Celebrate Recovery the same as A.A.?

A very interesting comparision between the 12 Steps of Celebrate Recovery and those of Alcoholics Anonymous. How come this C.R. version of Step 3 says ‘God’ but not Jesus Christ? HERE: http://morebooksandthings.blogspot.com/2008/09/is-celebrate-recovery-same-thing-as-aa.html

From Carla at http://morebooksandthings.blogspot.com

12 Steps meets the emerging church

Yep. It’s all rushing together. The 12 Steps, emergent church, contemplative spirituality, and homospirituality are coming together with a roar. Phyllis Tickle knows what A.A. and the 12 Steps have done, even if some pastors haven’t figured it out yet.

Check it out:

“Not only did AA, almost by default, begin to supplant the pastoral authority of the professional clergy and open the door to spirituality in the experiencing of a nondoctrinally specific Higher Power, but it also revived the small group dynamic that would come to characterize later twentieth-century Protestantism….”  

- Phyllis Tickle, The Great Emergence (Baker Books, 2008), p. 93.

 

LINK: http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/009/discernment/5-emerging-2.htm

Thanks, Carla.

Pastor MacArthur no 12 Step fan, A.A.’s founders not Christians

In his book, ‘The Truth War,’ the 12 Steps are addressed by John MacArthur. He writes, “Others would formally affirm Christ’s sovereignty and spiritual headship over the church, but they resist His rule in practice. To cite just one instance of how this is done, many churches have set various forms of human psychology, self-help therapy, and the idea of ‘recovery’ in place of the Bible’s teaching about sin and sanctification.” …”So wherever the work of God’s Word is being replaced with twelve-step programs and other substitutes, Christ’s headship over the church is being denied in practice.” (pg.159, Bold mine)

The following article deals with how Christians often unknowingly transfer their faith from Christ unto the 12 Steps; it also deals with the some of the unholy practices the A.A. cofounders engaged in:

Alcoholics Anonymous Cofounders Were Not Christians

It is a fearful thing, leaving AA. The Big Book (the AA “bible”) states, “We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not.”[1] Because this passage of AA “scripture” is taken literally, alcoholics rarely look elsewhere for help. Christians continue to jam their God, the Ancient of Days, into AA’s chameleon theology.

“Do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11-12)

It is not just fear that keeps us bound to this all-gods religion. The 12 Step experience becomes an idol-long-term involvement almost always results in a transference of faith. Bluntly stated, when it comes to sobriety, many Christians end up with more faith in the power of the 12 Step program than in Jesus Christ.

This idol worship is by no means limited to those in AA, but applies to many in “Christian 12 Step” groups.

This transference of faith is subtle, gradual, and frequently inevitable. The result is that sobriety without the 12 Step program will not even be considered. Biblical wisdom, given by concerned and caring believers, is rejected.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.worldviewtimes.com/article.php/articleid-3537/Brannon-Howse/John-Lanagan

Yes, another Archives Classic

Two Kinds of People by Ron Graham

The false teachers. The deceived. The Shack. Self-help books. The words and warnings of Jesus. A very important article by Ron Graham. HERE: http://raptureready.com/featured/graham/g74.htm

Marsha West: Abortion and Torture

Abortion, torture, and waterboarding. What a world. You make the call. By Marsha West. Article: http://www.newswithviews.com/West/marsha182.htm

Alcoholics Anonymous seethes with spirits

Don’t tell me those demons are not there. We just can’t see them. The Bible says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Alcoholics Anonymous has been a haven for darkness since its inception. So many Christians see A.A. as a friend, as a wonderful spiritual organization. But the Word is very clear. According to Galatians 1:6-8, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who has called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed.“

But Paul wasn’t finished making his point. He continues, “As we have said before, so I say to you again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians1:9) I often think of pastors who allow A.A. meetings in their churches, who preach Christ crucified yet by their acceptance of A.A. contradict their own stated beliefs. This is happening in a neighboring church in the community where I worship, and the pastor ignores the Bible and allows the meetings to continue. How can he not understand the ramifications of his decision?

Christians in AA shake their heads and point out that A.A. is just a simple “spiritual program.” Is that so?  Or, is Alcoholics Anonymous another gospel? A.A. has been ruled a religion by the U.S. Supreme Court. In Alcoholics Anonymous, “god” can be whatever a person decides “god” will be.

