In ‘Seances, Spirits, and 12 Steps,’ http://mywordlikefire.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/seances-spirits-and-12-steps/ we examined the spiritualism of Alcoholics Anonymous cofounder Bill Wilson and, to a lesser extent, Dr. Bob Smith. We observed that Bill Wilson, the man who wrote the 12 Steps, was involved in psychic activity for decades. While some may attempt to claim Wilson as Christian or insist he was used by Jesus Christ, his spiritual service was in reality to the god of this world.[1] He was a man who cared deeply about his fellow alcoholics, but he was never a Christian.
Why is this important? Alcoholics Anonymous has been successfully but incorrectly portrayed as Christian in origin. Although it is clear from Scripture alone that we are to have nothing to do with strange spiritual systems (2 Cor. 6:14-17), the misinformation about A.A.’s alleged Biblical roots has convinced many that Christians could and should attend 12 Step groups.
Biographer Robert Thomsen knew Bill Wilson personally. There are numerous biographies now, and it is significant that Thomsen’s biography of Bill W. was the very first.
In the book, ‘Bill W.,’ Thomsen takes us to Wilson’s life before Alcoholics Anonymous existed. To the time when Bill Wilson had been hospitalized yet again for his alcoholism. An amazing thing occurred in his hospital room. A white light, a sense of a Presence, and Wilson never drank again. Wilson describes this Presence as ”…the great reality. The God of the preachers.” (PASS IT ON, pg. 121))
But was it? The God of the Christians? Well, no. For years Wilson had been exposed to the Swedenborgianism of his wife and her family. This religion loves the Bible–but rejects Christ as Savior. Emanuel Swedenborg, whose interpretation of the Bible is the basis for the religion, believed he spoke with all manner of spirits and deceased beings from Martin Luther to Aristotle to the Apostles.
While Wilson was not a Swedenborgian per se, he was very much inflluenced by Swedenborg’s spiritualistic accounts, and by his rejection of a Biblical, fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. Wilson also learned (?) through New Thought advocate Emmet Fox, some years later, that the Bible was not as the fundamentalist Christians interpreted it.
It is understandable if a Christian, upon reading this quote about “The God of the preachers” would assume Bill was referring to the Biblical God. Wilson never accepted Christ.
Wilson’s own wife Lois had a grandfather who was a Swedenborgian preacher. Swedenborgians believe, among other things, that no religion has an exclusive path to salvation.
Here, in the first biography of Bill Wilson, Thomsen describes the “god” Bill Wilson experienced: “There could be no doubt of ultimate order in the universe, the cosmos was not dead matter, but a part of the living Presence, just as he was part of it. Now, in place of the light, the exaltation, he was filled with a peace such as he had never known. He had heard of men who’d tried to open the universe to themselves; he had opened himself to the universe. He had heard men say there was a bit of God in everyone, but this feeling that he was a part of God, himself a living part of the higher power, was a new and revolutionary feeling.” (Bill W., by Robert Thomsen, pg.223, Bold mine)
This is pantheism.
From this point on Wilson was a sober man, and some months later cofounded Alcoholics Anonymous. Again, there is no doubt Wilson and A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob Smith were trying to help alcoholics. But A.A. has served to point many away from the God of the Bible.
Something rarely recognized, but very profound, happens to people in A.A. It is as if great, invisible chains are placed on those looking for help. For, once in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Christians and nonbelievers are taught that sobriety is only possible through the 12 Step religion.
There are other invisible chains as well. For thousands of Christians, Alcoholics Anonymous has become an idol. Many believers literally have more faith in A.A. and the 12 Steps than in Jesus Christ.
Have Christians ever considered—truly examined—the spiritual message of Alcoholics Anonymous? People are taught it is acceptable to believe in something, anything, some higher power to help one overcome alcoholism. By no means does this have to be Jesus. If someone wants to believe in Allah, fine. An unnamed spirit, fine. Yet Christians in A.A. are expected to pray and worship with those who exalt other gods. Let’s read what Paul states about this in Galatians 1:6-8:
“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)
Paul is not done. This man, who was changed so dramatically by the same God who frees alcoholics, continues:
“As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you have received, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:9)
The power and the horror of the A.A. mythology is the belief that it alone can help. Our churches are full of people who have been delivered by Christ, and who know they have no need of A.A. or the 12 Steps. The ministry Setting Captives Free[3], for example, is a Biblical approach, very effective, and can be found online.
