Roundtable Series on A.A.’s Biblical Roots
(November 2001) Part One
This was an AA History seminar/ conference In Hawaii
By Dick B.
Session One The Bible in Early Alcoholics Anonymous
Important References
[Except when otherwise indicated, the references are to Dick B., Why Early A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today.]
An Understanding of Almighty God, Yahweh, Our Creator
God exists
Hebrews 11:6
God either is or he isn’t (Big Book, 3rd ed., p. 53; Shoemaker, Confident Faith, p. 187)
The Fool hath said in his heart. . . (Psalm 14:1), also, title by OG’s Beverley Nichols
Big Book (3rd ed.) so refers to Him 12 times (See Why Early A.A. Succeeded, p. 51)
For some Bible references to God as Creator (ibid., p. 51)
Our Creator offers us a relationship with Him (ibid., pp. 52-55)
Our Creator was, in the Good Book, clearly identified, known, and understood
Bill specifically referred to Almighty over 400 times in the 3rd ed. (ibid., pp. 55-6)
There is but one God (ibid., pp. 57, 70)
There is no other God like Him (ibid., pp. 71-2)
The Bible draws a clear line between idols and our Creator (Psalm 115)
God has a personal name – Yahweh–YHWH in the texts (ibid, pp. 61-6)
“This is my name for all time” (ibid., p. 65)
Correctly so translated in the Jerusalem Bible (ibid, p. 65)
There are many Bible verses that enable us understand Yahweh – Almighty God, Maker, is in heaven, Spirit, not a man, invisible, love, light–and many more (ibid., pp. 66-69)
Our Creator Communicates with Us in Many Ways
He speaks to us directly, through angels, through prophets, through His Son, by revelation, and by the Bible (References are in Why Early AA Succeeded, pp. 74 to 79)
The Bible IS the Word of God
It so states many times (ibid, pp. 84-6)
It tells us how we received it from God (ibid., pp. 86-7, 90-1)
It contains His will (ibid., pp. 91-2)
It is truth (ibid., pp. 92-3)
It directly offers us far far more than just sobriety: a new birth, everlasting life, an abundant life, the power of God, the ability to heal, victory, future rewards, wisdom, discerning of truth (ibid., pp. 93-8)
We often are so busy “listening” or “reading” that we miss the Bible’s point that the guidance of God is important to understanding. And so is study (ibid., pp. 99-100)
The Significance of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
God’s will effected through what Jesus Christ accomplished: Forgiveness of sins, healing, asking in Jesus’s name, gathering believers together, deliverance from the wrath to come (ibid., pp. 118-22)
Sin, Disobedience, Grace
The Grace of God–unearned favor from God–is the answer (ibid., pp. 125, 130-31)
Love
Choices
Obedience to God’s will (ibid., p. 143)
The Bible clarifies the difference between duty and choice (ibid., pp.144-45)
Deliverance, Release, Growth
Our need to grow (prayer, changing thoughts, resisting the Devil, believing); ibid., pp 171, 172, 178, 181, 183
Temptation is not from God (ibid, p. 187)
(ibid., p. 197)