Because of this, Christ our King is considered just one of many higher powers, and not all that a desirable one at that. Consider the words of Jack Alexander of the Saturday Evening Post. In his article that gained A.A. national publicity in 1941 he accurately describes A.A.’s teaching. Alexander notes the alcoholic “may choose to think of his Inner Self, the miracle of growth, a tree, man’s wonderment at the atom, or mere mathematical infinity. Whatever form is visualized, the neophyte is taught that he must rely on it and, in his own way, to pray to the Power for strength.”

“I am the Lord, that is my name. I will not give my glory to another, not my praise to idols.” (Isaiah 42:8)

Christians in A.A. are in direct disobedience to the Word of God. A.A. itself has become an idol, and they will not leave. Indeed, they are afraid to. Many years ago New Age publisher Ehud Sperling, quoted in Publisher’s Weekly, called A.A. “a subtrend of the New Age.” Alcoholics Anonymous is not a subset of the New Age, but an integral component.

Things are happening rapidly. Emergent, Contemplative, and 12 Step Spirituality will continue to seep and blend into one another. When God’s people no longer rely on His Word, we end up with spiritual rebellion and deception.

The demons in A.A. whisper away, into the ears of believers and non-believers alike. They laugh with glee when a Christian credits the 12 Steps rather than the Lord; they howl with triumph when another hurting alcoholic is pointed away from Christ. By now they expect Christians to defend A.A. Many do just this.

There are no missionaries in A.A. There are few Christians testifying that Jesus is the only way to salvation. There are the demons, doing what darkness does, and doing it very well.

Yes, absolutely, another Archives Classic

Christians approving 12 Step universalism

Who are Christians praying with in Alcoholics Anonymous? Could be just about anyone, really. AA has Mormons, universalists, other Bible-believing Christians, followers of the new age Jesus, and numerous folks with their own custom-designed gods.

You name it, you can probably find someone in AA who believes in it. As the AA Big Book (the AA “bible”) states, “We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we, believe to all men.”[1]

Christians in AA may not see it this way, but they are in agreement with a belief system that lifts up strange gods. (Amos 3:3) In Alcoholics Anonymous all gods are called the “higher power,” thus relegating Christ our King to commonality, as if He were simply one nameless deity among many.

“I am the Lord, that is My name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to idols.” (Isaiah 42:8)

In 1941, Jack Alexander of the Saturday Evening Post wrote the article that provided AA its first national publicity. Describing AA’s “higher power,” Alexander noted the alcoholic “may choose to think of his Inner Self, the miracle of growth, a tree, man’s wonderment at the physical universe, the structure of the atom, or mere mathematical infinity. Whatever form is visualized, the neophyte is taught that he must rely on it and, in his own way, to pray to the Power for strength.”[2]

Nearly seventy years later this salad bar approach-make your own god-has seemingly become a cultural norm. “Spiritual” is in. “Religion” is out. Many Americans now refer to their god as “higher power.” Bill O’Reilly uses the term frequently on his radio show. This is simply to say that AA’s 12 Step program has made its mark (?) on the culture.

For complete article: http://www.worldviewtimes.com/article.php/articleid-3477/Brannon-Howse/John-Lanagan

Another Archives Classic

Faith in A.A. first, Christ second

In 1941, Jack Alexander of the Saturday Evening Post wrote the article that provided AA its first national publicity. Describing AA’s “higher power,” Alexander noted the alcoholic “may choose to think of his Inner Self, the miracle of growth, a tree, man’s wonderment at the physical universe, the structure of the atom, or mere mathematical infinity. Whatever form is visualized, the neophyte is taught that he must rely on it and, in his own way, to pray to the Power for strength.”

“What profit is the idol when its maker has carved it, Or an image, a teacher of falsehood? For its maker trusts in his own handiwork when he fashions speechless idols. Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, ‘Awake.’ To a mute stone, ‘Arise!’ And that is your teacher?” (Habakkuk 2:18-19) 

Christians in A.A. tend to worship the A.A. experience–it is very much an idol. Indeed, this is programmed into believer and non-believer alike. This is not meant to aggravate–but please consider.  Has this happened to you?

 From the very first meeting a faith in A.A. is established through testimony, Big Book readings and other means.