God’s people have the right—and the obligation—to understand A.A.’s origin is a mixture of anti-Biblical elements. Our erroneous view of A.A’s cofounders, promoted so aggressively by certain Christian authors, has actually done much damage to the Body of Christ. They should not be celebrated or portrayed as Christians, but rather recognized as men who were used to spread a spiritual darkness that has overtaken many.
As covered elsewhere, the official A.A. biography of Bill Wilson, ‘PASS IT ON,’ documents many of Wilson’s forays into Biblically forbidden activities such as spiritualism. These were so frequent he describes the following as “the fairly usual experience.”[4] He writes:
“The ouija board got moving in earnest. What followed was the fairly usual experience—it was a strange mélange 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, telling of vices quite beyond my ken, even as former alcoholics. Then, the seemingly virtuous entities would elbow them out with messages of comfort, information, advice—and sometimes just sheer nonsense.”[5]
A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob Smith, portrayed as a devout, Bible believing Christian in numerous books by author and A.A. apologist Dick B. and others, was also committed to these prohibited activities.
According to early A.A. member Tom Powers, “Now these people, Bill and Dr. Bob, believed vigorously and aggressively. They were working away at the spiritualism; it wasn’t just a hobby.”[6] No one would know this better than Tom Powers. He participated in many of these psychic incidents alongside the A.A. cofounders.
“As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My Face against that person and will cut him off from his people. You shall consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 20:6-7)
Dr. Bob, while a consistent Bible reader, did not interpret the Bible as the Word of God. Rather was he more in line with the heretical New Thought interpretation of Emmet Fox.[7] This has been a source of confusion for many who have wondered about the spiritual origin of Alcoholics Anonymous.
When someone calls the A.A. cofounders Christian, let them know Dr.Bob and Bill Wilson used a heretical book by Emmet Fox, a book that denies the Salvation of Christ, as an A.A. teaching tool. The book is deceptively titled, ‘The Sermon On The Mount.’[8]
Author Emmet Fox writes, “The ‘Plan of Salvation’ which figured so prominently in the evangelical sermons of a past generation is as completely unknown to the Bible as it is to the Koran.” [9]
No believer would share such heresy with hurting alcoholics—but the A.A. cofounders did. Dr. Bob loved this book.
Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob looked to the Bible for general principles. They were not saved and sanctified individuals hungry for God’s Holy Word. This is why they could so easily violate His prohibitions about communication with the dead.
According to author Susan Cheever, Dr. Bob “began every morning with meditation and prayer and twenty minutes of Bible study. Like Bill, Bob believed in paranormal possibility, and the two men spent time ‘spooking,’ invoking spirits of the dead.”[10]
Because the Body of Christ continues to be flooded with literature claiming A.A. is Christian in origin, it is necessary to politely but strongly correct Dick B., author ‘The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous,’ The Good Book and the Big Book: AA’s Roots in the Bible,’ and many others.
A prolific writer, Dick B. has his fans. On his website under ‘Endorsements,’ Dick B. had listed, for quite some time, an enthusiastic message from…Robert Schuller.
Celebrate Recovery, the well known “Christ centered” 12 Step group, was founded in Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church. Celebrate Recovery is full of sincere people who are doing the best they can with the system given to them by those they trust. But, again, are the 12 Steps intended to help the church–or to serve as a decoy?
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)
Dick B.’s belief is that use of the Bible, the A.A. cofounders’ involvement with the allegedly “Christian” Oxford Group, and Anne Smith’s “Quiet Time” and “Guidance” demonstrate some of the Christian beginnings of Alcoholics Anonymous. As shall be pointed out in future articles, these incorrect claims have served to link the Body of Christ with the New Age fundamentalism of A.A’s 12 Step religion.
One of the most misleading factors in the origin of Alcoholics Anonymous is the Oxford Group. Founded by Frank Buchman, the Oxford Group was a pseudo-Christian movement that eventually became the MRA (Moral ReArmament), an organization that reached out to all faiths. But, in truth, this is also what the Oxford Group did.
Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith both attended Oxford Group meetings before they were introduced to one another. The great preacher H.A. Ironside said of the Oxford Group:
“It appeals to people who reject the inspiration of [the Bible] as well to those who profess to believe it; it appeals to people who deny the Deity of Christ as well as to those who acknowledge it; to those who deny the eternal punishment of sin as well as those who believe in it. Here in our city it is openly endorsed by the Swedenborgians and by leaders of the Unitarians, as well as by a number who belong to orthodox churches. But it is silent about the blood of Christ.”[11] In other words, it was very much a forerunner of Alcoholics Anonymous. And equally deceptive.
