WHY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS RELIGION

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 show. This is simply to say that AA’s 12 Step program has made its mark (?) on the culture.

Bondage to alcohol is miserable. Entire families can be ruined. Yet there has been a solution all along, not that you ever hear this in AA:

“Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6: 9-11)

Many have been delivered through the power and love of Jesus Christ. Still, like the world, too many Christians believe only AA can help an alcoholic. Everything has been turned upside down: Alcoholics Anonymous can supposedly help everyone, but experiencing Jesus in church without the 12 Steps can supposedly help no one. What, really, is a pastor saying when he tells an alcoholic he needs to join a 12 Step program? When all is said and done, AA attendance serves to subtly condition Christians to worship with non-believers; perhaps this has been the point all along.

It is written: “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? …Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 6: 14-17)

But we are not separating. Christians participate in AA’s Christless corporate prayers every day all across the country. For decades AA has been referred to as a “spiritual program,” a harmless adjunct to one’s own religious belief system. Because of this misrepresentation, most Christians in AA are sincerely unaware they have joined a pantheistic religion.

On November 15, 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that AA is indeed religious in nature. An AA meeting is essentially a devotional service. The “higher power” receives worship; confession is heard; testimony is given; the group invokes the Serenity Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer. The 12^th Step instructs AA members to go forth and Spread the Word.

For entire article: http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/3477/Brannon-Howse/John-Lanagan

A.A. cofounder gets 12 Steps from spooky place:http://mywordlikefire.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/seances-spirits-and-12-steps/

The Shack sliced, diced by Todd Friel

PLEASE! Send this to your friends who have read The Shack. It is a short video by Todd Friel where author Paul Young’s own words demonstrate he is not a Biblical Christian. Come on, be brave. Sola Scriptura…if Young does not believe the Father appointed Jesus to die for our sins, and that Jesus willingly did so as our substitute, why are we even reading this blasphemous book? Can you say, Substitutionary Atonement? Watch, and be astounded. LINK: http://5ptsalt.com/2009/06/25/author-of-the-shack-is-a-universalist-denies-penal-substitutionary-atonement/

Thanks Carla! http://morebooksandthings.blogspot.com

Mainstream evangelicalism sliding into apostasy

“Men and women, you hear me; and you hear me good. The time has come in the American Christian Church for division, and not unity; we need a reformation every bit the same as when Luther stood hammer in hand. Financial concerns critical as they now are, I’m unsure how much longer we have here at Apprising Ministries, so I’ll simply say that someone must arise and declare that there is just no way to harmonize geniune Bible-believing and Spirit-led Christianity with the egregiously ecumenical postliberal cult of the Emergent Church, now morphing into the matrix of Emergence. You need to realize that it is, right now, completely swallowing up centered on the self, and semi-pelagian (at best), mainstream evangellyfish.” For Rest of Ken Silva’s article: http://apprising.org/2009/06/mainstream-evangelicalism-now-on-the-rapid-slide-to-apostasy/

12 Step “author” channels spirits

A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson “would lie on the couch in the living room, semi-withdrawn, but not in a trance, and ‘receive messages, sometimes a word at a time, sometimes a letter at a time. Anne B., neighbor and ’spook’ circle regular, would write the material on a pad. [Wife Lois] describes one of the more dramatic of these sessions:

‘Bill would lie on the couch. He would ‘get’ these things. He kept doing it every week or so. Each time, certain people would ‘come in.’ Sometimes, it would be new ones, and they’d carry on some story. There would be long sentences; word by word would come through. This time, instead of word by word, it was letter by letter.’” (Bold mine)

From PASS IT ON, pg. 278-79, A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson’s official A.A. biography

Why do you believe A.A and 12 Steps are Christian?

Why do so many believe AA and the 12 Steps are Christian in origin? This false assumption can be attributed in large part to Dick B., author of ‘The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous,’ and numerous books and articles on AA’s alleged Christian beginnings. Unfortunately, the author heavily emphasizes so called Biblical influences while downplaying or ignoring the many anti-Christian factors that were part and parcel of AA’s origin.

