the facts: (1) The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible, http://dickb.com/goodbook.shtml, ISBN 1885803168, by Dick B. (2) New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A., http://dickb.com/newlight.shtml, ISBN 1885803273, by Dick B.
Dr. Bob, cofounder of A.A., said the basic ideas for the original program were taken from their study of the Bible. Bill W., cofounder of A.A., said that the primary source of the materials in the Twelve Steps came from the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker, Jr., the "Bible Christian" rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in New York.