My Word Like Fire

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

June 18, 2009 · 3 Comments

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. 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

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3 responses so far ↓

  • John Deane // October 15, 2009 at 7:01 pm | Reply

    I believe, because I see Him working in the fellowship of AA, on a daily basis. Faith without works is dead. Where is there an example of today’s western Christians in the bible?

    • mywordlikefire // October 15, 2009 at 8:07 pm | Reply

      John,
      Is the Mormon religion also Christian then, with their strong, successful families? No. Great people, different theology. Same with AA.

  • John Deane // October 15, 2009 at 9:08 pm | Reply

    AA is not a religion and does not have a Theology. The 12 Steps are a pathway to seeking God, granted it is left wide open to the individual, if one truly seeks, Christ will be the one they find, maybe not at first…That was my personal experience and I have seen it repeated many times since. I think the small details of Theology tend to lead one away from the important details of having a relationship with Him and living as such, which is seen in love for one another. Another should be all inclusive.

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