The Bible had a generic  role in the creation of AA and the 12 Steps. But so did the New Thought heresy of Emmet Fox: http://www.raptureready.com/soap/Lanagan4.html

 So did Carl Jung, William James, and Emmanuel Swedenborg, all men who rejected Christ the Savior.

So did the spiritualism of AA’s cofounders, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. The Lord tells us, “There shall not be found among you…one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord…” (Deuteronomy 18:10)

Detestable to the Lord-these are strong words from a holy God. Author Matthew J. Raphael notes that “it might be said for the cofounders, at least, AA was entangled in spiritualism from the very beginning.”[4] AA was founded on June 10, 1935. According to Bill Wilson’s official AA biography, the AA cofounders were engaging in seances and other occurrences that very summer.[5]

In his biography, Wilson documents one of his many occultic adventures: “The ouija board began moving in earnest. What followed was the fairly usual experience-it was a strange melange of Aristotle, St. Francis, diverse archangels with odd names, deceased friends-some in purgatory and others doing nicely, thank you! There were malign and mischievious ones of all descriptions…”[6]

The Bible warns, “Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:31)

But Wilson did seek out these detestable things. Therefore, according to the Word of God, Wilson suffered defilement. From 1935 until, at least, the early 1950s, he was in contact with spirits. The Steps were written in 1938. Wilson communicated with demons posing as the dead,[7] served as a medium through whom a demonic message was delivered,[8] and acknowledged that a spirit helped him write AA’s beloved book, ‘Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.’[9]

The Lord states, “As for the person who turns to mediums and spiritists, I will set my face against that person…” (Leviticus 20:6) According to the Word of God, it is simply not possible the 12 Steps are Christian in origin. The Lord promises to “set my face against that person” who is “defiled” by these practices and who is therefore “detestable” to our holy God.

T.A. McMahon sums it up very well: “AA’s official biography indicates Bill Wilson received the details of the 12 Steps through spirit dictation. Does anyone see a simple, idolatrous problem here? But what about evangelicals just using the methodology the familiar spirit gave to Bill Wilson? Simple again: God condemns the source, and the approach is contrary to the way He wants to transform our lives. Furthermore, why turn to such a spiritually toxic system? Where are the evangelical pastors’ heads in this?”[10]

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

Yes, correct, another Archives Classic

Go ahead and get mad at Ken Silva, he’s used to it

Just this morning I told myself I was going to leave my blog alone and battle with my (far from finished) book about Alcoholics Anonymous. Then I read the following piece by Ken Silva. I thank Christ our King for Pastor Silva’s boldness and his desire to speak Truth.

When I see what is happening in the world I often think of the clenched rainbow fist on Pastor Silva’s site, and the accompanying words: DOWN WITH SOLA SCRIPTURA!

Want to make a difference? Pray for Pastor Silva. Want to make a difference? Obey the Word. Speak the Truth in love–but speak the Truth. “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.” (Acts 20:27)

Pastor Silva’s article: http://apprising.org/2009/06/because-i-love-jay-bakker-and-glbtq-people/

Christ worshiped alongside false gods

“Has a nation changed gods, when they were not gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, and shudder, and be very desolate,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 2:11-12)

 We have gone far beyond individual Christians simply attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Now, increasingly, Alcoholics Anonymous is allowed to hold meetings in Bible believing churches. A.A. membership by definition demands a faith in the 12 Step process, and many Christians end up with a syncretistic belief system-Biblical teachings have been weakened and welded with 12 Step theology.

 The Lord tells us to “come out from their midst and be separate” for good reason. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) He tells us “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) In like manner, exposure to bad theology often corrupts sound doctrine.

Some years ago Martin and Deidre Bobgan wrote ‘12 Steps To Destruction,’ a blunt and accurate analysis of the 12 Step movement. This well-researched book angered some and was ignored by others. The authors write, “Twelve-Step programs are in essence New Age religions and Archetypical precursors of a one-world religion. They do not hold a common doctrine of God and His creation.”[1]

You will find that, sure enough, a quick internet search demonstrates how compatible 12 Step groups are with New Age/New Spirituality. Or, really, with anything else. According to PASS IT ON, A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson “felt A.A.’s usefulness was worldwide, and contained spiritual principles that members of any and every religion could accept, including the Eastern religions.”[2]

A.A.’s Step 3 states, “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” Jesus Christ is never mentioned in the 12 Steps. This is not surprising considering the source from which the 12 Steps originated.