Well, wait a minute, bottom line, don’t people get sober in Alcoholics Anonymous? Not as often as you might think. A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson himself tried to find alternatives for those for whom A.A. was not effective. Including, unfortunately, LSD.[2] The good news, the secret that should not be a secret, is that Christ has been delivering people all along.
Some years ago Alcoholics Anonymous conducted a triennialsurvey and found that only five percent of the people still attended meetings one year after initial attendance. I don’t think A.A. has done any research since, because that is not an impressive success rate, and doesn’t speak very highly of its effectiveness. If you know of an updated study, please send it this way.
In the coming weeks we shall be examining the Oxford Group and Anne Smith’s role and understanding of “guidance.” We will do our best to confront and correct false information and misunderstandings. With so many books about A.A.’s supposed Christian beginnings in circulation, only the Lord God can straighten this mess out. Only He can expose darkness to the Light.
Yes and Amen.
Endnotes:
1. Alcoholics Anonymous Cofounders Were Not Christians http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/3537/Brannon-Howse/John-Lanagan
2. PASS IT ON, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. pg.369-70
3. http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/home/our_courses.php
4. PASS IT ON, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., pg. 278
5. Ibid., pg. 278
6. Ibid., pg.280
7. http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/3537/Brannon-Howse/John-Lanagan
8. Emmet Fox, The Sermon On The Mount
9. Ibid., pg. 5-6
10. Susan Cheever, My Name Is Bill, pg. 197
11. http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-Ironside.html H.A. Ironside, The Oxford Group Movement: Is It Scriptural?
(I know, I know, yet another one pulled from the Archives.)
21 responses so far ↓
Dick B. // November 1, 2009 at 3:33 am |
Some of these days, the author may take the time to see the voluminous evidence of Dr. Bob’s Christian upbringing in the North Congregational Church of St. Johnsbury, Vermont; his family’s deep involvement in the principles and teachings of that church; the family’s intense participantion in the church’s services, Sunday school, prayer meetings, and Bible studies; Dr. Bob’s active participantion in the Young People’s Christian Endeavor Society; the family’s connections with the Young Men’s Christian Association–of which Bob’s father was president; and the requirements of the Congregationalist St. Johnsbury Academy where daily chapel (with Scripture reading and sermons) was required; weekly church attendance was required; and weekly Bible study was required. See Dick B., Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book as a Youngster in Vermont (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2008). All these factors were emphasized by Dr. Bob as he began his trek toward sobriety in Akron in the early 1930’s. For my part, I would prefer to look at the facts than to give credence to the above author’s incessant discussion of everything but those facts. Nobody invents them. They stand unrefuted.
mywordlikefire // November 7, 2009 at 4:02 pm |
Dick, we will be addressing this in the next week or so.You may have forgotten, but a person has to be born again. School, and church requirements do not address the Salvation issue.
john // November 7, 2009 at 4:43 pm |
Is this a site that gives glory to Jesus or just an anti Dick B. site? Oh I forgot I present too much truth for you to communicate with.
mywordlikefire // November 7, 2009 at 5:05 pm |
Actually, after publishing you many times, you seem to have literally changed your email name in order to get published more. Not much truth in that, my friend. I think you have had plenty of space to have your say. Unless you are not “Jack?”
john // November 7, 2009 at 5:24 pm |
I see, no I am not Jack, but I must agree with him.
john // November 7, 2009 at 5:33 pm |
Here is what I don’t get about your latest article. Are you saying that AA is taking people out of church (or Christ), and/or keeping them from getting there? Because I know of no such situations, however, I know of many that it has brought to the body, thereby strengthening it. Is it not just that they are not preaching the Word? When in fact it is not a religion, regardless of what the government says, no specific doctrine is taught or taught against, but it is encouraged to go to church to learn. How is it weakening the body? I think one thing that is grossly over looked is that from one group of AA to another there can and are tremendous differences, unfortunately there are groups out there, that if they represented AA as a whole, I would be in complete agreement with you. However that can change through God’s grace and willing vessels. I just wish you would present a solution rather than just a problem, yes I know Jesus is the only solution, but you know what I mean.
mywordlikefire // November 7, 2009 at 5:46 pm |
The answer, we agree is Christ. The Body of Christ, sanctification and service, is what God’s people are supposed to be part of–great healing will come. What we are seeing now is a real separation–it is becoming clear. God’s people are few–the world’s spirituality holds many.