The result, for all too many Christians, is a transference of faith. Jesus may be the “higher power” (a tremendous insult, albeit unintentional, to call the Holy One this), but in hearts and minds it is really A.A. that has given sobriety. Christians in A.A. are, in fact, afraid to face sobriety without the 12 Step program.

No one admits this. No one talks about this. But this is a very real thing that happens to many, many believers.  Faith is in A.A. first and faith in  Jesus second. A transference of faith from Christ to A.A. is every bit as offensive to our Lord as those who worship false gods.

And now, incredibly, the onslaught accelerates. The all-gods religion of Alcoholics Anonymous is being held in Bible Believing churches. …they have set their detestable things in the house which is called by My name to defile it. (Jeremiah  7:30)

Don Koenig’s world trends forecast for 2010-2020 AD

Don Koenig’s blog and website are always interesting. Below are just a few of his world trends forecasts:

Koenig writes, “All fundamental religion that teach exclusive paths to God will be outlawed and those who promote it will be seen as a threat to world peace. The religious harlot will persecute all that will not submit to her authority on earth. Teaching on a coming savior, messiah figure or end time prophecy will be outlawed. Religious holy books will be sanitized and all passage will be taken out or changed that might offend others.”

Other Koenig forecasts:

Many liberal post-modern Protestant churches will continue down the road of apostasy and join with the harlot.

The true Church of Jesus Christ will have to go underground in most areas of the world and she will be at great risk.

A nuclear EMP is very possible over the United States during the next decade and if it should happen it would bring massive civil unrest, riots and martial law.

For Koenig’s complete list, and this is scary: http://www.thepropheticyears.com/wordpress/2009/05/12/don-koenigs-2010-2020-world-trends-forecast.html

Dick B. says A.A. is swell, but really, A.A. is hell

“For centuries, some folks have banned the Bible, hidden the Bible, revised the Bible, interpreted the Bible, and quoted it out of context. Yet the Bible continues to call for helping others get saved and come unto a knowledge of the truth. I entered A.A. some 23 years ago, a very sick, beliegered alcoholic beset with severe withdrawal and countless problems largely of my own making. And deliverance followed at once. Seeing repeated references to God, the Creator, Maker, Father,the Almighty, I asked His help – while very active in A.A. Then I learned the Biblical Christian roots of A.A. And I assumed the task of telling others the facts and enabling help by the power of God. I never tried to avoid or condemn or reject others who needed help. I suggested the power and love of God as the answer and pointed to the truth about God and His son found in the Bible.”

(The above comment was made by Dick B., author of numerous books on the alleged Christian origin of Alcoholics Anonymous.)

The following response to his statement is titled: ‘False history of A.A.‘

“Unfortunately, your books never deal with 2 Corinthians 6:14-17, where the Lord tells us not to worship with pagans and unbelievers. Your books never deal with Galatians 1:6-9 where we are warned the person who brings a false gospel is “accursed.” A.A. is very much a false gospel, where any and every god can be worshiped. Nor has the repeated erroneous portrayal of A.A. cofounders Dr.Bob Smith and Bill Wilson as Christians done anything but mislead and confuse Christians into joining with this unholy religion. Your portrayal of Bill Wilson as a Christian is mind boggling. According to biographer Francis Hartigan, ““Rather than a lack of religious training, it is more likely that [Alcoholics Anonymous cofounder Bill Wilson's] inability to fully accept that Jesus was ‘one hundred percent God’ was a product of his insistence on a scientific approach to things mystical. Given that he felt this way about Christianity, it does not seem likely that he would ever have given serious thought to converting to Catholicism, with its doctrine of papal infallibility.” (Francis Hartigan, ‘Bill W., pg.175) This is yet another of many evidences that the man who wrote the 12 Steps was not a Christian. Shouldn’t this matter? Shouldn’t this at least cause us to want to know the truth? Hartigan, who was the secretary for years to Bill Wilson’s wife, also notes of Bill Wilson, “His belief in God might have become unshakable, but he could never embrace any theology or even the divinity of Jesus, and he went to his grave unable to give his own personal idea of God much definition. In this sense, he was never far removed from the unbelievers.” (Francis Hartigan, ‘Bill W.,’ pg. 123) Dick B., you are eighty three years old. Repent. Repent that our Lord may be gracious to you.”

These comments and others can be found following this article: http://www.worldviewtimes.com/article.php/articleid-4875/Brannon-Howse/John-Lanagan