Martin and Deidre Bobgan further note, “The common goal of the one-world religion will be peace-for the sake of survival. Each goal is centered on self and in the now, not in God or eternity. The goal takes precedence over the One True God. Whatever god or goddess is chosen as the higher power is subservient to that goal. All of these fit into the New Age spirituality: no absolutes, many ways, self-enhancement.”[3]

There are those in the church who are fully committed to the all-gods religion of Alcoholics Anonymous. They are enthralled with it. They have friends, warm feelings, perhaps even sobriety through A.A. So, although they know the Scriptures, the 12 Step path is the way they have decided to go.   

But there are also those who simply do not know better. Some of these are new Christians, and they are in Alcoholics Anonymous because they have been told that is the only possible way to sobriety; or because other Christians have recommended it.

Then, of course, there are the books. Numerous books erroneously portraying A.A. not only as compatible with Christianity, but as Christian in origin. These have done much damage.

With all the urgency I can summon, I tell you the Lord wants His people out of Alcoholics Anonymous. He wants His people to quit feeding this shimmering, glimmering chameleon of a spiritual system. The Ancient of Days will take care of those in bondage to alcohol if we but give Him the opportunity. How do I know this? It’s right there in the Bible. And so it was for me.

Alcoholics Anonymous teaches that if one is to overcome alcoholism, one must turn one’s life and will over to a “higher power.” It doesn’t matter what (or whom) one believes in, and worships, it only matters that one must worship something.

My friend, do not rationalize that this is still okay because you, in the middle of A.A., worship Christ. Alcoholics Anonymous denies the Sovereignty of Jesus Christ, and you are not to have anything to do with it. It is, as Paul tells us, a false gospel.

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who 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!” (Galatians 1:6-8)

Christians in A.A. are literally praying and worshiping with New Age folk and others who, as they have been encouraged, have custom-created their own gods. To justify belonging to such a religion, some Christians claim it is okay because, well, it’s all about evangelism.

And so it is. Unfortunately, it is the usually Christians themselves who are “evangelized,” who are unknowingly affected by the theology of the 12 Step religion. This is why God tells us to stay away from such a thing in the first place.

COMPLETE ARTICLE: http://www.worldviewtimes.com/article.php/articleid-4180/Brannon-Howse/John-Lanagan

Yes, another archives classic–simply because we can.

A.A. is forbidden–so be brave and faithful

According to the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book (the A.A. “bible”), “We found that God does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him. To us, the Realm of the Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. It is open, we believe, to all men. When, therefore, we speak to you of God, we mean your own conception of God.”[1] (Bold mine)

 Well, that sounds very loving and reasonable. Yet Christ Himself warns us against such a thing. Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but through me. (John 14:6)

The Lord, in fact, specifically warns against the broad way. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is BROAD that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13)

It is no coincidence that the A.A. Big Book again makes a direct reference to this spiritual Broad Highway: “If our testimony helps sweep away prejudice, enables you to think honestly, encourages you to search diligently within yourself, then, if you wish, you can join us on the Broad Highway. With this attitude you cannot fail. The consciousness of your belief is sure to come to you.”[2] (Bold mine)

In 2 Corinthians 6:14-17, we are told to separate ourselves. In Galatians 1:6-9, Paul says that he who brings another gospel is “accursed.” The Alcoholics Anonymous theology, wherein Christ is seen as one higher power among many, is most certainly another gospel.

If Christians were to base involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous on the Word of God—Sola Scriptura—we would not be at the meetings at all.

Why, then, are so many of us part of it? Most Christians believe A.A. and the 12 Steps have a Biblical beginning. Therefore, the reasoning goes, we can either “take back” the 12 Steps (Celebrate Recovery etc.), or attend A.A with Jesus as our “higher power.”