The Body of Christ has suffered a serious assault as 12 Step spirituality has infested both culture and church. It’s purpose has always been to weaken God’s people and take unbelievers away from Christ.
john // November 7, 2009 at 5:53 pm |
I completely agree. However I don’t think AA is at the root of this, I can understand your viewpoint based on the spirituality of some within AA. My personal experience is that it brings people to Christ. I know of many who are part of the body, being sanctified and serving, one of the ways they are serving is by fishing within the AA pool. The very powerful thing that AA has, it’s ability to reach where the church often cannot. And maybe it’s just me but the AA literature is speaking of God of the bible, not a make your own god, I guess it all depends on the glasses your wearing. AA needs your help, not your opposition.
john // November 7, 2009 at 5:55 pm |
The comment about the purpose of the 12 steps is to take people away from Christ, is purely your opinion, not at all fact. Again I have seen it lead people to Christ, that is real living breathing evidence.
john // November 7, 2009 at 5:57 pm |
I’ve said my share here. We just do not agree. It is painful and saddens me to read the content here, there is no point in my reading it any longer. I guess we all have a job within the kingdom, I will not judge yours, please don’t judge mine.
God Bless
Barbara // November 7, 2009 at 6:24 pm |
I will no longer attend church because I am deeply troubled by the state of organized Christianity . Most of what we call ‘church’ today are nothing more than well-planned performances with little actual connection between believers. Believers are encouraged toward a growing dependency on the system or its leadership rather than on Jesus himself. We spend more energy conforming behavior to what the institution needs rather than helping people be transformed at the foot of the cross!
I’m tired of trying to fellowship with people who only view church as a two-hour a week dumping ground for guilt while they live the rest of the week with the same priorities as the world. I’m tired of those who depend on their own works of righteousness but who have no compassion for the people of the world. I’m tired of insecure people using the Body of Christ as an extension of their own ego and will manipulate it to satisfy their own needs. I’m tired of sermons more filled with the bondage of religion than the freedom of God’s love and where relationships take a back seat to the demands of an efficient institution.
This site is a perfect example of the body becoming nothing more than that type of institution completely void of the living Christ, it is this attitude that will destroy the church as we know it, God is doing a work to bring the church back to Himself. AA is a better example of Christ’s love and true Christian fellowship, then the crumbling body of Christ in the U.S.
mywordlikefire // November 7, 2009 at 9:11 pm |
Ah. I see. An upsetting blog and you can no longer attend church. Kind of my point all along, Barbara. We have many who really worship the idol of AA.
Barbara // November 7, 2009 at 11:45 pm |
Not exactly, I worship Jesus and Him only, don’t need church to do that and I certainly don’t need your opinion as to who I follow. Sure you couldn’t imagine that though, since you worship the idol of religion and use it to manipulate encouragable young Christians to follow you, and make them “twice the sons of hell” you are to keep the legalistic train going. As for fellowship AA is much more real and honest as are my friends there, has nothing to do with worshiping an idol, it’s just knowing the love of Christ when I see it. At first I thought you had a genuine concern for those in AA not hearing the truth. But after reading more on this site I know in my heart it’s just more false Christianity trying to force their will and beliefs on others, and when they don’t agree condemn them. And that is when it crosses the line and becomes a cult. If you were truly following Jesus you would be loving people into the kingdom, not threatening “salvation” unless people convert to your ideology.
Barbara // November 7, 2009 at 11:49 pm |
But just think tomorrow you can play “spiritual man” at church and raise AA up in prayer, so you can pray aloud for all to hear how deeply this saddens you, and the whole place can pray in tongues as another tear rolls down the cheek of Jesus.
Barbara // November 8, 2009 at 12:21 am |
ection, trucebreakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, {false…: or, one
A religious spirit (mindset) seeks to substitute religious activity for the power of the
Holy Spirit and the grace of God in the believer’s life. The primary objective of a
Religious Spirit (mindset) is to have the church “maintain an outward form of Godliness,
while denying the power of the Holy Spirit. (1 Tim 3:5) This is accomplished by seeking to
replace true repentance and grace, with religious performance and works
The Religious Spirit:
Operates in legalism
Pride through works
Manifests Control/Manipulation*
Manifests a Critical Spirit—fault-finding, narrow criticism, setting up to failure
syndromes, etc. :
Matthew 22: 15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle
him in his talk.
