Alcoholics Anonymous History and the Bible: The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide

The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide

Historical Perspectives and Effective Modern Applications

Third Edition

Based upon

Dick B.’s lifetime of Bible study, legal scholarship and training, 24 years of continuous sobriety, work with more than 100 sponsees, 20 years of historical research, and 39 published titles.

By Dick B. and Ken B.

"Glorifying God by making known the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in the astonishing 75% overall success rate early A.A. claimed and in Cleveland's documented 93% success rate among "seemingly-hopeless," "medically-incurable," "last-gasp-case" alcoholics who really tried to follow the original recovery program developed by A.A. cofounders Bill W. and Dr. Bob in Akron, Ohio, beginning in the summer of 1935."

"Glorifying God by helping Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena substantially enhance their effectiveness in reaching those who still suffer by including accurate information about the original Akron A.A. program, its principles and techniques, and its historical setting into their recovery efforts."

Prepared for

the International Christian Recovery Coalition

July 2009

(revised in August 2009 and in March 2010)

The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide was a major focus of:

Our pre- and post-Conference meetings with Christian leaders and workers as individuals and small groups in Southern California during the week of July 13-19;
Our video taping work with Bob Noonan in studio on July 16;
“A New Way Out Leadership Conference with Dick B.!” on Saturday, July 18;
Individual proposals, and common approaches & projects of the International Christian Recovery Coalition; and
International outreach efforts designed to bring a new, accurate, historical element (with modern applications) to churches, clergy, and recovery pastors; Christian recovery programs and Christian track programs; Christian support groups; Christian recovery efforts in correctional facilities, hospitals, homeless programs, and detoxes; 12 Step and recovery fellowships; VA and military facilities, and other government programs; Christian counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and physicians; sober clubs and sober houses; and archivists, historians, and speakers.

The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide is intended as a supplementary resource. It does not aim to change the fundamental nature of any existing Christian recovery or approach. Rather, it presents an attractive, appealing, helpful, and effective segment, primarily historical and introductory in nature, that all can use: (1) to bring to their respective audiences accurate historical information about the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in the astonishing, documented successes of early A.A.; and (2) to enhance substantially the effectiveness of their Christian recovery efforts by employing the successful, relevant techniques and lessons from the original Akron A.A. program in helping those who still suffer with alcoholism, substance abuse, and other self-destructive behavior and life-controlling problems.

Suggested Additions to Christian Recovery Programs Proposed in This Guide

First, a concise, accurate, historical element containing discussions of:

Christian treatments that were effective in dealing with alcoholism prior to A.A.;
The Christian training of A.A.’s founders as youngsters;
The Christian beginnings of A.A. in Akron and New York, including discussions of how the first three AAs got sober;
The founding of early A.A., its actual practices, and the "Original" Akron program;
The astonishing 75% overall success rate early A.A. claimed and Cleveland's documented 93% success rate;
Alterations of the original Akron program that made their way into the First Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous ("the Big Book") published in April 1939;
Ways to enable a newcomer to utilize the early Christian A.A. precepts in the present-day 12 Step programs; and
Means by which Coalition leaders can adapt and apply this (new) information to their own approaches and still underline the importance of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible today.

Second, a "package" of proposed approaches tailored to the needs, ideas, and programs of Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, as well as Christians in recovery.

Third, a discussion of present-day approaches that downplay reliance on the power and love of the one true God in favor of (over) emphasizing the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions alone, “higher power” language, pseudo “spirituality,” self-made religion, and actual unbelief; and often criticizing church, religion, reliance on God, and even the mention of Jesus Christ or the Bible by those in today's recovery fellowships.

An Important New Way to Expand Your Outreach

The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide also introduces the International Christian Recovery Coalition (www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com) as a means, through common effort, of expanding your Christian efforts in the recovery arena. We suggest, for example, that you and/or your organization enhance your outreach and your service by participating in such proposed Coalition projects as sponsoring:

The completion of the "Dr. Bob Core Library" in St. Johnsbury, Vermont;
The production of Quiet Time and study group guides;
The work of distributing Dick B.'s books and Coalition literature free of charge internationally;
The establishment of an International Christian Recovery Coalition resource center--perhaps even a "Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr., Memorial Center";
The placement of the "Dick B. Historical Treasures" in a location open to the public which will enable interested parties to verify for themselves the substantial evidence of the roles of God, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Bible in the early A.A.'s astonishing successes; and
The utilization of TV, radio, DVD’s, the Internet, panels, seminars, conferences, and interviews to carry the message of "A New Way Out" both nationally and internationally.

Just as we have been blessed to have the specific sponsorship of Overcomers Outreach, Inc., in the publication of A New Way Out Guidebook by Dick B. and Ken B., and the sponsorship of Celebrate a New Life at Hope by the Sea in our present Conference and promotional flyer, we sincerely believe your participation in these Coalition efforts will advance both the objectives and the worldwide service potential of the International Christian Recovery Coalition leaders, sponsors, and other participants.

The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., by Dick B. and Ken B., (150+ pages in spiral bound, 8 ½” x 11” format) is available for purchase for US$ 35.50 for shipment to the 50 states of the United States ($30.00 plus $5.50 for USPS Priority Mail shipping). The Guide is available for US$ 41.00 for shipment to Canada and Mexico, and for US$ 43.00 for shipment to countries other than the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. (Shipment to countries outside the U.S. is via USPS International Priority Mail.)

To purchase the new, third edition of The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide by Dick B. and Ken B., please click on the “Donate” button below.

Credit or Debit Card, or PayPal Accepted. (PayPal is the gateway, BUT NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT IS REQUIRED.)

For further information, please contact Dick B. by email at DickB@DickB.com or by telephone at (808) 874-4876 (keeping in mind the time difference between the mainland and Hawaii)

Gloria Deo