But there is no “taking back” something that never came from Christ.

 When all is said and done, the spread of this false “Christian” origin can be largely credited to Richard Burns, better known as Dick B., author of numerous books on the   Biblical “roots” of A.A. and the 12 Steps. Through sheer repetition and volume, Dick B. has conjured up a Christian origin that simply did not happen.[3]

This is neither to attack nor impugn this author’s motives. Yet it is virtually impossible to address this issue without dealing with his well meaning but erroneous scholarship. His books are seemingly everywhere.

 The 12 Steps are based on general spiritual principles. When A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson was first given the 12 Steps by a familiar spirit, Jesus Christ was not mentioned. There was only a generic reference to “God,” and even that was changed to “God as we understood Him.” (A.A.’s Step 3)

 Nor is there any reference in the 12 Steps to sin or repentance. There are terms that are close, allowing Christians to believe this is what they are dealing with, just as many believe the “God as we understood Him” in Step 3 was originally Christ.

 A.A.’s 12 Steps suggest the alcoholic deal with “shortcomings,” “moral inventory,” “defects of character,” “wrongs,” and “making amends.” Millions of unsaved people have come to believe they are right with God and man because of the Steps.

 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

REST OF ARTICLE:  http://www.raptureready.com/soap/lanagan3.html

Yes! Another archive classic–because we can.

The A.A. gospel or the gospel of Jesus?

“So it’s pretty obvious where a person’s loyalties lie by who they defend…the AA gospel or the gospel of Jesus …”  Carla, http://morebooksandthings.blogspot.com/

A.A.’s roots: Christian or universalist?

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

What a contrast. Author Dick B., who has produced numerous books and articles on the alleged “Christian roots” of Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 Steps, is garnering his forces. Pro-12 Step allies gathered at a May conference, and now the second phase will apparently begin. According to Dick B.’s recent press release (and it is long, feel free to just skim):

“Coalition objectives include: (1) Sharing experience, research, resources, and successful Christian recovery efforts. (2) Providing Christian recovery resources to prisons, the homeless, those at risk and abandoned; alcoholics and addicts; recovery and 12-Step fellowships; hospitals, treatment centers, rehabs, detoxes, therapists, churches, clergy, Christian recovery groups; and the medical, academic, and scientific communities. (3) Developing concise, informational literature; internet web sites, forums, and blogs; radio, audio, DVD, film, and TV outreach materials; and conferences, seminars, and panels. (4) Assisting each other in efforts of common interest (5) Establishing referral links joining: (a) those who want to study and utilize early A.A. principles and practices; (b) those who wish to find sponsors, counselors, and centers which offer such principles and practices; and (c) those who wish to communicate with like-minded participants. (6)
Preparing brief introductions, literature, and resources suitable for the specific and varied needs of those participating in the Coalition; and (7) Fostering and facilitating access to libraries, archives, historical collections, and literature illustrating the role of God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible in successful recovery efforts throughout history.”

Okay, did you make it through all that?

Dick B., whose real name is Richard Burns, is fighting hard to protect his legacy, his theme that the roots of A.A. and the 12 Steps are Christian. On the other hand, emergent leader Phyllis Tickle knows better. Tickle notes in her book, ‘The Great Emergence,’

“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….” (pg.93)

A.A.’s 12 Step religion was never Christian. It was always intended to dilute, and ultimately destroy Biblical Christianity. In ‘The Fall of the Evangelical Nation,’ author Christine Wicker credits Alcoholics Anonymous with “hastening the fall of the evangelical church.” The author notes how A.A.  ”slowly exposed people to the notion they could get [a god] without the dogma, the doctrine, and the outdated rules. Without the church, in fact.” (pg.134-138)

So while some in the Christian camp are determined to keep us linked with this thing, non-Christians like Tickle and Wicker are honestly reporting what A.A. is doing.

Be careful when you run across those touting “Christian” roots of this universalist religion. Some of these people are sincere, but deceived. Others, however, are effective purveyors of a lie birthed from the pit of hell.

You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)