Other Books Written By Dick B. – Books 27 Thru 29

UTILIZING EARLY A.A.’s SPIRITUAL ROOTS FOR RECOVERY TODAY
(Wilson House Series #1)

As his eleven years of research and writing on the subject of early A.A.’s spiritual roots was drawing to a close, author Dick B. was asked to deliver another annual seminar at The Wilson House in Vermont. By that time, he had substantially documented six major biblical roots of early A.A.’s spiritual program of recovery.

These roots were defined as the Bible, Quiet Time, Anne Smith’s Journal, the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker, Jr., the life-changing program of the Oxford Group, and the Christian literature early AAs studied. Each of those roots has been the subject of major titles by Dick, but it seemed very important to tie them together in simplified form so they could be viewed as a unit and utilized as a unit by those seeking recovery today the early A.A. way. The title commences with a chapter on the spiritual beginnings of A.A.

Piece by piece, the author details what AAs took from the Bible and utilized in framing the various Steps. The same approach is carefully taken with “Quiet Time”-–pointing out the importance of accepting Christ and using the Bible (elements frequently omitted in discussions of early A.A. “meditation”). Then follow the core Oxford Group ideas about God, sin, surrender, the power of Jesus Christ, the life-changing Five C’s, restitution, daily surrender, and the concluding spiritual awakening with witness and practice of principles. Again, their incorporation into the Steps is described. A similar presentation is given as to Sam Shoemaker’s teachings, the materials Anne Smith (Dr. Bob’s wife) used to teach the pioneers, and the subject matter of the literature.

The difficulty today is reviewed. Bill Wilson confessed to a dilemma that he didn’t seem to know how to solve. We point out the contributing elements-–Lois Wilson’s universalization view, Roman Catholic concerns, atheist hoopla, treatment jabber, additions in publishing, and a conservative Christian recoil.

The author suggests how a believer can still use the A.A. program and its roots with success today. The basic suggestion is to combine Big Book study with historical roots study; and many across the United States are now doing just that. Dick concludes by urging that the Good Book be first on your study list, then the details of Quiet Time as the pioneers did it, then the contents of Anne Smith’s journal, then taking the Oxford Group ideas as guides to understanding rather than theology. Most of all, returning to the early A.A. understanding of God as He understands Himself.

A practical, timely, simple review of the author’s eleven years of research and how he has used it to help more than 80 men in their recovery.

WHEN EARLY AAs WERE CURED AND WHY

This is the 22nd published title by A.A.’s leading historian on the history, roots, program, and successes of early Alcoholics Anonymous. It is of special importance in that the author moves from historical documentation to actual implementation. It tells you exactly how the astonishingly successful program of early A.A. was conducted and how those same elements can be taught, studied, and applied today. If early A.A. achieved a 75% to 93% success rate among “medically incurable” alcoholics who relied on the Creator and really gave their lives to the program of cure, why not you. Today!

WHY EARLY A.A. SUCCEEDED
The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today
(A Bible Study Primer for AAs and Other 12-Steppers)

Early AAs studied the Bible, took their basic recovery ideas from the Bible, and stressed reading it. They called it The Good Book. The Good Book was read at the beginning of almost every pioneer meeting. It was read at the Quiet Times held each morning at the home of Dr. Bob and Anne Smith for AAs and their families. It was the subject of almost every book, article, and devotional they used in their own Quiet Times. Bill W. later wrote Rev. Sam Shoemaker that he would like to see Bible study groups of AAs studying the Word “in church basements.”

Well and good! We know early AAs did study Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 to 7), 1 Corinthians 13, the Book of James, Psalms 23 and 91, and many other verses and chapters cited in the Christian literature they circulated. But what precisely did they study and borrow? Where do you begin today if you wish to adopt their highly successful practice? Just which portions will bring the power, peace, joy, liberty, forgiveness, healing, and deliverance from alcoholism and their other problems that early AAs sought and achieved in relying on their Creator? How do you begin if you are in A.A. or a 12 Step program and want to understand the program by using the Good Book in the way A.A.’s founders and pioneers did?

Author Dick B. has spent 11 years researching the Biblical roots and sources of early A.A.’s program. He has published 16 titles on the subject. And four of his recent titles are specifically devoted to, and useful for, Good Book study and Good Book groups in recovery programs such as A.A., Al-Anon, and the many other 12 Step groups. The four books, including this very title, are: (1) The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible; (2) Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A.; (3) By the Power of God: A Guide to Early A.A. Groups & Forming Similar Groups Today; (4) Why Early A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today (A Bible Study Primer for AAs and other 12-Steppers). We recommend you obtain and use all four as a set.

This particular title has the much requested, much needed, and highly useful guides for AAs and other “self-help” people in today’s recovery arena. The power and deliverance and love of the Creator are available today. They have simply been obscured by New Age language on “spirituality,” “higher powers,” “any god,” and just plain idols that abound in today’s literature. There are plenty of books on Bible study. There is none that addresses early A.A.’s own endorsements of Bible study, its own approach to the Good Book, and the particular “release from prisons” that AAs and others need and can find in the Bible itself. This is a “how-to” book. It doesn’t tell you what to believe, how to believe, or what to join. It does tell you “how to” read the Bible, understand early A.A. ideas and victories founded on the Bible, and put the whole deliverance picture together for yourself. The set of four books will point up four different areas of need and the solutions. First, what is the evidence in A.A. of Bible ideas and language (The Good Book and The Big Book). Second, what is the meaning of real “meditation” and Quiet Time as they were practiced (Good Morning!). Third, how did they and can you today accomplish coordinating recovery ideas with God’s own ideas in groups (By the Power of God). Finally, in this title, just what can you look for and use in the Bible now (Why Early A.A. Succeeded)!

Treat yourself to the facts! You will no longer find them in Twelve Step, Recovery, or Therapy writings. Yet they were the heart of early A.A.’s “Program” and successes.