16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we
know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any
man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
2
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Matthew 22:23-29 and 34-40-the Saducees and Pharisees tag team Jesus to TEST
Him.
Operates through diversion-draws attention from the main point to peripheral
issues—and ultimately to itself*
Seeks to lead, or usurp leadership (headship in marriages, Biblical leadership in
ministry)
Inflicts guilt
I will be praying for deliverance for you.
John // November 9, 2009 at 11:41 pm |
AA’s co-founder called himself a psychic: I don’t care if he talked to the Easter Bunny, the 12 steps are a path to Jesus, I know because that’s how I got there. My theology is not what get’s me through the really tough stuff in life, it comes from trust in, dependence upon, communion with Jesus, and that is available to anyone regardless of theology. I’m not saying to ignore theology, but certainly don’t worship it. It is very easy to lose genuine deep connection with Jesus, too much of a good thing is never good, too much theology leads to an arrogant I got it all figured out attitude, that Jesus despises, see how he dealt with the Pharisees. Listen I bet there are just as many people in AA that have a genuine relationship with Jesus as there are in churches within the same county. True faith displays itself in love for one another period. Church attendance, bible study, what one says they believe mean nothing if they are not producing the fruit of love. You like to say that it is not common for someone to go to AA and come to know Christ, you are wrong. The content on this site is the very thing that gives true believers and non believers alike for “heady” Christians, all head knowledge, the only trust they have is in select verses of scripture, not the living Jesus. May you find Him deeper.
mywordlikefire // November 10, 2009 at 3:29 pm |
Thanks, John.
But I have been to AA and have seen how people are pointed away from Christ. Praise Him for those who are truly saved while in AA. This is His grace.
Many false gods and false “christs” are worshiped in AA–we have to stop and say “No more.”
No more participation in this ungodly thing. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.
And you might not care that the 12 Steps are from hell, but the Lord does. And so do many of us.
John // November 10, 2009 at 3:52 pm |
It is His Grace that any of us are saved. What is your solution for those that are desperate enough to cry out to God, but because of bad experiences in childhood or just misconceptions about church, refuse to go? And what are you willing to do for those in the bondage of addictions? Are you assuming that if AA were to cease to exist that somehow the church would step up in it’s place?
mywordlikefire // November 10, 2009 at 4:06 pm |
John, the whole “bad experiences” thing has been worked to point people away from the Body of Christ. I heard that so often at the AA meetings. And, no, I am certainly not saying this hasn’t ever happened. But one of AA’s functions (as I see it) is to constantly point people away from the Body of Christ and those intolerant Bible believing Christians.
Setting Captives Free is an awesome, Biblical ministry, as one example. But I believe the Lord may have something else in mind–for however long the church is here. People need to be warned what we have been involved with. The time for ignoring Scripture, for God’s people, is over.
What would happen? 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11
John // November 10, 2009 at 4:32 pm |
My experience with the “bad experiences” is that people need to lose their false conceptions of God and come to a true understanding of God, which is the real reason for the “God of your own understanding” in the steps. I have seen people enter the body of Christ because they were allowed the time and freedom to actually experience it for themselves, instead of just having someone else’s conception of God shoved down their throat. By different conceptions of God, I am always referring to Jesus, but we each have our own conception, which is constantly changing as we are sanctified. The Holy Spirit does a great job of teaching me the truth, it’s often painful, but always rewarding. As for not entering the kingdom, due to involvement in AA, that does not concern me in the least, I’m saved and that cannot change. I’m saved by grace through faith, not works (or doctrine), however faith without works is dead, and He brought me to AA, showed me the truth and now uses me within it. And the church is us not a particular building, denomination or organization, us, wherever we are. If He has something else in mind I’m sure it will be revealed in His time, and then each can make his own choice. I don’t believe God would leave all the sick and wounded hearts that enter the halls of AA daily, nowhere to go. I can’t believe that the steps are from hell, with all the fruit I’ve seen from it. I guess I just don’t understand why someone with your faith, knowledge and experience has such a difficult time seeing AA as a great mission field. I’ve been on the mission field in Haiti, should i not have gone because they practice VooDoo? Is not our Job the Great Commission, there are no boundaries to where He is needed and none that He cannot overcome.
mywordlikefire // November 10, 2009 at 4:53 pm |
John,
This will probably be my last reply. God bless you. AA is not Biblical. It is an all-gods religion, and has taught many that “god” is within.
http://mywordlikefire.wordpress.com/a-a-s-gospel-or-the-gospel-of-jesus/